System Update Readiness Tool For Vista
I spend most of the day yesterday preparing a notebook with Windows Vista installed to hand it over to a family member today. The notebook had not been in use for quite some time, and missed a few updates, among them the Windows Vista Service Pack 2 update which is considered one of the most essential updates for the operating system.
I made the decision to install all updates, and new software to make the transition for the family member as easy as possible. Starting with Windows Updates, I ran into the problem that the Service Pack 2 installation would not complete.
The notebook was running an OEM copy of Vista, licensed to Toshiba. Research on the Internet revealed many users who had troubles installing Vista SP2 on OEM notebooks and desktop PCs.
The main suggestion in most of the "how to fix service pack 2 installation problems" guides, articles and forum posts was to run the System Update Readiness Tool for Vista.
This tool is being offered because an inconsistency was found in the Windows servicing store which may prevent the successful installation of future updates, service packs, and software. This tool checks your computer for such inconsistencies and tries to resolve issues if found. This update is provided to you and licensed under the Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 License Terms.
It seemed to fix the issue for many users, but not all. Fingers crossed, I downloaded the software from Microsoft Download and began the installation.
It took about 15 minutes for the tool to analyse the system, and install a single hotfix. I tried the installation of the Service Pack 2 via Windows Update again after that and lo and behold, it installed without errors this time.
This may help other users who are in a similar situation, even though I doubt it that this many Vista PCs are still running Service Pack 1 or no service pack at all.
Did you ever run into troubles installing a service pack in Windows? Let us know about it and how you fixed the issue.
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Although I have installed / loaded / reloaded Vista, then upgraded the software to SP2 several times, this article is the 1st time I have heard of “System Update Readiness Tool for Vista”. After reading about the tool, I guess my usual preparation process for an installation / update has been worth the thoroughness of entering the job. One of the most important things is to ensure, as much as possible, the accuracy of the status of files on the disk and the correctness of the current registry. If those 2 items are in good shape, more than half of the battle is won before it has even started, and the “System Update Readiness Tool for Vista” won’t be requited…probably the reason I never heard of it / had it ‘invoked’ on me.
Am sorry to hear of your efforts, but the message should be taken by all who have systems to maintain…preparation is well-worth the effort or the effort may require the need for the use of another kind of preparation!
Enough of the hopeful wit….