Cannot install Vista SP2

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MobileTechie

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I've a Dell laptop in running Vista Home Basic which had severe slowdown problems. These appear to be solved by correcting some file system errors and chkdsk/r'ing some bad sectors. It had no SPs so I installed SP1 no problems. It also installed various updates OK.

But it will not install SP2. It gives the error: 800F081F

I've installed the update readiness tool just in case but that does nothing nor did the MS update Fixit. I've uninstalled all security apps and tried installing after a setting up a diagnostic startup in MSConfig in an attempt to rule out errant services and startup apps.

Event viewer shows a very long list of Servicing errors most of which are along the lines of "Windows Servicing failed to complete the process of setting package KB948465 (Service Pack) into Resolved state". The one that happens before this is "Windows Servicing identified that package KB948465 is not applicable to this system".

So it seems that Vista thinks it doesn't need it it or that it isn't suitable.
 
Are you trying to install from a cd or somewhere locally? I had the same problem yesterday with a Vista laptop and SP1. I did what you did then did an online update and it was fine after that.
 
You might try installing it from safe mode also.

I have had tons of problems SPing Vista machines.
 
I had a simliar issue some time ago, I don't think it was the same error code though. I resolved the issue by turning UAC off whilst I installed the SP.
 
same issue

Hello I had same issue with Dell Inspirion 1420 laptop except it started as SP1. I reimaged, no luck, after 2 days of trying everying I could think of, safe mode, google, ms site, etc. I ended up upgrading to windows 7. I would love to find a solution. I don't like being defeted by windows.
 
OK I tried deleting the Software Distribution folder as outlined in the article linked to and safe mode and the same result unfortunately :(
 
I had a similar issue, what fixed it for me was not letting it auto restart upon completion, and copying the exe of the service pack to the desktop and installing it from the desktop..hope that helps.
 
Do you mean using the downloaded installer? I've tried that and no dice. It never gets to the restart bit as it stops during the first phase.
 
MobileTechie said:
I've a Dell laptop in running Vista Home Basic which had severe slowdown problems. These appear to be solved by correcting some file system errors and chkdsk/r'ing some bad sectors. It had no SPs so I installed SP1 no problems. It also installed various updates OK.

But it will not install SP2. It gives the error: 800F081F

I've installed the update readiness tool just in case but that does nothing nor did the MS update Fixit. I've uninstalled all security apps and tried installing after a setting up a diagnostic startup in MSConfig in an attempt to rule out errant services and startup apps.

Event viewer shows a very long list of Servicing errors most of which are along the lines of "Windows Servicing failed to complete the process of setting package KB948465 (Service Pack) into Resolved state". The one that happens before this is "Windows Servicing identified that package KB948465 is not applicable to this system".

So it seems that Vista thinks it doesn't need it it or that it isn't suitable.
Click to expand...

The bolded might be a clue. How old is the hard drive?

Rick
 
I'm thinking there are corrupted system files. Especially after noting that a check disk was ran and bad sectors were found. I'm not too familiar with Vista did you run the system file checker?The other thing too is if the system was infected severely enough it may have just damaged some core items. I agree with disabling the A/V and if it still doesn't work try uninstalling the A/V. Also try disabling UAC. If all else fails I'm going with fresh install of Vista after more diagnostics on that hard drive.
 
nmdotcom said:
I'm thinking there are corrupted system files. Especially after noting that a check disk was ran and bad sectors were found. I'm not too familiar with Vista did you run the system file checker?The other thing too is if the system was infected severely enough it may have just damaged some core items. I agree with disabling the A/V and if it still doesn't work try uninstalling the A/V. Also try disabling UAC. If all else fails I'm going with fresh install of Vista after more diagnostics on that hard drive.
Click to expand...

Just to add if you find smart cautions on the drive then just replace it and reload.
 
True, you may just want to check that hard drive again. Also I read about tapi32.dll missing or being corrupted causing SP2 not to install correctly. Which in your case it may be corrupted but is it corrupted from malicious software or is it physically corrupted from the potentially faulty drive? Hope you get it sorted out.
 
I have had so many bad drives lately that its now standard procedure for me to run Crystaldisk during the diagnoses in front of the customer. There where to many times i quoted a tune-up just to have to call the customer and tell them there HD was bad.
 
The drive has no smart events in Crystal Disk and shows up fine other than the 4 remapped sectors shown in chkdsk. It COULD be that but it really doesn't look like it at the moment.
 
MobileTechie said:
other than the 4 remapped sectors shown in chkdsk.
Click to expand...


If you have ANY bad sectors the drive is bad. Always replace every drive with bad sectors, every time. That is likes busting a balloon and fixing it with tape, yes it may work for a bit, but soon it will fail again...

In this case if your lucky, you can image to a good drive and install the service pack, if your unlucky it corrupted windows too badly, and you will have to do a full reinstall.
 
I gave up on this one a while back but now I have a family member that has it so I can spend as much time as I need to resolve this properly. Does anyone know how to resolve this one? I don't have the error details right now but it was something like Error Failed to find the CixTarget for Container package blah blah.

I've tried everything the op tried plus all the usual things. Both the downloaded service pack and the one directly through windows update failed with same error. If it helps jog some memories... through the automatic updates it typically failed at like 60.1mb download and 9% if my memory services me correct.

I will keep working on it until I finally find how to resolve it but if any of you happen to know how to successfully resolve this one let me know. To my knowledge there has been no successful resolution to this issue posted online.

Edit: Anyone know what CixTarget even means?
 
Last edited:
I went thru this a while back and like you after trying everything under the sun I did an inplace upgrade install and sp2 installed without a hitch.
 
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