Cannot install SP2 update for Vista

I have tried to update Vista to SP2 multiple times this year and have been unsuccessful - I just tried to install some new Anitvirus and one of the requirements for Vista is SP2. So, I finally have to address the issue.

I was able to download & save the correct (SP2 x64) directly from Microsoft, but it will not install - halfway thru the process I get an error that install was unsuccessful, need to restart and try again.
I have all security programs already disabled
Per Microsoft Trouble shooting:
I downloaded and ran a "Install Fix it" scan from Microsoft - the scan indicated all is well.
I downloaded and ran Microsoft "Hot Fix" - it would never finish the install, made it halfway and just sat there for hours - no error message.

This PC is in my young daughters room and has seen very little Internet action - no email, no social networking, very little surfing. Mainly games and getting on line for Club Penguin.

OS Name Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Home Premium
Version 6.0.6001 Service Pack 1 Build 6001
Other OS Description Not Available
System Type x64-based PC
Processor Pentium(R) Dual-Core CPU E5200 @ 2.50GHz, 2500 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 2 Logical Processor(s)

 

Greetings, estaban...

Do you have a valid Windows Vista installation disk? If so, try this:

If this procedure is successful you may have to allow Windows Automatic Update to download and install several updates, including Service Pack #2.

 

Are you sure that you are not running the 32 bit version of Vista? Post a screenshot from System in Control panel.

 

The Bold / Italic (at the bottom of my beginning post) was copied from my System Info - definitely 64 Bit.

This PC did not come with an installation disk. I ask about that when I purchased it and the vendor said that a lot of PC's & Laptops are not coming with them now - don't know if this is correct, maybe Best Buy jipped me.

On first initial start up of this PC there were some prompts that gave instructions to make a Recovery Disc (2 DVD discs) and an Application Disc (1 DVD).

Will one of these work?

 

Just so we are all on the same page, the Vista SP2 that you downloaded and tried to install was this very large file here. I don't have anything more, I just want to make sure it was the full redistributable that you tried and not just something that downloaded only missing updates.

 

estaban, the x64 just means the processor is 64-bit, not what version of the OS. Again, post a screen shot from the System screen, where it shows System. It will state what version of Vista is installed.

Try downloading the DVD ISO from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dd262148.aspx The ISO contains all versions of SP2 for Vista, and will choose the appropriate one, determined by what version of Vista is running on your computer.

The only other thing you can do if you get to the point of pulling all of your hair out, is to do a clean install of Vista, then run the SP off of the DVD, before installing any updates.

 

The fact that you did make a recovery disk set is a good thing. However, I am not sure if the procedure I posted earlier will work with the recovery disks - it's worth a shot, though, just to see if booting to those disks will present you with a normal Windows Setup or Recovery screen.

Be careful, though - most OEM recovery routines involve a hard drive wipe and or/format. You might consider salvaging any important data before pursuing that route.

Also, the Service Pack download could very well have been corrupted - especially since it's such a large file. Agreed with the others: a re-download might be in order.

* As an aside: I think that if this is an x64 machine and if your Vista has been running smoothly, then it's a good bet that your Vista is 64-bit.

 

I don't know how to post a screen shot - I did copy and paste the text from System Info:

OS Name Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Home Premium
Version 6.0.6001 Service Pack 1 Build 6001
Other OS Description Not Available
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name CARLEY-PC
System Manufacturer Gateway
System Model DX4720-03
System Type x64-based PC
Processor Pentium(R) Dual-Core CPU E5200 @ 2.50GHz, 2500 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 2 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. A7399NG2.202, 8/6/2008
SMBIOS Version 2.5
Windows Directory C:\Windows
System Directory C:\Windows\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume2
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "6.0.6001.18000"
User Name Carley-PC\Carley
Time Zone Pacific Standard Time
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 4.00 GB
Total Physical Memory 3.75 GB
Available Physical Memory 2.38 GB
Total Virtual Memory 7.71 GB
Available Virtual Memory 6.04 GB
Page File Space 4.04 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

 

I'm fairly sure it shipped with 64bit http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883113078

You can just right-click Computer and select Properties. Under System Type: it should say 32 or 64 bit OS.

http://raoulpop.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/vista-system-properties1.jpg?w=800

 

The good thing is, if you cannot get the recovery discs from Gateway, and unable to get the SP2 iso to work, you can still get the OEM of Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit OEM for $99.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986 or Pro for $139.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116992