Problems installing Windows 7 SP1 64-bit: "Installation was not successful" DS_S_SUCCESS(0x0)

If possible, boot into Safe Mode, and do a System Restore before you installed the Service Pack and reference the information I have provided below with instructions about how to install Windows 7 SP1.

Microsoft released the first beta back in June 2010 followed by a Release Candidate late October 2010 and the final RTM availability (February 16^th 2011 MSDN/TechNet subscribers) and public Availability (February 22^nd 2011). Unlike previous Service Packs, Windows 7 SP1 does not contain any major improvements; it’s basically a rollup of updates that have been released for the operating system since it went to manufacturing July 22^nd 2009. If you have been diligently updating your computer through Windows Update since then, you basically have all that SP1 has to offer.

Windows 7 SP1 is provided in two ways, either as a full .ISO file download weighing in at 2.4 GBs or as an update available through Windows Update. The .ISO file contains SP1 code for different processor architectures such as x86, x86-x64 and Itanium systems. Because I have a mixture of 32 and 64 bit systems, I went with the .ISO file. Whichever method you choose, here are some tips for ensuring a smooth installation.

1. Make sure you install the latest updates for Windows 7, your applications and device drivers. This can ensure a smooth experience I noticed, although Windows 7 SP1 is minor, you don’t want to take any chances. If you are updating through Windows Update, it also guarantees a smaller update since only missing patches will be applied.

2. Backup – you can never go wrong with backing up; this is something you should do often even when you are not making major changes to your computer. Windows 7 has made it very easy tobackup your computer . The built in system imaging and backup and restore center makes it convenient to back up the operating system and all your critical data. In fact, I used this to test the beta and RC releases of SP1 on my production system. This method carried its risks, but at least I knew my RTM installation was safely backed up and tucked away from pre-release code.

3. Don’t do it during a major project, if you have something you are working on at the moment on your computer or in the middle of an assignment or work related project which you might need your PC for, don’t install the Service Pack right away. Do it in your off time, such as on the weekend or when you know you can leave your PC while it installs itself automatically. My installation took over 2 hours.

4. This brings me to another point, which is, don’t install SP1 on a laptop on battery power, it’s a CPU intensive task and will use up most of your battery power. So make sure your laptop is connected to power. For desktop users, I strongly recommend you have a UPS connected, you just don’t know when the unexpected can occur. You might just be in the last lap of completing the 2 hour installation and lose power.

5. Disable your Antivirus, I remember installing the SP1 beta with Microsoft Security Essentials version 1 installed and received an error that my Antivirus is not compatible. Although this was resolved, your experience might vary. I haven’t experienced the issue in the RTM code although I am running Microsoft Security Essentials version 2. Someone reported receiving an error message about Forefront Client Security not allowing the Service Pack to install. The recommendation is to disable Forefront which is based on the same core scanning engine as MSE or make sure you at least have the latest version of Forefront client security installed.

6. Another thing you should do is a clean boot before installing the Service Pack, you can do this by:

• Click Start, type msconfig in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
• Accept User Account Control permission
• If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
• On the General tab, click Selective Startup.
• Under Selective Startup, click to clear the Load Startup Items check box.
• Click the Services tab, click to select the Hide All Microsoft Services check box, and then click Disable All.
• Click OK.
• When you are prompted, click Restart.
• After the computer starts, proceed with the installation.

7. Another task you should try is to check your hard disk for errors:

• Click Start
• Type: CMD, from the results, right click CMD
• Click ‘Run as Administrator’
• At the Command Prompt, type: chkdsk /r /f

When you restart your system, your computer will be scanned for errors and attempts will be made to correct them.

If you are installing through Windows Update, try downloading the full installer instead:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=c3202ce6-4056-4059-8a1b-3a9b77cdfdda#QuickDetails

 

 

Credit Jason H [MS Support]

1. Click Start type cmd (you should see the command prompt populate at the top) Right-click it and select Run as Administrator
Inside the prompt type sfc /scannow
*Info on the System File Checker

2. Click: Reset Windows Update Componentsand run the FixIt? in both default and aggressive modes.

3. Download / Install / Run theSystem Update Readiness Tool(Links below, please take note and ensure you install the correct 64 or 32bit option for your system)

Download the System Update Readiness Tool (64bit)

Download the System Update Readiness Tool (32bit)

 

4. Rename the Software Distribution folder:

Click Start Menu > Type %windir% and Press 'OK'
Locate the SoftwareDistribution folder
Right-click the SoftwareDistribution folder and then right-click > Rename
Type SoftwareDistributionOld Press 'ENTER'

Please let us know if these steps successfully resolve your issue.

---

Teching It Easy: With Windows |ActiveWin |Notebooks | Microsoft MVP

I had the same problem on a HP p6212 desk top. First attempt at download was unsuccessful. Second attempt succeeded. Restart stalled at 48%. After about 10 minutes, system automatically restarted again stalling at 48%. This occurred about 6 times. Then, the system tried to automatically restore because of unsuccessful install. This took about 15 minutes and occurring 4 times. Finally I caught the system restarting pressing F8 and the system went to the desktop with no choices. I saw a window saying that the install was unsuccessful with an error code of 0x80070643.

I like windows 7, 64bit. This is the first problem in over a year of use. I am not sure what the problem is.

Anyone have a clue? Please don't tell me it's my Norton Security Suite - Don't buy that.

 

1. Insert the Windows 7 DVD
2. Restart your computer
3. When asked if you want to boot from your DVD drive, do so.
4. Choose your language, click Next.
5. Click 'Repair your computer'
6. Select operating system you want to repair.

---

Teching It Easy: With Windows |ActiveWin |Notebooks | Microsoft MVP

Andre,

You have been copying and pasting the same response in al lthe posts for "Windows 7 SP1".   Thanks, but your generic advice is useless to me.

 

Some of this you may have already tried but I've included in my post as a reference.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Steps to take before installing Windows 7 Service Pack 1
How to increase your chances of installing Service Pack 1 successfully.
http://www.pagestart.com/win7sp1steps021611.html

Run the System Update Readiness Tool:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947821/en-us

Try Renamng the 'Software Distribution folder':
Click the Start Menu and enter:  %windir%    then press 'OK'
Next: Locate the SoftwareDistribution folder
Right click on the 'SoftwareDistribution' folder and then select the 'Rename' option.
Rename the folder to:  SoftwareDistributionOld   and press the 'ENTER' key.
Windows will create a new 'SoftwareDistribution' folder when needed.

Also: Steps to take before installing Win7 SP1
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2505743

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available
for issues related to Windows 7 Service Packs:
Note: Availability of chat, phone or e-mail support differs depending on your geographic location.
Some issues may require more advanced support for which there may be a charge: https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?&gprid=14496&&st=1&wfxredirect=1&sd=gn

Windows 7 - Service Pack 1 – How to install Step by Step
http://www.pagestart.com/win7sp1sbs02201101.html

Learn how to install Win 7 SP1
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/learn-how-to-install-windows-7-service-pack-1-sp1

Win7 SP1: Installation tips
http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2011/02/16/windows-7-sp1-follow-up.aspx

-----------------------------------------------------

Instead of using Windows Update try the SP1 Download:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=c3202ce6-4056-4059-8a1b-3a9b77cdfdda

For 32-Bit Windows 7 download: windows6.1-KB976932-X86.exe
For 64-Bit Windows 7 download: windows6.1-KB976932-X64.exe

Windows 7 - Service Pack 1 – How to install Step by Step
http://www.pagestart.com/win7sp1sbs02201101.html

JS
http://www.pagestart.com

---

Never be afraid to ask. This forum has some of the best people in the world available to help.

Thanks for the suggestions.  Still experiencing the same problem.

Here is a list of stuff that I did:

1. used the "troubleshooter" to fix Windows Update (from the control panel)

2. Ran the System Update Readiness Tool (no error messages displayed)

3. Disabled Microsoft Security Essentials Real-time protection

4. Followed http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135 to diable all startup items  and disabled ALL non-MS services, and rebooted

5. Renamed the Software Distribution Folder (as OP suggested)

6. Ensured that I have 8GB+ of free disk space

7. Rebooted into "Safe Mode" and ran the SP1 installer

8. Ran "sfc.exe /scannow" no errors reported

I continue to get the same error message (reported at top of thread).   One thing I noticed is that when "shutting down" for a reboot, Windows does not display any "progress" (e.g. 20% complete...)  I recall when patching my workstation, the SP1 installer did perform some activity just afer "logging off" but prior to "shutting down" for a reboot.   This is not happening on the lapotop I am trying to patch.

If it is of any value, I am using a lenvovo ThinkPad T60p.  Windows 7 is Build 7600  Retail Box.

 

 

 

Are you using HDMI? If so switch over to to Analog or Digital.

Please be patient on reponces, the server has stoped sending me alerts and Microsoft has some scheduled changes set for this weekend, they must be starting early.

JS
http://www.pagestart.com

 

 

---

Never be afraid to ask. This forum has some of the best people in the world available to help.

J W, open a browser tab, open your 'My Threads', it will keep updated on threads that you have responded to.

---

Teching It Easy: With Windows |ActiveWin |Notebooks | Microsoft MVP

Thanks for the advice.

1. BIOS is up to date as of April 2010, but laptop is now 4+ years old and support from Lenovo is pretty well ended..

2. No HDMI.  It is a laptop with only an SVGA output.

3. I will re-download the standalone installer for SP1  x64.

4. I have not checked for the latest drivers for video, network, but I will do.

5. Ran a chkdsk.  No issues.

I will attempt the above and update this post tomorrow.

Comox