Vista SP2 doesn't show up in Windows Update, 8007007e error when using standalone installer

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

Based on the information you have provided, I understand that you are getting error code “0x8007007e” while installing Windows Vista SP2 in Windows Vista. I will certainly help you with this issue.

Were there any changes made to the computer prior to the issue?

Please follow the steps from the link.

Important this section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

How to back up and restore the registry in Windows

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756

Unable to install updates in Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2509997

If you face any more issues while working with Windows do post on Microsoft Community Forum.

Please answer each of the following diagnostic questions in a correspondingly-numbered list in your very next reply (no need to quote this post):

1. What is the full name of your installed anti-virus application or security suite andwhen (approx. date) does your current subscription expire? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender) are installed? What third-party firewall (if any)?

2. Has a(nother) Norton application or a McAfee application EVER been installed on the computer?

3. Did a Norton free-trial or a McAfee free-trial [PICK ONE] come preinstalled on the computer when you bought it? (Doesn't matter if you never used or Activated it.)

4a. Why wasn't SP2 installed years ago? [1]

4b. Is SP2 being offered via Windows Update or have you just been trying to install it manually?

5. Is Firefox, Chrome or any other alternate browser installed?

6. Are you in the habit of using "Registry cleaners" (e.g., Registry Mechanic; System Mechanic; RegCure; RegClean Pro; Advanced SystemCare; Registry Booster; McAfee QuickClean; AVG PC TuneUp; Norton Registry Cleaner; PCTools Optimiser; SpeedUpMyPC; Advanced System Optimizer; TuneUp Utilities; WinMaximizer; WinSweeper; CCleaner Registry Cleaner)?

7. Have you ever had occasion to do a Repair Install or a clean install of Vista for any reason?

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[1] Note: Support for Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) ended on Tuesday, 12 July 2011. Computers still running Vista SP1 "will no longer receive software updates [i.e., updates released after 12 July 2011 so you're now at least nineteen (19) months behind on critical security updates! ] from Windows Update" until SP2 has been installed (which will require that several Prerequisite Updates be installed first).

• What does it mean if my version of Windows is no longer supported?
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/help/what-does-end-of-support-mean

1.  Microsoft Security Essentials (I don't believe this expires if I am correct).  I also have Malware Bytes Anti-Malware installed.  I have no firewall that I'm aware of.

2.  Norton and McAfee have both been installed on my computer at some point in time, although I uninstalled them years ago when my subscription expired.

3.  A Norton free-trial came installed when I purchased my computer (back in 2008).

4a.  I never really noticed I needed service pack 2.  The only thing that brought this to my attention is the fact that Internet Explorer 8 cannot be upgraded to Internet Explorer 9 without SP2

4b.  Service Pack 2 does not show up on my Windows Update list (it never has).  I've tried the standalone installer numerous times as described in my initial post with no success

5.  Firefox is also currently installed since I started having some compatability issues with IE8 since a few months ago.

6.  I have never once used a registry cleaner.

7.  About a year ago I had to completely reinstall Windows Vista due to a virus that rendered my computer unusable. 

Thank you very much for any help you can provide

Chances are you're seeing the effects of another hijackware infection, possibly compounded by a W32/Alureon-variant rootkit infection!

OPTION A: Residents of North America (US & CA), the UK (and perhaps other regions now) may obtainMicrosoft-sponsored Premium (i.e., paid) Support via the Answer Desk => http://answerdesk.microsoftstore.com [2]

OPTION B (Recommended): See...

   • Cleaning a Compromised System
      http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc700813.aspx

Then see the (my) ANSWER post in this thread and follow those instructions (to-the-letter & in order this time around!) to return your computer to a secure & functional state: http://answers.microsoft.com/thread/c44429fb-3f7c-4646-8529-5a97bb3cd0eb

If you need additional assistance with the clean install, you can begin your own, new thread in this forum: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_vista-system

If these procedures are outside of your technical "comfort zone" - and there is no shame in admitting this isn't your cup of tea - take the computer to a local, reputable and independent (i.e., not a "BigBoxStore" or the Geek Squad!) computer repair shop & let them do the work.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Note: The computer should NOT be connected to the internet or any local networks (i.e., other computers) in its current state. All of your personal data (e.g., online banking & credit-card passwords) should be considered at-risk, if not already compromised. Chances are Microsoft Security Essentials it not installed or working properly!

Wish I'd had better news for you. Good luck!

Since I have nothing further to add to this discussion, I will no longer be monitoring this thread.

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[1] $99.00 USD for "up to 2 hours" of remote support; paid up-front & no guarantees whatsoever!