Install updates failed -- no Install disc to perform a repair

[Percival P. Cassidy]

I reported earlier that I had been unable to install SP2 on Vista Business.

After restoring from a backup I was able to install SP2, and when I
rebooted I was informed that a further 47 updates were available. I gave
it the go ahead, but only 5 were successful. Repeated attempts to
install the remaining 42 (many of which are described as important
security updates) have failed.

I have downloaded and installed the System Update Readiness tool, but
the log file it created shows no errors.

The next step, according to Microsoft, is to use the original
installation DVD to perform a repair install -- but I have no
installation DVD: this machine came with Vista Business preinstalled,
and with a Rescue and Recovery partition on the hd, from which I have
created a set of CDs from which I can restore the machine to its
original configuration.

I downloaded an .iso from which I have created what is described as a
Vista Repair disc, but the only thing it can repair is boot problems,
which I do not have.

How do I fix this problem? And please don't tell me that the only thing
I can do is restore from a backup and start all over again. IAC, who is
to say that that I wouldn't run into the same problem again?

Perce

 

[Percival P. Cassidy]

Except for having installed a few programs in between installing SP1 and
SP2 (because I didn't realize at first that there was an SP2), what you
are suggesting is what got me to where I am now.

So, again, what assurance is there that I won't end up in the same place
again?

Oh, and as for antivirus software: I installed MSE and uninstalled the
trial version of Norton. I have also tried deactivating MSE before
trying to install these reluctant updates.

Perce

 

[MLD]

May takes a bit longer but I never install more than 2-3 updates at a time
depending on the size of them. The real important ones go in by themselves.
At least is something doesn't go quite right at least you have a handle on
where to start looking.
MLD

 

[Percival P. Cassidy]

I have also tried installing just one or two at a time of the reluctant
42 -- different ones on different occasions. None has installed
successfully.

Perce

 

[Percival P. Cassidy]

Yesterday I pressed Restart when I logged out of Linux Mint and walked
away. Later I came back and found that it had booted into Vista and was
waiting for me to log in, but as we were about to go out I chose Shut
Down instead -- only to be greeted by "Do not turn off your machine.
Installing ... of 42 updates." All seems to be fine now. Windows is weird.

Perce

 

[Percival P. Cassidy]

Today, a few minutes after booting into Vista again, I got the message
that updates were waiting to be installed -- 42 of them! And the update
history log showed that all 42 updates had failed to install yesterday.

Perce