Can't explain it

[Just.some.guy]

Maybe you can. My 73 year old dad has a Compaq desktop computer that came
with Vista Home Basic on it. He bought it about a year or so ago. He just
uses it for email and surfing. Since he has owned it, there have been no
problems...a little slower than his XP was...but that's life and he has
nothing but time anyway Today, he saw where there was an update...the SP1
update, so he installed it. After it installed, windows would not load up
properly, it just kept going to a black screen giving the options of normal
load, safe mode, safe mode with networking etc. 7 times the *normal* load
was tried and 7 times it would not load. So the 8th time safe mode was
selected, and it did go into safe mode. He looked around, but not being a
computer whiz, he really didn't know what to look for, so he restarted it
again hoping it would load normally....it didn't. 4 times he tried and 4
times he was disappointed. He went into safe mode again, and this time he
uninstalled SP1 and when it finished uninstalling guess what??? The computer
loaded up the way it had been doing for the past year with no problems. To
me that says there was a problem with the SP1 files, but I'm no computer
whiz either. Those of you that are...any ideas? I have a laptop with Vista
Premium on it, and I'm afraid to update now.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Learn how to install Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1)
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/Help/133c8953-c9cd-4fa5-8883-03e91bb6f2021033.mspx

Free SP1 technical support from Microsoft:
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-us&x=8&y=7&prid=11274&gprid=500921

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience -
Windows System & Performance

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

:

Maybe you can. My 73 year old dad has a Compaq desktop computer that came
with Vista Home Basic on it. He bought it about a year or so ago. He just
uses it for email and surfing. Since he has owned it, there have been no
problems...a little slower than his XP was...but that's life and he has
nothing but time anyway Today, he saw where there was an update...the SP1
update, so he installed it. After it installed, windows would not load up
properly, it just kept going to a black screen giving the options of normal
load, safe mode, safe mode with networking etc. 7 times the *normal* load
was tried and 7 times it would not load. So the 8th time safe mode was
selected, and it did go into safe mode. He looked around, but not being a
computer whiz, he really didn't know what to look for, so he restarted it
again hoping it would load normally....it didn't. 4 times he tried and 4
times he was disappointed. He went into safe mode again, and this time he
uninstalled SP1 and when it finished uninstalling guess what??? The computer
loaded up the way it had been doing for the past year with no problems. To
me that says there was a problem with the SP1 files, but I'm no computer
whiz either. Those of you that are...any ideas? I have a laptop with Vista
Premium on it, and I'm afraid to update now.

 

[John Barnett MVP]

There have been driver issues with SP1 and this is probably the cause of the
problem with your Dad. I can understand his frustration and, maybe, his
reluctance to try to re-install the service pack, especially as neither you
or your Dad are computer whizzes. At least, and I'm not being patronising
here, he was sensible enough to uninstall SP1 when he realised he wasn't
going to get anywhere leaving it installed. Many users have not had that
luxury.

The problem is now that he has uninstalled it, it will be offered again by
Windows Update. Make sure he doesn't install it again until you have read
method 5 of this knowledgebase article
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=948343

The main contents of this article doesn't really affect you, but the details
in method 5 show the drivers that need updating so check to see that you
have the latest versions of these prior to updating.

Maybe I'm going to annoy loads of people and get other to jump for joy I
don't know, but SP1 basically addresses performance issues and a number of
fixes. Other than that it isn't going to add any extra Wow factor or
features to the Vista you already have so, if your Dad is happy with the way
his computer is currently running the I would advise him to stay clear of
SP1, at least until some of the installation problems have been ironed out.
I'm not saying 'never' install it, just wait a little longer before
implementing it.


--
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

 

[Just.some.guy]

Thanks to both of you for your responses. I will read up on it and hopefully
understand what to do. Thanks again.

 

[John Barnett MVP]

You're Welcome

--
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..