Installing service pack 1

[KPM]

I have a Dell notebook that was purchased with Vista Business preinstalled.
I was going to try to install Vista Service Pack 1 from my msdn DVD dated May
2008 ( disc 4455 ). The first thing I did was run the setup.exe, which takes
me into a Vista installation. So I cancel out of that, and now my computer
screen has "Test Mode" in the four corners, even though this is a perfectly
legal installation. Also that promptly cleaned out any chance of doing a
System Restore, with the latest restore point now after the date of this
attempted installation. I did browse the dvd for some install of Service
Pack 1, but any other executable that I attempted to run resulted in error
messages about files not found. Any legal way of getting me out of the "test
mode" without resorting to the hacks described on the internets, and getting
the service pack to install from the msdn DVD?

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

If any version of SP1, Test Mode or any other, installed without a
successful System Restore point being created, it pretty much puts you in
the 'need one of those hacks from the Internet' category. Any recovery
option you find is going to include a new registry. The F8 startup menu on a
Dell usually includes several restore options. You are going to be forced to
choose the one most palatable to you.

 

[Charles W Davis]

Tried Windows Update?

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

I have a Dell notebook that was purchased with Vista Business preinstalled.
I was going to try to install Vista Service Pack 1 from my msdn DVD dated
May
2008 ( disc 4455 ). The first thing I did was run the setup.exe, which
takes
me into a Vista installation. So I cancel out of that, and now my
computer
screen has "Test Mode" in the four corners, even though this is a
perfectly
legal installation. Also that promptly cleaned out any chance of doing a
System Restore, with the latest restore point now after the date of this
attempted installation. I did browse the dvd for some install of Service
Pack 1, but any other executable that I attempted to run resulted in error
messages about files not found. Any legal way of getting me out of the
"test
mode" without resorting to the hacks described on the internets, and
getting
the service pack to install from the msdn DVD?

Restore from an image backup you made prior to starting. Since you are an
experienced MSDN subscriber I'm confident you took this step.