I have Vista Ultimate 32 bit on a quad core 2.33 mhz cpu, 4 gb ddr2 1066, 2
500gb sata drives in raid1 mirror array. When trying to install sp2 it would
stop the installation and revert. I tried the solution from the MS site and
downloaded an .iso, burned to disc and tried again. After this install and
reboot I got a message windows would have to be reinstalled and reactivated.
I managed to get into safe mode and use system restore to get it working
again and it will download other updates. I tried uninstalling IE8 as it
seems to be having issues but got the reinstall and reactivate message again
and had to restore in safe mode. My laptop with Vista home premium
downloaded and installed fine but my desktop would be a major pain to
install from scratch and if I did would probably go 64 bit anyway. Anyone
come across this or have any ideas?

thanks Mike

I have Vista Ultimate 32 bit on a quad core 2.33 mhz cpu, 4 gb ddr2 1066,
2 500gb sata drives in raid1 mirror array. When trying to install sp2 it
would stop the installation and revert. I tried the solution from the MS
site and downloaded an .iso, burned to disc and tried again. After this
install and reboot I got a message windows would have to be reinstalled
and reactivated. I managed to get into safe mode and use system restore to
get it working again and it will download other updates. I tried
uninstalling IE8 as it seems to be having issues but got the reinstall and
reactivate message again and had to restore in safe mode. My laptop with
Vista home premium downloaded and installed fine but my desktop would be a
major pain to install from scratch and if I did would probably go 64 bit
anyway. Anyone come across this or have any ideas?

..
SP2 failed on my system as well. Fortunately I was able to recover without
reinstalling the OS. Unless there is a specific fix or feature in SP2 that
you need I suggest ignoring it. It is not required (yet) to receive other
security updates. Not being able to install it may become an issue down the
road if you stay with Vista. I will be changing my systems over to Windows
7 in October so this will no longer be a concern (I will have new and better
problems g).

Not sure how much it will help you, have a look at this MS Help and Support
link :
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947366

t-4-2

"Victek" wrote in message
...
I have Vista Ultimate 32 bit on a quad core 2.33 mhz cpu, 4 gb ddr2 1066,
2 500gb sata drives in raid1 mirror array. When trying to install sp2 it
would stop the installation and revert. I tried the solution from the MS
site and downloaded an .iso, burned to disc and tried again. After this
install and reboot I got a message windows would have to be reinstalled
and reactivated. I managed to get into safe mode and use system restore
to get it working again and it will download other updates. I tried
uninstalling IE8 as it seems to be having issues but got the reinstall
and reactivate message again and had to restore in safe mode. My laptop
with Vista home premium downloaded and installed fine but my desktop
would be a major pain to install from scratch and if I did would probably
go 64 bit anyway. Anyone come across this or have any ideas?

.
SP2 failed on my system as well. Fortunately I was able to recover
without reinstalling the OS. Unless there is a specific fix or feature in
SP2 that you need I suggest ignoring it. It is not required (yet) to
receive other security updates. Not being able to install it may become
an issue down the road if you stay with Vista. I will be changing my
systems over to Windows 7 in October so this will no longer be a concern
(I will have new and better problems g).