Windows Vista Service Pack “Installation was not successful” Error

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The following error message may be displayed when you try to install the Windows Vista Service Pack (SP) 1 or Windows Vista SP2 Beta on your computer:

"Installation was not successful"
In addition to this, you may receive the following error message when you attempt to install the Windows Vista SP1 standalone package:

"An internal error occurred while installing the service pack"

The following are some of the error codes that may accompany the error message:

0x80070002, 0x8007000D, 0x80070057, 0x80070246, 0x800705B9, 0x800736CC, 0x8007370A, 0x8007370B, 0x8007370D, 0x80073712, 0x8007371B, 0x80092003, 0x800B0100, 0x800B0101, and 0x800F081F

Cause of the Error

There can be many causes of these error messages. The following are the two most common causes:

A program currently running on your computer is interfering with the service pack installation.
Windows Servicing Store that is required to successfully install service packs is inconstant.
Resolution Methods

Although there are many ways in which you can resolve this error, the two most common methods are discussed below.

Method 1: Use Windows Vista System Update Readiness Tool

The Windows Vista System Readiness tool helps in dealing with the inconsistency problems found in the Windows Servicing store of the operating system. This inconsistency prevents updates, software, and service packs from successfully installing.

The System Readiness tool is not on your Vista computer by default. In order to download it, you first need to determine whether you have the 32-bit or 64-bit Vista version on your computer. To do this, perform the following steps:

Click the Start button.
Type system in the Start Search box, and then from the Programs list, select System.
Depending on the version of your operating system, 32-bit Operating System or 64-bit Operating System will be displayed as system type under System.
Now that you know your Vista version, download the System Readiness tool for 32-bit Vista version or 64-bit Vista the version on your computer.
After the download is complete, restart your computer and try to install the full download Vista Service Pack on your computer.

Method 2: Disable Unwanted Applications from Running, Restart your PC and then Install Service Packs

Many times, service pack installation failure occurs if some third-party applications, especially antivirus and antispyware applications are using a file the service pack installation process needs to update.

To prevent this, it is recommended that you disable these programs before installing the service pack. To do this, you need to follow the steps listed below:

Warning: Disabling the security tools, such as antivirus and antispyware opens your PC to security threats, such as viruses and spyware. This is the reason why, after you have installed the service packs, you must re-enable them.

First, close all applications installed on your computer and then restart it.
After the computer restarts, disable your antivirus and antispyware tools. You can do this either by right-clicking on their taskbar icons and selecting the command to disable them or by disabling them by using the System Configuration Utility (msconfig).
After you have disabled these applications, try to install the full download Windows Vista service pack.
After the service pack installation is complete, remember to enable your antivirus and antispyware applications.