After installing Windows Vista SP2, various leftover files and remnants (including unnecessary components from Vista SP1) will be left on your system. Microsoft includes a tool with SP2 that can automatically delete these files. To run the tool, follow these steps:
- Click Start then type cmd in the search box. Right-click on the cmd and click “Run as Administrator”
- Type compcln.exe at the command prompt and press enter
- Follow the on-screen prompts
Note, however, that you may not want to run this tool until you are sure that you would like to stick with Windows Vista SP2. After running the clean-up, you will not be able to easily revert back to SP1 via System Restore.
Filed under Windows Vista by on May 28th, 2009. 1 Comment. 
Some users who had problems installing Windows Vista SP2 are not sure if the update completed successfully due to error encountered during the installation process. These include error “800706BE” and others.
To check whether or not the update was successfully applied, follow these steps.
- Click the Start button
- Type Winver in the search field and press enter
- Inspect the build number
Build number 6000 is the original release of Vista. Build number 6001 indicates that SP1 is installed, and build number 6002 indicates that Vista SP2 has been installed.
Filed under Windows Vista by on May 27th, 2009. Comment.
Users have reported problems with a number of programs after the update to Windows Vista SP2.
Microsoft provides a list of applications that will lose functionality (either partially or completely) after the update. Among them are a number of antivirus/anti-spyware tools, including:
- Avira AntiVir
- Spyware Doctor
- Trend Micro Internet Security & Virus Buster
- Spy Sweeper
Developers will be releasing updated versions of some of the aforementioned applications in the coming days, so stay tuned to manufacturers’ websites for new releases.
Filed under Viruses/Malware, Windows Vista by on May 27th, 2009. Comment.
(See all of our Windows Vista SP2 coverage)
Several users have reported that they can’t install Windows Vista SP2. This problem is more likely to occur if a pre-release edition of Windows Vista service pack 2 was installed prior to the final edition, but it is also happening to systems that only had SP1 (make sure you have SP1 installed before you attempt SP2 installation).
Fixes
There are three potential fixes for this issue:
Run CheckSUR First, download and run the System Update Readiness Tool (aka CheckSUR) for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. Running this tool, which takes 15 minutes or more on most systems, can resolve issues that prevent SP2 from installing. After running the tool, re-attempt installation of Windows Vista SP2.
CheckSUR is available through Windows Update (Click Start, then click Control Panel, and then click Security. Under Windows Update, click Check for updates) or this standalone download page.
Delete vLite key If you receive the message “Service Pack Installation Cannot Continue: One or more of components that the service pack requires are missing,” try deleting the file vLite key from the registry. To do this:
- Click Start
- In the search box (or in “Run”), type regedit then press enter.
- Navigate to HKLM\Software\
- Select vLite
- Choose Edit and then Delete from the Registry Editor menu.
- Restart your computer and try the Windows Vista SP2 update again
Try selective startup As a last resort, try running the Windows Vista SP2 update while booted in a selective startup mode. To do this:
- Click Start then go to the Control Panel and select “System and Maintenance”
- Go to Administrative Tools and select System Configuration
- Click Continue (enter admin password if required)
- Select the General tab then choose Selective startup
- Uncheck “Load startup items”
- Click the Services tab then check “Hide all Microsoft services” and select “Disable all”
- Click Apply, then OK
- Restart
- Retry the Windows Vista SP2 update
Disable antivirus/spyware software during installation Directly prior to installation of Windows Vista SP2, disable all antivirus/anti-spyware software, then re-enable it after the update is complete. These programs can interfere with proper installation of the update and cause other problems.
In particular, some versions of ESET Smart Security and the ESET NOD32 Antivirus software have caused issues with the update. Disable or uninstall this program before installing Windows Vista SP2.
Can’t see license agreement; fix Some users are unable to properly view the Windows Vista SP2 license agreement, and therefore cannot proceed with installation. In most cases, this problem can be resolved with Chris Pirillo’s Vista Font Fix.
Filed under News, Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista by on May 26th, 2009. 64 Comments.
After a long period of exclusive availability to TechNet and MSDN subscribers, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 SP2 has finally been released to the general public. The new release includes:
- Windows Search 4.0: “improved indexing and search relevance; helps find and preview documents, e-mail (including signed e-mail messages), music files, photos, and other items on the computer.”
- support for the 64-bit central processing unit (CPU) from VIA Technologies
- support for Bluetooth v2.1 and Windows Connect Now (WCN) Wi-Fi Configuration
- ability to record data to Blu-Ray Disc media
The new release is available through Windows Update or via the following download (standalone) links:
- Windows Vista/Windows Server 2008 SP2 32-bit edition
- Windows Vista/Windows Server 2008 SP2 64-bit edition
Unfortunately, many users are likely to encounter a variety issues, such as startup problems, application crashes, performance hiccups and more, after the update. Here’s a run-down of the best methods for preventing these issues and making your update experience a smooth one:
Backup First and foremost, a full backup should be performed prior to any major system update. Your best bet is to use a tool that can create a complete, bootable backup of your primary volume. If major problems ensue post-update, you will have working copy of your current applications and documents that can be put into use immediately. Acronis True Image is one such tool. Alternatively, you can use Windows Vista’s built-in backup tools.
Check for spyware Next, eliminate any spyware or malware that might interfere with the update process or create conflicts after your system is updated. Various free or inexpensive tools, including Ad-Aware and Spybot are available for this purpose.
Kill any unnecessary startup processes Eliminating any unnecessary startup processes, or removing all third-party startup processes, can reduce compatibility headaches that often follow major system updates. Launch the System Configuration utility by clicking “Windows” then entering “System Configuration” in the search bar and pressing return. Click on the “Startup” tab and remove any unnecessary items, then restart.
Disable antivirus/spyware software during installation Directly prior to installation of Windows Vista SP2, disable all antivirus/anti-spyware software, then re-enable it after the update is complete. These programs can interfere with proper installation of the update and cause other problems.
Update drivers Check manufacturers’ websites for the latest driver editions for any third-party devices that are connected to your system. Many manufacturers have already updated their drivers for basic compatibility with Vista SP2.
Disconnect any unnecessary devices Aside from your keyboard, mouse, monitor and network connectivity, virtually all external device should be disconnected from your system right before you install Vista SP2. Disconnecting these devices can preclude a variety of issues. Once the update is applied, you can reconnect the devices one by one and check for compatibility issues.
Uninstall any pre-release Vista updates If you installed the Vista SP2 release candidate or a prior beta, uninstall it right before running the final Vista SP2 update. Open Control Panel, click Programs, then click “View Installed Updates.” Look for the Microsoft Windows list, then right-click the beta or pre-release service pack and select uninstall.
Use the standalone updater Users have reported fewer problems when using full standalone Vista service pack updates instead of obtaining the updates through Windows Update.
Problems Installing If you have problems installing the update, see this article.
Feedback? info@windowsfixup.com.
Filed under News, Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista by on May 26th, 2009. Comment.
Some users have received a black screen when attempting to connect to various systems (primarily those running Windows Vista) via the Remote Desktop protocol (RDP). In some cases, the host machine may crash when this problem occurs.
Other users have reported receiving the error “atbroker.exe crashed” or “Transitions Accessible technologies between desktops has stopped working”
Fixes
Make sure updates are installed, not waiting It appears that, in some cases, this problem may occur when updates are downloaded, but not installed in Windows Update on the host machine (the one receiving the connection). Try installing any pending updates then restarting the system.
Uninstall drivers Try uninstalling any recently installed third-party drivers, or drivers that you installed right before the problem started to occur, then restart. To do this, click the Start button then navigate to Control Panel > System and Security > Device Manager. Right-click any recently installed third-party items and select “Uninstall” then restart. Some users have reported that the Logitech QuickCam driver may be to blame.
Update to Windows Vista SP2 Some Windows Vista SP2 beta testers have reported that updating to the new release resolves this issue. Unfortunately, SP2 is not yet publicly available, but is available in final form to TechNet subscribers.
Filed under Windows Vista by on May 15th, 2009. Comment.
(See more fixes here)
Early-access users who installed a pre-release version of Windows Vista SP2 are experiencing some issues with installation of the final release. Users may receive the message “Service Pack Installation Cannot Continue: One or more of components that the service pack requires are missing.”
Fix
Try deleting the file vLite key from the registry. To do this:
- Click Start
- In the search box, type regedit then press enter.
- Navigate to HKLM\Software\
- Select vLite
- Choose Edit and then Delete from the Registry Editor menu.
- Restart your computer and try the Windows Vista SP2 update again
Filed under Windows Vista by on May 11th, 2009. 4 Comments.
Several users are experiencing problems installing the new Office 2007 Service Pack 2 (SP2) update, which was released earlier this week. Users are sometimes presented simply with the message “updates failed” or “The installation of this package has failed.”
Fixes
- Install the Microsoft Office System Update Download and install this file from Microsoft. It contains fixes for issues that can prevent the installation of Office 2007 updates. Next, re-attempt installation or move on the the following fixes.
- Try Windows Update If you manually downloaded the Office 2007 SP2 installation package initially, try downloading and installing the update through Windows Update instead.
- Re-download the installation file Microsoft’s servers have had issues delivering the Office 2007 SP2 installation package. When downloading Office 2007 SP2, ensure that the file size is 290MB. If it is smaller, you may have a corrupt, unusable file. Try re-downloading the file.
- Use the Windows XP or 2003 hotfix If you are running Windows XP or 2003, try using this hotfix from Microsoft that solves an issue with large installation files
Filed under Office 2007, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP by on Apr 30th, 2009. 15 Comments.
The official Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC)-the same build 7100 that leaked earlier–and the final build of Windows Vista SP2 have hit Microsoft’s private servers, and are now available to eligible users, specifically:
- Microsoft Connect subscribers: members of the closed beta program
- Technet and MSDN subscribers: paid account holders (accounts start in the $2500-range)
Subscribers are experiencing some difficulty getting through to the servers (which are apparently overloaded) to download the new releases.
Filed under Windows 7, Windows Vista by on Apr 30th, 2009. Comment.
The RTM (release to manufacturing, or final) edition of Windows Vista SP2 has leaked to file-sharing networks, signaling that the update will soon be available for public consumption. Among the notable enhancements in SP2:
- Windows Search 4.0: “improved indexing and search relevance; helps find and preview documents, e-mail (including signed e-mail messages), music files, photos, and other items on the computer.”
- support for the 64-bit central processing unit (CPU) from VIA Technologies
- support for Bluetooth v2.1 and Windows Connect Now (WCN) Wi-Fi Configuration
- ability to record data to Blu-Ray Disc media
Before installing the update, see our previous coverage with tips for preparing your system for Windows Vista SP2.
Filed under News, Windows Vista by on Apr 28th, 2009. Comment.