Have pre-installed Vista Ultimate 32-bit on Dell 1505. Tried to upgrade to Win 7, but that required SP1.
Tried to install Vista SP1 throught Win Update - failed.
Downloaded Vista SP1 (all lang) - installation failed with a hex error code, no verbal explanation.
Tried again in safe mode after disabling non-MS services and uninstalling antivirus. Failed again with the same hex message.
MS support tried to do the same remotely and failed. Arranged a callback appointment for follow up, they didn't call.
Now, I don't really need Vista SP1 for anything except for installing Win 7 upgrade. Can you suggest one of the following:
1. How to force installation of Vista SP1?
2. Is it possible to install Win 7 upgrade w/out Vista SP1 and not loose all the soft and settings?
3. If I give up and try Win 7 upgrade in "custom" mode would it also fail w/out Vista SP1?
4. The best way to save/restore software installation and settings through the "custom" upgrade if I don't have all the installation disks?