Problem with updating Window 7 to SP1

[Loney 22]

I have attempted to update Window 7 to SP1 numerous times since February 2011. I ran the Windows Update's troubleshooter and installed/ran Microsoft's hotfix numerous times as well, they didn't help. I disabled AVG Anti-virus Free and Windows Defender, neither helped.

Two common error messages:

Yesterday, I tried installing SP1 again. It gave me the "The operation returned because the timeout period expired".

Then I came across a suggestion that stated, "Why not update BIOS and chipset?". It seemed fairly simple, until I went to ASUS's website. There was no manual way of checking if my stuff was out of date or not, especially the chipset and BIOS.

Since my laptop is ASUS, I went ahead and downloaded this: http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/System-Tweak/ASUS-Update-Utility.shtml

I thought it would help me in checking if I needed a BIOS update. Then I attempted to install it...

...the computer crashed into BSOD. I couldn't decipher it since streaks of random colored lines were smeared across the letters and numbers.

System:

Laptop: ASUS n61jq

OS: Window 7 64-bit Home Premium

Processor: i7 Q720

Graphic card: Radeon Mobility 5730

RAM: 8 GB

  Edited June 18, 2011 by Loney  

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

So, how are you on line now? Did your system boot OK?

What did the Microsoft "learn more" say when you clicked the links?

Did you get on to the ASUS forum and ask about your problem? And how to update your chiset, if needed. Usually for this, one makes a CD, then boots with it in the drive.

When your machine boots, you should get a panel that shows the Power On Self-Test (POST). If you don't get this, there is a way to turn it on, but this is bios dependent. Try holding either F1 or the DEL key when you boot. One of them should do it.

I wouldn't monkey with my BIOS unless I knew what I had in the first place.

Taking shots in the dark often ricochet upon the shooter.

[Loney 22]

So, how are you on line now? Did your system boot OK?

What did the Microsoft "learn more" say when you clicked the links?

Did you get on to the ASUS forum and ask about your problem? And how to update your chiset, if needed. Usually for this, one makes a CD, then boots with it in the drive.

When your machine boots, you should get a panel that shows the Power On Self-Test (POST). If you don't get this, there is a way to turn it on, but this is bios dependent. Try holding either F1 or the DEL key when you boot. One of them should do it.

I wouldn't monkey with my BIOS unless I knew what I had in the first place.

Taking shots in the dark often ricochet upon the shooter.

It rebooted okay.

The links lead to some articles explaining how to resolve the issue, but I already read them and they didn't help. One of them also suggested installing the update in safe mode with networking, but Window 7 wouldn't allow me (and there was another article that recommended users to not install updates in safe mode, contradicting advices, fun times).

I can adjust the order of components that are booted in BIOS. POST does not show up at all, all I see is this: _ flickering in a blank black screen for a second before the OS loads. The BIOS is severely restricted.

I have posted the problem on ASUS' forum in the N61JQ section.

  Edited June 18, 2011 by Loney  

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Good luck with ASUS. You should be able to get your POST display. If you do, hit pause and take a good look at it. Your BIOS version will be on the screen somewhere, usually at the bottom.

Meanwhile, back at the crummy operating system, try installing that update as Administrator. Safe mode is about as safe as a lit stick of dynamite unless you are a certified system programmer. I think you should only need administration privilege rather than root privilege.

One of the main reasons I dropped windows was it wants to mother me too much.

[Loney 22]

I was running as Admin. I also forgot to mention that I downloaded and installed SP1 update manually with "Run as Administrator". It gave me the same timeout error.

Crummy response as of now: http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus-reviews-owners-lounges/456659-asus-n61jq-owners-lounge-756.html

Someone suggested that I should buy the DVD version of SP1 for $5.

Yeah, no.

  Edited June 19, 2011 by Loney  

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

I suppose you may have got a bad copy of that update somehow. Did you get it from the Microsoft update program or separately? If from the update program it is supposed to be the latest and greatest.

Is there something wrong on your machine that needs this update? If not, I'd suggest you forget it for a month or two then try it again after MS has had a chance to fix it.

If you can download it separately, do that, then try applying it. Sometimes the mirror sites have cleaner copies of software.

[erbush 8]

After multiple install attempts, I would suggest cleaning your registry before trying again.

[Loney 22]

I updated the BIOS from version 208 to 212. However, Window SP1 still refuses to install.

I haven't updated the chipset driver as I couldn't figure out how.

After multiple install attempts, I would suggest cleaning your registry before trying again.

How do I do that?

Is there something wrong on your machine that needs this update? If not, I'd suggest you forget it for a month or two then try it again after MS has had a chance to fix it.

Originally, I didn't really have a need.

Until yesterday.

I've been trying to update to ATI Catalyst Mobility Display Driver 11.6 from 11.2.

I uninstalled the 11.2 version and deleted any other remaining ATI files manually. I repeatedly tried to install the 11.6 version but it kept on giving me the "Install application failure". When it's fully installed, it would give a failure warning message.

All of the logs stated that Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable failed.

In fact, during one of the many failed installs, my laptop crashed into BSOD during the install and then froze when I restarted the install after rebooting the computer.

  Edited June 23, 2011 by Loney  

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

The right hand side of your error panel was cut off (on my machine). Could you change it to 800px wide, so it can all be seen. I am sure we can all magnify it if necessary.

If you can't install that service pack, you might have to do a recovery type reinstall of w7 first.

Did you try these installs from the Administrator account?

[Loney 22]

I uploaded a cropped image. I am installing the updates from an Administrator account.

ASUS did not provide any OS reinstall CD. I read that as long as a person has an OEM key, he/she can download Window 7 for free. Where do I go to enter the OEM key to download Window 7? Is there also a way to port Firefox's saved passwords over to a new OS install?

  Edited June 23, 2011 by Loney  

[RiCHBoyZ 75]

try this to solve your problem..

Error Transaction Conflict

[Loney 22]

When I'm reinstalling the OS from last year's backup DVDs (complete copy of the hard drive the day I got the laptop), do I reformat the hard drive, set BIOS to run the DVD/CD player first and insert the DVDs?

try this to solve your problem..

Error Transaction Conflict

I did, it wasn't much of a help.

[Loney 22]

I reinstalled the OS using a hidden partition. SP1 finally installed.

Now I have to recover my numerous accounts' passwords because I forgot most of them, secure physical copy of them was thrown away by my parents and I blotched the password and history data backup.

I also have to uninstall about 10 GB of bloatware that also came with the OS reinstall.

  Edited July 5, 2011 by Loney  

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

I reinstalled the OS using a hidden partition. SP1 finally installed.

Now I have to recover my numerous accounts' passwords because I forgot most of them, secure physical copy of them was thrown away by my parents and I blotched the password and history data backup.

I also have to uninstall about 10 GB of bloatware that also came with the OS reinstall.

I think if you run as Administrator you can change passwords without knowing them. You shouldn't have to actually recover them, which is well-nigh impossible since they use a one-way encryption algorithm. Just set new ones, and keep the number of them small. I use three at most for all of my accounts.

Most remote sites have a "forgot password" recovery that lets you set a new one or get the old one by e-mail.

  Edited July 5, 2011 by A Nonny Moose  

[jacksunny 741]

You can also change passwords through command prompt somehow.

[Loney 22]

Where can I download the SC4 nightlight and BAT patch? I didn't back up those and I forgot my password to my official SC4 website's account, including my old email account's password, making password recovery impossible.

  Edited July 5, 2011 by Loney  

[jacksunny 741]

You can find them in this list.

  Edited July 5, 2011 by jacksunny