Vista Service Pack 2 failed to install; error code 80004005

Hi. Vista Service Pack 2 fails to install in my laptop. I have downloaded it
thru Windows Update, ran it and yet in the end an error message appeard that
it was not installed with the following error code: 80004005. Please help.

See if this helps:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971204/

The problem may be with the boot manager.

'How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to
troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows Vista'
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392)

Try...

Bootrec.exe /fixmbr

and

Bootrec.exe /fixboot

Lemme know how it goes!

Maybe this link will help:
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/...-31d770c3e049/

I had the problem with the same errorcode (Vista Business servica pack
1). In my case the error was due to having installed the Grub boot
loader. That got installed when I had installed Pardus (a linux
flavor).
I got it solved in the following way.
First I have eliminated the Linux partiton completely and extended the
partition on which I had vista. This causes the computer to fail to
boot.
I had a vista recovery DVD. This DVD either comes with the computer or
you prepare it yourself later (I had long ago prepared one since no
disk came with my computer).
I have booted my computer with that DVD.
There came a screen I was asked about the type of keyboard I will use
for input.I selected the appropriate one.
Then came a screen titled "system recovery options" in which I had to
select the system to repair. In my case however I had nothing listed
there. I nonetheless pressed next (I learned I had to do so through a
little web research).
Then came a different screen again titled "system recovery options"
with 5 different options. There you have in the first rank the option
"Start up repair". I selected it. Then there came a information box
saying something to the effect that the program will try to find and
fix what is wrong if I press 'finish'. I did.
After that the computer restarts. If you do not take the DVD out or
set the BOOT menu to try to boot from the harddisk first, you go back
to recovery menu. I got the DVD out and restarted once agian.The
computer booted successfuly into Vista with no sign of the Grub
loader.
Then I suceessfully intalled service pack 2.

A few remarks:
In my first attempts, in the "System recovery options" screen with the
five options I selected the 'command prompt' option and entered the
following commands on the prompt
bootrec.exe \FixMbr
and
bootrec.exe \FixBoot.
This was the most frequent advice on the net for getting rid of Grub
in a Vista recovery environment. It did not work for me. Neither
before removing all of the linux partition nor after.

Perhaps 'start up repair' option may have worked without the complete
removal of Linux. But I do not know; I do not know the underlying
mechanics. I had already removed the Linux partition to try
bootrec.exe \FixMbr once again, to no effect.

Lemur's (above) reply and the link he gave have been quite helpful to
put me on the right track. Thank you Lemur.

The problem may be with the boot manager.

'How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment
to
troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows Vista'
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392)

Try...

Bootrec.exe /fixmbr

and

Bootrec.exe /fixboot

Check %systemRoot%\Logs\CBS\CBS.Log
if you see something like:

Process output: [l:358 [358]"SYSHIPER: Initialized with following command
parameters: /install:VistaSP1-KB936330~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~6.0.1.18000
/hide /permanent /ignorenotexist
SYSHIPER: Failed with error hr: 0x80070002
SYSHIPER: Failed to open registry key for read
SYSHIPER: CBS key does not exist and ignoring operation for
VistaSP1-KB936330~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~6.0.1.18000
"]

Then check if the following registry branch exist:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Sys Hiper
If not create it, and restart SP2 setup

[deadleaves]

I was struggling to install service packs but after some research and a bit of work I got it to install. It turned out to be caused by the fact that I dual boot Linux and Vista so Windows Boot manager had changed.

Hope that helps other users here.

Far easier to keep linux and windows on seperate HDDs.
That way you can stop fudging around with boot manager issues.
I notice you have a 40GB HDD (thats called a thumb drive nowadays). :D

[deadleaves]

Death: I agree, if you've a decent rig yes it is simpler to setup various OS on seperate hard drives and determine booted system from the bios. Unfortunately not everyone has a big rig with several hard drives and a lot of people have laptops which, and correct me if I'm wrong, seldom have more than one hard drive.

P.S a 40gb thumb drive?? Easy there chap, we can't all afford the big hard drives! Some of us have to make do with what we have.