Jump to content

HP Pavilion Media Center a1677c Desktop PC Troubleshooting

Important Information for Updating Microsoft Windows Vista to Service Pack 2

  • PrintPrint
  • Share
This document contains important information about updating Windows Vista to Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2).

Benefits

The major benefit of Windows Vista SP2 is to provide a better Windows Vista experience. Specifically, Windows Vista SP2 provides improvements in the following areas:
  • Improved wireless networking performance after resuming from sleep
  • Added burning support for Blu-Ray Disc media
  • Better internal searches using Windows Search 4.0
  • Improvements for recording TV in Windows Media Center
  • Added support for Bluetooth 2.1
  • Increased software compatibility
  • Improvement made to the RSS sidebar gadget
  • ... and more.
Back to top

Before updating to Windows Vista SP2

Before updating to Windows Vista SP2, the following steps are recommended:
  1. Backup your files as described in Backing up Your Files in Windows Vista (in English).
  2. Create a restore point as described in Using Microsoft System Restore in Windows Vista (in English).
  3. If you have previously downloaded and installed a prerelease version of Windows Vista SP2, uninstall it using the steps described in Uninstalling Software in Windows Vista (in English).
Back to top

Requirements for Windows Vista SP2

Your computer must have Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 installed and enough free disk space to install the update. The amount of free disk space needed varies by system. 5 GBs of free disk space should be sufficient for any computer. 5 GB is in addition to leaving 5% of the total disk size for use by Windows. In addition, you might be required to install a Servicing Stack Update before Vista Service Pack 2 installs.
Back to top

Installing Windows Vista SP2

For people who use their computers in a home or small office environment, the best way to download and install Windows Vista SP2 is through Windows Update (in English). Downloading through Windows Update saves time and disk space by downloading only the files your computer needs - about 40% less than the full download.
In a larger business environment with multiple computers, download and save the full installation of Service Pack 2 to a CD or DVD. A full install of Windows Vista SP2 includes all files needed for compatible computers. Before downloading, you need to know which version of Windows Vista is currently installed on the computers that will receive the update - 32-bit, 64-bit, or both. Download the updates you need from the Microsoft Download Center for Windows Vista 64-bit (in English) or Windows Vista 32-bit (in English).
Back to top

Known issues after upgrading to Windows Vista SP2

The following table lists issues that can occur after updating to Windows Vista SP2.
Known Issues after updating to Windows Vista SP2
IssueSuggestion
Buffer overrun error opens while installing SP2:

Visual C++ Runtime Error: Buffer overrun detected!		See the HP support document Visual C++ Runtime Error: Buffer overrun detected! .
Loss of soundReinstall the sound driver to regain sound. See Microsoft support article, How to troubleshoot sound problems that you experience after you install a Windows Vista Service Pack .
A specific software title does not work correctlySee the Microsoft support article Programs that are known to experience a loss of functionality after you install Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista or for Windows Server 2008 (in English).
A Bluetooth device no longer works correctly The Bluetooth item in Control Panel on a Windows Vista SP2-based computer does not work as expected when you click the item. See Cannot install a Bluetooth device after you install Windows XP Service Pack 2 (in English).
A device no longer works See Microsoft support article A device driver is not installed or a hardware device does not function correctly after you install a Windows Vista Service Pack View .
Back to top

Related information

Other related information is available at the following resources:
Microsoft: Information about Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista and for Windows Server 2008 (in English).
Back to top
NOTE:One or more of the links above will take you outside the Hewlett-Packard Web site. HP does not control and is not responsible for information outside the HP Web site.