Error Code 0x80070002 During Windows Vista SP1 Setup Install

During installation of Windows Vista SP1 to upgrade the RTM version, the setup may fail, especially during the ending stage of the update with the following error message, without regard to whether the upgrade is done via Windows Update or standalone setup installer for Windows Vista SP1, even though you have try to disable all unnecessary services as suggestion for another error.

Error code: 0x80070002. See http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=101139 for details.

In Event Viewer, there are system logs that read similar to the one as below:

Error: Source: Servicing EventID: 4385

Windows Servicing failed to complete the process of changing update 936330-2_neutral_GDR from package KB936330(Service Pack) into Staging(Staging) state

The error may caused by corrupted files or components in Windows Vista. However, running sfc /scannow won’t fix the error. It’s either no corrupted files been found, or SFC.exe manages to detect some corrupted files that were not able to be fixed.

The workaround to fix 0x80070002 error when installing SP1 into Windows Vista is to try disable all Windows Features, and then perform an in-place upgrade to repair the corrupted files, as shown in instructions below.

How to Turn Off Windows Features

1. Click the Start Button, then go to Control Panel.
2. Click on Programs.
3. Click on Turn Windows features on or off.
4. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
5. In the Windows Features dialog box, uncheck all of the check boxes (disable all Windows Vista features), and then click OK.

Steps to In-Place Upgrade Windows Vista (Repair Install)

In-Place upgrade, contrary to popular belief, will not remove any installed programs or files on the computer. In-place upgrade, as its name implied, simply repairs the system by reinstalling system files. However, it will remove all of the installed updates, which required to be reinstalled via Windows Update or Automatic Update again. To be on the safe side, backup all important files is recommended.

1. Start the computer by using the current installed Windows Vista Operating System as normally do.
2. Insert the Windows Vista installation DVD in the computer’s DVD drive.
3. Windows Vista should automatically detects the DVD, and launch the “Install Windows” screen. Click Install Now.

   If Windows does not automatically detect the DVD, click the Start Button, type x:\setup.exe in the Start Search box, where x is the drive letter of the DVD drive, and then click OK. Click Install Now on “Install Windows” dialog.

4. When you reach the “Which type of installation do you want?” screen, click Upgrade to upgrade the current operating system to Windows Vista. Please make sure the edition of Windows Vista is selected correctly.
5. Try to install Windows Vista SP1 again.