When you try to install a Windows Vista Service Pack, the computer stops responding. You see a black screen, and you receive an error message that resembles the following:If you restart the computer, you receive the same error message.

To resolve this issue, follow the methods that are listed in this section, starting with Method 1.

Note The methods in this section require a Windows Vista installation DVD. If the computer manufacturer did not supply a Windows Vista installation DVD, you may run the Startup Repair tool. To run this tool, follow these steps:

1. Restart the computer and press F8 during the boot process. Or, watch for the Advanced Boot Options window if you have configured the computer to show this window at startup.
   
   Note Press F8 before the Windows logo appears.
2. In the Advanced Boot Options windows, select Repair your Computer.
3. Select Administrator.
4. Continue from step 4 for each method in this section.

Method 1: Restore the system to an earlier time by using System Restore

System Restore restores the computer to a time before you encountered this issue and then restarts the computer. To restore the system to an earlier time, follow these steps:

1. Insert the Windows Vista installation DVD, and then restart the computer from the DVD.
   
   Note When you are prompted to Press any Key to boot from the CD or DVD, press any key.
2. Select your language settings, and then click Next.
3. In the Setup window, click Repair your computer.
4. Select Microsoft Windows Vista to repair, and then click Next.
5. In the System Recovery Options window, click System Restore.
   
   Note If the repair process detects problems starting Windows Vista, it runs Startup Repair to automatically fix the problems. If this occurs, click Cancel, and then click View advanced options for system recovery and support.
6. In the System Restore window, click Next.
7. Select a restore point with a date before when you received the error, and then click Next.
   
   Note In most cases, this is the latest restore point in the list.
8. In the Confirm disks to restore window, click Next.
9. In the next window, click Finish. System Restore completes and restarts the computer.

Note If you still see the black screen with the same or similar error message, you have to repeat these steps and restore the system to an earlier time. If you cannot resolve the issue after multiple attempts of method 1, go to method 2.

Method 2: Rename the file that is listed in the error message

Renaming the problem file allows the update package to replace that file during installation. To rename the problem file, follow these steps.

Important Record the file name in the error message. This is the file that will be renamed in the following steps.

1. Insert the Windows Vista installation DVD and restart the computer from the DVD.
   
   Note During the startup process, when you are prompted to Press any Key to restart from the CD or DVD, press a key.
2. Select your language settings, and then click Next.
3. In the Setup window, click Repair your computer.
   
   Note If you are asked whether you want to do a system restore, click No.
4. Select Microsoft Windows Vista to repair, and then click Next.
5. In the System Recovery Options window, click Command Prompt.
   
   Note If the repair process detects problems starting Vista, it runs Startup Repair to automatically fix the problems. If this occurs, click Cancel, and then click View advanced options for system recovery and support.
6. Type the following commands and press ENTER after each command:
   C:
   
   cd windows
   
   cd system32
   
   ren myfile.xxx myfile.xxx.old
   NoteMyfile.xxx represents the file name that was listed in the error message.
7. Type Exit, and then press ENTER.
8. In the System Recovery Options window, click Restart.

Note If you still see the black screen with a similar error and a different file name, record the file name. Repeat the steps from 1 to 7 and type the recorded problem file name in step 5. The restart might take more time than usual and may ask you to log on to the desktop.

Method 3: Use Startup Repair to try to repair any startup issues with the computer

Startup Repair tries to repair any startup issues with Windows Vista. To run the Startup Repair tool, follow these steps:

1. Insert the Windows Vista installation DVD and restart the computer from the DVD.
   
   Note During the startup process, when you are prompted to Press any Key to restart from the CD or DVD, press a key.
2. Select your language settings, and then click Next.
3. In the Setup window, click Repair your computer.
4. Select Microsoft Windows Vista to repair, and then click Next.
5. In the System Recovery Options window, click Startup Repair.
6. Click Finish when Startup Repair is completed.
7. In the System Recovery Options window, click Restart.
   
   Note If you still see the black screen with the same error message, go to method 3.
   
8. Insert the Windows Vista installation DVD and restart the computer from the DVD. Note During the startup process, when you are prompted to Press any Key to restart from the CD or DVD, press a key.
9. Select your language settings, and then click Next.
10. In the Setup window, click Repair your computer
11. Select Microsoft Windows Vista to repair, and then click Next.
12. In the System Recovery Options window, click Startup Repair.
13. Click Finish when Startup Repair is completed
14. In the System Recovery Options window, click Restart