How much time does it take to install Microsoft’s Vista Service Pack on my PC?
Installing the Microsoft Vista Service Pack is a task best approached with planning and 1.5 hours of time. The Vista service pack provides critical protection for your computer from unwanted security risks and improves performance.
Users often come to the IT Help Desk asking for assistance installing the Vista service pack. Read on for a checklist to follow for installation.
To see if Vista service pack installation is necessary on your computer, go to Start, Settings, Contol Panel, and System. If the service pack is installed, it will say “Service Pack 1” in the System area.
Time Required — 1.5 hours
Materials needed — CatPack, CDs, DVDs, External hard drive
- Get a copy of the CatPack software suite from the IT Help Desk in 214 Hale Library. Otherwise, the Vista service pack can be downloaded directly from Microsoft’s website (Warning: The download could take up to one hour.).
- If using a laptop, make sure a power supply is connected.
- Always create a restore point before making major updates or installations. This can be done via Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore. By creating a restore point, if something goes wrong, you can return the computer to the state it was in before you installed the service pack.
- Optional: It’s recommended to back up any critical data that you don’t want to lose. This is the time to make use of an external hard drive or CD and DVD disks.
- Have a phone handy and the IT Help Desk phone number (785-532-7722). If you do the update during helpdesk hours, you can call if you get stuck.
- Place the CatPack in the DVD reader and wait for it to start up. Click the Windows Updates link, and the next screen will indicate whether the service pack is already installed. If it’s not, click the arrow and follow the steps. If installing from the downloaded version, simply click on the downloaded file, and it with extract itself and begin installation.
- The service pack will go through three steps, and each step may have occasional screen restarts and black screens. When finished, check your applications and data for errors.
