Error message when you try to install Windows Vista Service Pack 2 or Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2: "An internal error occurred while installing the service pack"

In a network environment, you set Group Policy to prevent the installation of some devices. When you try to install Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) or Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (SP2) on a client computer, the installation fails. Additionally, you receive the following error message:The error message may also refer to one of the following error codes:

This problem occurs when you set Group Policy to prevent the installation of some devices and Windowsdoes not update some important drivers during the installation of Service Pack 2. Therefore, the installation of Service Pack 2 fails.

To resolve this problem, apply the following hotfix before you install Windows Vista SP2 or Windows Server 2008 SP2.

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing the problem described in this article. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix ona computer that is running Windows Vista, you must have Windows Vista SP1 installed. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

There are no prerequisites for a computer that is running Windows Server 2008.

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 file information notes

The MANIFEST files (.manifest) and the MUM files (.mum) that are installed for each environment are listed separately MUM and MANIFEST files, and the associated security catalog (.cat) files, are critical to maintaining the state of the updated component. The security catalog files (attributes not listed) are signed with a Microsoft digital signature.

For all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista

For all supported IA-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

You can use the following Group Policy to restrict the installation of devices:

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Device Installation\Device Installation Restriction

For more information, visit the following Microsoft Web sites:

Additional file information for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista

Additional files for all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista

Additional files for all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista

Additional files for all supported IA-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008