Some updates won't install

[Tony Raymonds]

I have an XP pro system and update the system using the windows update
tool on a regular basis.

The problem is that three updates now refuse to install, they come up in
red at the end saying they have been downloaded but the install failed
and I should try again. Alas when I do so it says the same again. All
the others worked fine as do subsequent ones, it's just these three.

Seems to be no way to install them and the error gives no clue as to
what has gone wrong :-(

The 3 updates are:

Q817287: Critical Update (Catalog Database Corruption in Microsoft
Windows XP)

811493: Security Update (Windows XP)

815485: Recommended Update

Anyone know what is going on or how to fix it?
--
(don't reply there, it's mostly a spamtrap address)

[Torgeir Bakken (MVP)]

Tony Raymonds wrote:

> The problem is that three updates now refuse to install, they come up in
> red at the end saying they have been downloaded but the install failed
> and I should try again. Alas when I do so it says the same again. All
> the others worked fine as do subsequent ones, it's just these three.
>
> Seems to be no way to install them and the error gives no clue as to
> what has gone wrong :-(
>
> The 3 updates are:
>
> Q817287: Critical Update (Catalog Database Corruption in Microsoft
> Windows XP)
> 811493: Security Update (Windows XP)
> 815485: Recommended Update

Hi

Note that there are some issues with 811493:

You May Experience Performance Issues After You Install the 811493 (MS03-013)
Package on Your Windows XP SP1-Based Computer
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=819634

I would not have installed it, but if you do:

If you notice a system slowdown, remove it from Add/Remove Programs in the
Control Panel instead of doing a system restore. If you get a warning that
other installs may stop working if you remove it, just ignore it.


Back to your problem:

For get Windows Update to work again, renaming or deleting the Catroot2 folder
may solve the problem.

Go to http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;en-us;326815

Follow the steps 6 to 8 in the Resolution section of above link (do a reboot
first so the computer is "fresh" before you do the steps).

Then try to install the update again.

Disregard that the link above is for SP1, the Catroot2 problem is relevant for
other updates as well. The Catroot2 problem can be avoided by installing
Q817287 (the one you have problems installing ;-)

Windows Update 643 Error and the Catalog Database
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;817287


If renaming or deleting the Catroot2 folder doesn't help, try this:

Check your "windows update.log" file for specific error code (the log file
is in your windows folder) and take look at this Web page:

Windows Update Troubleshooter
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/troubleshoot/


--
torgeir
Microsoft MVP Scripting and WMI, Porsgrunn Norway
Administration scripting examples and an ONLINE version of the 1328 page
Scripting Guide: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter