Fix Windows Update, corrupt file in C:\Windows\Installer

StupidUser · 26 May 2011

Hi. Windows Update has not been working on my Win7 x64 Ultimate PC. I was too busy during the school semester to address the issue, so the issue has been around for a while.

I have cleaned out all the issues in the Action Center.

I used the Update Troubleshooter. It reported "Repair Windows Update components" and "Fixed". But then I ran the troubleshooter again and it gave me the same message.

I ran Update, but it failed again.

I ran "sfc /scannow", it fixed some problems. I re-ran "sfc /scannow" and it found no problems. I ran Update Troubleshooter, again, and it said Windows Update Components were "Fixed", again.

I ran Update, but it failed (again).

I ran a checkdisk (on Windows restart). It found something wrong with "C:\Windows\Installer\890b53b.msp" and said it fixed them.

I ran Update, but it failed. I ran Update Troubleshooter and it fixed Win Update Components, again.

I ran Update one more time, but it failed.

I tried to open C:\Windows\Installer\890b53b.msp and got the warning "This patch package could not be opened. Contact the application vendor to verify that this is a valid Windows Installer patch package."

I also tried Win Update with AVG (virus scanning software) turned off.

Now what do I do? I cannot do a system restore because I've let this problem linger and the restores only go back to 5/19 (why so few? where are the rest?).

I can't figure out if I can just delete the installer .msp file. I can't figure out how to fix it. I don't like that Windows is such a disk hog (on my small SSD). Edit: There are no previous versions of the .msp file.

I want to avoid doing a re-install (even though it seems like Windows must be re-installed approximately every year anyway).

Other symptoms (I think unrelated):

Some Gadgets don't seem to work right. The clock, CPU monitor and a third party, Control Panel 2.2 from Legiones, gadgets disappear each time I restart Windows; but Calendar and a third party gadget, Thinkvantage Status, work correctly. Clock does not change when I change it's opacity setting.
The system freezes routinely. Of course, I am renowned (among my classmates) for having many tabs open in many windows, while downloading and watching movies.

How can I fix the problem with 890b53b.msp? How can I fix Windows Update?

Sorry for the too-long post; and thanks, in advance, for any help. Please beware that I may not always be able to follow your suggestions in a timely manner, but will reply to you sooner or later.

Rhetorical question: Why must Update re-download files it has already downloaded, but failed to install? What a waste of time. Is there a setting to change that?

Carolyn · 27 May 2011

Follow the instructions in this Tutorial and post the results

Windows Update - View Update History Details

StupidUser · 27 May 2011

Carolyn said:

Follow the instructions in this Tutorial and post the results

Windows Update - View Update History Details

Hi Carolyn. Thanks for the reply.

That tutorial only showed me how to open and look at the results of Update attempts. I have many failed attempts. What do you want to see?

Following are the details of the latest upgrade attempt. I tried to upgrade IE to IE9. Attached are the contents of C:\Windows\WindowsUpdate.log.

Windows Internet Explorer 9 for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems

Installation date: ‎5/‎25/‎2011 6:49 PM

Installation status: Failed

Error details: Code 9C47

Update type: Important

Windows Internet Explorer 9 delivers web sites and applications that look and perform like native PC applications through the power of Windows.

Fast: Internet Explorer 9 is all-around fast. Designed to take full advantage of your PC’s hardware through Windows, Internet Explorer 9 delivers graphically rich and immersive experiences that are as fast and responsive as native applications installed on your PC.

Clean: Internet Explorer puts the focus on the Web sites you love with a clean look and increased viewing area that makes your Web sites shine. Intuitive and seamless integration with Windows 7 provides one-click access to Web applications pinned directly to your Taskbar.

Trusted: Internet Explorer is the trusted way to the Web because it has a robust set of built-in security, privacy and reliability technologies that keep you safer and your browsing experience uninterrupted.

Interoperable: Support for HTML5 and modern Web standards architected to take advantage of the GPU means that the same mark-up not only works across the Web, but runs faster and delivers a richer experience through Windows and Internet Explorer 9.

More information:
Internet Explorer - Microsoft Windows

Help and Support:
Internet Explorer Help & How-to - Microsoft Windows

Carolyn · 27 May 2011

Thank you for attaching the log. What I am seeing is Fatal Error with 0x80070490.

Please follow these instructions
You receive a "0x80070490" error code when you use Windows Update or Microsoft Update Web sites to install updates

MowGreen · 27 May 2011

1) Did any of these issues occur prior to installing Control Panel 2.2 by Legiones ?

2) When was BitDefender installed and is it being used to manage the update process ?

The WindowsUpdate.log is showing these issues -

a - An older release of the Windows Update Agent is installed

2011-05-25 16:41:28:346 1112 1628 Agent * WU client version 7.3.7600.16385

The most recent Version on Win 7 systems that have not installed Win7 Service Pack 1 is 7.4.7600.226

b - These entries show that updating is being done from another process other than the native Win7 Windows Update process -

2011-05-25 17:48:39:361 1116 16e4 AU # AU disabled through User preference

2011-05-27 11:04:15:772 5492 ea0 Misc = Process: C:\Program Files (x86)\BitDefender\BitDefender Security Scan\BDSS.exe

c - This entry, which exists all the way back to 4-27-2011, shows that the update servers detected that the system was in Safe Mode -

2011-05-25 18:34:15:155 1420 6d0 COMAPI FATAL: Unable to perform synchronous search. (hr=8007043C)

0x8007043C - This service cannot be started in Safe Mode

But, some of the updates were still able to be installed up until 5/25.

3) As to the corrupt .msi, suggest you right click on 890b53b.msp and choose Properties.
Click the Details tab.
Under Description you should be able to see what was installed by the .msp.
If you can see what it was, please post it's name.

I could suggest corrective steps but need to know the answer to the 3 questions, Jeffrey .

StupidUser · 27 May 2011

Hi Carolyn,

Attached is CheckSUR.log. The System Update Readiness tool did not find any problems.

I ran Update again, and it still does not work. These are the details from the update log ( I've also attached an updated Update log, it has interesting new information in it):

Security Update for Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007 (KB2535818)

Installation date: ‎5/‎27/‎2011 5:45 PM

Installation status: Failed

Error details: Code 80070663

Update type: Important

A security vulnerability exists in Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007 that could allow arbitrary code to run when a maliciously modified file is opened. This update resolves that vulnerability.

More information:
MS11-036: Description of the security update for PowerPoint 2007: May 10, 2011

Help and Support:
Microsoft Support

Does this problem have anything to do with the corrupt file C:\Windows\Installer\890b53b.msp? The KB article says that this problem is the result of "corruption in the CBS manifest" (whatever that is). Can I just replace that file somehow? How do I know I don't have other corrupt files on the system?

Does the new log have anything unusual in it? What do you recommend now?

Thanks for all your help so far.

StupidUser · 27 May 2011

Hi MowGreen,

MowGreen said:

1) Did any of these issues occur prior to installing Control Panel 2.2 by Legiones ?

The issues with Gadgets occurred since back when this was a Win Vista system (this system has been upgraded), and long before CP2.2 by Legiones was installed. KB documents said the gadgets issue was a bug in Vista(x64) and would not be fixed. The update problems may have started around the same time as Legiones was installed, I can't be sure.

I never use the CP gadget, I like having it handy for just-in-case, but it doesn't work (it disappears each time I restart Windows). I just uninstalled it now.

MowGreen said:

2) When was BitDefender installed and is it being used to manage the update process ?

Bit Defender was installed two days ago and uninstalled this morning (even before I saw your post). It does not actually do anything, so it's gone. All problems pre-date BitDefender

MowGreen said:

The WindowsUpdate.log is showing these issues -

a - An older release of the Windows Update Agent is installed

2011-05-25 16:41:28:346 1112 1628 Agent * WU client version 7.3.7600.16385

The most recent Version on Win 7 systems that have not installed Win7 Service Pack 1 is 7.4.7600.226

This sounds like it could be serious. How do I fix it?

MowGreen said:

b - These entries show that updating is being done from another process other than the native Win7 Windows Update process -

2011-05-25 17:48:39:361 1116 16e4 AU # AU disabled through User preference

2011-05-27 11:04:15:772 5492 ea0 Misc = Process: C:\Program Files (x86)\BitDefender\BitDefender Security Scan\BDSS.exe

The Update is not being done from another process. I press the "Window" button on my keyboard - type "Update" - click on "Windows Update" - click "Check for Update" - select only the smallest update (since it has to be downloaded every time) - Click Install Updates. No other process did the updates.

MowGreen said:

c - This entry, which exists all the way back to 4-27-2011, shows that the update servers detected that the system was in Safe Mode -

2011-05-25 18:34:15:155 1420 6d0 COMAPI FATAL: Unable to perform synchronous search. (hr=8007043C)

0x8007043C - This service cannot be started in Safe Mode

But, some of the updates were still able to be installed up until 5/25.

I tried it in safe mode one of the first times the problem occurred, but was told it cannot be done in safe mode (some things can only be done in safe mode, others cannot be done in safe mode *sigh*

).

MowGreen said:

3) As to the corrupt .msi, suggest you right click on 890b53b.msp and choose Properties.
Click the Details tab.
Under Description you should be able to see what was installed by the .msp.
If you can see what it was, please post it's name.

All of the Description fields (Title, Subject, Categories, Tags, Comments) are blank. Authors is also blank.

MowGreen said:

I could suggest corrective steps but need to know the answer to the 3 questions, Jeffrey .

I tried Update again (after uninstalling Legiones CP) and attached one more Windows Update Log. Details of latest Update fail (look the same as last time):

Security Update for Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007 (KB2535818)

Installation date: ‎5/‎27/‎2011 6:04 PM

Installation status: Failed

Error details: Code 80070663

Update type: Important

A security vulnerability exists in Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007 that could allow arbitrary code to run when a maliciously modified file is opened. This update resolves that vulnerability.

More information:
MS11-036: Description of the security update for PowerPoint 2007: May 10, 2011

Help and Support:
Microsoft Support

What do you suggest?
Thanks for everything.

MowGreen · 27 May 2011

80070663 ERROR_PATCH_PACKAGE_OPEN_FAILED

Is PowerPoint 2007 installed as a part of Office 2007 or by itself ?

Depending upon how it was installed, you could try running a Repair of PP2007 by opening PowerPoint, click Help, and choose the Repair option, if it's available.
If not, then open Control Panel > Programs and Features.

Locate either Office 2007 or PowerPoint 2007, click once on it to highlight it, click the Repair link on the Menu bar.
If there is no Repair link and it's showing Uninstall/Change on the Menu bar, click on Change, wait until the window loads and then choose the Repair option.

The 80070663 exit code may be resolved by running the Fixit found here - You receive an error message when you install an Office program or open an Office program or document

If no joy, try this Fixit. Ignore the System tip as it does apply to Windows 7 - How to fix MSI software update registration corruption issues

As to the rest of your post, despite the fact that Windows is running in normal mode when you attempt to update, the update servers were detecting that it was running in Safe Mode. Either there was a detection issue with the update servers or, more likely, the Windows Installer issue was being misinterpreted by the update servers, thus, the system appeared to be running in Safe Mode.
The last entry showing that condition was on

2011-05-25 18:34:15:155 1420 6d0 COMAPI - WARNING: Exit code = 0x8007043C

It's no longer appearing in the WindowsUpdate.log

The older release of the Windows Update Agent is not that serious and is not what is causing the PowerPoint update to fail to install. We'll address that later.

There is either an incorrect registry setting or a corrupted file ( which may or may not be 890b53b.msp ) that is causing the update's installation issue.

StupidUser · 27 May 2011

MowGreen said:

80070663 ERROR_PATCH_PACKAGE_OPEN_FAILED

Is PowerPoint 2007 installed as a part of Office 2007 or by itself ?

Depending upon how it was installed, you could try running a Repair of PP2007 by opening PowerPoint, click Help, and choose the Repair option, if it's available.
If not, then open Control Panel > Programs and Features.

Locate either Office 2007 or PowerPoint 2007, click once on it to highlight it, click the Repair link on the Menu bar.
If there is no Repair link and it's showing Uninstall/Change on the Menu bar, click on Change, wait until the window loads and then choose the Repair option.

The 80070663 exit code may be resolved by running the Fixit found here - You receive an error message when you install an Office program or open an Office program or document

If no joy, try this Fixit. Ignore the System tip as it does apply to Windows 7 - How to fix MSI software update registration corruption issues

As to the rest of your post, despite the fact that Windows is running in normal mode when you attempt to update, the update servers were detecting that it was running in Safe Mode. Either there was a detection issue with the update servers or, more likely, the Windows Installer issue was being misinterpreted by the update servers, thus, the system appeared to be running in Safe Mode.
The last entry showing that condition was on

2011-05-25 18:34:15:155 1420 6d0 COMAPI - WARNING: Exit code = 0x8007043C

It's no longer appearing in the WindowsUpdate.log

The older release of the Windows Update Agent is not that serious and is not what is causing the PowerPoint update to fail to install. We'll address that later.

There is either an incorrect registry setting or a corrupted file ( which may or may not be 890b53b.msp ) that is causing the update's installation issue.

Hi Mow,

Powerpoint 2007 is a trial version, installed with Office 2007 and came with the PC. I have used ppoint only a few times, and then, only for viewing stuff sent to me. I use MS Word and Excel every now and then.

There is no Help menu in Ppoint 2007. I followed the Control Panel instructions, but it requires a CD-ROM to continue. I am looking for it now (thus the delayed response). I will have to return to that issue after I've found it (so please don't wait up for me to respond!).

StupidUser · 28 May 2011

Which of the following, from the "Programs and Features" window, should I be trying to repair? If I can't repair them, can I uninstall powerpoint even if it's just a trial?

MS Office 2003 Web Components
MS Office 2007 Primary Interop Assemblies
MS Office Live Add-in 1.5
MS Office Small Business Connectivity Components
MS Office Suite Activation Assistant

I think it's the second one, but not sure. Can I repair or uninstall it if I can't find the disks?

Thanks.