Can't do upgrade to fix updates not installing

[HighSierraTom]

I've a customer who simply cannot install all updates. In in the end, he decided to try the upgrade route in an attempt to fix the updates not installing. He got hold of an ISO (without SP1) and started the process. At about 70% completion (I believe the OS components have successfully been installed) it stops. The error message states something about lack of disk space to install the applications (????). There's plenty of disk space of course.

Previous to the upgrade try, we've run various MS FixIt tools, SFC, disk check, disabling A/V, checking for malware, etc. Commonly, upon unsuccessful updates, the error codes are either 8007371b or 80073712.

 

[Hanna 1]

Try to see if this tool can solve your problem

Description of the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Vista, for Windows Server 2008, for Windows 7, and for Windows Server 2008 R2

Good luck

 

[HighSierraTom]

I ran that tool and it reported that no errors were found. Thanks, though, for your suggestion.

 

[TGSoldier]

Not 100% sure what you're talking about.

Sounds like windows updates. You can try the windows update offline tool.

You can download here http://download.wsusoffline.net/wsusoffline731.zip

If this is your first time using it, you will need to update the program first, then install them.

Hope this helps

 

[HighSierraTom]

Sorry for the confusion. I downloaded and ran the "System Update Readiness Tool (KB947821)". That util reported no errors found.

Just to clarify my original post. My customer wants to install SP1 but can't because there are about 12 updates that won't update. Due to this problem, he's stuck. After trying numerous suggestions, he decided to do the upgrade thingie in hopes that that would fix his problem with the "stuck," stubborn updates. But even the upgrade route doesn't work.

In essence, he's got two problems: The upgrade won't install, and he's got other updates that won't install, stopping him from having SP1 installed.

BTW: TGSoldier, what does the offline update utility do? What's it supposed to fix that differs from the other tools? Thx.

 

[TGSoldier]

BTW: TGSoldier, what does the offline update utility do? What's it supposed to fix that differs from the other tools? Thx.

What this does is downloads the updates to your computer in a folder, and you can then install the updates manually or automatically from there.

Come to think of it, this may not be good idea right now if you have a slow internet connection, as initially, it will take long to download ALL the updates for windows 7.

Hmm.


What error are you getting when trying to install those 12 updates?

 

[TGSoldier]

You can also take a look at the following resolutions from Microsoft.

Unable to install updates in Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2

 

[HighSierraTom]

Wow! That linked info ("Unable to install updates ...") is very extensive ... and recent, too. I'll pass that onto the customer.

We've tried installing the updates by onesies, twosies, threesies, and all of them at once. Generally, the updates are downloaded and they start to install. BUT, the error message appears indicating an unsuccessful installation. The error codes are generally 8007371b or 80073712.

Thanks again for the link.

 

[TGSoldier]

You're welcome.

Hope it helps. Let us know how it turns out

 

[Hanna 1]

Hello again
try to read the following:

You receive error code "0x80073712" or the "Windows Features" dialog box is empty when you try to install updates or components in Windows 7 or in Windows Vista

Please Post back for further help if needed

Good luck

 

[Hanna 1]

If your customer want the win7 sp1, then go to:

Download: Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (KB976932) - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details
Please read the whole article.
Good luck

 

[HighSierraTom]

He's tried installing SP1 but can't. I think that some of the updates which failed to install are the same updates that would allow him to install SP1.

SIDE NOTE: The customer is thoroughly convinced that a previous update that was successfully installed is actually the culprit. He feels that it corrupted a DLL or other system file and that is what is blocking his attempts to install some of the later updates. (I ran SFC /scannow but it found no problems.) With this in mind, he uninstalled updates one by one. When he tried uninstalling an update from August 2011, his computer froze and he found it necessary to restore his system from a backup. Unfortunately, he didn't keep any notes so he doesn't know which update he was uninstalling froze his system.

He's tried (via Microsoft's suggestion and other researched info) many of the aforementioned suggestions but to no avail.

 

[Hanna 1]

The last resort for this situation maybe your customer have to contact MS Support before doing a clean installation?

 

[HighSierraTom]

The customer has already been in contact with MS Support. They worked with him for 3 days then sort of dropped it with no resolution.

 

[Hanna 1]

Try to see the following:

Troubleshoot problems installing Service Pack 1 (SP1) for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2
wish you luck

 

[HighSierraTom]

Thanks, Hanna 1, for your input. The suggestions outlined in the "Troubleshoot problems installing SP1 ..." were already run ... successfully (System Update Readiness Tool, Troubleshooter, and turning off security programs.).

I started another thread for what he tried next as a last resort: He tried an upgrade (non-SP1) and got to about 70% completion. He then rec'd an error message about not enough disk space for the installation of applications. He thought that the OS portion was installed, but the installer balked at the disk space (which there was plenty of).

 

[karlsnooks]

clean install time.

 

[HighSierraTom]

Yeah, I think so, too. Unfortunately, my client doesn't want to re-install his apps which are numerous. This problem may go unfixed.

Question: Might this problem prevent him from upgrading to Windows 8?

 

[karlsnooks]

Yeah, I think so, too. Unfortunately, my client doesn't want to re-install his apps which are numerous. This problem may go unfixed.

Question: Might this problem prevent him from upgrading to Windows 8?

Do not know nor do I know if his apps will be win 8 compatible nor do I know which version of Win 8 he is thinking of using.

Simply too many variables.

His options are:
1. (preferrable) a clean install
2. live with the problem.