Can't install about 40 updates...windows 7 professional x64

[matthaus]

Hi everybody,
I've been struggling with this update problem since about April or May of this year. Various updates fail with the error code 8E5E03FA, 80070490 and C80003FA (including the SP1 beta and release candidate). I've tried all of the solutions and troubleshooting steps I've been able to find. I've tried the Update Component Reset fix-it (in both standard and aggressive modes), an in-place upgrade, a full re-install, disabling services and restarting in safe mode, starting without other services running, installing the latest version of the System Readiness tool, and other things I can't think of. Both running Windows Update and installing the updates manually give the same results. Even trying to Check For Updates often gives the error codes above.
I've also run the sfc scan and looked through the event log. I've attached both results. The event log has some errors that correspond with failed updates. The event errors read (something like) "Catalog Database (1184) Catalog Database: The database page read from
the file "C:\Windows\system32\CatRoot2\{F750E6C3-38EE-11D1-85E5-00C04FC295EE}\catdb"
at offset 200704 (0x0000000000031000) (database page 48 (0x30)) for
4096 (0x00001000) bytes failed verification due to a page checksum
mismatch. The expected checksum was [4d4f32b08f6f8c61] and the actual
checksum was [35613561ea19d57c]. The read operation will fail with
error -1018 (0xfffffc06). If this condition persists then please
restore the database from a previous backup. This problem is likely
due to faulty hardware. Please contact your hardware vendor for
further assistance diagnosing the problem."

I'm not sure what the hardware problem could be that wouldn't also be causing other problems. As the problem has been happening for a while, I did replace the main hard drive and optical drive with new ones and the problem persisted. The other remaining hardware is my motherboard an ASUS p5n7a-vm (with onboard video and audio), my wireless adapter (a dlink WDA-1320), and the processor and ram.

Anyway, that's all of the information I can think of. Oh, and no, I don't have a virus, malware, or a rootkit. I've run countless scans, and have been running anti-virus from the first time I installed Windows 7.

So if anyone out there has any ideas on what I can try, I would love some ideas (especially ideas that don't involve reinstalling Windows). Thanks so much!

(The updates that are failing to install are listed below)

-matthaus


Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 8 for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2360131)
Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows 7 x64-based Systems (KB2284742)
Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 Security Update for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems (KB979916)
Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 Update for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems (KB982526)
Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile for Windows 7 x64-based Systems (KB982670)
Security Update for .NET Framework 3.5.1 on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems (KB983590)
Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5.1, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems (KB2416471)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2079403)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2207566)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2281679)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2296011)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2347290)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2378111)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2387149)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB972270)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB974571)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB975467)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB975560)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB978601)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB979309)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB979687)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB979688)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB980218)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB981852)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB981957)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB982132)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB982214)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB982665)
Update for Rights Management Services Client for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB979099)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2158563)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2249857)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2345886)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2388210)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB971033)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB974431)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB976972)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB977074)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB978637)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB979538)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB980408)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB982110)

 

[Lunarpancake]

remove the updates reboot and re-download them.

 

[Hopalong X]

Re Read
You already tried this but did you run it three times. If so go to Repair install below.
This is a registry repair and scanner. Restores to default settings. You will need to run this up to three times until it reports no errors.
It makes one pass so it will get to a point a window will open saying it can't repair. It did it just can't fix it all so you run it again.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html?ltr=S
----------------------------------------------------------

This is instructions for a Repair install.
You willl NOT loose any files or pictures etc. It repairs/resets registry etc. More effective than the SFC /scannow.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html?ltr=R

You have tried most if not all of the update repairs to no avail. You could spend several more days trying to sort everything out to no avail. That is why I suggested the more drastic to some Repair install.

Do a Repair installation if:

• A System Restore did not help fix your Windows 7.
• There is no other easier option left that can fix your Windows 7.
• You DO NOT want to do a Clean reinstall of Windows 7.
• You DO want to preserve your user accounts, data, programs, and system drivers.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Before you go online but after the repair install set this.

Change this setting in yellow to this. Then Click OKAY at bottom of page. You can now select and install what updates you want a few or one at a time. Updates you don't want can be hid if you don't need them.
Do not download/install all the updates at one time.

Keep us posted.
Mike

 

[Jacee]

ESENT error ...see this article Answer : ESENT Event ID 474 Database page cache error

Windows error... Also see MowGreen's answer here Windows 7 64 Bit Update Error Code 8E5E03FE

 

[Hopalong X]

Try Jacee's suggestions first. I would go ahead and change the updater to not install.

 

[Anak]

ESENT error ...see this article Answer : ESENT Event ID 474 Database page cache error

Windows error... Also see MowGreen's answer here Windows 7 64 Bit Update Error Code 8E5E03FE

Very good reading. +1

 

[matthaus]

remove the updates reboot and re-download them.

Thanks for the suggestion. I should have mentioned that I have tried this with no success.

 

[matthaus]

ESENT error ...see this article Answer : ESENT Event ID 474 Database page cache error

Windows error... Also see MowGreen's answer here Windows 7 64 Bit Update Error Code 8E5E03FE

Very good reading. +1

Thanks for both suggestions. The ESENT link applied to file replication services which I don't have running, so unfortunately those steps didn't work for me, as I don't have the files to move.

I also tried the other link's suggestions, but still got the same error message when I tried to download updates.

I've attached the WindowsUpdate.log if that's of any help.

Thanks again.
-matthaus

 

[matthaus]

Re Read
You already tried this but did you run it three times. If so go to Repair install below.
This is a registry repair and scanner. Restores to default settings. You will need to run this up to three times until it reports no errors.
It makes one pass so it will get to a point a window will open saying it can't repair. It did it just can't fix it all so you run it again.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html?ltr=S
----------------------------------------------------------

This is instructions for a Repair install.
You willl NOT loose any files or pictures etc. It repairs/resets registry etc. More effective than the SFC /scannow.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html?ltr=R

You have tried most if not all of the update repairs to no avail. You could spend several more days trying to sort everything out to no avail. That is why I suggested the more drastic to some Repair install.

Thanks much for the suggestions. I tried running sfc /scannow several times as you suggested, but it never was able to repair the corrupted files. When I looked through the log file, I didn't see any files listed to try to replace, so I'm not sure what sfc was finding that was corrupted.

I also tried the repair installation, but it got through most of the upgrade installation (to the transferring settings part I think) and then it gave me the error message: "Setup can't continue. Your computer will now restart, and your previous version of Windows will be restored."

I know I have been able to run the upgrade using another windows 7 pro 64 dvd before, but I was concerned that it may have been an issue with that install dvd, so I was using another one that I have. It's strange to me that one dvd will fail to do the upgrade while another will succeed.

I also tried to use esentutl (with /mh and /p and /d) to recover/repair the update database from the command prompt, but it only seems able to identify that the database is corrupted, not ever able to repair the corruption. The database just gets replaced with the also corrupt shadow copy and the problem persists.

Thanks again for the speedy replies and the suggestions.

-matthaus

 

[Anak]

Hi! matthaus, welcome to W7F

Your log states:

# WARNING: Failed to find updates with error code C80003FA

This indicates you are unable to access the %SystemRoot%\SoftwareDistribution folder.

To resolve this follow these steps:

Make sure your system clock is synchronized.

Then:

• Open a CMD.EXE window with Admin rights.
• Type following commands, pressing Enter after each line:
• net stop wuauserv
• rename "%SystemRoot%\SoftwareDistribution" SDold
• net start wuauserv
• Close CMD window.
• Start (IE) Internet Explorer.
• Use the Tools menu to select Internet Options.
• On the General tab, under Browsing History. Click box that says: Delete browsing history on exit.
• Press Delete.
• Press OK button.
• Exit out of IE, close all programs, restart machine.
• Check for updates in your usual manner.
• Report back success or fail.
• You may save or delete 'SDOLD'

 

[niemiro]

Did you really do a full re-install? You have been really proactive, and uploaded just about every log except the one that might just help!

However, if you have just re-installed then we are looking at very different root causes. However, download and run this tool: Description of the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Vista, for Windows Server 2008, for Windows 7, and for Windows Server 2008 R2

If you have already run it, then there is no need to run it again, however, I do need the log. Please copy C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CheckSUR.log to your Desktop and upload.

Thanks!

Richard

 

[matthaus]

Thanks for the reply and the welcome, and sorry for the delay in responding. Got busy all of a sudden. I tried what you suggested, but came up with the same/similar errors (8E5E03FA and 80070490).
Thanks again for the suggestion.

-matthaus

Hi! matthaus, welcome to W7F

Your log states:

# WARNING: Failed to find updates with error code C80003FA

This indicates you are unable to access the %SystemRoot%\SoftwareDistribution folder.

To resolve this follow these steps:

Make sure your system clock is synchronized.

Then:

• Open a CMD.EXE window with Admin rights.
• Type following commands, pressing Enter after each line:
• net stop wuauserv
• rename "%SystemRoot%\SoftwareDistribution" SDold
• net start wuauserv
• Close CMD window.
• Start (IE) Internet Explorer.
• Use the Tools menu to select Internet Options.
• On the General tab, under Browsing History. Click box that says: Delete browsing history on exit.
• Press Delete.
• Press OK button.
• Exit out of IE, close all programs, restart machine.
• Check for updates in your usual manner.
• Report back success or fail.
• You may save or delete 'SDOLD'

 

[matthaus]

Hey Richard,
Thanks for the quick reply, mine is less timely. I did really do a full re-install, which works with one of my install dvds, and fails with the other (amusing). Attached is the CheckSUR.log. It says no errors detected, so I'm not sure how much help it is going to be.

-matthaus

Did you really do a full re-install? You have been really proactive, and uploaded just about every log except the one that might just help!

However, if you have just re-installed then we are looking at very different root causes. However, download and run this tool: Description of the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Vista, for Windows Server 2008, for Windows 7, and for Windows Server 2008 R2

If you have already run it, then there is no need to run it again, however, I do need the log. Please copy C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CheckSUR.log to your Desktop and upload.

Thanks!

Richard

 

[matthaus]

Something else interesting happened the other day. Out of the blue (after having had my computer shut down for a few hours), 17 updates installed successfully (31 still failed...error #s 8E5E0442, 80246007, & 80070490). After a reboot, another 2 installed successfully and then another reboot and another one. After that, it was back to not being able to update at all. Attempts to manually install the updates result in error #C80003FA.

Something else interesting, KB971033 installed successfully, but then Windows began to believe that it was not genuine (which it is), so I had to uninstall the update.

I've attached the most recent WindowsUpdate.log file. Thanks again to all the folks that have made suggestions and offered advice and help.

-matthaus


Here's the current list of updates outstanding and erroring:
Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 8 for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2416400)
Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows 7 x64-based Systems (KB2284742)
Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 Security Update for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems (KB979916)
Security Update for .NET Framework 3.5.1 on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems (KB983590)
Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5.1, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems (KB2416471)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2207566)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2296011)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2296199)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2305420)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2385678)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2423089)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2436673)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2442962)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB972270)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB975467)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB975560)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB978601)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB979309)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB982132)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB982214)
Update for Internet Explorer for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2467659)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2345886)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2443685)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB971033)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB974431)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB978637)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB979538)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB980408)

 

[cluberti]

The CBS callouts in the WU log indicate a problem with the registry and with the SoftwareDistribution location on that machine. I would suggest disabling WU for this test, downloading (manually) one of the updates above, and then noting the time and installing that update manually. When it fails, ZIP or RAR a copy of the CBS.log file in \Windows\Logs\CBS\, upload the archive here, and post the time you started the install and which package you attempted to install (the CBS.log is very verbose, so knowing the package name and the time makes it easier to find where we need to look inside the log file).

 

[matthaus]

Thanks for the response. I did as you suggested. I stopped WU service and tried to install KB982214 from 15:03:30 to about 15:04:00. I've attached the log file. Thanks again for your help in this.

-matthaus

The CBS callouts in the WU log indicate a problem with the registry and with the SoftwareDistribution location on that machine. I would suggest disabling WU for this test, downloading (manually) one of the updates above, and then noting the time and installing that update manually. When it fails, ZIP or RAR a copy of the CBS.log file in \Windows\Logs\CBS\, upload the archive here, and post the time you started the install and which package you attempted to install (the CBS.log is very verbose, so knowing the package name and the time makes it easier to find where we need to look inside the log file).

 

[cluberti]

Yes, it looks like the catroot2 catalog is corrupt:

2010-12-30 15:03:45, Info                  CBS    Failed call to CryptCATAdminAddCatalog. [HRESULT = 0x8e5e03fa - JET_errReadVerifyFailure]

You are going to need to follow this article, without error, to get updates working again on that install.

 

[matthaus]

Thanks for the link and the suggestion. No one has asked me to do that yet. So I tried to follow the directions, but when I ran "esentutl /p <%systemroot%>\System32\catroot2\{F750E6C3-38EE-11D1-85E5-00C04FC295EE}\catdb" I was given an access denied error. When I changed directories to <%systemroot%>\System32\catroot2\{F750E6C3-38EE-11D1-85E5-00C04FC295EE} and then ran "esentutl /p catdb", it worked. I have attached the output of the command (catroot2.txt), but it reported success.
I then tried to install KB974431 (at 1:25 am), but it failed. I have also attached the most recent cbs.log file RARed up. Thanks again for your help in this.

And happy new year!

-matthaus

Yes, it looks like the catroot2 catalog is corrupt:

2010-12-30 15:03:45, Info                  CBS    Failed call to CryptCATAdminAddCatalog. [HRESULT = 0x8e5e03fa - JET_errReadVerifyFailure]

You are going to need to follow this article, without error, to get updates working again on that install.

 

[cluberti]

Thanks for the link and the suggestion. No one has asked me to do that yet. So I tried to follow the directions, but when I ran "esentutl /p <%systemroot%>\System32\catroot2\{F750E6C3-38EE-11D1-85E5-00C04FC295EE}\catdb" I was given an access denied error.

You've only fixed half of the problem - now, you need to go into the properties and take ownership of this folder. Doing so on the folder above it is *not* sufficient - you must do it on the catdb folder, not the folder above it. You've managed to allow the call to CryptCATAdminAddCatalog to open the database, but it still cannot write to it:

2011-01-01 01:26:13, Info                  CBS    Failed call to CryptCATAdminAddCatalog. [HRESULT = 0x8000ffff - Unknown Error]

If you are able to take ownership of the GUID folder and the catdb folder (and all subfolders and files), and then run the steps again, updating should start working again.

 

[matthaus]

Thanks again for the quick reply. I have tried taking ownership of the folder and files. I still get the access denied error however. I did it using right click -> properties -> security -> advanced -> owner and changed that to myself. So I don't know if I'm doing it the wrong way or if something else is going on.
Thanks again for any help/advice you can offer. I feel much closer to a solution.
-matthaus