DropboxUpdate.exe generating UAC requests & update error 0x800040002

[whaisler]

DropboxUpdate.exe generating UAC requests & update error 0x800040002

About 2-3 weeks ago, I started receving 5-6 UAC requests per day from DropboxUpdate.exe. See attachment UAC_message1.jpg and UAC_message2.jpg. These messages all point back to registry entries for DropboxUpdate.exe with data {49423331-2B41-4EDE-838E-F8C8F3F6BF62}. See attachments DropboxUpdate_registry_entry1.jpg, DropboxUpdate_registry_entry2.jpg and DropboxUpdate_registry_entry3.jpg.

When this UAC problem started, the Dropbox version I had was 3.14.x, Dropbox would not update itself and I received a waring from Dropbox that syncing would stop because Dropbox could not update itself. I d/l the offline Dropbox installer (3.16.1) but when I ran it, it gave me an error "Dropbox Update installation failed with error 0x800040002." Thinking this updating problem might be a firewall issue, I allowed dropbox.exe and dropboxupdate.exe through firewall, and then I disabled the firewall, but still the same DB error message and no update. Finally, after starting Windows in safe mode, the Dropbox 3.16.1 offline installer did run and the DB version is now 3.16.1. I though that the problem with UAC and DB updating was solved, but about 3 days later, the UAC messages are back. I did a trouble ticket with Dropbox, but their response is that the update error 0x800040002 is an OS problem.

Anyone seen this problem? Any thoughts on how to fix? Is this possibly a corrupt registry entry? I'm grasping for ideas here.

 

[whaisler]

How do I move this post to "General Discussion" Forum?

 

[UsernameIssues]

how do i move this post to "general discussion" forum?

 

[UsernameIssues]

~~~
Thinking this updating problem might be a firewall issue, I allowed dropbox.exe and dropboxupdate.exe through firewall,
~~~

Please undo those changes.

~~~
...and then I disabled the firewall,
~~~

If you have not already done so, please turn the firewall back on.


What antivirus app are you using?

 

[whaisler]

Turn firewall back on, which firewall app using?

The firewall (McAfee Total Protection) was re-enabled after the successful installation of DB 3.16.1 (from safe mode). Firewall is up and showing that dropbox.exe & dropboxupdate.exe has incoming and outgoing access, but I am not sure which ports are open -> McAfee is set to "Use designated ports (recommended)." UAC prompts for DB still occurring with firewall enabled.

 

[UsernameIssues]

You won't find very many active members of this forum that like any software written by McAfee.

As a test, uninstall any McAfee software and temporarily install MSE instead.

Turn on the Windows firewall - if it is off.

See if that stops the prompt from the dropbox update tool.

 

[Brds7t7]

Dropbox is becoming a bloated mess these days. I uninstalled and stopped using it as the last time it updated, it broke my Windows task scheduler. Couldn't get it to work, kept throwing up an MMC error. I had to restore an earlier image and as soon as DB auto-updated again, it once again broke my Task Scheduler. I had to disable my internet, restore the image AGAIN and uninstalled Dropbox. That was 6 months ago and haven't used it since. No more Task Scheduler issues since.
I know it might sound obvious, but have you tried completely uninstalling DB and then try to reinstall again?

 

[Neptun]

Do you find a solution on this? I have the same issue

 

[whaisler]

I never did find a solution; at least not one that I can identify. However, the problem went away at some point in time so I sopped worrying about it. Sorry that I cannot give you any helpful ideas.

 

[fruitkiller]

Do not use dropbox. There's plenty of better alternatives which aren't trojan horses.