Windows updates will not install

[roving]

For many days now at shutdown i am notified that 6 updates will be installed. Finally today I took a moment to look at the update history and found, as shown on the attachment, that these 6 failed to install day after day. I did troubleshoot and it found no cause. Any suggestions? They are all security updates for the major components of Office 2003, only one of which I use, which is Word. Suggestions appreciated. Dick

 

[tea]

My suggestion would be do to a full virus scan and if you are infected.

 

[electrotune1200]

I would try clearing the Windows Update history.

Paste this command to windows search.
%windir%\SoftwareDistribution\

Go into the datastore folder and delete the contents. Reboot and re-scan for updates.

 

[chev65]

For many days now at shutdown i am notified that 6 updates will be installed. Finally today I took a moment to look at the update history and found, as shown on the attachment, that these 6 failed to install day after day. I did troubleshoot and it found no cause. Any suggestions? They are all security updates for the major components of Office 2003, only one of which I use, which is Word. Suggestions appreciated. Dick

Here is a comprehensive list of fixes for Windows update problems that might help.
How do I reset Windows Update components?

 

[Luckystar]

If all else fails, try reinstalling the office software.

Lucky

 

[theog]

Try this:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91738-windows-update-reset.html

 

[roving]

First, many thanks for information on how to clear the update history, and reset update, etc. It worked perfectly so is now saved for future use. BUT, I now have tried to install those six security updates for Office 2003 shown on my original attachment. They appear to download properly but the installation of each failed due to a 646 error. Troubleshooting that did no good. I also tried one-at-a-time, and that failed also for the same reason.

Isn't there a method of 'repairing' my Office 2003 installation? Should I try that and then try the updates again, or what do you suggest at this point? Very much appreciated!! Dick

 

[Bill2]

Have you tried to download the updates manually? If not, do so, then run as administrator.

 

[roving]

Thanks, Bill. I did go to the update site and select only one of the six to install. It tried and failed. Is that what you mean by "manual"?

Then I did select another update, which had to do with WGA. It downloaded quickly and installed successfully.

After that succeeded I went back and tried to download and install one of the security updates and it failed.

Still puzzled at this point.

 

[theog]

Did you try the reset tool?

 

[roving]

Yes, and it did what it was supposed to do, but they still won't install. Thanks.

 

[roving]

Yes, I tried the reset tool immediately after it was mentioned. Still no results.

 

[chev65]

From what I read about this particular problem turning off UAC should allow you to install the Windows 7 updates for Msoft office. It may also help to download those updates after turning off UAC. You can turn UAC back on after the updates have been sucessfully installed.

The link below shows you how to turn off UAC.
Guided Help: Adjust User Account Control settings in Windows 7

Source:http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en/vistawu/thread/a98c87fe-5d60-4269-836a-f62654c12e95

If that doesn't work there is also a registry adjustment you can make that is supposed to work.
http://social.answers.microsoft.com...f60-c149-4eaf-b8e6-a2880cd7232b?prof=required

I would try turning off UAC first because it's already worked for others and it's easier than the registry adjustment.

 

[roving]

Chev65 has done it again, living up to his self-description of "relentless patience", as it paid off in the case of the Office 2003 updates that wouldn't install. Since last attempts yesterday I did a Office uninstall and re-install, followed by more update failures. Then I followed the advice and disabled UAC, and made two more failed attempts before doing a restart. Then I tried installing two small 'important' files and that worked. That left SP3 and one other. Both downloaded and installed smoothly and quickly. Thank you so much for the interest and tenacity! It is much appreciated. And thanks also to all of you who contributed with your valuable suggestions as they helped narrow things down. Roving

 

[chev65]

Chev65 has done it again, living up to his self-description of "relentless patience", as it paid off in the case of the Office 2003 updates that wouldn't install. Since last attempts yesterday I did a Office uninstall and re-install, followed by more update failures. Then I followed the advice and disabled UAC, and made two more failed attempts before doing a restart. Then I tried installing two small 'important' files and that worked. That left SP3 and one other. Both downloaded and installed smoothly and quickly. Thank you so much for the interest and tenacity! It is much appreciated. And thanks also to all of you who contributed with your valuable suggestions as they helped narrow things down. Roving

I figured that would work because it's a fairly well known problem and turning off UAC has worked for other people with the same problem. Glad that you have those updates installed roving, happy computing.