Hello all,

Long time since the last blog entry so here goes with one I've had problems with the last few times I've tried to use Windows Update.

Both my home server and BA server suffered this problem, and I decided it was time to look online for a solution to the problem since it was getting on my nerves and needed fixing.

Both servers were refusing to install some updates. In my home servers case it was SP3, and the BA server was the Malicious Removal Tool update for June. Now while the BA server one wasn't necessary, the home server update was because just earlier this week I got yet another trojan injected into the system via a DCOM exploit that SP3 fixes. Up until now I've hated SP3 because it refused to work on 2 systems last time I tried it, but now MS seem to have fixed their installer.

So, what was the problem and how did I fix it?

Basically, Windows Update downloads to a cache folder before you begin the installation. If the download is interrupted or the download is corrupt, Windows Update doesn't know this, and it attempts to install anyway. Microsoft did not build in any sort of checking method to verify the download was successful or not. If Windows Update attempts to install a broken download, it of course fails.

So how do you fix this problem? Its quite simple really, and requires just a few lines in the command prompt.



Simple. Now you can run Windows Update again, re-download the broken updates and install them It works 99% of the time. I say 99% of the time because sometimes its not a broken download that's the problem but something on the system causing a conflict. However in either case you won't know unless you try it.

Cool, I was having problems in my XP VM a while ago, at least this time I'll know what to do.

It's why I prefer to grab the standalone Installers for Service Packs.

I do this occaisonally, since ASUS Actually recommend it is done frequently on the EeePC to save space (since the updates don't get deleted after they've been installed), though that only recommends the 'Download' folder within SoftwareDistribution.

And you only just installed SP3 on XP?

Sometimes Windows Update offers up updates you dont need/cant use. For instance, my XP machine at home still shows IE6 critical updates even though I have IE7 installed. I can select them and try to install them, but they just fail with a scary error message. It is inconsequential.

I keep getting Office 2007 updates on Microsoft Update, even though I downgraded to 2003 3 months ago.

If you have the Compatibility Pack for Office 2000/XP/2003 installed you will get some of the 2007 updates, as some of the fixes for 2007 also affect the file converters.

Which reminds me, that's another thing to do!
I actually never installed the compatibility pack, mostly because I don't use Office that much.