Microsoft KB Archive/915169

= Error message that you receive when you try to update a Windows XP-based computer to Windows XP Service Pack 2 by visiting the Windows Update Web site: &quot;Unable to read from or write to database&quot; =

Article ID: 915169

Article Last Modified on 3/23/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
 * Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
 * Microsoft Windows XP Professional
 * Microsoft Windows XP Professional

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SYMPTOMS
When you try to update a Microsoft Windows XP-based computer to Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) by visiting the Windows Update Web site, you receive the following error message:

Unable to read from or write to database.



RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, follow these steps:  Stop the Cryptographic Service:  Click Start, click Run, type services.msc in the Open box, and then click OK. In the Services dialog box, right-click Cryptographic Services, and then click Properties. In the Cryptographic Service Properties dialog box, click the General tab, and then click Stop.

The Service Status option changes to Stopped. Delete the Windows Update.log files:  Click Start, click My Computer, and then double-click the hard disk drive where Windows XP is installed. For example, double-click drive C.</li> Click the Folders box, click the Windows folder, and then click the System32 folder.

Note If you receive the following message, click Show the contents of this folder:

These files are hidden.

This folder contains files that keep your system working properly.

You should not modify its contents.

</li> Click the CatRoot2 folder.</li> Delete the Edb .log file.

Note In this step,  is a placeholder that may represent letters, numbers, or any combination of letters and numbers.</li> Click Start, click My Computer, and then double-click the hard disk drive where Windows XP is installed. For example, double-click drive C.</li> Click the Folders box, click the Windows folder, and then click the Security folder.</li> Delete the Edb .log file.

Note In this step,  is a placeholder that may represent letters, numbers, or any combination of letters and numbers.</li></ol> </li> Start the Cryptographic Service:  Click Start, click Run, type services.msc in the Open box, and then click OK.</li> In the Services dialog box, right-click Cryptographic Services, and then click Properties.</li> In the Cryptographic Service Properties dialog box, click the General tab, and then click Start.</li></ol>

The Service status option changes to Started.</li> Visit the Windows Update Web site to update the computer to Windows XP SP2.

Update the computer to Windows XP SP2 by using Windows Update. To do this, visit the following Web site:

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com</li></ol>

Keywords: kberrmsg kbtshoot kbfix kbwindowsupdate kbprb kbexpertisebeginner KB915169

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