If I attempt to install either of these updates with the windows standalone installer I get the error code 800700C1 with the update KB2393802 and an error message that "the update does not apply to your system" with update KB971029.
The windows installer program itself seems to be damaged as it will not store any changes made to it. If I go to change settings and check or uncheck any box or choose a new setting in any drop down menu, if I close the window or navigate from that page (after clicking ok and accepting the changes), every setting is back to default when I open change settings again. I may be wrong but I'd assume that was the main problem and not the actual updates themselves.
These two updates have been constantly failing and reinstalling for a good month on a daily basis. I've tried numerous solutions with no success:
Wuauclt.exe is almost constantly running and trustedinstaller service is also running. The windows update service is running, I've checked using net start wuauserv in command prompt and windows update is checked to run in msconfig > services.
I have Norton 360 as my firewall and antivirus, and I have tried installing these updates with norton disabled. Norton 360 has been my antivirus for all previous windows updates so I don't think it's at fault as I've made no changes to it myself from previous updates.
I have tried to reregister every .dll file I could find mentioned on threads related to this problem. The only one I couldn't replace was smipi.dll and I've tried every suggestion I could find to get it done but so far haven't managed it; all I get is "you need permission to perform this action" no matter what permissions I change. It's likely a shot in the dark to replace it but it's annoying I can't replace it to find out.
I've used "rmdir /s %windir%\softwaredistribution\wuredir" in command prompt with wuauserv disabled and then re-enabled after.
I've run a few "sfc /scannow"'s in command prompt and the CBS log only shows a windows sidebar "settings.ini" error which I'm pretty confident has no affect on this problem.
I have attempted to install these updates in safe mode but the standalone installer and normal updater can't run in safe mode. I'm on a dial up type service and even just the installer wouldn't show up. The services and drivers needed to do a safe mode install just aren't there for me unfortunately.
I have tried using MicrosoftFixit50202.msi but it had no positive effect.
I've ran various virus scans in normal boot and safe mode and showed clean results.
Mcaffee was installed on this laptop from factory but I did use the removal tool to completely get rid of it.
I'm truly at a loss as to what to try next and would really appreciate any thoughts on this at all.
One last thought is that I can't be 100% sure if there is a virus causing this; I'm not the only user of this laptop for one. Just to be really sure it's not I'd like to include an OLT log but if it's too much to ask in one post I'd understand.
Edit: Completely forgot to say I'm using Vista 32 bit.
Edited by leftfeild, 21 March 2011 - 01:56 AM.