Error code 0x80070002 on all updates since KB914388

I have 11 updates that have failed to install (both by update download and
manual download). In all cases they give the 0x80070002 error code with the
message about the system being unable to find the file specified. The
Microsoft Tech Support person has run me through several attempts to correct
this, including re-registering all of the files that the updates are calling,
to no avail; the Tech person now suggests that I repair the installation from
my SP1 disk and then reinstall the SP2 update, which will cause several
programs to have to be reinstalled. I think I have read more than a hundred
different methods for correcting this 0x80070002 problem, none of which have
worked. Am I stuck with repairing the installation of Windows XP? By the way,
the attempts to install these updates don;t even create a log file.

Hello

Before reinstalling your version of Windows. I've got a few steps you can
try if you haven't already done so. At the bottom, I have also explained how
Windows Update works.

So - Let's Fix Your Windows Update!
When installing Windows Update, there are 2 folders we need to be concerned
about, CatRoot2 and SoftwareDistribution. These folders contain the Update
Install files, and anything else necessary to download and install your
Windows Updates.

If re-registering the files "wuauapi.dll","softpub.dll", "wuaueng.dll"
,"wuaueng1.dll","wups.dll" do not fix the issue. The next step would be to
rename your CatRoot2 and SoftwareDistribution folders.

Follow these steps and see if it resolves your issue.

Step 1:
Click on Start > Run
paste this into the run line and hit Enter or Ok.

regsvr32 wuaueng.dll wuaueng1.dll wups.dll softpub.dll wuauapi.dll

Step 2:
-Open My Computer > Navigate to C:\Windows\System32
-Rename the folder CatRoot2 to CatRoot2Old
-Close My Computer

Step 3:
-Open My Computer > Navigate to C:\Windows\
-Rename the folder SoftwareDistribution to SDOld
-Close My Computer

Step 4:
Go to Windows Update and try reinstalling the latest updates.

That should fix your issue.

I would definately try that before running any repair installations of
Windows XP.



And now for a bit of Education about Windows Update!
Windows Update uses Delta Compression - a method of updating "partial"
files, instead of rewriting a complete file. You can think of it, as "Why
sent an entire text file to a client - when I just need to send the 1 letter
they don't have". Windows Update - Works the same way.

Thanks
Sincerely
Robert A Janes
v-
"wpc09" wrote:

> I have 11 updates that have failed to install (both by update download and
> manual download). In all cases they give the 0x80070002 error code with the
> message about the system being unable to find the file specified. The
> Microsoft Tech Support person has run me through several attempts to correct
> this, including re-registering all of the files that the updates are calling,
> to no avail; the Tech person now suggests that I repair the installation from
> my SP1 disk and then reinstall the SP2 update, which will cause several
> programs to have to be reinstalled. I think I have read more than a hundred
> different methods for correcting this 0x80070002 problem, none of which have
> worked. Am I stuck with repairing the installation of Windows XP? By the way,
> the attempts to install these updates don;t even create a log file.

Two comments:

Prior to renaming, you need to stop the wuaserv service or else you will get
the message that the rename cannot be performed becuaes files/folders are
being used.

Run : net stop wuauserv

and when finished renaming:

Run: net start wuauserv

Also, not all updates are using Delta Compression. If you monitor the
downloads/installs, you will notice that entire DLLs are downloaded and
installed either at reboot or at the time of install.

You can monitor this using FileMon and see that files are deleted, and new
files are created and replaced in the same folders. Additionally, if you
manually download and not install, you can check the objects in the
SoftwareDistribution/Download/ID Folder/... and see that the items are in
full (e.g., shell32.dll is nearly the same size as the current).

And if you compare the final destination of the item, the downloaded version
is the same size as the new version.

So where does the Delta Compression come into play?

"Robert A Janes" <> wrote in message
news:C56F5EE4-0157-40A9-ABA3-...
> Hello
>
> Before reinstalling your version of Windows. I've got a few steps you can
> try if you haven't already done so. At the bottom, I have also explained
> how
> Windows Update works.
>
> So - Let's Fix Your Windows Update!
> When installing Windows Update, there are 2 folders we need to be
> concerned
> about, CatRoot2 and SoftwareDistribution. These folders contain the
> Update
> Install files, and anything else necessary to download and install your
> Windows Updates.
>
> If re-registering the files "wuauapi.dll","softpub.dll", "wuaueng.dll"
> ,"wuaueng1.dll","wups.dll" do not fix the issue. The next step would be
> to
> rename your CatRoot2 and SoftwareDistribution folders.
>
> Follow these steps and see if it resolves your issue.
>
> Step 1:
> Click on Start > Run
> paste this into the run line and hit Enter or Ok.
>
> regsvr32 wuaueng.dll wuaueng1.dll wups.dll softpub.dll wuauapi.dll
>
> Step 2:
> -Open My Computer > Navigate to C:\Windows\System32
> -Rename the folder CatRoot2 to CatRoot2Old
> -Close My Computer
>
> Step 3:
> -Open My Computer > Navigate to C:\Windows\
> -Rename the folder SoftwareDistribution to SDOld
> -Close My Computer
>
> Step 4:
> Go to Windows Update and try reinstalling the latest updates.
>
> That should fix your issue.
>
> I would definately try that before running any repair installations of
> Windows XP.
>
>
>
> And now for a bit of Education about Windows Update!
> Windows Update uses Delta Compression - a method of updating "partial"
> files, instead of rewriting a complete file. You can think of it, as "Why
> sent an entire text file to a client - when I just need to send the 1
> letter
> they don't have". Windows Update - Works the same way.
>
> Thanks
> Sincerely
> Robert A Janes
> v-
> "wpc09" wrote:
>
>> I have 11 updates that have failed to install (both by update download
>> and
>> manual download). In all cases they give the 0x80070002 error code with
>> the
>> message about the system being unable to find the file specified. The
>> Microsoft Tech Support person has run me through several attempts to
>> correct
>> this, including re-registering all of the files that the updates are
>> calling,
>> to no avail; the Tech person now suggests that I repair the installation
>> from
>> my SP1 disk and then reinstall the SP2 update, which will cause several
>> programs to have to be reinstalled. I think I have read more than a
>> hundred
>> different methods for correcting this 0x80070002 problem, none of which
>> have
>> worked. Am I stuck with repairing the installation of Windows XP? By the
>> way,
>> the attempts to install these updates don;t even create a log file.

Here is what I discovered. I seem to be lacking the wuauapi.dll file. I
stopped the update service and went to re-register the various files. I got
an error on wuauapi.dll and I discovered that the file is not in the System32
folder nor anywhere else on my PC. I tried to find this file at Microsoft.com
but didn't come up with it. How do I replace it?

"Robert A Janes" wrote:

> Hello
>
> Before reinstalling your version of Windows. I've got a few steps you can
> try if you haven't already done so. At the bottom, I have also explained how
> Windows Update works.
>
> So - Let's Fix Your Windows Update!
> When installing Windows Update, there are 2 folders we need to be concerned
> about, CatRoot2 and SoftwareDistribution. These folders contain the Update
> Install files, and anything else necessary to download and install your
> Windows Updates.
>
> If re-registering the files "wuauapi.dll","softpub.dll", "wuaueng.dll"
> ,"wuaueng1.dll","wups.dll" do not fix the issue. The next step would be to
> rename your CatRoot2 and SoftwareDistribution folders.
>
> Follow these steps and see if it resolves your issue.
>
> Step 1:
> Click on Start > Run
> paste this into the run line and hit Enter or Ok.
>
> regsvr32 wuaueng.dll wuaueng1.dll wups.dll softpub.dll wuauapi.dll
>
> Step 2:
> -Open My Computer > Navigate to C:\Windows\System32
> -Rename the folder CatRoot2 to CatRoot2Old
> -Close My Computer
>
> Step 3:
> -Open My Computer > Navigate to C:\Windows\
> -Rename the folder SoftwareDistribution to SDOld
> -Close My Computer
>
> Step 4:
> Go to Windows Update and try reinstalling the latest updates.
>
> That should fix your issue.
>
> I would definately try that before running any repair installations of
> Windows XP.
>
>
>
> And now for a bit of Education about Windows Update!
> Windows Update uses Delta Compression - a method of updating "partial"
> files, instead of rewriting a complete file. You can think of it, as "Why
> sent an entire text file to a client - when I just need to send the 1 letter
> they don't have". Windows Update - Works the same way.
>
> Thanks
> Sincerely
> Robert A Janes
> v-
> "wpc09" wrote:
>
> > I have 11 updates that have failed to install (both by update download and
> > manual download). In all cases they give the 0x80070002 error code with the
> > message about the system being unable to find the file specified. The
> > Microsoft Tech Support person has run me through several attempts to correct
> > this, including re-registering all of the files that the updates are calling,
> > to no avail; the Tech person now suggests that I repair the installation from
> > my SP1 disk and then reinstall the SP2 update, which will cause several
> > programs to have to be reinstalled. I think I have read more than a hundred
> > different methods for correcting this 0x80070002 problem, none of which have
> > worked. Am I stuck with repairing the installation of Windows XP? By the way,
> > the attempts to install these updates don;t even create a log file.

When I try
regsvr32 wuaueng.dll wuaueng1.dll wups.dll softpub.dll wuauapi.dll
it comes back and says that load library wuauapi.dll is a module that could
not be found.

I have searched the internet and microsoft, and had no hits...

Sorry, Gail, I didn't see anything from you in this message - just a repeat
of my message.

"Gail" wrote:

> When I try
> regsvr32 wuaueng.dll wuaueng1.dll wups.dll softpub.dll wuauapi.dll
> it comes back and says that load library wuauapi.dll is a module that could
> not be found.
>
> I have searched the internet and microsoft, and had no hits...

Correction;

Its actually
wuapi.dll

So RegSvr32 wuapi.dll

Typo
Anyways, Yes you would need to stop and start the Automatic Update Service
before renaming the software distribution and catroot2 folder - to do so, you
could also click on Start > Run > Type in services.msc
In the Services Screen, Double Click "Automatic Update" and click the stop
button. Then - rename the folders, and Start the Automatic Update services.
(Just another way of doing it).

As for delta compression <Nod> Not all use Delta compression, but with the
release of Windows Update V5, and even V4 , I believe, is when Delta
Compression started to be integrated and "used".

Thanks

Robert A Janes
v-
v-


"wpc09" wrote:

> Here is what I discovered. I seem to be lacking the wuauapi.dll file. I
> stopped the update service and went to re-register the various files. I got
> an error on wuauapi.dll and I discovered that the file is not in the System32
> folder nor anywhere else on my PC. I tried to find this file at Microsoft.com
> but didn't come up with it. How do I replace it?
>
> "Robert A Janes" wrote:
>
> > Hello
> >
> > Before reinstalling your version of Windows. I've got a few steps you can
> > try if you haven't already done so. At the bottom, I have also explained how
> > Windows Update works.
> >
> > So - Let's Fix Your Windows Update!
> > When installing Windows Update, there are 2 folders we need to be concerned
> > about, CatRoot2 and SoftwareDistribution. These folders contain the Update
> > Install files, and anything else necessary to download and install your
> > Windows Updates.
> >
> > If re-registering the files "wuauapi.dll","softpub.dll", "wuaueng.dll"
> > ,"wuaueng1.dll","wups.dll" do not fix the issue. The next step would be to
> > rename your CatRoot2 and SoftwareDistribution folders.
> >
> > Follow these steps and see if it resolves your issue.
> >
> > Step 1:
> > Click on Start > Run
> > paste this into the run line and hit Enter or Ok.
> >
> > regsvr32 wuaueng.dll wuaueng1.dll wups.dll softpub.dll wuauapi.dll
> >
> > Step 2:
> > -Open My Computer > Navigate to C:\Windows\System32
> > -Rename the folder CatRoot2 to CatRoot2Old
> > -Close My Computer
> >
> > Step 3:
> > -Open My Computer > Navigate to C:\Windows\
> > -Rename the folder SoftwareDistribution to SDOld
> > -Close My Computer
> >
> > Step 4:
> > Go to Windows Update and try reinstalling the latest updates.
> >
> > That should fix your issue.
> >
> > I would definately try that before running any repair installations of
> > Windows XP.
> >
> >
> >
> > And now for a bit of Education about Windows Update!
> > Windows Update uses Delta Compression - a method of updating "partial"
> > files, instead of rewriting a complete file. You can think of it, as "Why
> > sent an entire text file to a client - when I just need to send the 1 letter
> > they don't have". Windows Update - Works the same way.
> >
> > Thanks
> > Sincerely
> > Robert A Janes
> > v-
> > "wpc09" wrote:
> >
> > > I have 11 updates that have failed to install (both by update download and
> > > manual download). In all cases they give the 0x80070002 error code with the
> > > message about the system being unable to find the file specified. The
> > > Microsoft Tech Support person has run me through several attempts to correct
> > > this, including re-registering all of the files that the updates are calling,
> > > to no avail; the Tech person now suggests that I repair the installation from
> > > my SP1 disk and then reinstall the SP2 update, which will cause several
> > > programs to have to be reinstalled. I think I have read more than a hundred
> > > different methods for correcting this 0x80070002 problem, none of which have
> > > worked. Am I stuck with repairing the installation of Windows XP? By the way,
> > > the attempts to install these updates don;t even create a log file.

I tried the full procedure. No success. All of this problem came at the same
time that I was trying to reinstall SP-2 to recover from modification made
while removing a Trojan-hook. SP-2 also gave me the same error code. With no
success on your suggestion, I tried to repair my Windows XP installation as
recommented by the Microsoft Tech Support person. Big mistake. Now Windows
will not boot up at all; instead it freezes. I suspect I will have to do a
clean install - not my favorite thing.

"Robert A Janes" wrote:

> Hello
>
> Before reinstalling your version of Windows. I've got a few steps you can
> try if you haven't already done so. At the bottom, I have also explained how
> Windows Update works.
>
> So - Let's Fix Your Windows Update!
> When installing Windows Update, there are 2 folders we need to be concerned
> about, CatRoot2 and SoftwareDistribution. These folders contain the Update
> Install files, and anything else necessary to download and install your
> Windows Updates.
>
> If re-registering the files "wuauapi.dll","softpub.dll", "wuaueng.dll"
> ,"wuaueng1.dll","wups.dll" do not fix the issue. The next step would be to
> rename your CatRoot2 and SoftwareDistribution folders.
>
> Follow these steps and see if it resolves your issue.
>
> Step 1:
> Click on Start > Run
> paste this into the run line and hit Enter or Ok.
>
> regsvr32 wuaueng.dll wuaueng1.dll wups.dll softpub.dll wuauapi.dll
>
> Step 2:
> -Open My Computer > Navigate to C:\Windows\System32
> -Rename the folder CatRoot2 to CatRoot2Old
> -Close My Computer
>
> Step 3:
> -Open My Computer > Navigate to C:\Windows\
> -Rename the folder SoftwareDistribution to SDOld
> -Close My Computer
>
> Step 4:
> Go to Windows Update and try reinstalling the latest updates.
>
> That should fix your issue.
>
> I would definately try that before running any repair installations of
> Windows XP.
>
>
>
> And now for a bit of Education about Windows Update!
> Windows Update uses Delta Compression - a method of updating "partial"
> files, instead of rewriting a complete file. You can think of it, as "Why
> sent an entire text file to a client - when I just need to send the 1 letter
> they don't have". Windows Update - Works the same way.
>
> Thanks
> Sincerely
> Robert A Janes
> v-
> "wpc09" wrote:
>
> > I have 11 updates that have failed to install (both by update download and
> > manual download). In all cases they give the 0x80070002 error code with the
> > message about the system being unable to find the file specified. The
> > Microsoft Tech Support person has run me through several attempts to correct
> > this, including re-registering all of the files that the updates are calling,
> > to no avail; the Tech person now suggests that I repair the installation from
> > my SP1 disk and then reinstall the SP2 update, which will cause several
> > programs to have to be reinstalled. I think I have read more than a hundred
> > different methods for correcting this 0x80070002 problem, none of which have
> > worked. Am I stuck with repairing the installation of Windows XP? By the way,
> > the attempts to install these updates don;t even create a log file.

re-register initpki.dll
it takes a lot of time to re-register - don't go away...

somewhere in one of the updates something happens to this .dll and messes it
all
good luck
ca


"wpc09" wrote:

> I tried the full procedure. No success. All of this problem came at the same
> time that I was trying to reinstall SP-2 to recover from modification made
> while removing a Trojan-hook. SP-2 also gave me the same error code. With no
> success on your suggestion, I tried to repair my Windows XP installation as
> recommented by the Microsoft Tech Support person. Big mistake. Now Windows
> will not boot up at all; instead it freezes. I suspect I will have to do a
> clean install - not my favorite thing.
>
> "Robert A Janes" wrote:
>
> > Hello
> >
> > Before reinstalling your version of Windows. I've got a few steps you can
> > try if you haven't already done so. At the bottom, I have also explained how
> > Windows Update works.
> >
> > So - Let's Fix Your Windows Update!
> > When installing Windows Update, there are 2 folders we need to be concerned
> > about, CatRoot2 and SoftwareDistribution. These folders contain the Update
> > Install files, and anything else necessary to download and install your
> > Windows Updates.
> >
> > If re-registering the files "wuauapi.dll","softpub.dll", "wuaueng.dll"
> > ,"wuaueng1.dll","wups.dll" do not fix the issue. The next step would be to
> > rename your CatRoot2 and SoftwareDistribution folders.
> >
> > Follow these steps and see if it resolves your issue.
> >
> > Step 1:
> > Click on Start > Run
> > paste this into the run line and hit Enter or Ok.
> >
> > regsvr32 wuaueng.dll wuaueng1.dll wups.dll softpub.dll wuauapi.dll
> >
> > Step 2:
> > -Open My Computer > Navigate to C:\Windows\System32
> > -Rename the folder CatRoot2 to CatRoot2Old
> > -Close My Computer
> >
> > Step 3:
> > -Open My Computer > Navigate to C:\Windows\
> > -Rename the folder SoftwareDistribution to SDOld
> > -Close My Computer
> >
> > Step 4:
> > Go to Windows Update and try reinstalling the latest updates.
> >
> > That should fix your issue.
> >
> > I would definately try that before running any repair installations of
> > Windows XP.
> >
> >
> >
> > And now for a bit of Education about Windows Update!
> > Windows Update uses Delta Compression - a method of updating "partial"
> > files, instead of rewriting a complete file. You can think of it, as "Why
> > sent an entire text file to a client - when I just need to send the 1 letter
> > they don't have". Windows Update - Works the same way.
> >
> > Thanks
> > Sincerely
> > Robert A Janes
> > v-
> > "wpc09" wrote:
> >
> > > I have 11 updates that have failed to install (both by update download and
> > > manual download). In all cases they give the 0x80070002 error code with the
> > > message about the system being unable to find the file specified. The
> > > Microsoft Tech Support person has run me through several attempts to correct
> > > this, including re-registering all of the files that the updates are calling,
> > > to no avail; the Tech person now suggests that I repair the installation from
> > > my SP1 disk and then reinstall the SP2 update, which will cause several
> > > programs to have to be reinstalled. I think I have read more than a hundred
> > > different methods for correcting this 0x80070002 problem, none of which have
> > > worked. Am I stuck with repairing the installation of Windows XP? By the way,
> > > the attempts to install these updates don;t even create a log file.

i have the same problem and cannot solve it
I have 11 updates that have failed to install (both by update download and
manual download). In all cases they give the 0x80070002 error code with the
message about the system being unable to find the file specified.
TheMicrosoft Tech Support person has run me through several attempts to
correct
> > > this, including re-registering all of the files that the updates are calling,
> > > to no avail; the Tech person now suggests that I repair the installation from
> > > my SP1 disk and then reinstall the SP2 update, which will cause several
> > > programs to have to be reinstalled. I think I have read more than a hundred
> > > different methods for correcting this 0x80070002 problem, none of which have
> > > worked. Am I stuck with repairing the installation of Windows XP? By the way,
> > > the attempts to install these updates don;t even create a log file.