sp2 failed:unable to read or write to the database error code 8007

I have attempted to install SP2 several times, from both Windows Update and
from the Service Pack 2 CD on a clean install, and usually it locks up during
the inspecting configuration stage.
Occasionally, I am able to get past the point of establishing uninstall
paths and begin the actual install, only to get an error : "unable to read or
write to the database". Using Windows Update Troubleshooter yields erorr code
800710D9.
Having looked at similar issues listed in the forum, I attempted the
secedit string mentioned in KB#873148, that command also failed. The log
mentioned in the article was never created but scesetup.log and sceroot.log
were. Both logs end with a "failed to read or write to database" error.
I have searched the KB database for error code 800710D9 and "failed to read
or write to database without finding anything usefull.

barbarian wrote:

> I have attempted to install SP2 several times, from both Windows Update and
> from the Service Pack 2 CD on a clean install, and usually it locks up during
> the inspecting configuration stage.
> Occasionally, I am able to get past the point of establishing uninstall
> paths and begin the actual install, only to get an error : "unable to read or
> write to the database". Using Windows Update Troubleshooter yields erorr code
> 800710D9.
Hi

I would think you need to delete/rename the .log files in
the folder %windir%\Security\ (and maybe %windir%\System32\CatRoot2\).

I have created a batch file that does this for you (and some more
that is ok to run anyway).

Go to
http://www.michna.com/kb/WxSP2.htm#C...Service_Pack_2

Look for fixdb.bat under "Error 0x800710D9 Unable to read from
or write to the database"



--
torgeir, Microsoft MVP Scripting and WMI, Porsgrunn Norway
Administration scripting examples and an ONLINE version of
the 1328 page Scripting Guide:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scr...r/default.mspx

>> I have attempted to install SP2 several times, from both Windows Update and
>> from the Service Pack 2 CD on a clean install, and usually it locks up during
>> the inspecting configuration stage.

> I would think you need to delete/rename the .log files in
> the folder %windir%\Security\ (and maybe %windir%\System32\CatRoot2\).


Torgeir,

Is there a clue that this user has WUv4?
Unless there a clue that SP2 is for W2K? <eg>

FWIW I suspect "Service Pack 2 CD" gives the hint it's XPsp2
but I don't see how we can know what version of WU is involved.
So, if it's WUv5 instead won't SoftwareDistribution be the directory
to repair?

OTOH if it is WUv4 and he hasn't got KB842773 perhaps he should
so he can switch?

BTW that code 800710D9 isn't in any of the SUS lists that I have.
The only reference to it that I have seen is in that link you post
to Hans-Georg Michna's site.




Robert Aldwinckle
---


"Torgeir Bakken (MVP)" <Torgeir.Bakken-> wrote in message
news:%...
> barbarian wrote:
>
>> I have attempted to install SP2 several times, from both Windows Update and
>> from the Service Pack 2 CD on a clean install, and usually it locks up during
>> the inspecting configuration stage.
>> Occasionally, I am able to get past the point of establishing uninstall
>> paths and begin the actual install, only to get an error : "unable to read or
>> write to the database". Using Windows Update Troubleshooter yields erorr code
>> 800710D9.
> Hi
>
> I would think you need to delete/rename the .log files in
> the folder %windir%\Security\ (and maybe %windir%\System32\CatRoot2\).
>
> I have created a batch file that does this for you (and some more
> that is ok to run anyway).
>
> Go to
> http://www.michna.com/kb/WxSP2.htm#C...Service_Pack_2
>
> Look for fixdb.bat under "Error 0x800710D9 Unable to read from
> or write to the database"
>
>
>
> --
> torgeir, Microsoft MVP Scripting and WMI, Porsgrunn Norway
> Administration scripting examples and an ONLINE version of
> the 1328 page Scripting Guide:
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scr...r/default.mspx

Robert Aldwinckle wrote:

> Torgeir Bakken wrote:
>
>> I would think you need to delete/rename the .log files in
>> the folder %windir%\Security\ (and maybe
>> %windir%\System32\CatRoot2\).
>
> Is there a clue that this user has WUv4?
> Unless there a clue that SP2 is for W2K? <eg>
>
> FWIW I suspect "Service Pack 2 CD" gives the hint it's XPsp2
> but I don't see how we can know what version of WU is involved.
> So, if it's WUv5 instead won't SoftwareDistribution be
> the directory to repair?
Hi

Actually, the "unable to read or write to the database" has nothing to
do with Windows Update at all, as you see above from my post, the
files/folders that needs to be cleaned out is not related to any
WUv4/WUv5 filse/folders.

The error is caused by a database corruption or something like that in
the Windows XP security system.


--
torgeir, Microsoft MVP Scripting and WMI, Porsgrunn Norway
Administration scripting examples and an ONLINE version of
the 1328 page Scripting Guide:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scr...r/default.mspx

"Torgeir Bakken (MVP)" <Torgeir.Bakken-> wrote in message
news:%23%...
> Robert Aldwinckle wrote:
>
>> Torgeir Bakken wrote:
>>
>>> I would think you need to delete/rename the .log files in
>>> the folder %windir%\Security\ (and maybe
>>> %windir%\System32\CatRoot2\).
>>
>> Is there a clue that this user has WUv4?
>> Unless there a clue that SP2 is for W2K? <eg>
>>
>> FWIW I suspect "Service Pack 2 CD" gives the hint it's XPsp2
>> but I don't see how we can know what version of WU is involved.
>> So, if it's WUv5 instead won't SoftwareDistribution be
>> the directory to repair?
> Hi
>
> Actually, the "unable to read or write to the database" has nothing to
> do with Windows Update at all, as you see above from my post, the
> files/folders that needs to be cleaned out is not related to any
> WUv4/WUv5 filse/folders.
>
> The error is caused by a database corruption or something like that in
> the Windows XP security system.


Ok. I had Catroot2 associated in my mind only with WUv4 repair.
I remember being given the impression by Lucy that that directory might only
exist if there was a problem. So it really has to do with the type of update
being installed? Not the way it was downloaded or installed?
Then in addition to downloading and automatic installing of updates
this newsgroup is supposed to be where update technology is discussed?
(I didn't realize that and don't think I have yet seen a full thread
on that topic--or even a link to where one could find an overview of it!
BTW I have scanned the SUS sp1 Deployment Guide and it doesn't
have much information about implementation.)

Also this is the first time I have read about the Security directory
but when I checked its files for Date Modified they were all
pre-WUv5 too, so I decided to make my comment.

Thanks for any further elucidation you may offer.




Robert
---

Robert Aldwinckle wrote:

> "Torgeir Bakken (MVP)" <Torgeir.Bakken-> wrote:
>
>> Actually, the "unable to read or write to the database" has nothing
>> to do with Windows Update at all, as you see above from my post,
>> the files/folders that needs to be cleaned out is not related to
>> any WUv4/WUv5 filse/folders.
>>
>> The error is caused by a database corruption or something like that
>> in the Windows XP security system.
>
>
> Ok. I had Catroot2 associated in my mind only with WUv4 repair.
> I remember being given the impression by Lucy that that directory might
> only exist if there was a problem. So it really has to do with the type
> of update being installed? Not the way it was downloaded or installed?

The CatRoot2 folder is created as part of the OS installation, and it
is a part of Windows XP's signing system:

From "System32 Folder" at
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/d...asp?frame=true

CatRoot2 folder is for "Catalog files and signature files"

So it is involved when the OS checks the digital signatures of the
updates you install (regardless of how you install them: U4/WU5/
AU/SUS/manually/script...)

It's very much the same as is described here for drivers:

Getting Started with Windows Drivers: Windows DDK
The Catalog File
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en...asp?frame=true


> Then in addition to downloading and automatic installing of updates
> this newsgroup is supposed to be where update technology is discussed?

Well, there is no separate newsgroup for it, so I would think this is
one of the more relevant newsgroup for discussing update technology...


> (I didn't realize that and don't think I have yet seen a full thread
> on that topic--or even a link to where one could find an overview of it!
> BTW I have scanned the SUS sp1 Deployment Guide and it doesn't
> have much information about implementation.)

I don't know of any documentation of the implementation details either.


> Also this is the first time I have read about the Security directory
> but when I checked its files for Date Modified they were all
> pre-WUv5 too, so I decided to make my comment.

The %windir%\Security\ folder is also created as part of the OS
installation.

From "Windows Folder" at
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/d...asp?frame=true

Security: Log files, templates for snap-ins, and security database files


--
torgeir, Microsoft MVP Scripting and WMI, Porsgrunn Norway
Administration scripting examples and an ONLINE version of
the 1328 page Scripting Guide:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scr...r/default.mspx

Thanks for the help guys,
The fixdb.bat was the one that fixed the issue. I found that same batchfile
at the michna forum through my own searches. By the time I had found it, I
had already deleted all the install logs. I did not suspect that my version
of WU could have been at fault since I had carefully installed at SP's,
hotfixes and driver updates before attemtping SP2.
After comparing the regsitry and RSOP in the MMC sanp-in, it appears that
it was the cryptographic service that may have been involved, but without the
tools/skills to dig into exactly what the service does and which .dll's it
uses, I can't say *why* it was at fault.
I have one other issue that I am workign on regarding a sharing problem
within a workgroup consisting of a win2k machine and the now updated winXP
box, but I will post a new thread for that one.
"Torgeir Bakken (MVP)" wrote:

> Robert Aldwinckle wrote:
>
> > "Torgeir Bakken (MVP)" <Torgeir.Bakken-> wrote:
> >
> >> Actually, the "unable to read or write to the database" has nothing
> >> to do with Windows Update at all, as you see above from my post,
> >> the files/folders that needs to be cleaned out is not related to
> >> any WUv4/WUv5 filse/folders.
> >>
> >> The error is caused by a database corruption or something like that
> >> in the Windows XP security system.
> >
> >
> > Ok. I had Catroot2 associated in my mind only with WUv4 repair.
> > I remember being given the impression by Lucy that that directory might
> > only exist if there was a problem. So it really has to do with the type
> > of update being installed? Not the way it was downloaded or installed?
>
> The CatRoot2 folder is created as part of the OS installation, and it
> is a part of Windows XP's signing system:
>
> From "System32 Folder" at
> http://www.microsoft.com/resources/d...asp?frame=true
>
> CatRoot2 folder is for "Catalog files and signature files"
>
> So it is involved when the OS checks the digital signatures of the
> updates you install (regardless of how you install them: U4/WU5/
> AU/SUS/manually/script...)
>
> It's very much the same as is described here for drivers:
>
> Getting Started with Windows Drivers: Windows DDK
> The Catalog File
> http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en...asp?frame=true
>
>
> > Then in addition to downloading and automatic installing of updates
> > this newsgroup is supposed to be where update technology is discussed?
>
> Well, there is no separate newsgroup for it, so I would think this is
> one of the more relevant newsgroup for discussing update technology...
>
>
> > (I didn't realize that and don't think I have yet seen a full thread
> > on that topic--or even a link to where one could find an overview of it!
> > BTW I have scanned the SUS sp1 Deployment Guide and it doesn't
> > have much information about implementation.)
>
> I don't know of any documentation of the implementation details either.
>
>
> > Also this is the first time I have read about the Security directory
> > but when I checked its files for Date Modified they were all
> > pre-WUv5 too, so I decided to make my comment.
>
> The %windir%\Security\ folder is also created as part of the OS
> installation.
>
> From "Windows Folder" at
> http://www.microsoft.com/resources/d...asp?frame=true
>
> Security: Log files, templates for snap-ins, and security database files
>
>
> --
> torgeir, Microsoft MVP Scripting and WMI, Porsgrunn Norway
> Administration scripting examples and an ONLINE version of
> the 1328 page Scripting Guide:
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scr...r/default.mspx
>