Windows Update Error 80070641

Hey peeps. I already figured this out, but since it gave me a lot of trouble
i just thought i'd share it with everyone so others don't have to endure this
annoying thing. This is especially helpful to those of you who, like me, mess
around with services. Anyway, I was trying to install Windows Updates on
Vista. It kept saying that all of the updates failed and said that the error
code was 80070641. It wasn't listed in the help and support window, so that
wasn't much help. Anyway, the problem with this one is kind of a
head-slapper. If you get this message it means that your "Windows Installer"
service is not enabled or not started. To fix this click Start>Control
Panel>System and Maintenance>Administrative Tools>Services>Give User Account
Control password or confirmation>Make sure the service called "Remote
Procedure Call (RPC) is on. If it's not, follow the same steps below that it
says for windows installer. >Scroll Down until you see "Windows
Installer">Right click>Properties>Under the General tab, make sure the
startup type is "Automatic". This will start the service when windows starts
(you want this if you are going to try to install anything)>Click OK>In the
left-hand pane of the Services window, where it describes the service, click
start. You should now be good to go. Try to install the updates again and if
it doesn't work, you didn't get error code 80070641 or there's something else
wrong. Hope this helps

 

Thanks for posting this. Now, was Vista an upgrade, if so over what, or,
was it installed you onto a clean Hard Drive, or, was this an OEM
system ?

If we can find out just WHY, by whom or by what, the Installer service
was set to be Disabled on boot, that would be very helpful.


MowGreen [MVP 2003-2007]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============

 

thanks for the tip, followed your instructions and got rid of the error message

 

I'm afraid that this didn't help me - I still can't install one of the
Windows Update files and I still get the 80070641 error. I'm also one of
those poor saps who can't install any other programs either, getting the
Windows Installer 1719 error. I've tried everything I've found on the web to
rectify this but to no avail. It's obviously a big problem with Vista judging
by the hundreds of pleas for help on the web, but Microsoft offers no help at
all. The nearest that they come to it is in advice for people using XP, and
even that doesn't work for most people. So I'm stuck with a new operating
system and no way to install programs!

But thanks for the tip - I'm sure that it's helped many other people.

 

I treid following the instructions in the first message, but could not find
Windows Installer, only Windows Modules Installer - is this the same thing?
Either way, it would not allow me to save the setting as 'Automatic' when
going into the Properties, defaulting always to 'Manual' and therefore not
starting.

I've tried so many times to install the following three updates:

KB934173
KB933688
KB934670

and still, the same error code 80070641 comes up, with no explanation
anywhere of what it actually means.

I'm getting really annoyed with this, as these updates are deemed
'important', but my system is unable to do anything about it!

Please can somebody help!

(I'm running Vista Home Premium, 32-bit, if that helps)

 

Thanks to one of the other discussion threads found a solution that worked
for me. I have SpyDoctor installed. Had to disable OnGuard - then install
worked! (enabled OnGuard afterwards)
Chuck

 

I did everything u told, but I still get this error code 80070641, and when I
try to install skype it says error code 1601.
What else should I do?

 

Look for context in the logs. Use both the hex and the decimal representations
of the code you are getting.

BTW note that 0x0641 == 1601

<cmd_output OS="XPsp2">
F:\>set /a c = 0x641
1601
F:\>net helpmsg %c%

The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed. This can occur
if you are running Windows in safe mode, or if the Windows Installer
is not correctly installed. Contact your support personnel for assistance.
</cmd_output>

Hmm.. I guess you could also search this newsgroup for suggestions which
involve the "Windows Installer Service" (Use the quotes when you search.)


Good luck

Robert Aldwinckle
---

 

Thank you for share, but the way of Services wouldn't be found under
Administravtive Tools, so this problem still unable to solve. So upset.

 

Thank you so much for your help of 14 Feb 07. It was all I needed ,and easy and straightforward too. Thanks again

 

Is this also in Dutch available?

 

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