Last week CLiCK was inundated with calls from clients, we had been using an OEM cd which we had customised it was faulty, even after testing! So we cleared a few days, called clients and we were set to repair many machines using XP’s repair function. All was going well until we tried to update the repaired machines, none of the updates would install. I assumed it was to do with the faulty OEM, however it seems to be more wide spread.
Scott Dunn noted that as of July / August an update seems to break XP’s repair function - you can use the machine after the repair… but don’t expect to be able to install any of the updates. Us at CLiCK had not relised the errors of Microsoft’s ways and done clean install on all the machines which wouldn’t update - but alas there is a very simple fix!
Apparently the error is caused by some files are deregistered during the repair, these are essential for Windows Update, so to get all updates just follow Scott’s steps:
Manually registering files solves the problem
If you find that Windows Update refuses to install most patches, you can register its missing DLLs yourself. This can be accomplished by manually entering seven commands (shown in Step 2, below) at a command prompt. If you need to run the fix on multiple machines, it’s easiest to use a batch file, as Steps 1 through 5 explain:Step 1. Open Notepad (or any text editor).
Step 2. Copy and paste the following command lines into the Notepad window (the /s switch runs the commands silently, freeing you from having to press Enter after each line):
regsvr32 /s wuapi.dll
regsvr32 /s wuaueng1.dll
regsvr32 /s wuaueng.dll
regsvr32 /s wucltui.dll
regsvr32 /s wups2.dll
regsvr32 /s wups.dll
regsvr32 /s wuweb.dllStep 3. Save the file to your desktop, using a .bat or .cmd extension.
Step 4. Double-click the icon of the .bat or .cmd file.
Step 5. A command window will open, run the commands, and then close.
The next time you visit the Windows Update site, you should not have any problem installing the latest patches.
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March 1st, 2008 at 1:14 am
Brilliant! And timely! Last night I had to do a repair install do to stupidity on my part which is irrelevant : )
I ran into two problems: 1) had to reinstall my wireless drivers; and 2) couldn’t install any updates past SP2. Luckily I had slipstreamed SP2 with my original XP disk so I was only left with 90 updates.
After a fruitless search for a solution, I gave up and retired at midnight. This morning I renewed my search and stuck gold.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!
PS- Where did you find this solution? Assume it wasn’t on MS’s site! Anyway, three beers to you!
March 11th, 2008 at 6:05 am
Thanks, it worked great.
April 7th, 2008 at 2:01 am
Thank You!!!
April 28th, 2008 at 4:38 am
After spending two days repairing an XP machine, this fix at least lets me keep some of my hair!! Excellent work.
May 19th, 2008 at 4:12 am
Thank you soooooo much.
I was already pulling my hair trying to figure out what to do!!!
You’re a genious
May 30th, 2008 at 9:23 am
Thank you thank you thank you. This worked perfectly. I wish I would have found your blog before I spent an hour on the Microsoft site.
June 11th, 2008 at 4:03 am
Same problem: updates can only be installed manually after repairing Windows. Problem fixed with your suggestions.
Many thanks from Peru!!!
June 24th, 2008 at 7:25 am
Tried it out on a new Dell D430 XP Professional laptop that kept failing on attempts to install from the Windows Update website. It worked! Thank you so very much!
June 25th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
thank you so so so much. it really worked perfectly. you’re a genius.
June 28th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
THANK YOU!!!! Nothing else I tried worked at all. I was ready to pull my hair out and you saved the day.
July 1st, 2008 at 11:55 pm
thank you so much man. where did you get this answer? wickedly useful. thanks again and again and again and again.
July 9th, 2008 at 8:07 am
Ive had the same experience as those above, I tried to use the fix described on the micosoft website, which fails to tell you that these files must be run from batch file in windows. According to them, you simply go into dos (cmd) and enter the names of the files. Which of course makes no sense, so far as I know, you cannot “run” a dll extension from d.o.s.. So, I ran the search for the dll files described, and of course, could not find them. HA what fun.
Anyhow thanks a million. Maybe these idiots should hire some good help.
Or better yet pay a tax when their “suggested fixes” fail or make no sense.
July 26th, 2008 at 12:51 am
This is just working !!!
I have been worried about my PC.
I just started to think that i must reinstall the Windows.
But this advice solved my problem at once without failure.
Thanks a lot !!!
Thanks a lot again!
July 26th, 2008 at 3:26 am
This hint just works !!!
Thanks a lot for a great advice you have tell to us.
I have been started to think that my XP is needed to be formated.
When i double click on the file this hint just worked for me !
Thanks a lot.
July 26th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!! It worked!!! THANK YOU SOOOO VERY MUCH DUDE!!!
Respect! =)
July 29th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Thank you oh so much. I hate not being able to update and this did the trick.
August 6th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
WOW!!! was i lucky. After attempting to install windows updates, that had already downloaded to the machine, and finding NO HELP from MS, i found this and it worked like a charm!! PHEW!!!
August 9th, 2008 at 8:04 am
you fucking genius!!! saved me pissing around with windows repair AGAIN!
August 9th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
AWESOME!! I was at my wits end and you rescued me. Thank you very much!!
August 29th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
THANK YOU!
EXCELLENT!!! And, yes, Totally Genius!!!!!! I wish I’d found you earlier—it was Soooo Simple–Thanks to you, Matt! Just Wonderfully Great! Virtual Bear Hugs from Me! I just can’t say thanks enough! 