Read this and see if it helps:

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/931712

 

Thanks for the suggestion.  All the symptons are there as described but Regedit could not find the key HKLM\COMPONENTS /v StoreDirty.  Cmd prompt & Regedit were unable to delete as required. Cannot read the log file as it's in machine language.

 

Still have the problem  and additionally found the Windows Features dialog box empty as described in the article (ID: 931712). 

 

Chuck

 

 

I also have the code 80073712 problem.  I hope Dell or Microsoft can help.  Itried the solutions they offered but nothing helped.  Maybe SOMEONE out there can help.

I chatted with a Dell tech and this is what he said:

 

"Dell and Microsoft are aware of this issue, and are working hard to get a fix/patch for it."

Update: since posting the original problem and trying various fixes with a Mircosoft tech over a month period (rebuilding system files with the Vista dvd, rebuilding the boot file, etc.) I finally reformatted the C:/ partition and reloaded the Dell factory image in mid September.  After much downloading and updating, the system works fine now with no recurrences.

 

I did attempt a system restore a few days ago which failed due to an unspecified error (two different data points were tried).  Everything else is normal and I'll probably clean out all the restore points and create a new "everything is working" point and hope I don't need it.  I think Vista is a bit over engineered and too complicated for the average non-savy consumer.