Windows Update Error 8000FFFF

Question

I recently had a system exchange and they sent me a system with Vista on it. This is my second experience with this OS so I am not completely familure with alot of its features. I am a SA and have decent knowledge in XP and with all that I can't solve this problem. I've googled it and found no resolution that soved my problem. Microsoft technet was no help either.

Problem:

When I open Windoes Update and select Check for Updates it "appears" to be searching for about 2 minutes before returning with an error:

Error(s) Found

Code 8000FFF

That is all it says. I am COMPLETELY open to any ideas anyone has. Below is my setup details.

Inspiron E1505

Intel Core 2 Duo T5600

1021MB RAM

Windows Vista Home Premium Version 6.0.6000 Build 6000

ATI Mobility Radeon X1400

Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG

I performed a PC restore by selecting F8 and restoring the Dell Factory Image and the problem still exsists. Problem is present Wired or Wireless. I have a second Vista system Personal Built with Ultimate on it. It has no problems with windows update.

Please Help, Any Ideas will be performed and greatly appreciated. The system is a Factory Blank so no personal info/programs are yet installed. I'm willing to try anything!

Thank you,

Randy

Message Edited by Goldspike on 07-16-2007 01:58 PM

Goldspike · Answer

There is no information under History. it says:

You have not tried to install any updates for your computer.

Under Installed updates it has:

Hotfix for Microsoft Windows (KB928253)

Hotfix for Microsoft Windows (KB929777)

I tried uninstalling both and I get another error message:

"An error has occured. Not all of the updates were successfully uninstalled."

Both are giving the same error message. They are still showing up under installed updates. Even booting to safemode and trying the uninstall fails.

Message Edited by Goldspike on 07-16-2007 04:03 PM

mcqdogg · Answer

I am experiencing the same problem. I've researched every forum possible and each report seems to claim Update KB929777 is the source of the issue. KB929777 supposedly fixes Vista computers with 3GB or more of RAM. My Dell Inspiron 1520 that I have just bought came with 2GB of RAM and this hotfix pre-installed. I can't uninstall it. If there were a way to remove it, then it might be possible to re-install manually from the microsoft website. The Vista community needs help with this! It would be wonderful if the computer manufacturers could apply some serious pressure OR stop installing this hotfix on computers that don't even need it. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Goldspike · Answer

mcqdogg..... I had to do an OSRI...... Format reinstall of Vista to get it to work... This wasn't so bad though... I was able to make it a dualboot system. Just install Win XP first, then VISTA. it is nice being able to go back to XP to run alot of the programs that hate vista. Keep in mind that Dell will only support the Vista aspect of it...... hope this helps.... sorry their is NO other way... i've searched for over a week trying to find an answer... nada found.....  good luck... if you have any more questions feel free to email me. goldspike@gmail.com   -R

Goldspike · Answer

Yes the time is often overlooked but not this time... atleast by me. I constantly keep my time updated. I have the closk set to autoupdate from time.windows.com so if it is a time error then it is microsoft giving me the wrong time... but i doubt it because their updates wuold be on the same time as time.windows.com...   Thank you for your insight though... I appreciate it. Every possable setp to correct the issue is welcomed as i am human and could miss several...   thanks again -R

d-fish · Answer

This is kind of elementary, but I have seen issues with Windows Update if you dont have the time, date, and timezone set correctly. I dont remember off the top of my head the error message, but it is a simple, quick thing to check (and often overlooked).

mcqdogg · Answer

'See if you can clean up any failed installation attempts with the Windows Installer Repair Tool.' Not sure what I was supposed to do with this, but none of the windows hot fixes were listed in the programs to remove window. 'Also, you can try to force any installations that are not proceeding from an elevated command prompt (type 'command' into the start/search box from the start menu, then right click the Command Prompt icon and choose 'Run as Administrator.), using this command: WindowsUpdateAgent30-x86.exe /wuforce' when that is entered as C:\Windows\system32\WindowsUpdateAgent30-x86.exe /wuforce all that come back is '... is not a recognized as an internal or external command,' WindowsUpdateAgent30-x86.exe alone doesn't work either. any thoughts? Thanks,

mcqdogg · Answer

1. Is deleting the folder SoftwareDistribution safe? 2. What exactly do you mean 'uninstall 4GB RAM KB'? Thanks for help with this.

mcqdogg · Answer

Same 'Error 8000FFFF' when after I click Check for Updates. I think uninstalling the KB929777 update is key, but I don't think it's possible on a laptop that came with it pre-installed by Dell. Safe mode doesn't work for uninstalling. Is there any other way to remove this update? This has not been how I envisioned owning a brand new laptop and I'll continue to be pretty disappointed if I can't update my computer with vital security updates. I do appreciate your help with this issue. Thanks!

mcqdogg · Answer

Here is the info from the problem event: Problem signature Problem Event Name: WINDOWS_WCP_OTHER_FAILURE2 OsVersion: 6.0.6000 File: base\wcp\componentstore\com\store.cpp Function: Windows::COM::CComponentStore::InternalTransact Line: 3458 Status: 8000ffff OS Version: 6.0.6000.2.0.0.768.3 Locale ID: 1033 Files that help describe the problem poqexec.log Cbs.log memory.hdmp minidump.mdmp View a temporary copy of these files Warning: If a virus or other security threat caused the problem, opening a copy of the files could harm your computer. If you can make heads or tails of this, then great because I sure can't.

mcqdogg · Answer

Bill, Thanks for looking into this problem. I know I've seen a lot of online posts about this problem. Unfortunately, this command prompt did not make a difference. I sill am unable to get further than the 'check for updates' process. Any other solution you can find would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again. Brent

d-fish · Answer

great find Bill!

mcqdogg · Answer

Bill, It worked!!! HKLM\COMPONENTS didn't exist, so I used the 'Find' tool and was able to locate PendingXmldentifier and AdvancedInstallersNeedResolving (not NextQueueEntryIndex though) and remove them after backing up the Components Reg. My computer checked for updates and installed almost all of them. Now it's hung up on an Office XP 2003 Service Pack 3 update installation and something else that has to do with SPAM filtering. I'm going to try and trouble shoot these myself for right now, but you might expect a post shortly.

mcqdogg · Answer

Bill, well the saga continues. The good news is that I can still update and install most updates from microsoft. The bad news is that update KBKB905866 (Update for Windows Mail Junk E-mail Filter [September 2007]) will not install. Instead I get 1/2 way through the installation then it fails with error 80070002. I followed all of the microsoft help suggestions - deleting the temporary update files (all documents in the folders 'SoftwareDistribution\DataStore' and 'SoftwareDistribution\Download') then restarting windows update. I've done this with windows update service and the standalone installer from the microsoft website. I also did this following a support article from microsoft (which I believe does pretty much the same thing) found here: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=910336 Let me know if any of this leads you to a solution or if you need any more info from me. Thanks!

d-fish · Answer

I could be overstepping here, and this wont really help anyone figure out what the issue is, but I would have reimaged the box LONG ago :-P   Good work on troubleshooting this one with more patience than I have. :-)

LynnMc65 · Answer

Thank you Bill, your suggestion has fixed my problem with downloading updates - tonight I had 26 updates to download, and they all downloaded successfully :)   :smileyhappy:

Windows General

Windows Update Error 8000FFFF

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