Cannot Scan for Office XP updates

[Bill S.]

When I check for Office XP updates, I get the following
alert:

"Internet Explorer could not open the Internet Site
http://office.microsoft.com/home/office.aspx?
assetid=FX010404541033"

The Scan activity bar only reaches 40%. I do have
administrative priviliges and there is no problem with my
internet connection.


I then go to the Office Download Catalog and download the
updates. When the computer tries to install the updates,
a Report Error Dialog Box comes up. The updates will not
install


I tried to remove Office XP, or repair Office XP, or
reinstall Office XP, I get the following Alert:

"This patch package could not be opened. Verify that the
patch package exists and that you can access it, or
contact the application vendor to verify that this is a
valid Windows Installer patch package."

I have used Check Disk, Norton System works, system
restore, and Windows XP Repair, to no avail. I am trying
to avoid completing reformatting my hard drive.

Please help me.

I have a Dell Dimension 4500. It came with Office XP
Small Business Edition installed. I have applied all of
the Windows XP critical updates, that applies to my
system. I have called Dell and they cannot help me.

Thank You

 

[Joyce]

Bill,
I have experienced the exact same problem....same
results and same error messages. I have a Dell Dimension
8200 with XP and Office XP SBE. I just paid Dell $49 for
90 days of software support. If I have better luck with
them than you, I will pass on the fix. I am waiting for
a call back since yesterday. I have noticed too many
posts addressing this issue for it to be an isolated
problem.
Good luck,
Joyce

 

[magarity]

I had a problem with Office XP update tonight also. I
suspect something wrong with their update server or the
update package they have up for downloads. It really made
a mess here!

 

[Bill S.]

Thank You Joyce. I would appreciate any help. Again,
Thank You

Bill S.

 

[Mike K.]

I too have run into the same problem. I suspect the reason
is missing Windows Installer patch files (.MSP files) from
previously applied Office updates missing from the
\Windows\Installer hidden directory on your computer. I
sent a problem report to Microsoft, but they don't
guarantee a reply. I asked them if there is a way to
recover those files without reinstalling Office XP (which
I've done several times). If you know what update you
need to apply you can get them at
http://www.microsoft.com/office/ork/2003/admin/xp/default.h
tm I know my home version of Office XP is up to date
because I can compare it to my work version which also
runs Office XP. If anyone finds a soultion, please email
me, and if I find one I will do the same.

Thanks!

 

[tk]

I am having the same exact problem. microsoft need to
fix this problem.

 

[Bill Barrett]

I too have run into the same problem. I suspect the reason
is missing Windows Installer patch files (.MSP files) from
previously applied Office updates missing from the
\Windows\Installer hidden directory on your computer. I
sent a problem report to Microsoft, but they don't
guarantee a reply. I asked them if there is a way to
recover those files without reinstalling Office XP (which
I've done several times). If you know what update you
need to apply you can get them at
http://www.microsoft.com/office/ork/2003/admin/xp/default.h
tm I know my home version of Office XP is up to date
because I can compare it to my work version which also
runs Office XP. If anyone finds a soultion, please email
me, and if I find one I will do the same.

Thanks!

I just got off the phone with Microsoft to fix these same problems
described above.

They had me first delete all keys called "patches". Regedit procedure
was to make a backup copy of the registry then use Find "Keys" (Values
and Data deselected), "Match whole string only" for "Patches". I
deleted each instance (I think there were three).

I then was able to go into the Office Update site and it would
recognize the need for 5 patches. It downloaded them and installed but
the installation failed. The MS tech said "that was normal because I
already had those patches installed." I reran Office Update and it
said I still needed those five patches.

The MS tech said just ignore those five patches and I would have to
live with it.

I then went into Add/Remove and was able now to remove MS Office
completely.

I reinstalled from the CD successfully and was able to load SP1, SP2
and then the five troublesome patches successfully.

HTH

 

[Bill S.]

It Worked !! Thank You Very Much !!!!!

I recommed that you repost your "fix" as a new post to get
it to teh top of the list

Thank You
Bill S.

 

[Newman]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Thanks Bill for sharing the solution.

Here's what I did with the info you supplied:

1. HKCR\Installer\Patches\*
Cross-checked the Subkeys pertaining to Office hotfixes/updates with \windows\installer\*.msp
files pertaining to the same. Deleted the entries that did not correspond to any existing *.msp
files.

2. HKCR\Installer\Products\9040311900063D11C8EF00054038389C\Patches
Cross-checked the names of the Strings with the names of the Subkeys in (1). Deleted the Strings
whose names did not correspond to any Subkeys in (1). Also I deleted these same names from the value
data in the String named Patches.

3. HKLM\Software\Classes\Installer\Patches\*
Repeat as in (1)

4. HKLM\Software\Classes\Installer\Products\9040311900063D11C8EF00054038389C\Patches
Repeat as in (2)

5. HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Patches\*
Repeat as in (1)

6. I also deleted the *.msp files that had no corresponding registry values in (1)-(5).

That was it! This fixed:

a. Check for Update scan. Error : stopped at 40% with message -
Windows Installer patch files (.MSP files) from previously applied Office updates are missing from
the \Windows\Installer hidden directory on your computer. MSP files are stored on your computer
after update installation completes because they need to be referenced for future update operations.
If the files are missing you will not be able to apply Office updates. You may also be unable to
uninstall Office products as a result of the same problem. Please contact Microsoft Product Support
for assistance.)

b. Installation of manually downloaded Add-ins/Updates/Conversions. Error : 1635 in OHotfix(*).log

c. Repair/Change MS OfficeXP for Small Business in Add/Remove Programs. Error : message -
This patch package could not be opened. Verify that the patch package exists and that you can access
it, or contact the application vendor to verify that this is a valid Windows Installer patch
package.

d. Repair & Detect in Help. Error : as in (c)

e. Change Office Assistant. Error : Windows Installer error 1635

Hope this helps anyone who has been suffering like I have. I did not have to reinstall OfficeXP, and
the Updates scan detected all the hotfixes (downloaded previously) whose values were missing in the
registry, and installed correctly.

Many, many thanks again to Bill Barrett.
Thumbs down to Dell Tech Support who told me to reformat & reinstall the whole system (only 1 month
old), and to Microsoft who wanted to charge me CDN$45 for support of an OEM version.