Error! Unable to check for updates on this computer

[Barry Newland]

Good Morning,

I just recently installed MS Office XP and was able to
install just fine, but when performing a MS Office update
via their website:

http://office.microsoft.com/home/office.aspx?
assetid=FX010404541033

I was told that I was unable to perform an update
search due to the "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 Services for assistance."

My Windows XP software update works just fine, its just
my MS Office update which is broken.

Any assistance?

Barry

 

[Sloan Crayton [MS]]

This is typically caused by corruption in the Windows Installer information
for your Office installation. You can fix it by using the Windows Installer
Cleanup Utility to remove the corrupted information per the instructions in
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;290301. After
removing your Office product listing with the utility, you'll need to
install your Office product again.

Sloan Crayton
Microsoft

 

[Jim in Illinois]

I have been following these posts trying all the fixes
suggested (KB 304498, 830335, 295823, etc) and have also
run the Installer Cleanup utility. So far I have been
able to uninstall and reinstall Office 2003 Professional
but I am still not able to perform updates. The update
proceeds to 40% and then gives me that useless error
message about have administrative rights...

I haven't seen a case yet were someone wrote back and
said "Hey, that worked! Thanks a lot." Is this problem
actually fixable or is this another case of smoke and
mirrors?

 

[Vicente Lopes]

I am facing the exact same problem at 40% with an Office
2003 Professional.

Passed by the same KBs and also run the Installer Cleanup
but cannot get the updates.

Vicente

 

[Jim lEEPER]

me too>>>>>I had a working version of Office XP and did an upgrade to Office 2003. At conclusion of upgrade I used Office Update iT GETS TO THE 40% MARK THEN FAILS

I have tried several of the ideas in this forum to include uninstalling and reinstalling Office 2003. It installs just fine but gives me the "Error! Unable to check for updates on this computer" notification. I am an Admin on this computer and the internet connection works, no firewall.

To date I have seen no responses that give a thorough solution but based on my research up until now I am very much not alone with this problem.

 

[John Rivers]

You did use the registry idea to rename Patches to patchesOld as was
described previously?

Bill

me too>>>>>I had a working version of Office XP and did an upgrade to

Office 2003. At conclusion of upgrade I used Office Update iT GETS TO THE
40% MARK THEN FAILS.

I have tried several of the ideas in this forum to include uninstalling

and reinstalling Office 2003. It installs just fine but gives me the
"Error! Unable to check for updates on this computer" notification. I am an
Admin on this computer and the internet connection works, no firewall.

To date I have seen no responses that give a thorough solution but based

on my research up until now I am very much not alone with this problem.