I can't automatically check for updates.

[Dave Jenkins]

I was having problems running Outlook, apparently due to a missing
MAINSP1op.msp file (don't know how that happened, but then, there you
are...). I ran the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility, and then reinstalled
Office 2003 Pro. I went to check for updates, but it wouldn't check these,
saying that there were a number of reasons possible (including missing .msp
file(s) ).

I knew I wanted to install SP1, so I downloaded it. It wouldn't install
with a double-click, so issued this command:

msiexec /i <filename> /qb

and it installed OK.

I then installed the Outlook2OneNote PowerToy, and it works OK, too.

BUT: I still can't check for updates. The error screen offers these
suggetions:

1. You do not have administrative privileges for this computer.

2. There is a network problem and the detection catalog used by the Office
Update site failed to download. Go back to the Downloads home page and try
running detection again.

3. 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.

4. You installed Office updates in the past and then upgraded from Windows
Installer version 1.0 to Windows Installer version 1.1. For more information
see the KB article Windows Installer May Prompt for Install Source if
Unavailable.


What can I do to find out the exact cause for this? I know that I have
administrator privileges, so (1) doesn't apply. (2) is unlikely, isn't it?
(3) sounds like a possibility, and as far as (4) goes, the "file version" of
the msiexec I used was 3.0nnnn.

So it sounds like (3). However, I have no \Windows\Installer directory on
my system in which the .msp's could be put, iin any circumstance.

What can I do? Because I installed SP1 "manually" could the .msp files be
someplace where the Update checker isn't looking? Where?

Please help! The idea of going through life not being able to do automatic
checks for Office updates is highly unappealing...

 

[Chris Schatte]

Dave Jenkins,
Not an answer but a question. On your original installation did you leave
the installer files on your machine? Did you perform a disk cleanup where
these files may have been "cleaned" before you tried checking for updates?

Chris Schatte

use the Office Online web based newsreader here:
http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx
In Office System 2003 applications:
Help/Assistance Pane/open Communities

 

[Dave Jenkins]

Dave Jenkins,
Not an answer but a question. On your original installation did you leave
the installer files on your machine? Did you perform a disk cleanup where
these files may have been "cleaned" before you tried checking for updates?

Chris Schatte

use the Office Online web based newsreader here:
http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx
In Office System 2003 applications:
Help/Assistance Pane/open Communities

Hi Chris: (Glad someone's listening this weekend!)

Yes, I always leave those files on the system.

I have somewhat circumvented the problem by removing everything with
Installer Cleanup Utility, removing all pertinent application directories,
running RegClean pro and deleting everything it suggested, follwing the
usggestions in KB304498, and then reinstalling. During the install, Office
Update worked just fine.

But I had to do *all* of that - just doing the KB304498 stuff, for instance,
didn't work.

 

[Chris Schatte]

Dave Jenkins,
Glad you got it worked out.

Chris Schatte

For future reference here is a post from a while back:

Like most people on this site I have experienced the frustration of the
update error messages and having now resolved (hopefully!) the problem
thought I would share this on the site. I am sure there must be many others
about to fling their PC out the window!

I had tried the Microsoft suggested remedies of deleting opuc.dll, clearing
temp files, allowing security access etc. I had installed, reinstalled and
reinstalled again, after deleting the files recommended, and downloaded and
run the Cleanup Utility to no avail. The "patch" problem was resolved
enabling me to download updates manually but that is no help if you cannot
find out what updates you need!

Basically the solution seems to be that you (a) need to uninstall all office
programmes (b) delete specific registry entries and (c) reinstall office but
ensuring that you install Office before installing any additional office
products such as Viso, OneNote, InfoPath etc. I was not happy about editing
the registry but this did resolve the issue. It is quite complicated and it
is essential to ensure you create a restore point first just in case! Also
you do need to restart the computer in order for everything to take effect.

I have copied the relevant posting below - with thanks to Mark who posted
this - it's dated 17 August if anyine wants to find it!

Hope this helps someone out there!
Christine

_________________________________

I had the same problem about the .MSP files or such. I
contacted support and this is the solution that they sent
me. I finished performing it last night and now I can
update, thankfully!
Here is the post for your referencesear Mark,

Thank you for your inquiry regarding Microsoft Office
Setup and for choosing Microsoft Online Support. My name
is Jack and I will be assisting you with this service
request.

According to the case log, I understand this issue to be:
You cannot check for Office updates online and get the
following Web page:

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

We will work together on this issue throughout the course
of this case. If I have misunderstood your concern,
please let me know.

Based on my experience, this issue is mostly caused
by .MSP files are corrupted or missing.

Windows Installer patch files (.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.

To resolve the issue, we need to manually delete all the
registry keys for Office. I understand the whole process
can be time consuming but they are crucial for us to
effectively resolve this situation. I have handled a
number of similar cases in the past, and we have solved
the problem in the manner I have suggested. Please work
with me by trying the troubleshooting steps and we will
resolve this problem together. Your time and efforts are
greatly appreciated. To do this, follow the steps below:

NOTE:

If you have Project 2003 installed, please do not perform
the following steps!

Please ensure you have the Office installation CD on your
hand before performing following steps.

Warning: The following steps contain information about
modifying the registry. If you use Registry Editor
incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may
require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft
cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result
from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry
Editor at your own risk.

NOTE: The following steps will not hurt or delete your
email data and Office documents.

(a) Quit all running programs, especially the Antivirus
and firewall application.

(b) Click Start menu-> Run, type "regedit" (without the
quotation marks) in the Open box and press Enter.

(c) Delete the following registry keys if they exist:

How to locate a Key

For example, HKEY_CURRENT_USER is the key, and everything
that follows the first backslash (\) is the subkey.

The keys and subkeys are listed in a folder tree in the
left pane of Registry Editor. As in Windows Explorer, in
the left pane of Registry Editor, if a key or subkey
contains subkeys, a plus sign (+) appears next to the
folder icon for that key. If you click the plus sign, the
folder expands, and subfolders, representing the subkeys,
appear under it.

To locate the registry key "
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office ", follow
these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then
click OK.

2. Expand HKEY_CURRENT_USER,

3. Expand SOFTWARE to expand it.

4. Expand Microsoft.

5. Click Office.



You can refer to the jackshuai01.jpg attachment for more
information on how to expand the key.

(NOTE: Please locate the following keys in the left pane
of Registry Editor and then delete them if they exist.)

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer\Products\904.

(Note: 904... means all registry keys beginning with 904,
for example:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer\Products\9040820900063D11C8EF0
0054038389C

Some of these registry keys may not be present. This
does not matter; carry on with the next one.)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Installer\Components

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Installer\Features\90
4...

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Installer\Products\90
4...

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Installer\Patches

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersio
n\Installer\Products\904.



HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Installer\Components

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Installer\Features\904
.....

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Installer\Products\904
.....

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Installer\Patches

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersi
on\Installer\Products\904.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersi
on\Uninstall\{9XXX0409-6000-11D3-8CFE-0050048383C9}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersi
on\Uninstall\{00XXX409-78E1-11D2-B60F-006097C998E7}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersi
on\Uninstall\{9XXX0409-6000-11D3-8CFE-0150048383C9}

Note: Please delete all the registry keys under the
above "Uninstall" key similar to :{00XXX409-78E1-11D2-
B60F-006097C998E7},{9XXX0409-6000-11D3-8CFE-0050048383C9}
or {9XXX0409-6000-11D3-8CFE-0150048383C9}

(NOTE: XXX means 3 digitals)



(d) Quit Registry Editor.

(e) Rename the "Microsoft Office" to "Microsoft Office
OLD", "OfficeUpdate" "OfficeUpdate OLD" to
and "OfficeUpdate11" to "OfficeUpdate11 OLD" folders
located in the "C:\Program Files" folder if they exist.

(f) Click Start menu-> Run, type "%Temp%" (without the
quotation marks) in the Open box and press Enter.

(g) Empty the %Temp% folder.

(h) Empty the Recycle Bin.

(i) Restart your computer and install a full version of
Office. Then, go to Office Product Updates Web site to
check for all available updates:

http://www.officeupdate.com/ProductUpdates/default.aspx



I hope the steps above are helpful. It's my pleasure to
work with you. Thanks for your time and cooperation, and
if anything is unclear, feel free to let me know. I am
very happy to be of assistance.



Best regards,

Jack Shuai

Online Support Professional