unable to check for updates

[kraw]

For the last couple of months, every time I've tried the automatic search for
Office 2003 updates, I've received the "unable to check for updates" screen
http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/FX010404541033.aspx even though none of the
four given reasons appears to apply to my situation.

The similar search for Windows updates works perfectly.

How can I correct this?

Many thanks

 

[Susan Ramlet]

Hi, draw,

See if this helps:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304498

 

[kraw]

Susan

Thanks, but I've already tried kb304498 (and 290301, 295823, 315346).

I'm trying to pinpoint when the problem began. It may have surfaced since I
installed FrontPage2003, on a different disk to the rest of Office 2003.

Could this cause the problem??

 

[Susan Ramlet]

It shouldn't, but I suppose it could have confused the Installer...

You could run the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility to clear out all the
installer data for Office and FrontPage, and then re-install those
applications.

Description of the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;290301&Product=off2003


--
Susan Ramlet
Office MVP
______________________
Please reply to the newsgroups so that all may benefit.

 

[Slotrot]

Hi Susan!

This seems to be your primary fix: -
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304498 I've seen it
several times. Apparently it does notwork since I've seen help requests a
number of times. Is there any other fix that works. I don't think citing a
MS knowledge base article is sufficient for this problem.

--
Cordially,


D. W. Plezia
Non calor sed umor est qui nobis incommodat

 

[Susan Ramlet]

Hi, Slotrot,

Actually, it works for many people who use it. Most of the people who post
the request haven't checked the knowledge base yet (or don't mention if they
have already tried all the steps in the article).

Method 6 works for most people, if all else fails.

Method 6: Identify and Correct Corrupted Office Installations
Detection can fail if there are corrupted installations of Microsoft Office
products on your computer. Office products are Microsoft Windows
Installer-based, and if the Windows Installer database on your computer is
not functioning correctly, or if cached MSP files are missing, detection can
fail. You can Identify and correct corrupted Office installations. To do so,
follow these steps:
1.. Remove any Office programs that you no longer want installed on your
computer from Add or Remove Programs.

Note When you view Add or Remove Programs, look for Office programs that
you thought you had removed that may still be present on your computer. If
you find any programs that fit this criteria, remove them.
2.. Open an Office product, click Help, and then click Detect and Repair.
Repeat this process with all your Office programs. If the Detect and Repair
process fails, your Office installation may be corrupted, and you may try to
remove and reinstall your Office program. If the Detect and Repair process
fails or the Uninstall process fails, you must use the Windows Installer
Cleanup Utility to remove the Windows Installer information that is specific
to that Office installation. For additional information about how to
download this tool and how to use this tool, click the following article
number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
290301 - Description of the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;290301


--
Susan Ramlet
Office MVP
______________________
Please reply to the newsgroups so that all may benefit.