Windows Vista Kb938194 Kb938979 [Installation loops and fails]

Running Vista Home Premium on a Toshiba 105 laptop. I downloaded 2 updates, KB938979 and KB938194. In installing these updates, the system tells me to reboot to complete the installation. Upon reboot, the window (desktop) displays "Please wait" for what seems like several minutes, then displays "Configuring updates" for even a longer time. Sometimes during the configuring period the pc will just shut itself off like the plug was pulled. Other times, it will display "Shutting down" then restart normally but always tells me I have important updates, which are the same updates, then starts the cycle all over again. This whole process has taken up to 10-15 minutes to run its course. As an aside, I've not had the problems listed in the Sticky "Microsoft releases Vista compatibility and reliability update + a performance update." Up until these updates, I had no significant problems with Vista.
Thank you for your help.

 

same issue

I have exactly the same problem.
Can't find a solution posted anywhere....

 

The workaround I used was, since the updates didn't install, I opted to hide the updates. I know that's not a remedy but at least I can boot up now. Hopefully someone can come up with a fix.

 

Good Idea

Yes, Thanks. I have submitted the request.
I'll post any reply.

 

response from microsoft support

I received the following e-mail.
Step 1 and step 2 did not work for me, maybe they will work for you.
I sent the requested files, and will update you on progress.


Thank you for contacting Microsoft Windows Update Support.
First, I would like to apologize for the delay in responding to your support request. Please be assured that you have successfully contacted the correct support team and I will be working with you to address your concerns as quickly as possible.

From the description, I understand that Windows Update keeps trying to install KB938194. The system also requires you reboot the system. After rebooting, the system will configure the update but this cannot avoid the system to re-install the update again. If I have misunderstood your concern, please do not hesitate to let me know. I understand the inconvenience this may have caused. Please be assured that we will work together to resolve this specific issue through the course of the case.

This issue can be caused by the following factors:

1. Software conflict blocked the update configuration.
2. Corrupted Windows Update Temporary folder.

In order to narrow down the cause of this issue and resolve it, please refer to the following steps. After finishing each step, please check the result again on the Windows Update website.

Step 1: Clean Boot
=======================================
This method will help us determine if this issue is caused by a loading program or service. Please perform the following steps:

1. Click the Start Button, type "msconfig" in the search bar and press Enter.

Note: Please click the Continue if the "User Account Control" window pops up.
2. Click the "Services" tab, check the "Hide All Microsoft Services" box and click "Disable All" (if it is not gray).
3. Click the "Startup" tab, click "Disable All" and click "OK ".

Then, restart the computer. When the "System Configuration Utility" window appears, please check the "Don't show this message or launch the System "

4. Test if we can update the system in Clean Boot.

Note 1: Temporarily disabling the Startup Group only prevents the startup programs from loading at startup. This shouldn't affect the system or other programs. We may still manually run these programs later.

Note 2: We can check on Normal Startup in the General tab to roll back to Normal Mode after we get this issue resolved.

Step 2: Rename the Windows Update Softwaredistribution folder
================================================
This problem may occur if the Windows Update Software distribution folder has been corrupted. We can refer to the following steps to rename this folder. Please note that the folder will be re-created the next time we visit the Windows Update site.

1. Close all the open windows.
2. Click the Start Button, click "All programs ", and click "Accessories ".
3. Right-click "Command Prompt ", and click "Run as administrator ".
4. In "Administrator: Command Prompt" window, type in "net stop WuAuServ" (without the quotes) and press Enter.

Note: Please look at the cmd window and make sure it says that it was successfully stopped before we try to rename the folder. However, if it fails, please let me know before performing any further steps and include any error messages you may have received when it failed.

5. Click the Start Button, in the "Start Search" box, type in "%windir%" (without the quotes) and press Enter.
6. In the opened folder, look for the folder named "SoftwareDistribution ".
7. Right-click on the folder, select Rename and type "SDold" (without the quotes) to rename this folder.
8. While still in the "Administrator: Command Prompt" window, type the command "net start WuAuServ" (without the quotes) in the opened window to restart the Windows Updates service.

Note: Please look at the cmd window and make sure it says that it was successfully started. However, if it failed, please let me know before performing any further steps and include any error messages you may have received when it failed.

If the issue persists, to clarify the issue and provide more accurate troubleshooting steps, please assist me in collecting the following information.

How to capture a screenshot
======================
1. Press the Print Screen key (PrtScn) on your keyboard.
2. Click the Start Button, type "mspaint" in the Search Bar and Press Enter.
3. In the Paint program, click the "Edit" menu, click "Paste ". Then click the "File" menu, and click "Save ".
4. The "Save As" dialogue box will appear. Type a file name in the "File name:" box, for example: "screenshot ".
5. Make sure "JPEG (*.JPG;*.JPEG;*.JPE;*.JFIF)" is selected in the "Save as type" box, click "Desktop" on the left pane and then click "Save ".


How to collect the System Information
=============================
The System Information can provide us with more information about the current status of the system. I would like to check it for you. Please send it to me using the following steps:

1. Click the Start Button, type "MSINFO32" in the Search Bar and press Enter to start System Information.
2. On the popup window, on the menu bar, click "File ", and click "Save ", type a file name and then choose NFO as "Save as type ", click "Desktop" on the left pane, and click Save.



How to collect the WindowsUpdate.log file
================================
1. Click the Start Button, type "WindowsUpdate.log" (without the quotes) in the Search Bar and Press Enter. We will see a file named "WindowsUpdate.log"
2. Now click on the "File" menu and then click on the "Save As ".
3. From the left panel, click "Desktop" and click the Save button.

The file will be saved to your Desktop.

Note: When attaching files to emails, the process will vary depending on the email application being used. While you are composing the email, most applications will provide you with either an "Attach" button or Paper Clip Icon to click in order to attach a file. After clicking this button/icon you must browse to the file you wish to attach and select it by either double clicking it or clicking it once and then clicking on the "Attach" button.

Please try my suggestion and let me know the results at your earliest convenience. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to let me know.

I am standing by for your response.

 

That is the same response I've received. I have sent my log but so far no reply.

 

Has verbose logging and the setupapi.txt method of troubleshooting update installation failures in XP been replaced in Vista?

 

The latest from Microsoft support and my response

I downloaded and installed the update, apparently successfully, as the history log indicates success.
Unfortunately, after this "installation ", and a reboot, Windows update keeps offering the same update as before, so I am uncertain if the update was successful.
When I try to install using windows update it fails as before.
How can I tell if the update was successfully installed by using the downloaded file?







From Microsoft support:

Thank you for your response.



It seems the first two steps cannot fix this problem. I understand the inconvenience you have experienced. Please be assured that I will do my best to help you.



After checking the log file, I find this can be caused by an installation problem. To do a further test, I suggest we manually download this update and install it.



1. Please download the update from the following link directly.



Update for Windows Vista (KB938194)

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...9d-c33d-48db-a7e3-62eef7c1f7c2&DisplayLang=en



2. Double click on the downloaded file to install it.



Please let me know if the installation process can be completed. If so, please restart the computer to see if the same update will be offered again.



However, if the installation cannot be completed, please capture a screenshot of the error message and send to me.



How to capture a screenshot

======================

1. When error message appears, Please press the Print Screen key (PrtScn) on your keyboard.

2. Click the Start Button, type "mspaint" in the Search Bar and Press Enter.

3. In the Paint program, click the "Edit" menu, click "Paste ". Then click the "File" menu, and click "Save ".

4. The "Save As" dialogue box will appear. Type a file name in the "File name:" box, for example: "screenshot ".

5. Make sure "JPEG (*.JPG;*.JPEG;*.JPE;*.JFIF)" is selected in the "Save as type" box, click "Desktop" on the left pane and then click "Save ".




Thank you for your time and cooperation. I'm looking forward to hearing from you.

 

renaming user directories

Yes, I read that also.
Unfortunately, I have not relocated the directory.
I'll try in Safe mode and let you know what happens.
Thanks for your help!

 

safe mode

Unfortunately the update will not install in safe mode.
The installer reports an error message:
"This service cannot be started in safe mode " error#0x8007043c

 

Did you check the log(s) Arie mentioned in post #10 for any clues?

 

logs

Yes I did - nothing obviously wrong.

 

The advice I received from Microsoft support was to "hide the update till Vista SP1 comes out ".

 

finally - a fix!

Microsoft "support" also to me to hide the update.

Fortunately, I found a fix on another site:

The issue is that one of the Packages containing a Component update, in
this case, WindowsCalendar, fails to install due to there being no
Windows Calendar folder being present in Scheduled Tasks.
The Windows Calendar folder had been deleted.


The result is the Package fails to install, thus the Components listed
on the KB page are rolled back.
The other Packages of the update do install, thus, the update is reoffered.


Fix:


Open Task Scheduler, and in the Windows folder
add a WindowsCalendar folder.
No task has to be assigned, just create the WindowsCalendar folder.
Install KB938194 now.