ITsVISTA KB-Link: KB931712

February 23rd, 2007 · 23 Comments · 17,112 views
Tags: Tags: Components, EHCI, Features, Update

The “Windows Features” dialog box is empty in Windows Vista, or you receive an error message that includes the following code when you try to use Windows Update: “0×80073712″

When you try to install Windows Vista updates or components, you may experience the following symptoms:

When you try to install an update by using the Windows Update Web site, you receive an error message that includes the following error code:

0×80073712

The update does not install.
When you click Turn Windows features on or off in the “Programs and Features” Control Panel item, the Windows Features dialog box is empty. No features are shown.

When this problem occurs, a log entry that resembles the following may appear in the System log:

Log Name: System
Source: Microsoft-Windows-Servicing
Date: 2/5/2007 9:49:08 AM
Event ID: 4375
Task Category: None
Level: Error
Keywords: Classic
Description:
Windows Servicing failed to complete the process of setting package xxxxxx (Software Update) into Default(Default) state

Event Xml:
<UserData>
<CbsPackageChangeState xmlns="http://manifests.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/windows/setup_provider">
<ErrorCode>0x80073712</ErrorCode>
</CbsPackageChangeState>
</UserData>

After this error occurs, you may be unable to install any other software updates.

For more information on this issue, including potential causes, workarounds, and resolutions, see: Microsoft KB Article KB931712.

Get notified of new posts for FREE via RSS or E-mail

Subscribe to ITsVISTA!

Digg |

Mixx |

Propeller |

Slashdot | Stumble

Stumble

Terry Williams

Jun 5, 2007 at 7:14 am

I too am having this issue with windows update on Vista. Maybe with the exception of a rare few, this solution does not work.

Been there, done that and it doesn’t work.
Joe

Jun 5, 2007 at 9:36 am

So you tried reg delete HKLM\COMPONENTS /v StoreDirty as they suggested and you still get the error? I see at least one other person that is also having trouble: http://www.eggheadcafe.com/software/aspnet/30024522/windows-vista-update-will.aspx
Terry Williams

Jun 5, 2007 at 9:57 am

Yes, still having issue. Did a little research on google and other forums. It’s seems that there a quite a few folks having this issue and microsoft’s solution does not work.
oren

Jun 15, 2007 at 5:46 pm

same problem since 5/31. microsoft’s selution does not work…
ayejay0601

Jun 17, 2007 at 1:44 pm

Let’s try to solve this by putting our information together. Here what I have noted: There is one update that says “failed” when I get to the update history and yet its listed as an installed update under programs and features. I cannot uninstall it. when I start Windows, it says configuring updates everytime…clearly it is trying to install this update and is failing everytime. Why is it failing? If we can figure that out, we can solve this. PS, I have searched on google and various discussion forums for two hours and have not found a solution. I do not think it is yet resolved and am fairly confident that a simple registry entry can probably solve it.
Joe

Jun 17, 2007 at 2:51 pm

There is a thread here:
http://www.mcse.ms/message2552344.html
that includes the following:

Customers in the U.S. and Canada can receive technical support from Microsoft Product Support Services at 1-866-PCSAFETY. There is no-charge for support calls that are associated with security updates. When you call, clearly state that your problem is related to a Security Update and cite the update’s KB number (e.g., KB931678).

I would call in but I can’t reproduce the problem. Will someone here call in and open a ticket so hopefully Microsoft will either reveal the REAL solution, or start looking for one?
Charlie

Jul 1, 2007 at 4:33 am

I am having the same problem. Does anybody have a solution? Or can it just be left?
Joe

Jul 1, 2007 at 9:52 am

I would call Microsoft support at 1-866-PCSAFETY to open a no charge support call. Let us know the result!
Charlie

Jul 2, 2007 at 11:41 am

Thanks for the reply Joe, i wrote to Microsoft technical support yesterday via the website and they replied today with this:

We have found that this issue can occur if any third party software is conflicting with the Windows Update Site. If you have Norton, McAfee or other Antivirus or firewall software installed on your system, the third party software can conflict with the Windows Update Site hence I would sincerely request you to kindly disable this software while accessing the site, and this should resolve the issue for you. Please remember to enable the Windows XP firewall on your internet connection (if it is not already) before going online in case of Virus problems.

If the issue still persists, in order for me to obtain the fastest resolution to your issue please could you provide the following information?

-Do you have any anti-virus software installed on your computer system, if so what is it?

-Do you have any firewalls installed on your computer system, if so what is it?

-Do you have service pack 2 installed on your computer System?

-When did this problem start happening?

-What Software has been installed/uninstalled or modified on the computer system?

-What Hardware has been installed/uninstalled or modified on the computer system?

-Please provide detailed Steps of when the error occurs:

-Please provide the error code, if applicable?

-Can you reproduce this problem every time?

-Are you on a Network?

-Are you facing this issue on single or multiple computers?

So i will reply back and see what happens. Thanks for the help
Charlie.
Terry Williams

Jul 2, 2007 at 12:43 pm

This is in regards to the answer that Charlie received from Microsoft.

1. The answer he received is evidently tier I, who is just reply with a canned response.

2. It’s Vista, not Windows XP that’s giving us headaches

3. I’m not aware of a SP2 for Vista, how about you?

4. I can say with 99.9999 certainity that it is not a firewall or antivirus issue.

FYI… I finally just reinstalled Vista to correct the issue. Vista is setup exactly the way it was before I rerolled, but now the windows update works… For how long, your guess is as good as mine.
Charlie

Jul 3, 2007 at 8:21 am

For some reason, i hadn’t yet had the chance to try out the response but i continued to press try again (to update) and it has. I too don’t know how long this will last but i don’t think they have a solution to the problem that will work anyway?!
Joe

Jul 3, 2007 at 8:41 am

Glad to hear you are back up and running properly. Am I correct in assuming that the only thing you changed was to disable the anti-virus software while you did the update, and this allowed it to run correctly this time?
Charlie

Jul 16, 2007 at 3:09 pm

Sorry about the time it took to answer you, yes that’s right. It worked for me, who knows if that’s the solution for everybody?! seems to be okay so far touch wood lol. Thanks for all the help.
Gary

Jul 21, 2007 at 7:25 am

I had the 80073712 error code and it is now fixed. I had to email MS for the fix.

This is what they told me.

Run chkdsk c: /f

Copy Vista disk to to hard drive.

Run Vista Setup and choose update.

I was able to do the windows update after that.

Good luck
Joe

Jul 21, 2007 at 2:54 pm

Thanks for letting us know, hopefully this will help someone else!
Joe P

Aug 27, 2007 at 4:44 pm

Oh My God!!! I fixed it! It f—ing WORKS NOW!!! I’m so happy! Basically what you need to do is delete “C:\Windows\winsxs\pending.xml” and restart your PC and then manually re-install the Windows Update Agent. I had the choice between that and reinstall Vista. I took that of course before a Vista reinstall. OK here’s how what you gotta do to make it happen:

1. Open the start menu.

2. Type “cmd” into the search and click on “cmd.exe”

3. Type in “takeown /f C:\Windows\winsxs\pending.xml”

4. Type in “cacls C:\Windows\winsxs\pending.xml /G :F”

5. Type in “del C:\Windows\winsxs\pending.xml”

There you go. You deleted C:\Windows\winsxs\pending.xml!

6. Now reboot that beast!

7. And then downloaded & install the Windows update Agent.

32-bit Users Download it Here:
http://download.windowsupdate.com/v7/windowsupdate/redist/standalone/WindowsUpdateAgent30-x86.exe

64-bit Users Get it Here:
http://download.windowsupdate.com/v7/windowsupdate/redist/standalone/WindowsUpdateAgent30-x64.exe

NOTE: command propmt is needed because “pending .xml” will not delete with just a tap of the delete key.

Another NOTE: On step 4 you actually have to enter your windows user name it that place it says. So when you put it into command its should look like this, but with a different name:
cacls C:\Windows\winsxs\pending.xml /G Crazy Eddie:F

DISCLAIMER:
I’ve heard that deleting “pending.xml” isn’t good, no explanations as to what will happen when deleted but it only fixed something when I deleted it. I think it’s a good fix but, delete at your own risk.

I found the solution here: http://forums.techarena.in/showthread.php?p=3050763
Eric

Sep 3, 2007 at 5:59 am

I DO receive updates, BUT the dialog box is STILL BLANK. Zero programs listed. Thoughts? Help?
Tim

Oct 2, 2007 at 9:41 am

I had the same issue on a brand new laptop from Dell. I had to perform a system restore. Then windows update worked. I only had about 15 updates to install.
David

Feb 16, 2008 at 2:48 pm

thanks Joe P for the above help. It ddn’t get micrsft update back online automtically but downloaded the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyser which scanned my PC and told me which security updates I was mssing. Following the links dwnloaded each one manually so am up to date. I spnt 3 months back and forward with techies from microsoft telling m to try diff stuff. They blamed it on 3rd party antivirus whch we all know is a load of bullsheet. This is a major ongoing problem for vista and affects thousands of people
Bellsy

Aug 16, 2008 at 7:24 am

Thanks Joe P – your solution works great!
Booger

Nov 26, 2008 at 9:53 pm

I agree; this is a widespread problem–I have found it on many machines. With some people it is language packs; with some it is the pending.xml file; with other it is a registry key or a file permissions problem and who knows what else. I don’t have a pending.xml file or a “storedirty” registry key. I don’t have IIS installed. I don’t have any of the things which have been proposed as problems/solutions. All I have is an Event ID: 4375 error when I try to use the Windows Installer and add or remove windows components. And after months of searching, still no fix and no end in sight. Microsoft does not have the answer except to reinstall Windows… (AGAIN).

I am just so sick and tired of spending all of my time repairing Windows year after godforsaken year instead of getting work done. This is the last straw–I am switching to Ubuntu Linux. I have already tried the live CD and it runs faster from the CD than Windows does from the hard drive!
____________

Desktop Windows: Is it time to “cut and run?”

http://weblog.infoworld.com/enterprisedesktop/archives/2008/06/desktop_windows.html
Problem Report & Soulutions - Page 2 | keyongtech

Jan 18, 2009 at 11:32 am

[...] Ah, that ( ERROR_SXS_COMPONENT_STORE_CORRUPT ) would be a different issue entirely. Data such as– http://itsvista.com/2007/02/kb931712/ might be helpful, but you’re talking about a whole different field of expertise now, and in that [...]
Tom

Feb 22, 2009 at 5:33 am

I’d been getting this coded error ever since I upgraded from XP to Vista. The following link and download make this error go away. Finally! Microsoft has software to analyze and then fix (hopefully) these type of installing update issues. It’s called, System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Vista and for Windows Server 2008 at this site:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947821

Good luck.