Microsoft update thinks updates are installed, but they are not

[Mencik@discussions.microsoft.com Steve Mencik]

I recently purchased a new computer. It has Vista Home Premium. My old
computer had XP Home.

I used LapLink PCMover to move my files and applications from the old
machine to the new machine. Most things worked well, but Microsoft Office XP
had some issues.

I completely uninstalled Offic XP. When I say completely, I even went into
regedit and cleared every Office key that I could find. I then installed
Office XP again from the CD.

I then went into Microsoft Update as I know there have been made updates
posted since the CD was produced way back when. Microsoft Update does not
find any updates.

I went to look for the updates to apply them manually, but the Microsoft
site does not provide them for Vista. It says to use Microsoft Update.

I tried downloading the versions for XP, but while they start to run, they
don't apply the updates. They just stop and disappear at some point.

Is there a way to force Microsoft Update to actually look at what files are
installed and re-create it's list of what to look for? Or is there a way to
get the updates for Office XP to apply manually for Vista.

Please don't just suggest upgrading to a higher version of Office. This is
for my church's computer and they don't want to spend the money.

[Gis Bun]

To get updates for Office XP, you must be at the last service pack [SP3] for
Office XP or it won't detect any updates. Download it from
office.microsoft.com or the main download site.

[BTW, I know you said about upgrading to a newer version but MS does offer
heavily discounted pricing for charities when you do upgrade.]

[Mencik@discussions.microsoft.com Steve Mencik]

I did that, but it would not apply. I get to the point of accepting the
terms and conditions, and then the process stops and disappears. There is no
update process running (at least that shows in the task manager). I have
suspected that it is because it detects that Vista is the OS, and the Service
Pack files specifically state that they aren't for Vista. There are no
specific SP files for Vista, as you are supposed to use Microsoft Update. But
Microsoft Update doesn't detect the need for any updates. So I try to use the
SP files, and around the circle we go again....

[MowGreen [MVP]]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/932087

> This article describes the versions of Microsoft Office that are supported on Windows Vista.
>
> Microsoft Office 2000, Microsoft Office XP, Microsoft Office 2003, and the 2007 Microsoft Office suites
> are all supported on Windows Vista. The 2007 Office suites were extensively tested on Windows Vista for
> best compatibility.
> MORE INFORMATION
> Because Office 2000 and Office XP are in Extended Support, there have been no fixes for issues that
> occur when these products are run on Windows Vista. For more information about the support policy status
> on these versions and on other versions of Office, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
> http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifeselectoff
> Because these versions of Office are in Extended Support, there will no more service packs for them.

What happens when you go here with IE, Steve ?

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/downloads/maincatalog.aspx

Apparently the updates are still listed as IsInstalled in the registry
although you've deleted the reg keys for Office XP.
Checking the Office Updates listings here:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/downloads/CD010225741033.aspx
Leads back to the MS Download Center which does not list Vista as a
supported OS for said updates. <sigh>

You might be better served by posting this issue to an Office newsgroup:

Office General
http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/en-us/default.aspx?dg=microsoft.public.office.misc&cat=en_US_24f872ec-a5b6-4cc1-925d-0364c03e6da6&lang=en&cr=US

Office Updates
http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/en-us/default.aspx?dg=microsoft.public.officeupdate&cat=en_US_b35cf85a-a8a4-4c3f-ada9-fb3986d25469&lang=en&cr=US

MowGreen [MVP 2003-2008]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Is Automatic Updates enabled, Steve? See this tutorial:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial140.html

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)?

> I used LapLink PCMover to move my files and applications from the old

> machine to the new machine...

That might not have been a wise idea (file, OK, but application? no)
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

[Harry Johnston [MVP]]

Steve Mencik wrote:

> I did that, but it would not apply. I get to the point of accepting the
> terms and conditions, and then the process stops and disappears. There is no
> update process running (at least that shows in the task manager). I have
> suspected that it is because it detects that Vista is the OS, and the Service
> Pack files specifically state that they aren't for Vista.

Exactly which service pack are you attempting to apply? Office XP or Windows XP?

Harry.

[Steve Mencik]

"MowGreen [MVP]" wrote:

> What happens when you go here with IE, Steve ?
>
> http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/downloads/maincatalog.aspx

I get this notice, "The Office Update service is maintained to support
previous versions of Microsoft Office and for compatibility with older
operating systems. Microsoft Windows Vista users can now get all Office XP,
Office 2003, and 2007 Office system updates via the Microsoft Update service.
For Windows Vista users using Office 2000, you can manually download updates
from Downloads on Office Online."

[Steve Mencik]

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> Is Automatic Updates enabled, Steve? See this tutorial:
> http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial140.html

Yes, Automatic Updates is enabled.

>
> What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
> subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
> What third-party firewall (if any)?

Norton Anti-Virus 2008, nothing else.
Yes, subscription is current.

>
> > I used LapLink PCMover to move my files and applications from the old
> > machine to the new machine...
>
> That might not have been a wise idea (file, OK, but application? no)

Yeah, but too late now.....

[Steve Mencik]

Trying to install Office XP updates. The OS is Vista.
Office XP with SP1 is what was on the CD, and the registry key seems to
think that is what is installed, based on the version number.

I'd like to get the updates that came out after that, but Microsoft Update
apparently doesn't find them.

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

1. After making certain you have a copy of your Product Key, uninstall all
Norton software (including LiveUpdate) via Add/Remove Programs.

2. Enable the Windows Firewall.

NB: You're "working without a net" now: Don't to ANYTHING else online (e.g.,
browsing; reading email; chatting) except #3-5 below until your anti-virus
application has been installed and fully updated!

3. Run this removal tool:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

4. Reboot and /immediately/ install Avira AntiVir* (free):
http://www.free-av.com/

5. Manually update your new anti-virus application then run a full system
scan.

6. Try running Windows Update manually now.

[Should you decide to reinstall the Norton application, uninstall AntiVir
first, and I recommend not installing any Norton Add-ons for a while.]

--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

[Steve Mencik]

Problem Solved!

There were two versions of Microsoft Office listed in the Add/Remove
Programs list, even though only one was installed. Apparently, that is
generated somewhere else other than the Registry, so clearing all the keys in
the Registry didn't get rid of it.

Of course, I could not uninstall it from there either.

So, I downloaded the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility, and deleted the
extraneous entry. I then went back to Microsoft Update, and voila!, it found
the Office XP SP3 that I knew needed to be installed.

Thanks everyone for trying. Add this to the list of things to remember if
you see this problem again.

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Now you know why I posted...

>> I used LapLink PCMover to move my files and applications from the old

>> machine to the new machine...
>
> That might not have been a wise idea (file, OK, but application? no)

--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

[Harry Johnston [MVP]]

Steve Mencik wrote:

> Trying to install Office XP updates. The OS is Vista.
> Office XP with SP1 is what was on the CD, and the registry key seems to
> think that is what is installed, based on the version number.

OK. Have you downloaded Service Pack 3 for Office XP?

<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=85af7bfd-6f69-4289-8bd1-eb966bcdfb5e&DisplayLang=en>

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=85af7bfd-6f69-4289-8bd1-eb966bcdfb5e&DisplayLang=en

The file name should be either OfficeXpSp3-kb832671-client-enu.exe or
OfficeXpSp3-kb832671-fullfile-enu.exe. Is this the file that wouldn't start?

Harry.

[Steve Mencik]

Yes, those were the files that wouldn't do anything.
However, see resolution to the problem in another post.