Can't update office xp

[diane]

I get the following error when I try to update Office XP:

"Error! Unable to check for updates on this computer

The Office Update site is unable to check for updates on
this computer. This may be happening because of one of
the following reasons:

You do not have administrative privileges for this
computer.
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.
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 for assistance.
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."

I am the administrator and have updated office before.
There isn't a network problem since I've been getting
this error for a while. I think I may have inadvertantly
deleted an .msp file. I've tried to uninstall the
program and start from the beginning but didn't have much
success with that either.

Appreciate any suggestions.

[anon...@discussions.microsoft.com]

Here'w what I just did with the same problem and it
worked, but you have to have your Mic. Office CD in order
to do it. First I downloaded the Windows Cleaning Utility
for NT, opened it and deleted all office related items
and reinstalled Mic. Office from my CD. It worked. Office
Update now works for me.

>.
>

[diane]

Will this work for MS XP? The utility is for NT but I
have XP Home.

>.
>

[MF]

Wel, I have XP Professional, so I am sure it would work
for the home version too. My nephew works for Microsoft
and he was the one who clued me in, although I do
remember seeing this tip somewhere on this board. Good
luck.

>.
>

[Sloan Crayton [MS]]

We believe one of the causes of this issue is that Windows Installer
information doesn't get migrated properly in an upgrade from Windows 9x to
Windows XP and when Office was installed prior to updating to Windows XP.
Can you confirm that is the case?

Before resorting to the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility, try uninstalling
Office XP, and then installing it again. You may not need to use the
Cleanup Utility. The purpose of this utility is to delete the Windows
Installer information written when Office is installed.

If a simple uninstall of Office fails, go ahead and use the Windows
Installer Cleanup Utility
(http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;290301), and then
install Office XP again.

Sloan Crayton
Microsoft

"MF" <anon...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:a94901c4071e$45504bc0$a301...@phx.gbl...

[anon...@discussions.microsoft.com]

The cause of my original problem was not an upgrade, but a
SYSTEM RESTORE. My nephew, who also works for Microsoft
tells me he doesn't like system restore because it often
does things you don't want it to do along with things you
do want it to do. Anyway, after my system restore, I
couldnt install or uninstall ANYTHING.....so...therefore
the use of the WIndows Installer.

>.
>

[Sloan Crayton [MS]]

Yes, I've confirmed that a System Restore will break products installed via
the Windows Installer. It's a flaw in current releases of the Windows
Installer technology.

Sloan Crayton
Microsoft

<anon...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:af9101c40771$0a6d4a50$a501...@phx.gbl...