W/Defender 1347

[Kayman]

Downloaded recommended update from 1051 to 1347 but experienced problems as
my dial-up connection dropped out.
Re-downloaded successfully but after installation the Windows Defender
window indicated: "Your definitions haven't been updated in 160 days."
This can't be right as I am certain that v1051 automatically updated
frequently and this comment is in conflict with my Microsoft up-date
history.
I was unable to update manually (clicking onto Check Now button) as the
button was grayed out.
Anyway, I attributed this 'hick-up' to my dropped-out dial connection during
initial download operation and decided to uninstall Windows Defender
entirely followed by turning off System Restore and scanning in safe mode
with Ad- Aware, SUPERAntiSpyware and EZ Antivirus. All of the scans resulted
okay.
After rebooting I created a new restore point and again downloaded and
installed Windows Defender. This time the Windows Defender window indicated
that: "Your definitions haven't been updated in 170 days." (Please note the
10 day difference). But the was able clicking onto the Check Now button
which produced a pop-up indicating: "Windows Defender was unable to complete
the update: 0x80070663. This patch package could not be opened. Verify that
the patch package exists and that you can access it, or contact your
application vendor to verify that this is a valid Windows Installer pa.
I then tried to remove signature file Msiexec /x
{A5CC2A09-E9D3-49EC-923D-03874BBD4C2C} but this didn't work either and
producing a pop-up window: "This package could not be opened. Verify
that..."
Appreciate any assistance to help me with this challenge.
Many thanks in advance,

 

[Bill Sanderson MVP]

I would connect the dialup internet connection, go to WindowsUpdate, and do
an express scan.

 

[Kayman]

Please read the second part of my post and yes I WindowsUpdates are current.

 

[Guest]

Your Defender can't access the Internet to update. Please see if you have
Defender behind a firewall.

 

[Kayman]

According to my download history all updates are current and 'checked okay'.
In fact WindowsDefender Definiton update 1.14.1525.2 for Beta
WindowsDefender (KB915597) was automatically downloaded twice (14 July & 16
July).
I run ZoneAlarm FireWall (free version 6.5.722.000), not ever was there a
problem with downloading M/S critical updates.
Any idea what error code 0x80070663 stands for?
Regards,

 

[Kayman]

Just reading through http://support.microsoft.com/kb/913754 and discovered
that registry entries/values c_867.nls and c_868.nls are not listed in my
CodePage.
As I just received multiple updates for WindowsXP, OfficeXP, Excel2002 and
..NET Framework, I was wondering if it is safe to add the missing registry
items which may fix my problem?
Regards,

 

[Guest]

Hello Kayman,

Just out of interest. What version of Windows Installer are you using?

This is the latest:

Windows Installer 3.1 v2 (3.1.4000.2435) is available
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/893803
--

 

[Bill Sanderson MVP]

If you are just receiving those updates, your system is not current,
although I'm not certain this is related to your problem.

I'd not mess with those entries yet--I'd like to hear the answer to Engel's
question--and basically, I'd like to be certain that you have run an express
scan at Windows Update and applied all offered updates.

If there are some that you are holding off on for some particular reason,
I'd be willing to hear about them--but that's the shortest recipe I can
offer.

--

 

[Kayman]

Hi Engel,

I was using Windows Installer - Unicode Microsoft Corporation 3.1.4000.1823
and based on your post downloaded/installed Windows Installer 3.1 v2
(3.1.4000.2435).

After installation it was confirmed that KB893803v2 was completed.

Now it's getting interesting, I rebooted and checked in
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\MSIEXEC.EXE if the version number has changed according
to the new download. To my surprise the old version number 3.01.4000.1823 is
still displayed.

I observed the downloading/installing operation of the new version and did
not notice any unusual behaviour.
Regards,
Kayman.

 

[Guest]

Windows Installer Version ? What does that mean to the average Home User who
just wants to install software on a Windows OS? Or, are we supposed to feel
priveledged with a preview of what is to come and the links provided. 2007
08/09? Windows has become overly complicated ( for the average user). In its
endevour to be smart, one will eventually need some serious qualifications to
fire it up. Why should we expect this? Its being developed by programmers
who spend their lives buried in code rather than realising there is a world
beyond MS.

Stu

If Mr Gates has redu

 

[Bill Sanderson MVP]

You're ok--from the KB article:

 

[Kayman]

Hi Bill,
Thanks for informative response.
I confirm that I have run an express scan at Windows Update and applied all
offered updates.
I am very particular concerning updates/patches etc.. Apart from having
critical updates automatically I also check monthly manually for
'additional' updates (the Microsoft Update icon is placed in my Start Menu).
I also receive monthly notification messages from Microsoft advising of
available updates. I really don't know how I missed updating Windows
Installer! Was this update ever been published? And, what else would you
recommend to implement to keep my system current?
Regards,
Kayman.

 

[Bill Sanderson MVP]

NO--the average user does NOT need to consider these details. The Windows
Installer, and, I believe, a critical update to it--was published as a
critical update--it should have been installed via autoupdate.

--

 

[Bill Sanderson MVP]

The installer was published, I believe as a critical update. I think you
are doing all the right things.
You should definitely re-check an express scan to see whether there's
anything left--if you put in the Installer, I think there may also be a
successive update to the installer which won't be offered until WU sees the
installer in place.

I'm fuzzy about whether your issue is resolved at this point--without going
back and rereading the thread--how are you doing?

--

 

[Guest]

YES - they do. Today we live in a computer orientated world in which people
(for the most part) want to know what makes their computer tick when they
fire it up and fully understand what they are installing on their machines.
Its a reflection of the world in which we live and these NG`s bear testimony
to this.

Stu

 

[Bill Sanderson MVP]

Stu--one of the challenges in dealing with increasingly complex technology
is keeping the care and feeding of it simple enough so that my mother-in-law
can work with it safely--and she can.

She does not need to know about the version number of the Windows Installer,
or even what that piece of code is.

Sure--many folks who are interested enough in whats under the hood to come
to these groups want to know more--but they can also do the research and
read up on what the Windows Installer does.


--

 

[Guest]

Bill . I love you to bits I hope this revelation does not compromise your
positon on the MS NG`s. Lest we should find ourselves in Guantanamo on some
sort of trumped up charge C/O Tony and George Seriously, if your MIL can
figure out Windows Internals (with a little help from you), then I would very
much like to meet her But I know what you mean.

Best Regards

Stu

 

[Kayman]

Hi Bill,
Well, after updating Windows Installer, I uninstalled and
re-downloaded/installed W/D and it appears that the definitions are
up-to-date. I run a full scan (no unwanted or harmful software detected) and
my computer is 'running normal'.
However, when clicking onto "Check for Updates" button (Help options==>About
Windows Defender==>Check for Updates) the application is connecting to the
internet to acquire new definitions but it's followed immediately by the
same old message: "Windows Defender was unable to complete the update:
0x80070663. This patch package could not be opened. Verify that the patch
package exists and that you can access it, or contact your application
vendor to verify that this is a valid Windows Installer pa"
To summarize: a) Windows Installer is up-to-date; b) Windows Defender
appears to be up-to-date and is scanning 'normal' but the manual update
function is not working. I don't know if this will have an effect when W/D
is updating automatically the next time??
Kind regards,
Kayman.

 

[Bill Sanderson MVP]

I think the best course would be to wait and see what happens on the next
update cycle. I can guess at things to try, but I think this might take
care of itself if we give it a chance.

Write back on this thread after the next update--could be tomorrow,
perhaps--and lets see how it went.

--

 

[Kayman]

Hi Bill:
The automatic Definition Update 1.14.1530.8 for BETA Windows Defender
(KB915597) (2.70MB) failed after about 18%.

A consequent check in my update history don't indicate any failed update
operations.

I run an express scan and attempted to download/install manually. The
downloading operation appeared to run flawless but
a notice popped-up indicating that "Updates were unable to successfully
installed" and "The following updates were not installed:
Definition Update 1.14.1530.8 for BETA Windows Defender (KB915597).

Sorry for the bad news, hope you can provide a fix.
Regards,
Kayman.