Vista: Windows Update Error 800703EE

[CKTurbo128]

Hi everyone,

I am running into issues with Windows Update on my Windows Vista Ultimate (64-bit). These days, when I check for updates, Windows Update returns an error code '800703EE'. Trying the 'Get Help' link isn't helpful, as the error is not listed. I have had this issue for a few weeks.

I did a Google search on this particular error, but there doesn't seem to be much information on this error code. From the results that I did find on this error code, some people have indicated that this error code means that one or some files crucial to Windows Update is corrupt or damaged and suggested to do a scandisk to search and fix any file errors. I tried this, but scandisk did not find any errors. I also used the Windows Repair option on the Windows Vista disc, but Windows Repair doesn't seem to find anything wrong with Vista.

I can still manually install the latest Vista updates from Microsoft's website, but it would be nice to get Windows Update up and running again instead of having to manually download and install each security update that Microsoft releases every week for Vista.

Aside from this Windows Update issue, everything on my system is working just great. Doing a re-format and re-installing Vista just to fix this issue seems like overkill. Does anyone have any ideas on what to do to fix this problem?

 

[Navid]

If you are overclocking, reduce the overclock and try again!
This may sound strange to you! But, it could be your problem. It was mine!

 

[CKTurbo128]

I set my processor & motherboard back to default settings (no overclocking), but I still get the same error. The system itself is stable, but I think the problem lies with one of the crucial Windows Update files being damaged somehow.

Checking the windowsupdate.log, this is what happens before Windows Update encounters the 0x800703EE error:

2007-09-29 09:18:31:807 512 1010 Setup SelfUpdate handler update NOT required: Current version: 7.0.6000.381, required version: 7.0.6000.381
2007-09-29 09:18:31:807 512 1010 Setup Evaluating applicability of setup package "WUClient-SelfUpdate-ActiveX~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~7.0.6000.381"
2007-09-29 09:18:31:957 512 1010 Setup Setup package "WUClient-SelfUpdate-ActiveX~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~7.0.6000.381" is applicable and needs to be downloaded.
2007-09-29 09:18:31:957 512 1010 Setup Evaluating applicability of setup package "WUClient-SelfUpdate-Aux-TopLevel~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~7.0.6000.381"
2007-09-29 09:18:32:429 512 1010 Setup Setup package "WUClient-SelfUpdate-Aux-TopLevel~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~7.0.6000.381" is applicable and needs to be downloaded.
2007-09-29 09:18:32:430 512 1010 Setup Evaluating applicability of setup package "WUClient-SelfUpdate-Core-TopLevel~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~7.0.6000.381"
2007-09-29 09:18:32:666 512 1010 Handler FATAL: UH: 0x800703ee: CreatePackage failed in CCbs::CreatePackage
2007-09-29 09:18:32:666 512 1010 Setup WARNING: CBS EvaluateApplicability returned error, error = 0x800703EE
2007-09-29 09:18:32:667 512 1010 Setup FATAL: Applicability evaluation for setup package "WUClient-SelfUpdate-Core-TopLevel~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~7.0.6000.381" failed, error = 0x800703EE
2007-09-29 09:18:32:667 512 1010 Setup FATAL: SelfUpdate check failed, err = 0x800703EE
2007-09-29 09:18:32:667 512 1010 Agent * WARNING: Skipping scan, self-update check returned 0x800703EE
2007-09-29 09:18:32:694 512 1010 Agent * WARNING: Exit code = 0x800703EE

It fails right after it downloads the Windows Update Client updates and says that it can't create the package.

 

[bruceb]

That is a known bug in the latest WU software from Microsoft .. Hopefully they will fix it
in the next release. Meantime, see the link below .. you need to reregister some dll files
to fix it

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555989

Note: While that info is mainly for xp and 32 bit systems, it may apply to Vista as well.
Other folks with Vista have also had issues. You should also check that the Background
Intelligent Transfer Service is set to Start Automatically as Windows Auto Updates
will Not Work if it is set to Manual or Off

 

[CKTurbo128]

Thanks for the suggestion bruceb. Unfortunately, it didn't seem to work for me.

Is there any other ideas that you would suggest that I should apply that could potentially fix this error?

It's somewhat comforting to know that I'm not the only one having this problem. I hope Microsoft will fix this problem soon...

 

[scottws]

I'm having an issue with Vista Business x64. I can't get KB938979 installed.

I get errors like:

Windows Servicing failed to complete the process of changing update 938979-45_RTM_neutral_PACKAGE from package KB938979(Update) into Staging(Staging) state

Windows Servicing failed to complete the process of changing update 938979-46_RTM_neutral_PACKAGE from package KB938979(Update) into Staging(Staging) state

Windows Servicing failed to complete the process of changing update 938979-47_RTM_neutral_PACKAGE from package KB938979(Update) into Staging(Staging) state

Windows Servicing failed to complete the process of changing update 938979-48_RTM_neutral_PACKAGE from package KB938979(Update) into Staging(Staging) state

Windows Servicing failed to complete the process of changing update 938979-49_RTM_neutral_PACKAGE from package KB938979(Update) into Staging(Staging) state

Windows Servicing failed to complete the process of setting package KB938979 (Update) into Staging(Staging) state

Windows Servicing failed to complete the process of setting package KB938979_1 (Update) into Default(Default) state

Windows Servicing failed to complete the process of setting package KB938979_2 (Update) into Default(Default) state

Windows Servicing failed to complete the process of setting package KB938979_3 (Update) into Default(Default) state

Windows Servicing failed to complete the process of setting package KB938979_4 (Update) into Default(Default) state

Windows Servicing failed to complete the process of setting package KB938979_5 (Update) into Default(Default) state

I've trying downloading and installing manually, renaming the temporary folders for Windows Update and retrying... nothing I do works.