Security Update KB2977321 fails to install (HR 0x80070643)

Recently some new updates appeared on a Windows 8.1 Hyper-V VM. So far nothing special.
After approving them for installation one update failed. It was the KB2977321, Security Update for SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 3. I've let it install once again but this update failed to install repeatedly.

The Result Code was 0x80070643.

It generated an entry in the eventlog/system with the EventID "20" and the source "Microsoft-Windows-WindowsUpdateClient". But there was no hint to the cause of the problem at all. I've also checked the C:\Windows\WindowsUpdate.log, to no avail.

After some google research on the error-code I found a Microsoft article describing the error as .NET Framework related. It offered an automatic Fix-It-Tool, which I executed without any success. The installation of KB2977321 would keep failing. The further proposal of this article – in case the Fix-It-Tool didn't help – was to reinstall .NET Framework. Which I refused to do since I didnt see a direct relationship between an SQL Server Security Update and the .NET Framework.

Instead I've downloaded the KB2977321 from Microsoft and tried to install it manually.
After unarchiving the downloaded file using 7zip, I've run the included setup as administrator. There the relationship to the .NET Framework became apparent. A dialogue requested for the installation of .NET v3.5. It seems to be a prerequisite for this Update. Since the installation by Windows Update runs in silent mode it just fails with the mysterious error code 0x80070643.

Solution

So in the end the solution was simple. I've aborted the KB setup and installed .NET 3.5 using DISM as described here

DISM /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:NetFx3 /All /LimitAccess /Source:d:\sources\sxs

You will probably need to adapt the /Source parameter in the command above, pointing to your individual installation sources.
After .NET 3.5 was installed, I could install the KB2977321 without any further issues and the Windows Update list of pending updates cleared up. Under Update History the KB2977321 was also shown as successfully installed.

Afterthought

Since Windows 8 (eventually earlier) the .NET Framework v3.5 isn't installed automatically, instead it is an optional feature. v4 is installed by default. The v4 doesn't include legacy components (earlier versions of the libraries, like v2 and v1) so oftentimes the installation of legacy components i.e. v3.5 (which includes all the previous versions) becomes necessary.

I think I will include the .NET v3.5 in all future Win8/8.1 installations to prevent trouble like this which costed me over an hour to figure out.

Windows 8 Keyboard-Shortcuts

Some useful Windows Shortcuts


 + Tab
   Apps Panel

  + C    Charms Menu
• Win + D
      Desktop
•   
  + E     Explorer
• Win + X    Menu?
• Alt

  + F4
  (Desktop)    Shutdown Menu
• Alt + F4 (App)           closes active App

Start Screen:

Space: select active item

Enabling and initiating Hibernate

Sometimes it's usefull to hibernate, to preserve a windows-session.

But what do you do if hibernate isn't enabled yet?

First of all, if hibernate isn't turned on yet, you need to have sufficient space on your systemdrive (mostly C:). You need at least the same amount of space as the size of your RAM. A file called hiberfil.sys will be created there.

1. open up a console (Run/cmd.exe)
2. :> powercfg -h on OR powercfg -hibernate on
3. leave the console window open, as we will need it again

Now that you activated hibernate, there is still no option for it under shut down. In that case just execute the following command:

1. %windir%\System32\rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,SetSuspendState

Windows Update won't check for updates due to a not running service

Trying to update a nearly one year old backup installation (Win7 pro x64) on the seccond hard drive, I've just run into the following error message:

Windows Update cannot currently check for updates, because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer.

First of all I've checked the status of the Windows Update Service, it was running. Then I've restarted the computer. The Update still didn't work and the same message reappeared.

The solution was simple though:

1. On the left hand in the Windows Update Control Panel click "Change settings"
2. Under "Important updates:" change the installation type from "Install updates automatically (recommended)" to  "Never check for updates (not recommended)"
3. Save the changes by clicking Ok
4. Then again click "Change settings"
5. Now revert the selection to what it was before (automatically)
6. Again click Ok

There is a seccond approach to it, which also worked on another occasion:

1. Open a console window (run cmd.exe as Administrator)
2. net stop wuauserv
3. Go to %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution (usually under C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution)
4. rename the subfolder downloads to something else
5. net start wuauserv

This one is also described here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/958046/en-us

Server 2008 slow boot due to misconfigured DNS

event ID 4013

event ID 5781