Windows Update Error Code 80070246

Question

It says "Windows can't check for updates" and this is the error code I get everytime.  Any help?  Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi MikeTide,

This problem occurs if the GlobalInstallOrder.xml file is corrupted. The GlobalInstallOrder.xml file is in the following location:

%Windir%\Winsxs\x86_microsoft-windows-servicingstack_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6000.16386_none_07289f4cca5f6990\GlobalInstallOrder.xml

To resolve this problem, replace the corrupted GlobalInstallOrder.xml file on the system with the same file from the Windows Vista installation media. To do this, follow these steps:

1.    Obtain the WIM filter driver from the Windows Automated Installation Kit (Windows AIK). To download and install the Windows AIK, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c7d4bc6d-15f3-4284-9123-679830d629f2&DisplayLang=en

2.    Click Start, point to **All Programs,**click Microsoft Windows AIK, right-click Windows PE Tools Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator.

If you are prompted for an administrator password, type the password. If you are prompted to continue, click Continue.

3.    At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER.

MD c:\Mount

This command creates a folder that is named Mount.

4.    Put the Windows Vista installation media in the CD or DVD drive.

5.    At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:

Imagex /mount DVDDriveLetter\sources\install.wim 1 \mount

6.    At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:

CD\mount\Windows\winsxs\x86_microsoft-windows-servicingstack_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6000.16386_none_07289f4cca5f6990

This command moves to the source folder

7.    At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:

xcopy GlobalInstallOrder.xml %windir%\winsxs\x86_microsoft-windows-servicingstack_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6000.16386_none_07289f4cca5f6990

This command copies the GlobalInstallOrder.xml file to the destination folder.

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Answer 2

i cant get step 6 to work

6.    At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:

CD\mount\Windows\winsxs\x86_microsoft-windows-servicingstack_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6000.16386_none_07289f4cca5f6990

I GET ERROR!

C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\PETools>CD\mount\Windows\winsxs\x86_microsoft

-windows-servicingstack_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6000.16386_none_07289f4cca5f6990

"The system cannot find the path specified."wat to do????

Answer 3

Follow this for resolution...

35	0x80070246	**http://support.microsoft.com/kb/942968****(VISTA)**<br><br><br> <br><br>

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Regards, Sohail Patel "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

Answer 4

I have McAfee SecurityCenter 8.1, VirusScan 12.1, Personal Firewall 9.1, Anti-Spam 9.1, Privacy Service 10.1

No toolbars/popup/cookie blockers/download managers.

The problem began approx. March 5

Thanks.

Answer 5

This is a reply from Mow Green MVP in another forum:"80070246 ERROR_ILLEGAL_CHARACTERAn illegal character was encountered. For a multi-byte character setthis includes a lead byte without a succeeding trail byte. For theUnicode character set this includes the characters 0xFFFF and 0xFFFE.What is the antivirus/security suite that is installed ?Which firewall is being used ?Are there toolbars/popup/cookie blockers/download managers installed ?Some 'thing' is preventing the system from establishing a reliable,trusted connection to the update servers.MowGreen [MVP 2003-2008]