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

Hi Debbie..

Thank you for the note.

Here is the output...

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Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6001]

Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Windows\system32>sfc /scannow

Beginning system scan. This process will take some time.

Beginning verification phase of system scan.

Verification 100% Complete.

Windows Resource protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix them.

Details are included in the CBS.log windir\Logs\CBS\CBS.log. For example C:\Windows\logs\CBS\CBS.log

C:\Windows\system32>

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The log file has a number of errors in it. How do you wish to see these?

Since this, i have uninstalled IE8 as I sense problems started when I Windows updated to IE8. However, even back to IE7, and copying the original GlobalInstallOrder file via the AIK as mentioned above, i still get the same error code.

TassieMenace: I got around the "Access Denied" by temporary changing ownership of the parent directory and file to myself, rather than System. This worked fine, and I changed back ownership after the copy occurred.

I am on a Dell Vostro 1500 with 32Bit Windows Vista with SP1 loaded.

Hope this helps Debbie..

What next?

Kind Regards

EmCeeL

Answer 3

Gday one and all... I have been following this thread and others like it with great interest as I have had the same issues.

It all started with the same issue of windows update not being able to run.

I have tried replacing the GlobalInstallOrder.xml file but had the same 'access denied' issue that ppl above have encountered. 

I then followed the instructions above for sfc /scannow but that came up with the error "windows resource protection could not perform the requested operation"

SO.. apparently the fix for that was to run CHKDSK which I ran and then tried the run sfc /scannow but came up with the same error.

I am about the reinstall vista so if anyone has any solutions... I'd LOVE to know!

Cheers

Andrew

ps im running vista HP fully updated (untill a few days ago!) on a Dell xps 1530

Answer 4

Hi EmCeel,

Thanks for posting to answers.microsoft.com.

You may have a little more of an issue occuring.  I suggest running a System File Checker on your system to verify there is not file corruption. 

Here are the steps to perform the task;

Note:  If you find there is no corruption after performing these steps, you may want to create a new administrator account and see if you are able to follow the plans as outlined above then.

Running the**System File Checker**…

<br>1.    <br>Click<br>Start, click All Programs, click<br>Accessories, right-click Command Prompt, and select<br>Run as Administrator.<br><br><br><br>2.    <br>Click<br>Continue or supply Administrator credentials if prompted.<br><br><br><br>3.    <br>In the<br>Command Prompt window type the following, and press Enter:<br><br><br><br>sfc /scannow<br><br><br><br>4.    <br>You should see the following on-screen messages:<br><br><br><br>Beginning the system scan. This process will take some time.<br><br><br><br>Beginning verification phase of system scan.<br><br><br>Verification % complete.<br><br><br><br>5.    <br>Once the scan has completed you will receive an onscreen message resembling one of the following:<br><br><br><br>…found no integrity violations<br><br><br><br>…found corruption but repaired it<br><br><br><br>…found corruption that it could not repair<br><br><br><br>6.    <br>Please reply with the completion message that you received.

Please keep us advised if further suggestions involving this issue are needed.

Regards,

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Debbie

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

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