Windows Vista update failure and error code 646

For the past 10-11 days, I have not been able to install the same 11 updates to my Windows Vista Home OS. I consistently receive a message about error code 646 only. Google-searching this code, I understood that firewalls are preventing the update installations. I have two firewalls, the inherent Windows firewall and one with my McAfee security suite, and I have disabled both in multiple attempts to install the updates to no avail. Due to my love of video and audio media, I tend to pack my hard drive tightly, but have always made sure I had at least 10GB free whenever I tried to install the updates, again to no avail.

Prior to Nov 13, 2009, I have installed all updates to my Windows Vista successfully and uneventfully for 10 months. The only major change to my notebook PC (Dell XPS M1330) around that time was installation of genuine Microsoft Office Home and Student Edition, which occurred without incident on Nov 11 or Nov 12, 2009. I have been using the Office suite without problem since installation. I have not made any major changes to the OS or hardware and certainly made no other changes shortly before Nov 13.

Does error code 646 indicate other problems--aside from firewalls--related to update installation? Any thoughts, suggestions, or pointers that might help me determine the issues preventing successful update installation to my OS? Thanks much for reading, I greatly appreciate any input on this vexing issue.

PG

 

This might help you:

http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistawu/thread/6e716883-7af4-4a9f-8665-2f4dd57eee8d

 

Disable the Windows Update Service.
Go to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution.
Delete contents in Download folder.
Also delete C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore\datastore.edb
Enable the Windows Update Service.

This basically resets Windows Updates in Vista and Checks for new updates from scratch. Works for the majority of Windows Updates errors.

 

Thank you for the responses to my query earlier today (see above). Prior to your responses, a user on another forum suggested a solution that seems to be successful and I wanted to share it with you.

The user suggested I de-activate the user account control (UAC) and installing the Windows Vista updates again. I did so and rebooted my PC before trying to install the updates. This time the updates installed successfully and rather quickly. I didn't have to turn off my 2 firewalls, contrary to what I read of code 646 to install the updates. Although I am happy to be able to install the updates, I am also somewhat perplexed :confused2: . I have not changed my UAC since acquiring my PC 11 months ago and admittedly I could not determine the state of my UAC when I unchecked the deactivate box. I also do not know why the UAC status would affect my Windows Vista updates. Whatever the state of my UAC, I have been able to install all updates properly prior to Nov 13, 2009. I can only surmise I unwittingly activated the UAC somehow while using my PC, perhaps when I installed the Microsoft Office suite Nov 11 or 12, 2009, or when performing another task. I don't believe I did anything new or out of the ordinary just before Nov 13 (the date when I first started having update install problems).

Thanks again for your thoughts. If you have any ideas about UAC and its relation to Windows Vista updates, I'd appreciate your input.

 

hi...!!!! my vista cant update...

when i click on "windows update" redshield is always there... and when i click update... it only reads and no result up to 15 mins....!! what seems to be the problem??? anyone can help me???

 

And yet ANOTHER post of the same message? Please do not do this. Find one thread where someone is having the same problem you have and post there, do not hijack other threads and don't start multiple threads with the same question.

Gary

 

Yup, Zoovido please don't hijack other peoples' threads. Continue discussion in the thread you created: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=438264