What is Error 8000FFFF when I try to install a Windows Vista Update?

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Deleting "HKLM\Components /v AdvancedInstallersNeedResolving" worked for me.

I had a backup of multiple updates (39 MB worth) that installed without a hitch following the above delete. FYI - I have a 1 year old HP Compaq laptop running Vista Home Premium with 2 gig of RAM.

Thanks for that.
uninstalled the update. After the uninstall was complete, Vista prompted me to reboot so I did. When it came back up, I reinstalled the .msu file and this time it succeeded.
Spot on solution Vista Premium 4 GB. I didn't get the error on the machine (Dell XP420 desktop) as received but it cropped up after a rebuild.

Thanks

Nick

this prompt worked immediately, THANKS!

You don't have 3.3 GB RAM. If you take your 3326 MB and devide it by 1024, you'll see that you only have 3.248 GB of RAM. Also, you can't run 4 GB on Windows 32 bit system. You'll need 64 bit to use all 4 GB.

It's not just dell, I have a home made computer with 4 gigs, however in system properties it does report that I have 4 gigs of ram, I guess this is a 4 gig of ram issue?

i have the same problem with 8000ffff and it is with an ACER, not Dell. This Vista is driving me crazy with its quirks and downright inconveniences when it decides what it will do correctly and what it does not.

Itried various approaches on a clients Acer Laptop (3 gb of ram), none had worked. The fix for me was to delete the registry key, HKLM\Components /v AdvancedInstallersNeedResolving, referenced above.

Thanks all!

What do you folks suggest we do with a Vista Home laptop, 2 gB RAM and WU error 8000ffff when there is NO registry entry in COMPONENTS id'ed with AdvanceInstallerNeedResolving????

Give me XP Pro anyday. Still I'd like to see some more ideas from you guys if you're willing to share, please.

I have a Dell laptop with the same 8000FFF problem and not knowing how to fix computers what can I do now?

1. Click Start
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Start button
.
2. In the Start Search box, type regedit.
3. In the Programs list, click Regedit.exe.

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User Account Control permission
If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or click Continue.
4. Find and then click the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\COMPONENTS
5. Right-click COMPONENTS.
6. Click Export.
7. In the File Name box, type COMPONENTS.
8. In the Save in box, click Desktop, and then click Save to save the file to your desktop.
9. In the details pane, right-click PendingXmlIdentifier, and then click Delete. If this value does not exist, go to the next step.
10. In the details pane, right-click NextQueueEntryIndex, and then click Delete. If this value does not exist, go to the next step.
11. In the details pane, right-click AdvancedInstallersNeedResolving, and then click Delete. If this value does not exist, go to the next step.
12. Restart the computer.

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