$#@!!? *&^%<>? +-)*&!@#!@!!

Just when I thought I was able to get the updates, the most important one
fails to install! (KB898461) I have downloaded the install program, but when
I run it all I get is "Access Denied" and "Installation did not complete."
This time it's not the firewall causing the problem.

Now I'm questioning the true value of autoupdating. If I can't install this
one update, there's no point in using it anymore, and I might just change
microsoft's websites from trusted to blacklisted!

Oh, here's the log of the recent attempts to install:

[KB898461.log]
7.951:
================================================== ==============================
7.951: 2005/06/28 22:38:38.756 (local)
7.951:
C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download\e8f0bcd92 171c9af9c66928b3a749cec\update\update.exe (version 6.1.22.4)
7.951: Failed To Enable SE_SHUTDOWN_PRIVILEGE
7.991: Hotfix started with following command line: -q -z -er
/ParentInfo:973e607b5ea9ad44adc90503e9f794ff
10.755: In Function TestVolatileFlag, line 11660, RegOpenKeyEx failed with
error 0x2
10.755: In Function TestVolatileFlag, line 11692, RegOpenKeyEx failed with
error 0x2
10.755: DoInstallation: CleanPFR failed: 0x2
10.806: SetProductTypes: InfProductBuildType=BuildType.IC
10.826: SetAltOsLoaderPath: No section uses DirId 65701; done.
10.946: DoInstallation: FetchSourceURL for
c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download\e8f0bcd92 171c9af9c66928b3a749cec\update\update_SP2GDR.inf failed
10.946: CreateUninstall = 1,Directory = C:\WINDOWS\$NtUninstallKB898461$
10.966: LoadFileQueues: UpdSpGetSourceFileLocation for hal.dll failed:
0xe0000102
11.036: BuildCabinetManifest: update.url absent
11.186: Starting AnalyzeComponents
11.196: AnalyzePhaseZero used 0 ticks
11.196: No c:\windows\INF\updtblk.inf file.
11.196: OEM file scan used 0 ticks
11.196: AnalyzePhaseOne: used 0 ticks
11.196: AnalyzeComponents: Hotpatch analysis disabled; skipping.
11.196: AnalyzeComponents: Hotpatching is disabled.
11.196: FindFirstFile c:\windows\$hf_mig$\*.*
11.677: AnalyzeForBranching used 0 ticks.
11.957: AnalyzePhaseTwo used 280 ticks
11.957: AnalyzePhaseThree used 0 ticks
11.957: AnalyzePhaseFive used 0 ticks
11.957: AnalyzePhaseSix used 0 ticks
11.957: AnalyzeComponents used 761 ticks
11.957: Downloading 0 files
11.957: bPatchMode = FALSE
11.957: Inventory complete: ReturnStatus=0, 1011 ticks
11.957: Num Ticks for invent : 1011
11.967: VerifySize: Unable to verify size: Source = NULL:
c:\windows\inf\HFX1909.tmp
12.027: Copied file: c:\windows\inf\branches.inf
17.315: Allocation size of drive C: is 4096 bytes, free space = 31515791360
bytes
17.365: AnalyzeDiskUsage: Skipping EstimateDiskUsageForUninstall.
17.365: Drive C: free 30055MB req: 17MB w/uninstall: NOT CALCULATED.
17.365: CabinetBuild complete
17.365: Num Ticks for Cabinet build : 5408
17.365: DynamicStrings section not defined or empty.
17.365: FileInUse:: need to restart already, turn off
18.366: LoadFileQueues: UpdSpGetSourceFileLocation for hal.dll failed:
0xe0000102
18.647: Num Ticks for Backup : 1282
18.877: Num Ticks for creating uninst inf : 230
18.887: Registering Uninstall Program for -> KB898461, KB898461 , 0x0
18.937: LoadFileQueues: UpdSpGetSourceFileLocation for hal.dll failed:
0xe0000102
18.977: System Restore Point set.
19.107: Copied file: C:\WINDOWS\system32\spmsg.dll
19.117: PFE2: Not avoiding Per File Exceptions.
19.148: GetCatVersion: Failed to retrieve version information from
C:\WINDOWS\system32\CatRoot\{F750E6C3-38EE-11D1-85E5-00C04FC295EE}\KB898461.cat with error 0x57
19.358: ProcessSetupContentSection: PROCESS_SETUP_CONTENT_OP_INSTALL: Copied
c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download\e8f0bcd92 171c9af9c66928b3a749cec\update\update_SP2QFE.inf -> c:\windows\$hf_mig$\KB898461\update\update_SP2QFE. inf.
19.428: ProcessSetupContentSection: PROCESS_SETUP_CONTENT_OP_INSTALL: Copied
c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download\e8f0bcd92 171c9af9c66928b3a749cec\spuninst.exe -> c:\windows\$hf_mig$\KB898461\spuninst.exe.
19.438: ProcessSetupContentSection: PROCESS_SETUP_CONTENT_OP_INSTALL: Copied
c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download\e8f0bcd92 171c9af9c66928b3a749cec\spmsg.dll -> c:\windows\$hf_mig$\KB898461\spmsg.dll.
19.468: ProcessSetupContentSection: PROCESS_SETUP_CONTENT_OP_INSTALL: Copied
c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download\e8f0bcd92 171c9af9c66928b3a749cec\update\spcustom.dll -> c:\windows\$hf_mig$\KB898461\update\spcustom.dll.
19.508: ProcessSetupContentSection: PROCESS_SETUP_CONTENT_OP_INSTALL: Copied
c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download\e8f0bcd92 171c9af9c66928b3a749cec\update\KB898461.CAT -> c:\windows\$hf_mig$\KB898461\update\KB898461.CAT.
19.638: ProcessSetupContentSection: PROCESS_SETUP_CONTENT_OP_INSTALL: Copied
c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download\e8f0bcd92 171c9af9c66928b3a749cec\update\update.exe -> c:\windows\$hf_mig$\KB898461\update\update.exe.
19.688: ProcessSetupContentSection: PROCESS_SETUP_CONTENT_OP_INSTALL: Copied
c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download\e8f0bcd92 171c9af9c66928b3a749cec\update\updspapi.dll -> c:\windows\$hf_mig$\KB898461\update\updspapi.dll.
19.688: ProcessSetupContentSection: PROCESS_SETUP_CONTENT_OP_INSTALL: Copied
c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download\e8f0bcd92 171c9af9c66928b3a749cec\update\update.ver -> c:\windows\$hf_mig$\KB898461\update\update.ver.
19.698: ProcessSetupContentSection: PROCESS_SETUP_CONTENT_OP_INSTALL: Copied
c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download\e8f0bcd92 171c9af9c66928b3a749cec\update\updatebr.inf -> c:\windows\$hf_mig$\KB898461\update\updatebr.inf.
19.718: ProcessSetupContentSection: PROCESS_SETUP_CONTENT_OP_INSTALL: Copied
c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download\e8f0bcd92 171c9af9c66928b3a749cec\update\eula.txt -> c:\windows\$hf_mig$\KB898461\update\eula.txt.
19.718: ProcessSetupContentSection: PROCESS_SETUP_CONTENT_OP_INSTALL: Copied
c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download\e8f0bcd92 171c9af9c66928b3a749cec\update\branches.inf -> c:\windows\$hf_mig$\KB898461\update\branches.inf.
19.808: Copied file:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\PreInstall\WinSE\wxp_x86_0409_ v1\spmsg.dll.ref
19.939: Copied file:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\PreInstall\WinSE\wxp_x86_0409_ v1\spuninst.exe.ref
20.039: Copied file:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\PreInstall\WinSE\wxp_x86_0409_ v1\spupdsvc.exe.ref
20.169: Copied file:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\PreInstall\WinSE\wxp_x86_0409_ v1\spcustom.dll.ref
20.189: Copied file:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\PreInstall\WinSE\wxp_x86_0409_ v1\update.exe.ref
20.479: Copied file:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\PreInstall\WinSE\wxp_x86_0409_ v1\updspapi.dll.ref
20.670: Copied file: c:\windows\$hf_mig$\KB898461\spmsg.dll
20.700: Copied file: c:\windows\$hf_mig$\KB898461\spuninst.exe
20.770: Copied file: c:\windows\$hf_mig$\KB898461\spupdsvc.exe
20.830: Copied file: c:\windows\$hf_mig$\KB898461\update\spcustom.dll
20.890: Copied file: c:\windows\$hf_mig$\KB898461\update\update.exe
21.080: Copied file: c:\windows\$hf_mig$\KB898461\update\updspapi.dll
21.170: DoInstallation: Installing assemblies with source root path:
c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download\e8f0bcd92 171c9af9c66928b3a749cec\
21.170: Num Ticks for Copying files : 2293
21.180: Num Ticks for Reg update and deleting 0 size files : 10
24.976: UpdateSpUpdSvcInf: Source [ProcessesToRunAfterReboot] section is
empty; nothing to do.
25.016: RebootNecessary = 0,WizardInput = 1 , DontReboot = 1, ForceRestart = 0
2.353:
================================================== ==============================
2.353: 2005/12/28 21:38:14.534 (local)
2.353:
C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download\126638ad8 0a740243aeee66683d803a7\update\update.exe (version 6.1.22.4)
2.353: Failed To Enable SE_SHUTDOWN_PRIVILEGE
2.363: Hotfix started with following command line: -q -z -er
/ParentInfo:b7f6ffbb77182e4a95d037aa76e3d8a6
4.086: In Function TestVolatileFlag, line 11660, RegOpenKeyEx failed with
error 0x2
4.086: In Function TestVolatileFlag, line 11692, RegOpenKeyEx failed with
error 0x2
4.086: DoInstallation: CleanPFR failed: 0x2
4.136: SetProductTypes: InfProductBuildType=BuildType.IC
4.176: SetAltOsLoaderPath: No section uses DirId 65701; done.
4.266: DoInstallation: FetchSourceURL for
c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download\126638ad8 0a740243aeee66683d803a7\update\update_SP2GDR.inf failed
4.266: CreateUninstall = 1,Directory = C:\WINDOWS\$NtUninstallKB898461$
4.266: LoadFileQueues: UpdSpGetSourceFileLocation for hal.dll failed:
0xe0000102
4.336: BuildCabinetManifest: update.url absent
4.356: Starting AnalyzeComponents
4.356: AnalyzePhaseZero used 0 ticks
4.356: No c:\windows\INF\updtblk.inf file.
4.386: OEM file scan used 30 ticks
5.187: AnalyzePhaseOne: used 831 ticks
5.187: AnalyzeComponents: Hotpatch analysis disabled; skipping.
5.187: AnalyzeComponents: Hotpatching is disabled.
5.187: FindFirstFile c:\windows\$hf_mig$\*.*
5.738: AnalyzeForBranching used 0 ticks.
5.738: AnalyzePhaseTwo used 0 ticks
5.738: AnalyzePhaseThree used 0 ticks
5.738: AnalyzePhaseFive used 0 ticks
5.738: AnalyzePhaseSix used 0 ticks
5.738: AnalyzeComponents used 1382 ticks
5.738: Downloading 0 files
5.738: bPatchMode = FALSE
5.738: Inventory complete: ReturnStatus=0, 1472 ticks
5.738: Num Ticks for invent : 1472
5.768: VerifySize: Unable to verify size: Source = NULL:
c:\windows\inf\HFX9F.tmp
5.868: Copied file: c:\windows\inf\branches.inf
14.721: Allocation size of drive C: is 4096 bytes, free space = 29124333568
bytes
14.801: AnalyzeDiskUsage: Skipping EstimateDiskUsageForUninstall.
14.801: Drive C: free 27775MB req: 5MB w/uninstall: NOT CALCULATED.
14.801: CabinetBuild complete
14.801: Num Ticks for Cabinet build : 9063
14.801: DynamicStrings section not defined or empty.
14.821: FileInUse:: need to restart already, turn off
15.823: LoadFileQueues: UpdSpGetSourceFileLocation for hal.dll failed:
0xe0000102
16.784: Num Ticks for Backup : 1983
17.014: Num Ticks for creating uninst inf : 230
17.024: Registering Uninstall Program for -> KB898461, KB898461 , 0x0
17.365: LoadFileQueues: UpdSpGetSourceFileLocation for hal.dll failed:
0xe0000102
17.435: System Restore Point set.
17.645: Copied file: C:\WINDOWS\system32\spmsg.dll
17.645: PFE2: Not avoiding Per File Exceptions.
17.715: GetCatVersion: Failed to retrieve version information from
C:\WINDOWS\system32\CatRoot\{F750E6C3-38EE-11D1-85E5-00C04FC295EE}\KB898461.cat with error 0x57
17.886: ProcessSetupContentSection: PROCESS_SETUP_CONTENT_OP_INSTALL: Copied
c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download\126638ad8 0a740243aeee66683d803a7\update\update_SP2QFE.inf -> c:\windows\$hf_mig$\KB898461\update\update_SP2QFE. inf.
17.936: ProcessSetupContentSection: PROCESS_SETUP_CONTENT_OP_INSTALL: Copied
c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download\126638ad8 0a740243aeee66683d803a7\spuninst.exe -> c:\windows\$hf_mig$\KB898461\spuninst.exe.
18.026: ProcessSetupContentSection: PROCESS_SETUP_CONTENT_OP_INSTALL: Copied
c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download\126638ad8 0a740243aeee66683d803a7\spmsg.dll -> c:\windows\$hf_mig$\KB898461\spmsg.dll.
18.126: ProcessSetupContentSection: PROCESS_SETUP_CONTENT_OP_INSTALL: Copied
c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download\126638ad8 0a740243aeee66683d803a7\update\spcustom.dll -> c:\windows\$hf_mig$\KB898461\update\spcustom.dll.
18.276: ProcessSetupContentSection: PROCESS_SETUP_CONTENT_OP_INSTALL: Copied
c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download\126638ad8 0a740243aeee66683d803a7\update\KB898461.CAT -> c:\windows\$hf_mig$\KB898461\update\KB898461.CAT.
18.476: ProcessSetupContentSection: PROCESS_SETUP_CONTENT_OP_INSTALL: Copied
c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download\126638ad8 0a740243aeee66683d803a7\update\update.exe -> c:\windows\$hf_mig$\KB898461\update\update.exe.
18.627: ProcessSetupContentSection: PROCESS_SETUP_CONTENT_OP_INSTALL: Copied
c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download\126638ad8 0a740243aeee66683d803a7\update\updspapi.dll -> c:\windows\$hf_mig$\KB898461\update\updspapi.dll.
18.637: ProcessSetupContentSection: PROCESS_SETUP_CONTENT_OP_INSTALL: Copied
c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download\126638ad8 0a740243aeee66683d803a7\update\update.ver -> c:\windows\$hf_mig$\KB898461\update\update.ver.
18.647: ProcessSetupContentSection: PROCESS_SETUP_CONTENT_OP_INSTALL: Copied
c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download\126638ad8 0a740243aeee66683d803a7\update\updatebr.inf -> c:\windows\$hf_mig$\KB898461\update\updatebr.inf.
18.677: ProcessSetupContentSection: PROCESS_SETUP_CONTENT_OP_INSTALL: Copied
c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download\126638ad8 0a740243aeee66683d803a7\update\eula.txt -> c:\windows\$hf_mig$\KB898461\update\eula.txt.
18.677: ProcessSetupContentSection: PROCESS_SETUP_CONTENT_OP_INSTALL: Copied
c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download\126638ad8 0a740243aeee66683d803a7\update\branches.inf -> c:\windows\$hf_mig$\KB898461\update\branches.inf.
18.707: DoInstallation: Installing assemblies with source root path:
c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download\126638ad8 0a740243aeee66683d803a7\
18.707: Num Ticks for Copying files : 1693
18.737: Num Ticks for Reg update and deleting 0 size files : 30
25.517: UpdateSpUpdSvcInf: Source [ProcessesToRunAfterReboot] section is
empty; nothing to do.
25.557: RebootNecessary = 0,WizardInput = 1 , DontReboot = 1, ForceRestart = 0