Windows 7 windows update broken after disk clone

My system crashed and I was forced to put my old hard disk back in. I haven't cloned it again quite yet. I will contact the manufacturer first to ask for advice on this issue.

I have used Windows 7 built in imaging program ( Backup and Restore ) to image my dual boot ( Windows XP MCE + Win 7 Ultimate ) Win 7 system.

After messing with a hidden Dell partition I had to restore the system to the created images and the only side effect was that updates that had previously been hidden were offered once again. So there may be an issue with the updating database, which is contained in

Windows\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore*DataStore.edb <--- this file*

One can move DataStore.edb to another location or rename it after stopping the Windows Update service (  one also has to stop BITS, too,if it's been started ). The system will recreate it once the Windows Update service is started again and the system checks for updates.

One word of caution ... the View updates history link in Windows Updates will show that the system has never been updated.

However, the Installed Updates will still be showing in Programs and Features.  There is no need to reapply the updates listed in Installed Updates.

MowGreen Windows Expert IT Pro - Consumer Security

My system crashed and I was forced to put my old hard disk back in. I haven't cloned it again quite yet. I will contact the manufacturer first to ask for advice on this issue.

Exact same problem as you.  Did you end up putting in your old harddrive installing the patch and then re-imaging/cloning?  Did it fix the problem when you started using the new bigger one?

You contacted Microsoft and obtained the Hotfix that matches the system's architecture (32 or 64 bit) already ? That was quick.

I assume you can install it to your older HD and then clone it. The key word being *assume*.

It may be best if you contact whomever sent the Hotfix and ask them.

MowGreen Windows Expert IT Pro - Consumer Security

Thank you very much, this addresses my problem. However, I get the same error message "Installer encountered an error: 0xc8000247" when I try to install the Hotfix. Its a classical catch 22. Can I install the Hotfix on my old harddisk and then clone to the new bigger one?