Error code 641 and code 80070641?

Anonymous
2012-05-23T15:10:07+00:00

When attempting to download updates I get an error message that indicates code 641 and code 80070641?  What does this mean?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Windows update

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Anonymous
2012-06-01T18:16:21+00:00

Hi,

   I use Vista Business Service Pack 2.  I also use System Mechanic Pro for registry cleaning and other repairs.  Sorry, not sure which green button I needed to unmark-can you let me know?

 

Thanks!

The very topmost one.  Assuming you had marked Answer before, then click the UNMARK green icon to clear it (first).

Windows update exception code 0x00000641 / 0x80070641 usually indicates an issue with the Windows Installer service.

Sometimes it is due to a difficulty in accessing it; sometimes it means it's missing, or inactive (disabled) for some reason.

If you have used Iolo System Mechanic for automated (auto-fix) runs, and have these exception codes, the cause is an overagressive fix by this app.

First suggestion is to Undo recent fixes by S M, then insure it's not set to autorun or autofix.

Do NOT keep using System Mechanic until there is a permanent fix from Iolo.

Contact Iolo support (iolo.com)

and demand a permanent fix.

System Mechanic "registry cleaning" has put a double whammy on your system in having removed two registry keys.

The following will put things back in order for the registry {at least for the Installer service}, so that you can then proceed to redo Windows Update.

This are for VISTA systems <<<---

Download this file from Ramesh S http://www.winhelponline.com/fileasso/regfix\_vista.zip

Save it to your DESKTOP.

EXtract the contents to your DESKTOP.

go to Start, type in

REGEDIT and press Enter-key

from main menu, select File

then select IMPORT

navigate the dialog (click on DESKTOP icon on left to select it)

type in regfix_vista.reg in the Filename text-box and click Open button.

Once the merge is complete, you will see a confirmation message.

Click OK when done.

Next, get this second registry-fix

Download and SAVE to your system (to the Desktop or a unique folder) the following registry-fix file

http://download.bleepingcomputer.com/win-services/vista/msiserver.reg

Do a RIGHT-Click on msiserver.reg file and select MERGE

Allow it to merge into the registry.

If prompted by UAC User Account Control, allow to proceed.

IF and only if, the Merge option is not available, then double-click on the file and allow it to merge into the registry.

IF and ".reg" file pops up in REGEDIT, when prompted whether to Merge answer Yes.

When done with the two registry fixes, Exit / close REGEDIT.

then Logoff and Restart Windows fresh.

Now, retry Windows Update in a new run.

Just only do a Custom scan.

select just the Critical or Important updates. (un-select any optional ones).

Let me know if this helps. and if so, kindly click the green YES (Helpful) icon to the left.

If this solves your issue, kindly click on green MARK It icon on the right.

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-06-01T08:14:47+00:00

    The system repair function will windows 7 keys remove any updates you have previously installed that are not included on the CD.When finished, you will microsoft office 2007 keys have to download all of the updates from Microsoft Windows Update, because they are all replaced during repair.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-05-31T19:20:57+00:00

    I have exactly the same problem as ColD(2), error codes 641 and 80070641, and the message that "The Windows Installer cannot be accessed."  In response to Vijin V's  questions above:

    1.  I have made no recent changes to my computer hardware or software other than the usual updates (HP, McAfee, etc.)

    2. Operating system:  Windows Vista Home Premium SP2

    3.  The first failure was on 5/13 when eleven updates failed:

    Security Update for MS Silverlight (KB2690729)

    Security Update for MS Office Word 2003 (KB2598332)

    Security Update for MS office 2007 suites (KB2597162)

    Security Update for MS Office Outlook 2003 Junk Email Filter (KB2598343)

    Security Update for Microsoft Office 2003 (KB2598253)

    Security Update for MS Office Excel 2003 (KB2596672)

     Security Update for MS.NET Framework 4 on XP, Server 2003, Vista....(KB 2604121)

    Security Update for MS Ofice 2007 suites (KB2596672)

    Security Update for MS.NET Framework 4 on XP, Server 2003, Vista.... (KB2656405)

    Security Update for MS.NET Framework 3.5 SP1 on Windows XP, Server 200e, Vista.... (KB2604111)

    Security Update for MS Office 2007 suites (KB2596880)

    Several intermixed updates were successful on the same date:

    MS. Net Framework 3.0 SP2 on Windows SP@ (KB2656409)

    Four (4) Windows Vista updates (KB 2658846, KB2659262, KB2660649, KB2690533)

    Update Followup for AxtiveX killbits for Windows Vista (KB2695962)

    MS.NET Framework 2.0 SP2 on Windows Vista SP2 (KB260409)

    Windows has kept trying to download the eleven (ll) failed updates without success, on the 14th and 15th (the computer was shut off from the 15th to the 29th), the 29th, 30th and 31st.  The only successful updates in this time were three for Windows Defender.

    I ran the new MS Automatic Diagonistic tool today.  It made some fixes but, when I again tried to download the 11 problem updates, all of them failed again.

    I hope this background information will help you to successfully diagnosis my problem.

    Thank you.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-05-31T15:51:31+00:00

    Thanks.  I have tried all of these troubleshooting options, with no fixes yet. It is confined to Microsoft programs and now I also get the following message: **The Windows Installer cannot be accessed. This can occur if the windows installer is not correctly installed."**This seems to be a new problem and I cannot resolve it, would appreciate any ideas/recommendations.

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-05-24T08:03:16+00:00

    Hi,

    1. Have you made any change to the computer prior to this issue?

    2. Which version of operating system is installed on your computer?

    1. Which windows update are getting fail?

    I would suggest you to perform a clean boot and then try to install the windows update and check if it helps.

    How to troubleshoot problems using clean boot in Windows 7: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135 

    Note: Once the troubleshooting is done, make sure that you try the step 7 from the article to reset the computer as usual.

    If the updates fails to install then download the windows update manually and try to install the update and check.

    Download Center : http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/default.aspx

    If you are still facing the issue then I would recommend you to refer the mention Microsoft article and check if it helps.

    Open the Windows Update troubleshooter :http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Open-the-Windows-Update-troubleshooter

    Troubleshoot problems with installing updates:http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Troubleshoot-problems-with-installing-updates

    Hope it helps.

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