After several days of normal update requests, my 80246002 is back.
Verizon user with DNS addresses of 71.243.0.12 and 68.237.161.12.
RealTek PCIe GBE Family Controller, Driver Version 7.85.423.2014.
Initially, I tried the Google DNS and that worked OK.
Checked the DNS change with ipconfig /all.
Then I changed the DNS back to DHCP, did a ipconfig /renew and ipconfig /flushdns.
Checked the ipconfig /all to verify the DNS change.
Windows update worked OK 3 more times.
Then I did a restart, and Windows Update failed immediately. Repeated the process with the same results.
Then I tried the Verizon DNS addresses explicitly, instead of DHCP. This failed also.
Restored the Google DNS, restarted, and it worked without failure.
What is so unique about the Google routers and configuration software? And what has Microsoft done to create this mess with MS14-045?