Components database corrupt (and other issues as a consequence)

[krua]

Hello,

After multiple searches through the internet, I have stumbled on you forum, and hopefully I will be able to find a help here.

The story:
At the end of April my notebook PC (Windows 10 Pro, Version 2004, OS Build 19041.867) tried to update with the latest, 04-2021 cumulative update and failed with Error:0x800703f1. Any consecutive retries failed with the same error.

I could probably live with it, but any further updates, including update to 20H2 also failed with the same error.

Also, the computer stopped installing any new USB devices with the specific error indicating that the driver setup could not be completed.

After following numerous advices (including trying to reinstall the version of Windows I had while keeping old programs, which also failed, Error:0x80070002-0x3000D. The message read 'The installation failed in the FIRST_BOOT phase with an error during SAFE_OS operation'), Dism showed Error: 'The configuration registry database is corrupt'.
The log specified that it is the COMPONENTS hive which is corrupt.

Could you please troubleshoot this issue? What files do you need from me?

Thank you,
And best regards,
krua

 

[krua]

Attached please find a screenshot of SFCFix which has not completed, and I am also attaching my CBS and the DISM log folders.

 

[SleepyDude]

Hi,

Provide a copy of the COMPONENTS hive to check if is repairable.

Retrieve the Components Hive

1. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\Config and locate the COMPONENTS file
2. Please copy the COMPONENTS file to your desktop
   Note: If you receive an error that this file is in-use, simply reboot your computer and try again
3. Right-click on this file on your Desktop and select Send To...Compressed (zipped) folder. This will create a file named COMPONENTS.ZIP on your Desktop
4. If file will is too large to upload to the forum please share the file using a service like Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, or upload to Swiss Transfer and just provide the link for the file here

 

[krua]

Here it is, thank you!

14.68 MB file on MEGA

 

[SleepyDude]

Hi,

Replace Components Hive Manually

!!! WARNING !!! The following fix is only relevant for this system and no other, applying this fix on another computer will not work and most likely will cause problems...

1. Download COMPONENTS2.ZIP and save it to the Desktop.
2. Right-click on it and select Extract all.... Make sure the "Show extracted files when complete" is checked and click Extract.
3. Now you have the COMPONENTS file that we will be using to replace your current one.
4. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\config
5. Right-click on the current COMPONENTS file and select rename. Rename it to COMPONENTS.bad.
   Note: If you get an error that the file is in use, reboot your computer and then try again.
6. Take the file from the Components folder on your desktop and paste it into C:\Windows\System32\config

 

[krua]

I replaced the file, rebooted and the updates started going through.

I have run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth and no errors were found.

I will check whether the devices install ... >>> They do.

I also compared the old and the new files in a hexeditor. I see that the header of the file is different. How could that become corrupted?

 

[krua]

Everything appears to be fixed. Should I remove my attachments from the forum?

 

[SleepyDude]

I also compared the old and the new files in a hexeditor. I see that the header of the file is different. How could that become corrupted?

Something like that. I don't know why it happens just that it happens!

Everything appears to be fixed. Should I remove my attachments from the forum?

Good. I don't think you can edit the posts after some time but don't worry those logs don't contain nothing personal.

 

[krua]

Ok