[SOLVED] Update Fails W10 1809: Corrupt Components Hive

[j0j0tmb]

Hello,

I've read through some similar threads here but have yet to find a fix for my ongoing inability to update and / or successfully complete a repair re-install on Windows 10 1809 on an Asus Zenbook A330.

I first noticed updates failing at KB4486553 as of late-February 2019 with error code 0x800703f1. I took the basic steps of running SFC and DISM (both error out before completion). Checking CBS.log I get the following error:

Failed to load the COMPONENTS hive from 'C:\WINDOWS\System32\config\COMPONENTS' into registry key 'HKLM\COMPONENTS'. [HRESULT = 0x800703f1 - ERROR_BADDB]

I've booted into safe mode and into WindowsPE from a Media Creation Tool USB drive to try to manually load the COMPONENTS hive with regedit but in both cases fail with a corrupt database error message.

chkdsk finds no errors, and I've had no detected malware/viruses since buying this system new in late 2018.

I've tried a repair install (from the MCT USB) with all external devices disconnected, and only basic startup services enabled. The reinstall almost gets to completion, then fails on FIRST_BOOT at the MIGRATE_DATA phase.

This laptop/install is only a few months old and I'm looking for a fix aside from a reformat / clean install. Ideally if there is a way to rebuild the COMPONENTS hive, or if there is a way around the MIGRATE_DATA failure on the repair install I'd be open to that option as well.

Any suggestions for other routes to try is appreciated.

Jonah

 

[j0j0tmb]

Also for further diagnosis, I've attached the COMPONENTS hive that seems to be at the root of this.

 

[j0j0tmb]

Also if it's helpful, here are the results of an FRST scan (done offline due to the update-loop bug). Thanks in advance.

 

[SleepyDude]

Hi @j0j0tmb Welcome to Sysnative

It seems that the COMPONENTS hive isn't to damaged and I managed to repair it, please do the following:

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 the attached COMPONENTS.ZIP and save it on 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 we 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

 

[j0j0tmb]

Great. That seems to have fixed it. I can now run SFC to completion and it indicates that corrupted files were repaired. Windows Update is again working normally as well.

Out of curiosity, was there a specific application or driver that caused the Components hive to go bad?

Thanks again,

Jonah

 

[SleepyDude]

Good. We don't know what causes the problem, it happens sometimes on Windows 10 and also on Windows 8.1 if I remember correctly.

You are welcome.