[SOLVED] Windows 7 Update error code 80070246

suro · Jan 22, 2014

I am unable to get updates and have been getting error code 80070246 for some time. I uploaded my CBS.zip file to this post. I'm not an expert but not a novice either--I can follow instrucitons if anyone has suggesitons on how to fix. Thanks.

bassfisher6522 · Jan 22, 2014

Have a look here......

Windows Update Error Code 80070246 - Microsoft Community

niemiro · Jan 22, 2014

Hello, and welcome to Sysnative!

This should be a reasonably easy fix actually. A couple of bitshifts, but we should be able to set them right (The post from MowGreen in the above thread has hit your problem on the head: STATUS_ILLEGAL_CHARACTER. But please ignore the one post by Soni Pradeep as that doesn't apply to your machine).

Anyway, in order to fix this I need your COMPONENTS hive. I know that these steps are a bit of a pain, we have a new system for easy COMPONENTS hive collection being rolled out very soon, but you've just missed it

In fact, you will probably be the very last person ever to use these particular instructions (unless of course the easy collection system ever breaks down

). Anyway, I'm sure you'll manage as you seem very competent :)

niemiro said:
Please download the Freeware RegBak from here: Acelogix Software - Download products

Navigate to C:\Windows\RegBak\{Date}\ and copy the COMPONENTS file to your Desktop. If the COMPONENTS file does not exist, please fetch it instead from C:\Windows\System32\config\COMPONENTS.

Now right click on it > Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder.

Then please upload it to your favourite file sharing website (it will be too big for here). If you have a Microsoft Account, SkyDrive could be a good choice: https://skydrive.live.com/, but any other will do just fine. Make sure to set the file as publicly accessible.

Then send me a link to the file.

But there's another issue. One of my jobs on any Windows Update thread is to consider the root cause. And unfortunately, I don't think yours was just bad luck. In actual fact, I think it is caused by hardware failure, specifically bad RAM. I know that this is probably the last thing you want to hear right now, but it unfortunately looks that way. Please follow these instructions to test this assertion of mine: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutorials/3909-test-ram-with-memtest86.html

If in the last couple of months you have already found and removed a failed RAM stick, then of course the above doesn't apply :)

Richard

suro · Jan 22, 2014

Here's link to SkyDrive componetns file. I'll run memory test next but that will take some time to run. Thanks for helping me out with this problem.
https://skydrive.live.com/embed?cid...=E12787BEA0C5D26C!107&authkey=ABSbNFCZgryjuHg

suro · Jan 23, 2014

I ran the memory test 5 times and there were no errors detected.

niemiro · Jan 23, 2014

Hello again :)

I've fixed up your COMPONENTS hive of all corruption, but after seeing it, I'm even more certain that there's hardware failure here somewhere. And if it's not RAM, second most likely is unfortunately CPU. Please test that: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutorials/3908-prime95-hardware-stress-testing.html

SFCFix Script

Warning: this fix is specific to the user in this thread. No one else should follow these instructions as it may cause more harm than good. If you are after assistance, please start a thread of your own.

Download SFCFix.exe (by niemiro) and save this to your Desktop.
Download the file below, SFCFixScript.zip, and save this to your Desktop.
Save any open documents and close all open windows. This particular script will force a reboot of your computer. You absolutely must save and close all work before running it.
On your Desktop, you should see two files: SFCFix.exe and SFCFix.zip.
Drag the file SFCFixScript.zip onto the file SFCFix.exe and release it.
SFCFix will now process the script.
Upon completion, a file should be created on your Desktop: SFCFix.txt.
Copy (Ctrl+C) and Paste (Ctrl+V) the contents of this file into your next post for me to analyse please - put [CODE][/CODE] tags around the log to break up the text.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/x18wgtiphtjaqsd/SFCFixScript.zip

Richard

suro · Jan 23, 2014

Here is the SFCFix.txt:

Code:

 SFCFix version 2.0.5.0 by niemiro.
Start time: 2014-01-23 21:30:10.656
Using .zip script file at C:\Users\Sue\Desktop\SFCFixScript.zipReboot:: directive completed successfully.
PowerCopy::
Successfully took permissions for file or folder C:\Windows\Sysnative\config\COMPONENTS
Successfully copied file \\?\C:\Users\Sue\AppData\Local\niemiro\Archive\COMPONENTS to \\?\C:\Windows\Sysnative\config\COMPONENTS.
Successfully restored ownership for C:\Windows\Sysnative\config\COMPONENTS
Successfully restored permissions on C:\Windows\Sysnative\config\COMPONENTS
PowerCopy:: directive completed successfully.
Successfully processed all directives.
SFCFix version 2.0.5.0 by niemiro has completed.
Currently storing 1 datablocks.
Finish time: 2014-01-23 21:32:18.846
----------------------EOF-----------------------

Windows Update is now working and found 142 important updates to be installed.Thanks for your help with my problem. I'll be sure to make a donaton to the site.

niemiro · Jan 24, 2014

suro said:

Here is the SFCFix.txt:

Code:

 SFCFix version 2.0.5.0 by niemiro.
Start time: 2014-01-23 21:30:10.656
Using .zip script file at C:\Users\Sue\Desktop\SFCFixScript.zipReboot:: directive completed successfully.
PowerCopy::
Successfully took permissions for file or folder C:\Windows\Sysnative\config\COMPONENTS
Successfully copied file \\?\C:\Users\Sue\AppData\Local\niemiro\Archive\COMPONENTS to \\?\C:\Windows\Sysnative\config\COMPONENTS.
Successfully restored ownership for C:\Windows\Sysnative\config\COMPONENTS
Successfully restored permissions on C:\Windows\Sysnative\config\COMPONENTS
PowerCopy:: directive completed successfully.
Successfully processed all directives.
SFCFix version 2.0.5.0 by niemiro has completed.
Currently storing 1 datablocks.
Finish time: 2014-01-23 21:32:18.846
----------------------EOF-----------------------

Windows Update is now working and found 142 important updates to be installed.Thanks for your help with my problem. I'll be sure to make a donaton to the site.

That's really great news! Thank you so much for letting me know the result.

I would still advise testing the CPU though, just to make absolutely sure. After all, there's no real associated cost in just testing it at some convenient time, otherwise either this problem or another may well return at a later date. I know there's very little for you to go on, but I've been working Windows Update threads for very many years, and your problem bears all of the hallmarks of hardware. I wouldn't be pushing this unless I was very sure.

Anyway, I'm glad Windows Update is now working well :)

Richard

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[SOLVED] Windows 7 Update error code 80070246

suro

Contributor

bassfisher6522

Sysnative Staff

niemiro

Senior Administrator, Windows Update Expert

suro

Contributor

suro

Contributor

niemiro

Senior Administrator, Windows Update Expert

suro

Contributor

niemiro

Senior Administrator, Windows Update Expert