Windows update error code 66A

Lakeflake wrote:

> Yes, I've installed some programs such as MS Home & Student, Outlook,
> TurboTax, printer drivers and Norton.

Norton has a record of causing issues with Windows, this may have been the
problem. (Or it may have just been Windows, it does indeed glitch of its own
accord now and then.)

Harry.

As I was saying, new computer, etc. etc. Had a little time available today
and find out that Framework 1.1 is not installed on this computer, but
regardless of that fact MS keeps telling me that SP1 is "Important" and
should be installed. I can only surmise that the algorithm that MS uses to
determine what items are needed on a computer is slightly out of synch with
the real world. I've "hidden" the update and will not be making any attempt
to install same until at least some program tells me that it needs Framework
1.1 to run. I'm considering this case closed. Thanks for responses that
were posted.
--
lakeflake


"Harry Johnston [MVP]" wrote:

> Lakeflake wrote:
>
> > Yes, I've installed some programs such as MS Home & Student, Outlook,
> > TurboTax, printer drivers and Norton.
>
> Norton has a record of causing issues with Windows, this may have been the
> problem. (Or it may have just been Windows, it does indeed glitch of its own
> accord now and then.)
>
> Harry.
>

You'd be MUCH better off beginning a new thread about *your* problem, LF,
instead of posting another "Me, too!" reply to a thread started in Nov-07.

You are not alone in being flummoxed by the vagueries of .NET Framework
requirements, installations, and updates. However, this peer-to-peer
support newsgroup is not the place to gripe about it.

The above notwithstanding...

1. Write down what .NET Framework versions are already installed before you
go uninstalling/removing any of them!

How to determine which versions of the .NET Framework are installed and
whether service packs have been applied
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/318785

2. Now see Resolutions Methods 1 or 2 in
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923100 (ignore the title; includes the very
same Stebner references you used before).

If no joy, see this related post by my colleague MowGreen:
http://groups.google.com/group/micro...76de7769d04493

Otherwise...

Start a free Windows Update support incident request:
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/de...spx?gprid=6527

Support for Windows Update:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/wusupport

For home users, no-charge support is available by calling 1-866-PCSAFETY in
the United States and in Canada or by contacting your local Microsoft
subsidiary.

For more information about how to contact your local Microsoft subsidiary
for security update support issues, visit the International Support Web
site: http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx

For enterprise customers, support for security updates is available through
your usual support contacts.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.net




Lakeflake wrote:
> MS if continuing it's track record of lousy support. I'm on a one week
> old
> HP Computer with Vista Ultimate on it and today was told by "update" that
> I
> need to install a Framework update. It will not install and comes back
> with
> an error code of 66A which as is typical of MS and tells me nothing. A
> brand new computer, no registry changes have been made, all updates save
> this one have been installed when the flag went up to install them (sorry,
> didn't install the 35 various language updates). My old computer with XP
> MCE encountered the same problems with trying to install updates to
> Framework and I spent weeks trying to get the updates installed. Thanks
> to
> Aaron Stebner (sp?) finally got it straightened out, but not without many
> messages back and forth. I don't see how MS can blame this problem on
> users messing up machines, installs, etc. since this is a brand new
> machine, unadulterated OS, running MS Vista Ultimate (not an upgrade
> version but a full blown copy at $$$$$).
> MS -- what is your defense?
>
>> When I try to install the update for .NET Framework 1.1, Service Pack 1 I
>> get an error code 66A. I have searched for a resolution but can not find
>> one. What can I do to resolve this?

Not to be crass but let me first say thanks for your response. Please note
that as stated in previous note I'm finished with this thread -- and have no
intention of trying to do uninstall/reinstall/cleanup etc. Framework below
3.0 will not be installed on this machine unless Bill Gates wants to come out
of retirement and come to my house and do it for me.
--
lakeflake


"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> You'd be MUCH better off beginning a new thread about *your* problem, LF,
> instead of posting another "Me, too!" reply to a thread started in Nov-07.
>
> You are not alone in being flummoxed by the vagueries of .NET Framework
> requirements, installations, and updates. However, this peer-to-peer
> support newsgroup is not the place to gripe about it.
>
> The above notwithstanding...
>
> 1. Write down what .NET Framework versions are already installed before you
> go uninstalling/removing any of them!
>
> How to determine which versions of the .NET Framework are installed and
> whether service packs have been applied
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/318785
>
> 2. Now see Resolutions Methods 1 or 2 in
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923100 (ignore the title; includes the very
> same Stebner references you used before).
>
> If no joy, see this related post by my colleague MowGreen:
> http://groups.google.com/group/micro...76de7769d04493
>
> Otherwise...
>
> Start a free Windows Update support incident request:
> https://support.microsoft.com/oas/de...spx?gprid=6527
>
> Support for Windows Update:
> http://support.microsoft.com/gp/wusupport
>
> For home users, no-charge support is available by calling 1-866-PCSAFETY in
> the United States and in Canada or by contacting your local Microsoft
> subsidiary.
>
> For more information about how to contact your local Microsoft subsidiary
> for security update support issues, visit the International Support Web
> site: http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx
>
> For enterprise customers, support for security updates is available through
> your usual support contacts.
> --
> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
> AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.net
>
>
>
>
> Lakeflake wrote:
> > MS if continuing it's track record of lousy support. I'm on a one week
> > old
> > HP Computer with Vista Ultimate on it and today was told by "update" that
> > I
> > need to install a Framework update. It will not install and comes back
> > with
> > an error code of 66A which as is typical of MS and tells me nothing. A
> > brand new computer, no registry changes have been made, all updates save
> > this one have been installed when the flag went up to install them (sorry,
> > didn't install the 35 various language updates). My old computer with XP
> > MCE encountered the same problems with trying to install updates to
> > Framework and I spent weeks trying to get the updates installed. Thanks
> > to
> > Aaron Stebner (sp?) finally got it straightened out, but not without many
> > messages back and forth. I don't see how MS can blame this problem on
> > users messing up machines, installs, etc. since this is a brand new
> > machine, unadulterated OS, running MS Vista Ultimate (not an upgrade
> > version but a full blown copy at $$$$$).
> > MS -- what is your defense?
> >
> >> When I try to install the update for .NET Framework 1.1, Service Pack 1 I
> >> get an error code 66A. I have searched for a resolution but can not find
> >> one. What can I do to resolve this?
>
>

this update has been bugging me since I got this computer Jan 08. after
finding your instructions and doing what you say - it finally is working!!!
thank you!

"This worked! A big thanks to DJCORT1!" wrote:

>
>
> "DJCORT1" wrote:
>
> > The steps you need to follow are:
> >
> > 1) Run cleanup tool:
> > http://astebner.sts.winisp.net/Tools...eanup_tool.zip
> >
> > and select remove (cleanup) .NET Framework 1.1 from the dropdown list.
> >
> > 2) Download the .Net framework 1.1 redistributable package from here
> > http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...7-034d1e7cf3a3
> >
> > and install it.
> >
> > 4) Download the .Net Framework 1.1 Service Pack 1
> > https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...displaylang=en
> > and install it.
> >
> > 5) Instead of using Windows Update, download the KB929729 package from here:
> > http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
> >
> > Install this Last!
> >
> >
> > I followed the steps and the his windows update looks much healthier now
> >
> > Hope this helps!
> >
> >
> > "topcat" wrote:
> >
> > > When I try to install the update for .NET Framework 1.1, Service Pack 1 I get
> > > an error code 66A. I have searched for a resolution but can not find one.
> > > What can I do to resolve this?

To avoid such issues in the future, repeat after me ...

" I will not run registry repair 'tools' nor disk cleanup tools that
remove the .NET installer database cache "


MowGreen [MVP 2003-2009]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============



thankful in Arizona wrote:

> this update has been bugging me since I got this computer Jan 08. after
> finding your instructions and doing what you say - it finally is working!!!
> thank you!
>
> "This worked! A big thanks to DJCORT1!" wrote:
>
>
>>
>>"DJCORT1" wrote:
>>
>>
>>>The steps you need to follow are:
>>>
>>>1) Run cleanup tool:
>>>http://astebner.sts.winisp.net/Tools...eanup_tool.zip
>>>
>>>and select remove (cleanup) .NET Framework 1.1 from the dropdown list.
>>>
>>>2) Download the .Net framework 1.1 redistributable package from here
>>>http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...7-034d1e7cf3a3
>>>
>>>and install it.
>>>
>>>4) Download the .Net Framework 1.1 Service Pack 1
>>>https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...displaylang=en
>>>and install it.
>>>
>>>5) Instead of using Windows Update, download the KB929729 package from here:
>>>http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
>>>
>>>Install this Last!
>>>
>>>
>>>I followed the steps and the his windows update looks much healthier now
>>>
>>>Hope this helps!
>>>
>>>
>>>"topcat" wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>When I try to install the update for .NET Framework 1.1, Service Pack 1 I get
>>>>an error code 66A. I have searched for a resolution but can not find one.
>>>>What can I do to resolve this?

Where is the SoftwareDistribution directory?

How do you perform that verification?

[insomniac7]

I encounted the same problem with Error 66 popping up when trying to install the update.I am running Win7 and this update error occurred with the NET Framework 4.0 as opposed to Framework 1.1 which seems to happen to other users so maybe trying the same method i tried, for 4.0 might work for 1.1 as well as its just a quick possible fix as i can only confirm it on my Toshiba L750 laptop.

1.Go to the Control Panel and open Programs and then Uninstall a program.
2.Look for NET Framework 4.0 program and right click on it.
3.Choose the uninstall/change option.
4.Now choose the Repair option, not the uninstall option as you don't want to actually uninstall the program.
5.Start by clicking on Repair and follow the simple instructions,then wait as it took about 3-4 mins on my laptop.Click finished when done.
6.Now try installing the update again and although it took longer than usual (6-7 mins) it installed and is fine now.

Sorry for the dumbed down instructions but i must confess i had a lot of frustrating problems, etc for ages as i am only quite new to modern PC's so to a lot of people that don't work with them everyday they can find some of the simplest of tasks a tad confusing and overwhelming options don't always help either,but once through the initial first learning curve it is an endless plethora of info and entertainment.