SQL Server 2005 Security Update (KB948109) fails to install with error code 0×773F – how to fix

July 9, 2008

Today I got a batch of updates via Windows Update. Most updates installed fine, but the “Security Update for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2 (KB948109)” failed with error code of 0×773F.

This computer runs Windows Vista and SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition.

There is also a named instance (MSSMLBIZ) for Outlook with Business Contact Manager (or whatever). I had disabled this instance for performance reasons as I never use the add-on. However, I had to enable and start the service through the SQL Server Configuration Manager to get the update to install.

Then I downloaded the stand-alone security update from the Microsoft Downloads. You can find it from here: Security Update for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2 (KB948109). This isn’t probably necessary, as long as all the instances are running, but if you still get errors, you can check the separate log file with more verbose information.

In short, all you need to do is:

  • Make sure all the SQL Server 2005 instances are running able to start
  • …or uninstall unnecessary instances, including hidden ones
  • Download and run the manual update

This fixed it for me.

Update #1:

Make sure that you don’t have NTFS folder compression on for the folders where the database files (*.mdf, *.ldf) are located. This may prevent the instances from starting.

Update #2:

I just installed the patch through Windows Update on my home computer (Vista Ultimate, SQL Server Developer Edition) and it went fine (with services already stopped).

I’m now certain that my first problem was caused by the disabled service and starting the services has nothing to do with it (as commenters has pointed out).

One solution that I found was disabling the firewall (the error code was also different, though).

There are probably many causes for this issue, so if you succeed to fix it, please comment here what you did, thanks :)

Update #3:

Updated SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition and Windows Server 2008 that hosts it. Through the Microsoft Update with no problems. Still recommend to proceed with caution on production servers before these symptoms are explained/fixed.

Update #4:

Found some good related discussions and solutions:

Especially this excerpt from the first link explains the 733F:

“Error: 733F– Services Failed to Start “From MS Support”

“Description: This error occurs when the installation program can’t start the SQL Server services. This can happen for several reasons including: expired account password, invalid user account, user account does not have permission to start the service, or there is something else wrong with the service.”

34 Comments | Microsoft, SqlServer, Update, Vista, Windows, WindowsServer2008 | Permalink
Posted by jemm

Windows Vista SP1 finally generally available

March 18, 2008

I just read from a reliable source that Windows Vista SP1 is finally available for download through the Download Center or Windows Update. There are both x86 and x64 -versions available.

I installed it a while ago and so far I haven’t had problems at home (Vista Ultimate) or work (Vista Business). Reserve some time for it, though.

2 Comments | Software, Update, Vista, Windows | Permalink
Posted by jemm

Windows Vista SP1 installation experiences

February 16, 2008

Yesterday I downloaded Vista SP1 RTM from the TechNet Plus -subscription downloads.

Installing Vista Service Pack 1 on a Dell -laptop

First I installed it on my work laptop (Dell Latitude 830) and it went alright without problems. On the surface it is hard to see many big changes after installation, but haven’t explored much, anyway. At least waking up from the sleep seems faster and more reliable than it was before SP1. It is almost as fast as waking on our home laptop, MacBook Pro.

Anyway, no problems at all with the work laptop and all the apps (Visual Studio 2008, SQL Server 2005, Office applications etc) have worked just fine so far.

Installing Vista Service Pack on the home desktop

Today I wanted to install the SP1 on my home desktop and run into one problem because of a MUI language pack. I got this error, that said:

"Windows Vista Service Pack 1 cannot be installed on your computer because the language of Windows Vista you have installed is not supported or you have installed a language pack that is not supported. Windows Vista Service Pack 1 can only be installed on computers running the English, French, German, Japanese and Spanish versions of Windows Vista or computers running only those language packs."

Install Windows Vista Service Pack -error

I have Windows Vista Business at work and Ultimate at home. I don’t remember installing any language packs, but it could be that I have chosen some Finnish language pack from some Ultimate Extras -update. I always use English version, anyway, so not sure why I have done it.

Anyway, this was easy to fix and here are the instructions to those of you who run into the same problem. This will most likely affect many international users that have multiple languages. Other option is to wait until the SP1 support comes to your language pack of choice, but it could mean several months of more waiting.

First, go to the Control Panel / Regional and Language Options and check that you have some additonal language installed. I had "suomi" which means "Finnish":

Regional and Language Options -dialog in Vista

Then select the Install/uninstall languages … -button and you should see this dialog:

Install or Uninstall Display Languages -dialog in Vista

Select the language(s) you want to uninstall and Next and the uninstall begins:

Removing Languages from Vista

After the process is finished, you are required to reboot. Windows configures itself for a while and then you can restart the Vista SP1 installer:

Install Windows Vista Service Pack -welcome screen

The problem is gone, woo-hoo!

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 License Terms

Remember to read every word carefully ;)

Install Windows Vista Service Pack 1

Installing Windows Vista Service Pack 1

At this stage I could use the computer while the first progress bar went to the end. I spent the time writing this post ;) After that you have to use another computer or do something unrelated to computers *gasp* :D

After three stages of waiting and logging in you should be greeted with this message:

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 successful

2 Comments | Software, Vista, Windows | Permalink
Posted by jemm

Now downloading Vista SP1 RTM from the TechNet Plus…

February 15, 2008

Update 18.3.2007: SP1 is now available for everybody!

It has been hard to predict when the Vista SP1 RTM would be actually available. As it turns out, it is officially available at least to a bit wider audience than just OEM’s.

While browsing through usual list of RSS-feeds, I noticed through the TechNet Plus Blog that the Vista SP1 RTM is finally available for download for TechNet Plus Subscribers and MSDN Subscribers.

Unfortunately Vista SP1 RTM isn’t widely available for non-subscribers yet, but I’m sure everyone can find it with some looking from alternative channels…

For official general availability the dates posted here still apply (mid-March).

Update:
Some TechNet Plus subscribers have had problems finding the actual downloads. Read this, if you share the same problem.

2 Comments | MSDN, Software, TechNet, Vista, Windows | Permalink
Posted by jemm

Windows Vista SP1 RTM maybe released today - Windows Server 2008 this week?

February 4, 2008

Update 18.3.2007: SP1 is now available for everybody!

Some rumors say that the final version of the Vista SP1 would be released today! At the time of posting this, the latest version in the TechNet Subscriber Downloads was still Release Candidate, but we’ll see.

Also, Windows Server 2008 RTM should be released very soon. This means that web sites can be soon deployed on IIS7 for production use (I’m referring to those of us who don’t run pre-RTM-releases)! :)

The SP1 of the Vista also updates the IIS7 to be equal with the IIS that comes with Windows Server 2008. There are some breaking changes that are described well in a IIS 7.0 -blog.

Update (4.2.2008, 16:00 GMT):

  1. Now details are getting official and here is the press release about the Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 RTM.
  2. This post from the Windows Vista Team Blog gives more information about the Vista SP1. Check all the related buzz from the Techmeme.
  3. Engadget reports that the general availability of the SP1 won’t happen before March (refers to the press release), but I’m sure it will be released much earlier through the MSDN/TechNet Subscriptions etc, since…
  4. …“Windows Server 2008 Datacenter, Enterprise and Standard (x64)” is already available for download for TechNet Subscribers (DVD, 2542MB)! :) Windows Automated Installation Kit 1.1 and MUI (x64) are also available through the Top Downloads.
  5. There is also a readme about Windows Server 2008 which tells what’s coming:

Editions

Languages

Windows Server 2008 Datacenter, Enterprise and Standard (x86)

English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish

Windows Web Server 2008 (x86, x64)

English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish

Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems

English, French, German, Japanese

Windows Server 2008 Datacenter, Enterprise and Standard without Hyper-V (x86, x64)

English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish

Windows Server 2008 Multilingual User Interface Language Pack (x86, ia64)

English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish

I’m sure Vista SP1 will be soon available, as well.

Original source for this post, Techtree:

A Malaysian Web site that goes by the name, Tech ARP, has reportedly said that Microsoft Corp will be today releasing its Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1).
Windows Vista SP1 will be released to manufacturing (RTM) today, while computer makers will get to install the updated operating system on new desktops and laptops only later this week.

And Vista SP1 will be released in two phases. The first phase is today with SP1 being released in five out of the 36 available language packs, which includes English, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish.
The second phase is scheduled for nearly one to two weeks later when Vista SP1 will be released in all 36 language packs.
Microsoft will also offer Windows Vista SP1 through Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and possibly Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).
Meanwhile, the last Windows Vista SP1 build was released on Jan 24, 2008 to a select group of around 15,000 testers.
If Microsoft indeed releases Windows Vista SP1 today, that’s what the company has been promising all along, saying that Windows Vista SP1 will go final sometime in the first quarter of this year which ends on March 31, 2008.
Apart from the Malaysian Web site, some other sources have said that Microsoft Windows Server 2008 will also release to manufacturing in the coming week.

1 Comment | IIS, Server, Software, Vista, Windows, WindowsServer2008 | Permalink
Posted by jemm