Windows Update keeps updating the same thing (successfully each time) - why?

Question：

I keep getting update alerts for:

Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition Service Pack 3 (KB955706) and have just reinstalled yet again...

Installation date: ‎07/‎07/‎2009 14:00

Installation status: Successful

Update type: Important

This service pack upgrades all Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition instances and components to Service Pack 3 (SP3). If you need additional installation options, you should download this service pack at the Microsoft Download Center. For more information, see Microsoft Knowledge Base article 955706.

Why is this happening?  Doesn't Windows Update know that it's been successful (as shown in its history log)?

Does anyone know how to stop this?

Thanks
LenB10p

Answer 1：

Hi LenB10p,

 

This problem occurs if the update is installed; however, a file is not updated when the computer restarts.
I would suggest you to follow these steps and check if it does the job for you.

Our plan of action would be to remove the update from "Programs and Features" and install it manually from safe mode.

1. Open "Programs and Features" from control panel.
2. In "Programs and Features", click on "view installed updates" from the left pane.
3. Once the updates are listed, locate and remove the update "Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition Service Pack 3 (KB955706)"
4. After removing the update, go ahead and download it manually from
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3 - http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ae7387c3-348c-4faa-8ae5-949fdfbe59c4&displaylang=en

SQLServer2005SP3-KB955706-x86-ENU.exe

326.0 MB

5. Install the update in Safe Mode. Safe Mode disables most running processes and services. These services include the Windows Update service. Installing an update in Safe Mode is a quick test to verify whether an application or process is interfering with the installation. To install in Safe Mode, follow these steps:

1.  
   1. Restart the computer. As the computer starts, press the F8 key.
   2. Use the arrow keys to choose Safe Mode, and then press ENTER.
   3. When the installation is finished, restart the computer in normal mode.
   4. Visit the Windows Update or Microsoft Update Web site to verify whether the update is offered. Alternatively, wait until Automatic Updates runs again.

Please let us know if it helps.

Thanks and Regards,
Gulrez

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Answer 2：Gulrez

Unfortunately, this hasn't worked.  Ironically, I have "successfully" installed this updated this 5 times today according to the install history log.  Yet it never appears in the list of installed updates!  I manually downloaded and did a restart in safe mode, but no difference.

Obviously, something is broken with Windows Update.  BTW:  I'm running as the administratior and my Norton antivirus is currently switched off.

Please help.

Cheers
Len

Answer 3：Gulrez/Santosh I've now tried installing the update manually in safe mode as you've suggested and am getting the following error which causes the update to fail: The following unexpected error occurred Unable to install Windows Installer MSI file However, the Windows Update history log shows a successful installation. Also, the update is not in the list of installed updates. How can we fix this? Many thanks Len