Hello, I have a 32 bit Windows Server 2003 Std SP2 machine that I have imaged the drives with Acronis and migrated to larger drives. This has been in place and running for 2 weeks now. Everything is running correctly with the exception of Windows Updates. Everytime I try to install updates it gets stuck. In the task manager you can see the msiexec.exe get stuck. The only way to cancel is to end the msiexec.exe process. It's a never ending cycle. I have checked the run folders in the registry, unregistered and re-registered the msiexec dll. Stopped and restarted the Windows Installer service, d/l and installed Windows Installer 4.5. Not sure what else to do. Your help is appreciated.

First thing first: how do you conclude msiexec.exe hangs? If this really is the case, you might want to reinstall msi installer: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=5FBC5470-B259-4733-A914-A956122E08E8&displaylang=en You can also check the health of the system files by using the SFC utility In the Windows Update Log file you might find a trace of what went wrong, or at least which update is causing the issue. If so, post back with this additional information. Also, for each specific update you will find a log file in c:\windowsMCP/MCSA/MCTS/MCITP

Thanks SenneVL for your response. I conclude that msiexec.exe hangs because if you watch the task mgr processes before the MS Updates begin you will see that process start as you click to install updates. The memory increases to about 85mb, then just hangs and you can see that it never get through installing the patch. I have already installed Windows Installer, to no avail. I attempted the SFC Utility, but was not onsite and it required the install disc. (I will attempt this when onsite). Nothing in the event logs.

You may need to do an in-place upgrade for our system to check whether it works.