I ran into this issue when I got a new HP laptop. After going through the setup of the brand new PC, I found that I couldn't run updates. After some escalations, I recieved this fix
reg delete HKLM\Components /v AdvancedInstallersNeedResolving
Please note, that the engineers worked through quite a few logs on my machine to get this, so it may not apply to your case. After applying, autoupdate's been working like a charm!
Update: Jan 29/09
Robear Dyer was kind enough to point me to a new KB article that covers this and other fixes. Here’s the link: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946414
July 9/09:
I’ve seen several comments on this command above not working. If so that means this is not the issue you’re facing. Please try the support link form the Jan 29 update. If that doesn’t work, please do get in touch with MS Support.
I think that a Registry Cleaner would kick this issue on the curb. I mean I have a Registry Cleaner, and it does me wonders. My system is constantly scanned, and all my issues are pretty well taken care of all the time. And it is quick too. Give it a shot, there are tons of them out there...
This also seems to have worked for me. I have been searching for a solution for a very long time. Thank you so much!
thx so much: This worked for me after spending several weeks searching!!!
This worked for me, installing Vista SP1 on an Asus laptop PC that had only just been connected to the Internet.
This is one of those 'gold nugget' posts that continues to help people for years after it was originally made!
When, if ever, you see a change to the registry here's a helpful tip that you can use to look before you
actually do something. The registry is identical to a text file and you can search it like a text file.
In this case I would be looking for
advancedinstallersneedresolving
press Ctl-F and put
into the search window and hit enter.
The registry will be searched for that text string. This is a fast way, sometimes, to get to the key you
want to change, also. And it can quickly verify that what you intend to look at, maybe change, is
actually in the registry. All this and no need to open it and perhaps accidentally change something.