Microsoft released their Service Pack 1 for Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 (KB110806) which was available for install through Automatic Updates. For some reason the Service Pack 1 did not install on my Windows 2003 Server. The update generated several error messages in the system event log.

In my specific case the SP1 update failed and the Windows Update Agent (Automatic updates) tried to reinstall the update over and over. The failed updated caused that “SQL Server Agent” service (Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Server) failed to start. The service was depending on the .NET Framework and all scheduled jobs failed to run on the SQL server.

This behavior may also occur with:

• Autodesk Autocad 2008
• Quickbooks 2008
• Backup Exec
• Any other application depending on .NET Framework

I dealt with this issue and by documenting my steps I hope it will help you fixing your failed .net update installations.

Check Windows Event Viewer System log

When checking error messages in the WSUS Update Services console I found following event:

I tried to remove KB928365  security update manually.

I got a warning when I tried to remove KB928365 manually.

My last option was to uninstall Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0

Setup stopped with a encountered problem.

So I ended with a failed installation of .NET Framework 2.0 and the SQL Server agent was not running. SQL server 2005 was still working.

I googled and I found couple of threads at Microsoft newsgroups suggesting to uninstall the installation using a tool “Windows Installer Clean Up”.

I created the following “User guide” how to remove the failed installation of Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 Service Pack 1 (KB110806) using the “Windows Installer CleanUp Utility”.

I download the utility from http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301 and installed msicuu2.exe. From Start Menu, I run Windows Installer Clean Up shortcut , selected (All Users) Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 and removed it.

I reinstalled .Net Framework 2.0 again, I went back to the Automatic Updates client directory C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download\Install and rerun NetFx20SP1_x86.exe. The installation was successful now.

The combination of KB928365 and KB110806 resulted in a failed deployment. It took me some time to research, remove and reinstall the framework but in the end the output was satisfying. The utility can be used to remove any MSI based installation and this particular case I used it to remove the .Net Framework suite.