Office 2007 SP1 update error code 78F

[Fifi]

Hi Everyone!

I've been following the various threads on update error code 78F over the
last few days as I also had the problem, and here's what worked for me:

I have a laptop running Vista Home Premium which came pre-installed with a
60-day trial of Office 2007 Home & Student, and automatic updating was
running fine until the Office 2007 SP1 was released ...including one Office
update while I was still trialling the software. I have since converted to
the licenced version and opted for a hard copy on disc. However, since I
stuck with Office H&S, I never uninstalled the pre-loaded version and just
converted it by activating the new product key.

After installation of the Office 2007 SP1 had failed a couple of times with
no explanation RE error code 78F, I tried a number of the "fixes" suggested
in various forums, i.e. disable the firewall, anti-virus software, run the
SP1 update directly from the MS website, "repair" Office from the disc then
install the update, insert the Office disc while trying to install the
update, but nothing worked. In fact, while the disc was in the drive and the
installation was running, the drive didn't whiz into action at all!

In the end, I uninstalled Office via the Control Panel, reinstalled it from
the disc, then ran automatic update again (while the Office CD was still in
the drive). Progress was slow and just as I had resigned myself to it failing
yet again, things started moving and SP1 installed successfully.

I did not install any additional programs, eg. Windows Installer 3.1, etc.,
but it seems to me that (in my case at least) the problem lay with the
pre-installed Office trial, and had I not opted for a hard copy of Office
when I decided to licence, I would still be scratching my head now...

 

[paul2007]

Hi Everyone!

I've been following the various threads on update error code 78F over the
last few days as I also had the problem, and here's what worked for me:

I have a laptop running Vista Home Premium which came pre-installed with a
60-day trial of Office 2007 Home & Student, and automatic updating was
running fine until the Office 2007 SP1 was released ...including one Office
update while I was still trialling the software. I have since converted to
the licenced version and opted for a hard copy on disc. However, since I
stuck with Office H&S, I never uninstalled the pre-loaded version and just
converted it by activating the new product key.

After installation of the Office 2007 SP1 had failed a couple of times with
no explanation RE error code 78F, I tried a number of the "fixes" suggested
in various forums, i.e. disable the firewall, anti-virus software, run the
SP1 update directly from the MS website, "repair" Office from the disc then
install the update, insert the Office disc while trying to install the
update, but nothing worked. In fact, while the disc was in the drive and the
installation was running, the drive didn't whiz into action at all!

In the end, I uninstalled Office via the Control Panel, reinstalled it from
the disc, then ran automatic update again (while the Office CD was still in
the drive). Progress was slow and just as I had resigned myself to it failing
yet again, things started moving and SP1 installed successfully.

I did not install any additional programs, eg. Windows Installer 3.1, etc.,
but it seems to me that (in my case at least) the problem lay with the
pre-installed Office trial, and had I not opted for a hard copy of Office
when I decided to licence, I would still be scratching my head now...

Thank you Very much friend.
I did exactly the same thing as you adviced (after 11 failed attempts)
and it worked.
Thanks again.
Paul

 

[ss46]

Hi Everyone!

I've been following the various threads on update error code 78F over the
last few days as I also had the problem, and here's what worked for me:

I have a laptop running Vista Home Premium which came pre-installed with a
60-day trial of Office 2007 Home & Student, and automatic updating was
running fine until the Office 2007 SP1 was released ...including one Office
update while I was still trialling the software. I have since converted to
the licenced version and opted for a hard copy on disc. However, since I
stuck with Office H&S, I never uninstalled the pre-loaded version and just
converted it by activating the new product key.

After installation of the Office 2007 SP1 had failed a couple of times with
no explanation RE error code 78F, I tried a number of the "fixes" suggested
in various forums, i.e. disable the firewall, anti-virus software, run the
SP1 update directly from the MS website, "repair" Office from the disc then
install the update, insert the Office disc while trying to install the
update, but nothing worked. In fact, while the disc was in the drive and the
installation was running, the drive didn't whiz into action at all!

In the end, I uninstalled Office via the Control Panel, reinstalled it from
the disc, then ran automatic update again (while the Office CD was still in
the drive). Progress was slow and just as I had resigned myself to it failing
yet again, things started moving and SP1 installed successfully.

I did not install any additional programs, eg. Windows Installer 3.1, etc.,
but it seems to me that (in my case at least) the problem lay with the
pre-installed Office trial, and had I not opted for a hard copy of Office
when I decided to licence, I would still be scratching my head now...

 

[ss46]

:
[msg deleted; uninstalled and reinstalled ms office to fix]

Fifi, John,

Thanks. Had the same preinstalled setup and nothing else worked. Your post
was clear and complete. (sorry for the previous blank post)

s

 

[groggwa]

I'm glad you were able to figure this out. Seems Microsoft is not so diligent
in finding a resolution. Unfortunately, I did not opt to get a disk with my
purchase when I bought the Fully Licensed version on-line. I have done all
the things you have tried below and it seems the only way I will be able to
update Microsoft Office is to get an actual CD in my hands. I have contacted
Dogital River, but they insist there is nothing they can do and I need to
contact Mocrosoft Office. Has anyone else gotten this far in their nightmare
and been able to get a resolution other than buying again something I already
own (with a CD this time).

 

[chaoheminator]

I'm glad you were able to figure this out. Seems Microsoft is not so diligent
in finding a resolution. Unfortunately, I did not opt to get a disk with my
purchase when I bought the Fully Licensed version on-line. I have done all
the things you have tried below and it seems the only way I will be able to
update Microsoft Office is to get an actual CD in my hands. I have contacted
Dogital River, but they insist there is nothing they can do and I need to
contact Mocrosoft Office. Has anyone else gotten this far in their nightmare
and been able to get a resolution other than buying again something I already
own (with a CD this time).










- Show quoted text -

Originally, I had been using Windows Update to install, and that
failed in
the same way every time, as others in this discusion have been sayng.
I also
kept getting this error, and in another forum, somebody suggested
using any
CD, not just the Office 07 CD, and low and behold, it worked. I did
use the
.exe download from the Microsoft download website, but that had failed
before
as well, until I did this CD trick. The other forum said something
about
forcing it to read something or another because there's a CD in the
drive.

This way, you don't have to go through the trouble of reinstalling,
reparing, and all of that.
Just run the service pack with any CD (I think music CD's don't work,
but anything else should)
in your CD drive, and it should work.

 

[groggwa]

Oh my gosh, how funny! This actually worked!! I placed a DVD movie and played
it while I downloaded the SP1 dirctely from the Microsoft sight to my desktop
and they installed it. It installed succesfully. Thank you so much!

 

[Niki]

Thank you "chaoheminator" it really worked!!!

Vielen Dank!

 

[YESSSSSS FINNALYY]

THis worked thanks im glad i didnt un-install n i continued to look for advice

"chaoheminator" you ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Rodney]

I still can't believe this worked. I had to post to confirm my success with
this method as well. It appears having a disc in the optical drive allows
the update to succeed. Good find. Thanks.

 

[ebola]

Thank you Fifi, that worked wonders.

Wasnt as 'painful' as i was expecting.

Kind regards,