net framework missing

squeaky

A strange failure during installation of an external drive has left me without net framework 2.0 and 3.5

They don't show in my control panel, yet all of the files appear to be present and correct in the windows directory.

Installation of net framework 2.0 fails because it cannot find "the database".

Re-installation of SP3 for winxp home doesn't put "the database" back.

I'm going round in circles on the microsoft help pages now... does anybody know how to put "the database" for net framework back in place please?

Browntoa

go to windows updates, choose "custom" not express and then see if there are any net framework items there , think you need to do dome on their own and go back and do the rest

Browntoa

otherwise use system restore to go back to a date before the failure

squeaky

Thanks for the quick reply

I haven't got a system restore point that gets me them back. Sorry, should have said so.

All the "custom" updates listed are for 3.5 - they go through the whole installation routine (takes forever) and then says "not installed" with no error or reason *why* given.

Attempts to install 3.5 direct from MS's downloads pages fails because there's no framework 2.0

Attempts to install net framework 2.0 direct from the downloads page fail and *at last* I get an error report that makes sense - it can't find "the database". But that's *all* I get. No pointers on how to get/initialise/create/redo one. I've spent five hours now going round in circles on the MS site trying to find out how to get all this back and my brain hurts.

This, btw is for my laptop. I "could" track down "the database" on my PC and copy it across - but that's a risk because it's not likely to be the same as the one my laptop would have created, though there's half a chance that the installation "might" see it as present but corrupted and create a new instance or repair it... but I reckon that's a last ditch thing. There must be a way - I just can't track it down.

Edit: As you can see I have web access, and things like messenger all work, but I can't fix the original external drive glitch without net framework being present.

dogmaryxx

Repair the .NET Framework

To repair the .NET Framework, you must uninstall multiple versions of the .NET Framework by using the .NET Framework Cleanup Tool, and then reinstall the components.

To do this, follow these steps:


Click the following link to download the .NET Framework Cleanup Tool:


http://blogs.msdn.com/b/astebner/arc...8/8904493.aspx


Use the .NET Framework Cleanup Tool to uninstall the .NET Framework versions 1.0, 1.1, 2.0, 3.0, and 3.5


Note The cleanup tool does not let you remove the .NET Framework 2.0 in Windows Vista or later versions because the .NET Framework is installed as an operating system component.


Restart the computer.


Download and install the following components:


.Net Framework 1.1


http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...7-034d1e7cf3a3


.Net Framework 1.1 SP1


http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en


.NET Framework 3.5 SP1


Note This will also install .Net Framework 2.0 SP2 and .Net Framework 3.0 SP2


http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en


Restart the computer.


Visit the Windows Update Web site and install the updates:


http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

squeaky

Thanks... on my way!

squeaky

Phew! Only three and a half hours!

Not bad on my poor old laptop. A mere 6GB drive and 512K RAM with winXP squeezed onto it.

All sorted thanks.

So... anytime you spot me propping up a bar someplace just tap me on the shoulder and say "Hoy, you owe me a pint" 'cos I sure as heck do!

squeaky

Hmmm... I reckon there's still something wrong. The updates ended up pointing me at net framework 4 instead of 3.5 so I duly installed it.

My routine update check this morning had three items in it - all of which spent ages "installing" only to fail with no reason why or error code...

Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 Update for Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP x86 (KB982168)
Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 and .NET Framework 2.0 SP2 Update for Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP x86 (KB982524)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB2481109)

A server? Not that I'm aware of.

After the failure the same three updates have been dropped straight back into my "bank" to be installed.

Any ideas please?

fiddiwebb

Do you really need Net framework especially if you are running a old laptop with a mere 6GB drive and 512K RAM with winXP, coz Net framework will certainly slow it down.

squeaky

I would have thought not too - but the software for the external HD I just bought will not run without it.

I know that I can slim down to netframe 2.0 and 3.5 because that's all that was on here before my problems started... but I'm wondering if the "failures" are because "somewhere" in my system there's a flag saying I need the updates which isn't resetting and that the failures are in fact generated because I'm trying to update an up to date installation, IYSWIM?

I think I need to find and clear that flag but have no idea where to find it.

evenasus

Many thanks dogmaryxx, I was having the problem of the same updates appearing again and again.

Followed your instructions and..... RESULT!