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General discussion

Hotfix annoyance

by Bill McKenzie Apr 18, 2008 3:04PM PDT

Windows has sent me a Microsoft hotfix self-extractor to fix a blue screen issue. But I get this message -
"An error occurred while unzipping. One or more files were not successfully unzipped. The error code is 40"
I've searched the MS KB, using the complete message, and it returns "no matches". I really need some help with this.
I get to hate Vista more and more!
TIA
Vista Home Premium

Discussion is locked

13 Posts
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Error code 40
by PudgyOne Apr 18, 2008 6:10PM PDT

error codes can be found here.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310123

Error code 40 states...

Code 40
Windows cannot access this hardware because its service key information in the registry is missing or recorded incorrectly. (Code 40)

What ever you were trying to install, it's not in the registry.

Maybe you want to try either

start, run, cmd, chkdsk /r (space between the k and /)hit enter, answer y and restart your computer.

Or

start, run, cmd, SCF/Scannow and insert your Vista disk.


Rick

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Bill, Just Making Sure...
by Grif Thomas Forum moderator Apr 19, 2008 4:24AM PDT

Unfortunately, you've not given us the knowledgebase number for the hotfix so....The hotfix you mention....Are you sure this is from Microsoft? Did you request this particular hotfix from Microsoft and they sent it back to you by giving your a link or something similar?

Or is it a Windows Update of some type?

There are a number of viruses/trojans sent to unsuspecting users which SAY they are a hotfix.. This type of malware is normally unsolicited and can appear as if it's legitimate..

If you're sure you receive the hotfix file from Microsoft, then you can ignore this.. It's just a little unusual that you say "Windows has sent me a Microsoft hotfix self-extractor".. Usually, they're not .zip files.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Really baffled now...
by Bill McKenzie Apr 19, 2008 9:32AM PDT
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You Should Be Seeing The Extraction Process..
by Grif Thomas Forum moderator Apr 19, 2008 12:08PM PDT

...but some of those hotfixes do automatically install.. It's hard to tell what may have occurred...

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Microsoft Self-Extractor Error 40
by boris_pistov Mar 3, 2009 7:05AM PST

Just beat my head against the wall on this, and then I cracked it! Instead of double-clicking on the downloaded hotfix zip file, right-click and choose Run As Administrator! It will unzip correctly. You then need to go to the unzip directory and double-click on the extracted file (no Run As Administrator needed or possible).

Nowhere in the download instruction email does Microsoft mention this, and Error 40 isn't covered in any of their knowledge base articles. Grrr!

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Hotfix error 40
by glassartist50 Mar 8, 2009 7:53AM PDT

Boris- Thank you for that recommendation! It saved me a (bigger) headache and a pail of spackling compound. If only Microsoft and HP could experience themselves as the rest of us do...

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Excellent advice
by ajeo Mar 17, 2010 8:45AM PDT

Running as administrator is the answer. It worked for me. Thanks a lot.

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hotfix and error 40
by goeffcity Sep 18, 2010 5:34PM PDT

Iam getting exactly the same problems but find no point at which i can click run as adminstrator. I keep getting the blue screen shut down which then when a diagnosis is performed comes up as needing a hotfix and produces a link to a hotfix an email then is generated and i click on its link and enter a password. I then try to download the hotfix which gives me the error 40 unzip message. At what point should i have used run as adminstrator.

hope someone can help as my pc knowledge is very limited

Thanks

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Re: unzip error 40
by Kees Bakker Sep 18, 2010 9:15PM PDT
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unzip error 40
by goeffcity Sep 19, 2010 1:34AM PDT

Thank you will try that

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Thanks!
by asentell Sep 22, 2010 6:29AM PDT

Thanks Boris. You just saved me a ton of headache! Why don't they put that in the instructions somewhere? It would be so simple.

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error 40
by bmontgomery2 Jan 16, 2011 1:37AM PST

Boris, thanks. Just what I needed. Microsoft is a pain in the a..

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Great Advice!
by Moyotaku Sep 3, 2012 3:39AM PDT

OMG! You just saved me, stupid windows I hate it so much! Same deal, kept getting the error all morning was ready to put my fist through the monitor, then just did what you did, right clicked and ran as admin. MS I really hate you guys....

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