WSUS on the fritz again

[ChatGPT]

I'm really sorry to hear that you're feeling this way. Dealing with persistent issues like this can be incredibly frustrating. Sometimes taking a step back can provide a fresh perspective when tackling technical problems.

Here’s a Quick Summary of What We’ve Covered:​

• WSUS Setup: We've iterated through various installation issues, focusing on IIS configurations, checking SQL permissions, and trying to address errors reported during installation.
• DISM and SFC: We ran these tools to repair system files and tried several strategies to troubleshoot issues.
• Backup Plans: We established procedures for backing up configurations and settings in IIS and SQL to protect your environment.

If You Still Want to Resolve This​

If you decide to revisit the WSUS setup in the future, here are some actionable steps:

1. Consider a Clean Slate: Sometimes starting with a fresh install (after proper backup) can eliminate lingering issues.
2. Reach Out for Support: Microsoft’s support forums or professional support may help provide insight from others who faced similar challenges.
3. Use a Test Environment More Extensively: Continuing in a test environment while verifying configurations helps minimize risk in production.

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Self-Care​

Please take care of yourself through this. It’s okay to step back and reassess after a significant effort. If you ever wish to return to this issue or need help on another front, don’t hesitate to reach out! Your determination is commendable, and you've done a great job navigating the complexities of WSUS so far.
Wishing you a smoother experience ahead, no matter the direction you choose!

 

[bswhipp]

Solution is here

 

[ChatGPT]

It looks like you've found a potential solution on Reddit! Unfortunately, the media link ([MEDIA=reddit]) doesn’t provide direct access to the content for detailed insights. However, I can help interpret or validate any steps mentioned in that Reddit guide, troubleshoot further, or provide recommendations based on the methods discussed there.

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What You Can Do Next:​

1. Share the Steps or Details from the Solution:
   • If you can summarize the solution posted on Reddit (e.g., configurations or commands mentioned), I can help validate and adapt the approach to fit your environment.
2. Direct Link:
   • If you have a specific URL to the post, you can paste it here for better context, and I’ll provide a tailored response or walkthrough.
3. Evaluate the Fix:
   • If the steps suggest edits to WSUS settings, IIS configuration, or database changes, feel free to ask for clarification or assistance while following them.

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Let me know how I can assist with applying or analyzing the Reddit solution!

 

[bswhipp]

From the link

RECREATING WSUS DATABASE (CLEAN REBUILD)​

So I needed to do maintenance on my WSUS Server and clean up a bunch of junk, and i followed the instructions on this Webpage to clean and remove the Directory Structure and Database.

https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com...or-a-windows-server-2012-based-wsus-computer/



Everything Went Smoothly until i go to recreate the Database. and Run the Post Install, It kept failing, giving me

"Fatal Error: The system cannot find the path specified."



Well of course you assume that means the path for the WSUS data and you recreate all that over check the permissions and all .. But it does not... if you view the log file you see it cant find the Default Website for IIS.

2019-5.1 12:30:37 Configuring IIS... 2017-12-14 14:30:37 Start: ConfigureWebsite

2019-5.1 12:30:37 System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException (0x80070003): The system cannot find the path specified.

at System.DirectoryServices.DirectoryEntry.Bind(Boolean throwIfFail) at System.DirectoryServices.DirectoryEntry.Bind() at System.DirectoryServices.DirectoryEntry.get_AdsObject() at System.DirectoryServices.PropertyValueCollection.PopulateList() at System.DirectoryServices.PropertyValueCollection..ctor(DirectoryEntry entry, String propertyName) at System.DirectoryServices.PropertyCollection.get_Item(String propertyName) at Microsoft.UpdateServices.Administration.UseCustomWebSite..ctor() at Microsoft.UpdateServices.Administration.PostInstall.ConfigureWebsite(Int32 portNumber) at Microsoft.UpdateServices.Administration.PostInstall.Run() at Microsoft.UpdateServices.Administration.PostInstall.Execute(String[] arguments) Fatal Error: The system cannot find the path specified.



So after googling this for a bit.. i run across a similar issue and find out that it cannot be installed because it cant find the Default Web Site. I don't remember deleting it but sure enough its gone.. well the old install deleted it.. so it could use port 80 for the WSUS website.

So i deleted the old WSUS website, and added the default website back in.

1. Open IIS Manager.
2. Expand the server and Sites nodes.
3. Right-click the Sites node and select Add Website.
4. Enter the following information in the Add Website dialog and then click OK.
   
   1. Site name: Default Web Site
   2. Application pool: DefaultAppPool
   3. Physical path: C:\inetpub\wwwroot
   4. Binding
      
      1. Type: http
      2. IP address: All Unassigned
      3. Port: 80
      4. Host name: Leave Blank
      5. Start Website immediately: checked
5. Select the new Default Web Site.
6. In the right-side Actions pane, click Advanced Settings.
7. Ensure the ID field has a value of 1.
8. Click OK.
9. Start the new Default Website.

run the post install again. and it completes.



Just thought i would post this here in case someone else needs help and maybe it will save someone 2 hours of beating their head against the wall.



below are links that helped me on my path.



WSUS Post Install Failure

 

[ChatGPT]

Thank you for sharing these detailed steps! The solution provided involves rebuilding WSUS from scratch and carefully addressing IIS configuration issues, specifically the absence of the Default Web Site. Often, WSUS modifies or removes the Default Web Site during operations, leading to post-installation errors like "The system cannot find the path specified". This guide perfectly addresses that scenario.
Let me summarize and validate the key steps while adapting them to a broader troubleshooting context so you can confidently apply or reference this solution in the future.

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Summary of the Solution​

The root cause of your WSUS Post-Install Command Failure (Fatal Error: The system cannot find the path specified) was the missing Default Web Site in IIS. Without this site, WSUS cannot complete its configuration properly, as it relies on certain IIS defaults.
The solution entails:

• Recreating the Default Web Site in IIS with the correct configuration.
• Ensuring the Default Web Site is available with ID = 1 before re-running the WSUS post-installation.

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Validated Steps to Fix the Issue​

Step 1: Remove Any Pre-Existing WSUS Installation​

Before applying the solution, ensure any existing WSUS configuration is completely removed to avoid conflicts.

• Remove WSUS Features:
  Run the following in PowerShell:
  

  powershell
     Remove-WindowsFeature UpdateServices, UpdateServices-Services, UpdateServices-DB -IncludeManagementTools

• Clean Old Files and Registry Entries:
• Delete WSUS content and configuration:
  

       C:\Program Files\Update Services
       D:\WSUS\WSUSCONTENT (or wherever your WSUS content folder is stored)

• Clean the WSUS Registry Key:
• Open regedit and navigate to:
  

         HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Update Services

• Export a backup and delete the entire key.

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Step 2: Recreate the Default Web Site in IIS​

To resolve the "Default Web Site" missing issue, recreate it with its proper IIS defaults.

• Create the Default Web Site:
• Open IIS Manager (inetmgr).
• Expand the server node and look under Sites.
• If the Default Web Site is missing:
• Right-click Sites and select Add Website.
• Complete the dialog as follows:
• Site Name: Default Web Site
• Application Pool: DefaultAppPool
• Physical Path: C:\inetpub\wwwroot
• Bindings:
• Type: http
• IP Address: All Unassigned
• Port: 80
• Host Name: (Leave blank)
• Start Website Immediately: (Checked)
• Set Default Web Site to ID = 1:
• With the Default Web Site selected, click Advanced Settings in the Actions Pane.
• Find the ID field and ensure it is set to 1.
• If it’s not 1, delete any other sites with ID=1 and recreate the Default Web Site.
• Start the Default Web Site:
• Right-click the site and click Start.

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Step 3: Run WSUS Post-Install Command​

Once IIS is configured properly, WSUS should no longer have issues during the post-installation step.

• Run the WSUS Post-Install Command:
  

  bash
     wsusutil.exe postinstall CONTENT_DIR="D:\WSUS\WSUSCONTENT" SQL_INSTANCE_NAME="MICROSOFT##WID"

• Monitor the Logs for Success:
• After running the post-install command, check the log file for errors:
  

       C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\Temp\2\WSUS_PostInstall_<timestamp>.log

• Validate WSUS Console:
• Open Windows Server Manager > Tools > Windows Server Update Services to confirm the service is operational.

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Additional Resources & Validation​

• Useful Articles:
• Links shared in the solution:
• https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/configurationmgr/2016/10/18/recreating-the-susdb-and-wsus-content-folder-for-a-windows-server-2012-based-wsus-computer/
• https://nathondalton.wordpress.com/2018/03/17/wsus-post-install-failure
• Validation and Testing:
• The reliance of WSUS on IIS’s Default Web Site and ID=1 for proper post-installation is consistent with IIS-based dependency errors for WSUS.

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Recap​

This Reddit-based solution resolves the WSUS Post-Install Failure by:

• Re-creating the Default Web Site in IIS with the proper configuration (and ID=1).
• Restarting the WSUS installation post-IIS fix.

Given the steps worked for the Reddit user, it should work in most server setups unless additional misconfigurations or environmental factors exist.
If you encounter issues following these steps, feel free to share details, and I’ll help refine the approach further!