DOCUMENT:Q165709 08-AUG-2001 [winnt] TITLE :Error Message from Hotfix.exe: The Fix Is Already Installed PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:WinNT:4.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbsetup ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe. SYMPTOMS ======== You may receive the following error message when you attempt to reapply a hotfix that is more recent than the service pack after you reapply the service pack: Hotfix: The fix is already installed. Hotfix: Internal consistency error: Invalid Tree pointer = . If you then try to remove the hotfix by using the /R switch, you may receive the following error message: Hotfix: Fix <"hotfix name"> was not removed. CAUSE ===== Hotfix.exe checks the Hotfix key in the registry to determine if the hotfix being applied has already been installed. When you remove a hotfix using the /R switch, Hotfix.exe checks the New Link Date key stored in the Hotfix key in the registry. If the link date of the current file listed in the New File key is older than the date contained in the New Link Date key, then Hotfix.exe does not remove the file and replace it with the original file stored in the %SystemRoot%\Hotfix folder on your hard disk. RESOLUTION ========== When you apply a hotfix, Hotfix.exe adds a registry value that indicates the hotfix has been applied. Perform the following steps to successfully reapply the hotfix after reapplying the service pack: WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk. For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. 1. Run Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe), and go to the following subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\ CurrentVersion\Hotfix NOTE: The above registry key is one path; it has been wrapped for readability. 2. Select the hotfix key you wish to delete, and then click Delete on the Edit menu. 3. Reinstall all applicable hotfixes. Additional query words: hot-fix ====================================================================== Keywords : kbsetup Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 Version : WinNT:4.0 Issue type : kbprb ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2001.