We spend days trying to figure out we could not install the Security Update for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3 (KB970892). We've seen this issue on multiple computers. Once we changed the registry key as decribed in this artible the SQL update installed without errors.
Althought this article pertains to ACT, I believe it applies to any other SQL Express instances.
This is a reported issue. You also may find that the security update failing to install will cause the SQL Server ACT7 instance to stop and you receive a "Database Cannot be Accessed" error message if you open ACT! and try to open your database after. To attempt to workaround this issue and install the security update, please use the following steps:
Note: The following information is provided as a convenience. Sage does not provide support for Microsoft® Products. For more information on this topic go to Microsoft.com.
Click Start and select Run.
The Run dialog box appears. In the Select field, type regedit.
Caution: We strongly recommend that you back up the system registry before making any changes. Incorrect changes to the registry could result in permanent data loss or corrupted files. Please make sure you modify only the keys specified. For detailed information on backing up the Windows® Registry, click the link below:
Title: How to Backup the Windows® Registry
Answer ID: 13807
Navigate to the following registry key:
32-bit Computers: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\Setup
64-bit Computers: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\Setup
Note: If you have multiple instances of SQL Server installed, the registry key may be different. You can verify by checking each MSSQL.x root key and locating the one which has ACT7 in the Name column on the right pane. In addition, you may need to follow the steps below for each MSSQL.x key to prevent to security update from failing..
Locate the Resume REG_DWORD entry on the right pane
Right click on the Resume entry and select Modify. Change the Decimal value from 1 to 0 and press OK.
Close the Windows Registry.
You should now be able to successfully install the SQL Server 2005 Security update via Windows update or from a manual download.
Rerefence: http://kb.sagesoftwareonline.com/cgi-bin/sagesoftwareonline.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=25673&p_created=1256925768&p_sid=m3dcpf8k&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MSwxJnBfcHJvZHM9NjUxMiZwX2NhdHM9JnBfcHY9MS42NTEyJnBfY3Y9JnBfc2VhcmNoX3R5cGU9YW5zd2Vycy5zZWFyY2hfbmwmcF9wYWdlPTEmcF9zZWFyY2hfdGV4dD1rYjk3MDg5Mg**&p_li=&p_topview=1