I have seven updates which have been downloaded automatically from Windows update, but will not install. They all relate to Microsoft Office 2003, which I have installed on my computer. it is a genuine version of Office and the computer is a new one, running Windows Vista Home premium.

Checking windows help provides the following help in respect of the error:

"Windows Update error 80070643

If you receive Windows Update error 80070643 while installing updates for Microsoft Office 2003, you might need to restart the Office Source Engine (OSE) service. Windows Update can automatically start the service to install updates for Office products if the service is set to the default Manual setting. If the service is disabled, you need to restart it, and then try to install the latest updates for Office products again.

To restart the Office Source Engine (OSE) service
You must be logged on as an administrator to perform these steps.

Click to open Administrative Tools.

Double-click Services. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

If the Office Source Engine service is disabled, double-click it to open the service properties.

Click the Startup type list, click Automatic (Delayed Start), and then click Apply.

Under Service status, click Start.

If the problem persists after you have followed the steps above, see this Knowledge Base article on the Microsoft Help and Support website or go to the Windows Update Support Center website to request support by e‑mail.

Help and Support search term: WindowsUpdate_80070643"

I have followed this advice and Office Source Engine is running as described.
Any ideas??

Try this.
1. Determine the status of the Office Source Engine service. To do this, follow these steps:
a. Click Start, click Run, type services.msc, and then click OK.
b. In the list of services, double-click Office Source Engine.
c. View the option that appears in the Startup type list.
2. If the startup type is set to Disabled, change the startup type to Manual. To do this, click Manual in the Startup type list, and then click OK.
3. Try to install the Office Update packages again.

thanks for the reply, but if you read my original post you will see that I have already tried your suggestion as described in Windows help. The process does not make any difference, the updates still dont load - any more ideas?

For information i sought help from Microsoft suport who were singularly unhelpful, but solved the problem by running the repair function on the installation disc.