I have a working SharePoint installation running on 64-bit Windows
2008 SP2 (not R2), but am having trouble getting the User Profile
Synchronization to work. After some searching I am repeatedly seeing
others being asked to confirm they have KB971831 installed. If I go
to Control Panel>Programs & Features>View Installed Updates, I don't
see KB971831 installed.

However, when I attempt to install the file (Windows6.0-kb971831-
x64.msu) I get the error: "the install does not apply to your system".

I cannot find any log or Eventlog entry to figure out why it thinks it
doesn't apply. All other aspects of SharePoint 2010 BETA appear to be
working just fine.

What can I do to install KB971831 even though it says it doesn't apply?