The best thing you can do for your computer is as everyone else is saying GET WIN 7. I have an Acer Aspire 3680 that came with Vista and it was the worst. My copy of Vista was corrupted and even though I reinstalled Vista, I still had problems installing the updates. No matter what I tried I just could not get the updates to install. Save yourself from some big headaches, It's worth it to buy Win 7. Since installing Win 7, I have not had a problem installing any Win 7 updates so far. Win 7 just works better. If you do not have a lot of money to spend, Check Ebay You can find some really good prices on Win 7. Just make sure that they are legitimate disks and not copies.
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General discussion
Help! Windows Vista just won't install updates
Help! Windows Vista just won't install updates
I recently purchased a used laptop with Windows Vista. Over the last
several months, I've gotten updates from Windows. The problem is installing
the updates. When I try to install, the updates fail. I have tried
several things, including following stuff on Microsoft's Web site. They
talk a lot about it being a malware problem or other security problem,
but trying all kinds of malware removers, including Malware-bytes and
even Windows Defender has not fixed the problem. Typically I have
about 19-20 updates that will not install. I tried selecting them
individually but it does not work. And every once in a while an update
will install but I don't know why. I am very frustrated and concerned
about security! I run several free security software programs: Avast,
Threatfire, Ad-Aware, Super Anti-Spyware, IObit Security 360, and
Glary Utilities with Online Armor Firewall. Am I running too many
security programs? Could that be the problem? Can someone please help
me? Thank you for your consideration. A solution that will work will
be greatly appreciated!! A former XP User, too poor to buy Windows 7.
--Submitted by: Neal C.
Vista Repair --Submitted by: Boogaloo
http://forums.cnet.com/7723-12546_102-526691-1.html
Too Much of a Good Thing --Submitted by: Flatworm
http://forums.cnet.com/7726-12546_102-5131385.html
Trouble Downloading Updates --Submitted by: rush075
http://forums.cnet.com/7726-12546_102-5131213.html
If you get a used system, you may need a fresh start!--Submitted by: dglenn-computer-graphics
http://forums.cnet.com/7726-12546_102-5131264.html
My Problem Also - Required A New Vista Disk --Submitted by: Basuto9
http://forums.cnet.com/7726-12546_102-5131193.html
Dear Neal C.... --Submitted by: JCitizen
http://forums.cnet.com/7726-12546_102-5132569.html
Thanks to all who contributed!
If you have any additional suggestion or tips that can help Neal out, click on the reply link and submit away. Please be as detailed as possible when providing a solution. Thanks!
Discussion is locked
31 - 60 of 104 Posts
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If you can take it back I would. Most come with free support for a time I'd call them about this.
I've been using Windows 7 since 11/2009 and it's been working great. No problem with any updates loading for me so far.
One other idea to consider is check your fire wall settings. Do you have a router with a firewall in it? Is anything getting through the firewall as far as updated?. You might try doing a java update in control panel. Just click it in "Control panel", then the updates tab, then follow the instructions.
If you haven't installed JAVA you can do it here.
http://www.java.com/en/
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Some data about the laptop's make and model would help identify it's
age. I suggest that it originally came with Windows XP.
Some questions.
Where did you purchase the laptop and can it be returned?
Did you receive a Windows Authentication sticker, it should be on the laptop?
If there is one check to see if it is for Vista.
Did you get any documentation and a recovery disk with the purchase?
If your answer is no then it is quite possible your installed copy of Vista is a pirated copy.
Some clever people are able to install illegal copies of Windows and prevent the Not Authentic message from appearing. There is array of tricks that can be used.
One trick is preventing Windows Updates from installing as often a new version of the file that checks a computer for authenticity is installed which would cause your windows to shut down in 30 days unless you bought a license.
Before you panic many of the updates for Vista may not be required for your laptop, especially non critical ones.
Look at the number of the update and check it on the net.
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I still use Vista (as well as XP and Linux operating systems - on different hard disk drives). I had the same problem with updates over several months and all the technical help was to no avail. Like the writer, some updates would inexplicably get installed. Eventually, the situation resolved itself. (That's the good news!)
My view is that there were a series of problems on my incoming line. BT engineers carried out work along the distance that I am from the telephone exchange, which is a satellite from a bigger telephone exchange. So I am fairly far out which makes my line vulnerable to interference. Being an electronics engineer I take an interest in resolving issues. I have built several computers but my present one is a Dell Dimension C521 that has performed extremely reliably since new - but like any computer, it requires care and maintenance in use to avoid malware - which invariably slows performance.
For protection I have used Outpost Security Suite Pro for the last 5 years or more. I also use Spybot Search and Destroy to remove cookies, etc. together with PC Registry Cleaner. These programmes were recommended by The Official Magazine Windows so I know they've been vetted properly. I never open chain letters or the obvious attempts to acquire private information like bank details - always sending them to the Blocked Senders List on Microsoft Outlook - vital if you want to avoid trojans and the like or even the distribution of your contact details to the world. If you've received the pleas for this or that from Africa you've been guilty of that - not always your fault of course!
My Vista OS is currently working flawlessly. I would hesitate spending money in desperation to fix a mystery issue. If you believe you have damaged your OS through opening a corrupting attachment for instance, my advice would be to do a backup and reinstall Vista. Better still, load your OS onto a slightly bigger drive, to cope with the increasing demands of today, and then put your redundant drive into an Icy Box to store your backups or copies of important files, music or whatever (after you've scanned it thoroughly and re-formatted it I should add). This is a cheaper "fix" and leaves you with a valuable additional resource.
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Try installing your updates in Safe Mode. If I remember
correctly, Windows Update does not work in Safe Mode. You will have to download
your missing updates individually and save them to your desktop or download
folder. Boot into Save Mode and then install them.<div>
First, install a program called Belarc Advisor from CNET. http://download.cnet.com/Belarc-Advisor/3000-2094_4-10007277.html?tag=mncol;1</div><div>
The program will scan your computer and give you a lot of
information about the programs and hardware that is installed, more
importantly, it will let you know which Security Updates need to be installed
or did not install correctly. To the right of the update KB...... number click "details" and it will
take you to Microsoft's download page for that update. Use the "IT
professionals" link to download the update and you will be able to save it
to your desktop or download folder.</div>
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First thing uninstall all the antivirus programs and just run one when you have more than one antivirus program installed and running they cause all sorts of problems from browsers not working to not being able to install anything to complete lockups. Second make sure it is service pack2 if not manually download and install the service packs. Then it should have no trouble with its updates.
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if u are using any other antivirus please remove it becouse some antivirus is not allowing to install the updates to windows folder so try to remove antivirus and do updates
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First of all, ignore the weird anti-Vista crowd. These are just people who think that it makes them look cool to badmouth something beyond their understanding. Vista is a genuinely excellent operating system that got a bad press because people tried to install it on older systems that barely met the higher minimum system requirements and because some arrogant and loudmouthed kids who thought they were experts in XP suddenly weren't gurus anymore with the very different Vista and they resented it, so it got an unfairly negative viral press. In fact, it is an extremely stable, attractive, easy to use and versatile O/S, and Windows 7 is so very similar to Vista in every way that it should have been called Vista SP1.
Secondly, you are running WAY too many security programs. More is NOT better. It's a miracle that your laptop runs at all with all that garbage on it. ONE suite will do it; two is too many. If you want freeware, Windows Live Security Essentials should meet your needs. If you want to pay a little for something a little bit more whizbang, go down to your local warehouse club and get Norton Internet Security 2011 for $29 or so (for three licenses usually).
A note about Norton. A year after you buy it your license will expire. Renewing it runs $60, so it's better to go back to your warehouse store and just buy new disks.
But you may have a real problem. All kinds of nasty stuff like rootkits could prevent updates, and some of it may not be detectable by any commercial AV programs which can only protect against the things they were designed to protect against. The bad guys are VERY clever and even get around security measures put into place by extremely expert professionals at large corporations and government agencies, so don't think a used computer is safe. You have no way to know what may have gotten into that thing.
Did you wipe and reinstall the O/S on this used computer you bought? You certainly should have, and if you didn't, well, now's the time, the sooner the better. I do trust that you got the original manufacturer's O/S and driver distribution disks with the computer. You did, right? Right? Let's assume you did. If you didn't, well, you didn't get much of a deal even if it was free.
First, save all your data somewhere else -- your DATA, pictures, documents, music, etc., not your programs. External USB hard drives with ASTONISHINGLY large capacities are very cheap these days, but something tells me that your data, unless you have a lot of music and movies, falls within the capacity of a couple DVDs or a USB thumb drive or two. This isn't complicated, although saving E-Mail accounts and saved mail can get tricky.
Second, make sure you've got the distribution disks or installation files and keys for software you've purchased.
Now wipe the thing clean with a utility like Darik's Boot & Nuke (DBAN). This is freeware that that runs from a CD. DON'T RUN IT UNTIL YOU'RE SURE YOU'VE SAVED EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO KEEP.
Next, put the initial distribution disk into the computer and run it. After it completes your computer, aside from any dents and blemishes on the surface, will be like new.
Make sure you have a good internet connection. Wire it up to the router for the next step -- don't try to do it wirelessly.
Now, run Microsoft Update. Reboot. Then run it again. Reboot again. Then run it again. Reboot again. Then run it again. Reboot yet again. Keep running it and rebooting until it tells you that your computer is up to date. It is during this part of the procedures that you will be given the option to install Microsoft Security Essentials -- do it.
Then just reinstall your software (at least the stuff you trust), and copy your data back to the appropriate folders. Voila! This is obviously a hassle and will take a lot of time and work, but I am quite sure your ability to receive and install updates will be restored, and your computer will run much, much, MUCH better.
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and my Vista x64 is handling it without a hiccup. If you do any online banking or shopping, you cannot get away with using only one or two security utilities. It takes a wide variety of tools to foil the criminals these days. Vista can handle it fine - you just have to use the right mix.
In fact my Vista x64 install runs better than any computer that I've owned. However, we'll see what the next update from Redmond brings, that may change instantly!
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From what I've seen lately. I've had clients OEM PCs hosed so bad we had to boot and nuke just like you suggested. On Vista, I've seen Microsoft spend about a week and 7 hours on my pc fixing bad updates. When will we get a break from being beta testers for Redmond's update system?
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This is sound and comprehensive advice. Badmouthing Vista as OS is idiotic, and the motley band of security tools on the computer does not help anything. In my experience, Vista updates generally work all right.
I just do not see any need for Norton; firewall and MS Security Essentials will do. Also, it would be a good idea to scan the backup data before reinstating them on the new, clean system. An open question is whether the computer owner has Vista installation disks at all under the circumstances.
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I, and I gather, many others, have been
having similar problems with updates for Windows 7 64-bit, too. To
be more specific, in April, 2011, KB2492386, KB2515325,
KB2522422 and KB982018. They failed to install repeatedly,
therefore slowing shutdown every night and nearly paralyzing startup
every day! As I am pretty adventurous with implementing suggested
fixes for my Acer Aspire 5732Z laptop,(even though I don't like
to do reinstalls or mess with the registry), I tried the following
fix that came via our Microsoft mates in Australia:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-AU/windows-vista/Windows-Update-error-80070002
TRY ONLY AT YOUR OWN RISK - but it
worked for me! I did not even bother with the last part about the
System Update readiness tool. What you're essentially doing is
clearing the contents of the Data Store folder in Software
Distribution in Control Panel.
Control Panel>System and
Security>Windows Update>View Update History
The downside of this procedure is that
it deletes the history of your failed updates. However,
you can still find updates that have actually been installed, in
Installed Updates.
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I just got off the phone with a friend of mine who, under Microsoft's direction, did actually try that. No luck. He has a new model Dell desktop, with a lot of RAM and a dual core quad processor like many of the others I've dealt with. MS technicians then had him do a file checker on the system to log any bad sectors/clusters, etc. that may be on the machine. I think they must have seen a clean bill of health, so they set him a brand new operating system disk from Microsoft!!!!
I've read that others have had this happen and it did to him also. MS must be realizing that the OEMs hosed the installation files so bad with their crap ware that they had to replace it will a clean installation disk. He can always install the DVD software later, if he wants to. I will post back with the success or failure of this action later on.
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Go to help screen in Vista and type in windows update then click on checking for updates.
There is a window that shows the updates so far and if they failed.
Had a similar problem with a client and it was a Framenet 4.0 update that was constantly failing.
make sure its SP2 as microsoft doesn't support sp1 anymore.
I had to download a framenet removal tool and run it as you will not see this update in the programs and feature listing of updates as explained in some of the microsoft instructions on its removal.
if this is the problem download the update directly from microsoft as you need to run this file after you restart in safe mode.
see
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=aae7fc63-d405-4e13-909f-e85aa9e66146
if this is the problem
You may have to restart vista in safe mode as it may fail to load after the removal by holding down f5 and selecting safe mode when vista is starting up then install the framenet 4.0 update you downloaded earlier shut it down again and restart it.
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Microsoft didn't try that on mine, but then Secunia PSI noticed I needed the next version of .NET and voila! Problems solved! Why the Microsoft Update couldn't detect that is a mystery to me; but now my PC is running better than any PC I've had before! I know that is hard to believe with Vista, especially with all the DRM that is on my cable ready system! 
I'm running Vista Home Premium x64 for cable ready systems.
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Funny thing, I had the same problem when I first installed Windows 7. I bought a floor model computer with Vista just before Win7 came out. The store sold me an anti-virus program at that time (Webroot). After I was running Win7 for a while, I noticed that many of my updates were not successfully installing. I had a long talk with Microsoft (you can do that when you buy and install their OS yourself)! The technician suggested I remove the antivirus software and use Microsoft's free software (Microsoft Security Essentials). That was over 2 years ago and I have not had ANY problems since.
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For some unknown reason our laptop will not accept some updates either unless we turn off the UAC.
If yours is set to high that may be the reason all your updates are being blocked?
Go to Control Panel then to User Accounts then to Change User Account Control Settings and slide the bar to the bottom. Reboot. Now Try and do your updates and see if that helps? Be sure to turn the UAC back on when you have finished.
I do agree with some of the others about having to many anti virus programs installed and running at the same time as they will conflict with each other and cause major problems! Have only One that runs on your PC ie. (in the background) Like your Avast or Microsoft Security Essentials and then you can have Malwarebytes and or Superantispyware as backup scanners.
Hope this Helps!
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Download "tdsskiller.exe" from Kapersky. It's free and clears up your problem.
I also have Avast, Threatfire and Glary but I don't think they are the cause.
My OS is Vista on a Dell Inspiron 6400 and I also have no intention of wasting money on Win 7. I don't think the problem arose with my OLD desktop with Win XP.
Hope this clears up your backlog.
Gerry Donaghy
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I avoided Vista entirely. That said, I know there are similarities between Vista and Windows 7. They were both created by Microsoft and are "maintained" by Microsoft.
I've just learned why some of the Windows 7 updates fail, repeatedly. Some of the updates that Microsoft is sending out to users require user input during the install process. But the updates are received and held until you shutdown your machine. I'll bet most users don't stand around while their machine shuts down.
It appears that failing to reply to the requesters during an update results in a failed update. The requesters appear to time out.
I tried not to point this out, but I have to say it. What bright light decided to bundle updates that require user input with other updates that don't? And why isn't the user notified that user input is required?
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I had a client with an OEM laptop, and turned her machine on one day and it seemed to be doing a repair like as if she did a forced shutdown, and it asked for her logon to the administrator. She simple turned it off again instead of complying. She had no idea about the new boot repair utility and probably though malware was trying to take over her computer! She hosed that one so bad, I bet they have to reinstall the operating system. I didn't have to mess with it because the OEM had it under warraunty.
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If you are an average bear like me, forget the idea of being able to target the exact reason why your copy of VISTA will not update. You'll spend a lifetime of frustration trying to find out. Bottom line - a software installation/removal was buggy at best or malware at worse and it caused a corruption. I would also forget the rants from people who hate VISTA and/or Microsoft and have no better thought than to say 'dump it'. My wife, who can collapse a computer just by looking at it, has had a VISTA machine for quite some time. If VISTA can stand up to the way her brain works then it gets my seal of approval. If the OS is treated with some modicum of respect by only installing known, good and verified software then it runs just fine. The blame goes to 3rd party vendors pushing bad amateur code.
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However, I would have started with calling Microsoft first. They have to support update issues for free, even if you are an OEM owner. They are much more competent than either DELL or HP employees in my experience. You are right about having two viruses being a very bad situation, but ONLY if BOTH real time protections are enabled. Many of my clients like having a backup scanner to double check the real time anti-virus. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this.
If you do banking and/or online shopping you MUST have more than one malware solution on board. The trick is having them together using different real time technologies, they will NEVER conflict with each other, but check the event viewer anyway to see for sure.
Many really good security tools don't even use real time protection, and go into the kernel space to defeat the criminals in their enterprise! Reading CNET reviews will point some of them out. TechRepublic, a sister organization of CNET is the other good one to find out what works.
I will not publish my list unless asked for, as I am not a spammer, and do not work for anyone but myself.
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I ran onto a similar problem with a new laptop that had 4GB of RAM. I removed one stick(2GB) of RAM and the updates ran just fine and then I reinstalled the 2GB stick of RAM and all was well.
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They can really only read 3.5 or so Gbs of RAM anyway, so I wouldn't doubt you're right there. On x64 systems you can't have enough RAM, but one of the sticks may be flaky, so a hardware diagnostic would be in order after that action.
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The answer by Boogaloo in response to Lee Koo is contradictory. "Do NOT install multiple virus and malware scanners." But then he admits to using Windows Defender as well as AVG. The computer I am using now has Windows Defender, AVAST Free (6.0.1125) and AVG Free (9.0.901) all running at the same time with zero repeat ZERO problems for at more than two years (yes, they have been updated to the versions noted above) on this VISTA laptop (Toshiba). This means no crashes, no BSOD, no error messages, no spontaneous reboots, no problems whatsoever, and I include during scans (one at a time) , updates (manual or automatic), no conflicts during any repeat any computer operations including copying, printing, moving, viewing , running any programs at all. All the security products mentioned have all modules working and loaded full time. Also no conflicts or problems running on demand scanners such as Malwarebytes and SpyBot S&D for scans or updates, while the big three are operating..
Another almost identical Toshiba Laptop (my Lady's work machine) came from her company's IT Department with Norton360 and AVIRA , and I added Windows Defender and for more than two years have never experienced a problem.
My XP SP3 desktop runs AVIRA, Threatfire, and ISO360 full time, with never a problem, and a number of on demand scanners, including Spybot, Spyware Terminator, Hijack This, Blacklight, RUBotted, and maybe four more. Never a problem running, scanning, updating any repeat any of them while the three main programs were active.
Prior to this combo of three security products running full time, on the XP desktop computer I ran AVAST, AVG, and Windows DEFENDER. NO PROBLEMS!!!! Tried to upgrade to Microsoft Security Essentials, the first incarnation, but it did not want to play well with the others, or with my Browser. So after experimentation I arrived at the combo noted above, which works GREAT!
.
To those who say you can not run more than one securtity product at the same time, NONSENSE.
Now, if only I could help with the Vista updating problem........
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Any time I've seen clients try to get away with either one of these situations, I can see error alerts all over the event viewer in the MMC; but suit yourself. It is your hardware at risk.
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I had this same problem a couple of years back after having my HP a1750y series 3 Gig pc running Vista for two years. I did the same thing that Boogaloo suggested; rebooted the system.
It worked. But for some reason it came back despite being careful of what I download and the webpages that I go to.
The reboot from the last finally cleared that up.
As for AVG-Free, it is what I use when the Norton free trial runs out after reboot. It is easy to use and install. I just go to CNET.com Downloads for it.
However, for my own curiosity, I'd like to know why Vista after a while stops installing updates. Honestly, I think it is just a design flaw in Windows...as usual.
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. . . can't do any text formatting here . . . I have put what I do in the pdf at this link (at my google docs space):
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B6myy5leX6JwYjhlNjRhZmMtMDg4My00M2YxLWEzMDgtZmY3ZmM2YmM0ZGFi&hl=en
. . . when I do a preview, it looks like it cuts off the link. If so, put together these two rows to make the URL:
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid= 0B6myy5leX6JwYjhlNjRhZmMtMDg4My00M2YxLWEzMDgtZmY3ZmM2YmM0ZGFi&hl=en
The pdf is 3 pages. It describes how to turn off the Services and Startups, and run the System File Checker - no need to re-install the OS.
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