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General discussion

Help! Windows Vista just won't install updates

May 13, 2011 6:14AM PDT
Question:

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

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this is the best help i can give everyone with a pc
May 21, 2011 8:49AM PDT

this line applies only to vista . so it does not apply with other versions . to allow

microsoft to interact with updates and such you need to turn off UAC control

this is done by going to control panel, user accounts, and there will be a link to

turn off UAC (user account control)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WGA (windows genuine advantage) this makes your xp/vista pc accept

windows updates without any problems. this will take some checking on your

part as the link changes every week to keep the hackers out. it can be done i

did it on my vista and xp ,but it took me a while.

updatechecker monitors your pc and tells you when there are newer updates
http://filehippo.com/updatechecker/

ccleaner keeps your internet area clean
http://filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/

defraggler keeps your hard drive in top shape no viruses or bad or corrupt files
http://filehippo.com/download_defraggler/

realplayer runs some of todays videos
http://www.real.com/

java runs all your background services computer stays fast without java

programs will not run correctly
http://www.java.com/en/

security essentials keeps your pc safe from internet viruses and worms
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

flashplayer is the most common player today
http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/

click the green download button on the top right ------>>>
of each link. have fun.

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Microsoft Fixes for failed Windows Updates
May 22, 2011 3:52AM PDT

I have had many cases where Windows Update began to fail--many after removing spyware from machines I work on. I read all the responses and no one has mentioned two great Microsoft Support methods. One is to reinstall the Windows Update Agent: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144/en-us. This will make sure that the Windows Update service is up-to-date and has not been corrupted by malware. Another tool that I have found to correct many corrupted registry and service entries is the "Fix It" tool Microsoft provides to reset Windows Update Components: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058 . Save and run it or just run it from the web site using the default less agressive method--it will fix many Windows Update problems.

These methods should be attempted only after clean scans result from Malwarebytes' Anti-malware and others. Once the machine is "clean" one should run the system file checker (SFC /scannow) from the command prompt to make sure that sytem files are present and intact. I have found that the fix it tool above is particularly useful when malware has modified important registry entries that pertain to Windows Update.

So, in summary, first make sure the machine is free of malware; then run SFC /scannow; then reinstall the Windows Update Agent (first link); then run the fix-it tool (second link). Reboot and run Windows Update. Good luck.

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You linked to an XP fix...
May 22, 2011 6:39AM PDT

and and we are talking about Vista. However there was a Vista link near the beginning of that page - I tried similar fixes but they did not work. But in all fairness, my update history was not reporting a failure anyway; but I could tell the update hosed my capabilities, and when Microsoft remotes in, they also could see it wasn't working. Oddly enough, running the Microsoft Office installation cleanup tool did work in one instance. I tried to use it too, but the link was deactivated by Microsoft. Undoubtedly so only professionals could use it. This utility is not always for solving Office problems.

Once when a particular update broke my installation of Rapport, the Trusteer technicians came in and installed a snapin that gave the event viewer in the MMC a very powerful capability to report exactly which modules were misbehaving and the attending registries and/or .dlls that were causing the problem! Then he went to work manually modifying each one!

The side effect was to cure a lot of DRM problems I've had for two years. So I suspect previous hotfixes had been mussed up and were not properly re-organized upon installation of SP2 for Vista.

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Same Fixes for Vista...
May 22, 2011 8:06AM PDT

Sorry, the 1st link applied to XP products; however, http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949104 refers to the same files as working for Vista, Server 2008, 2003, XP and 2000 SP4. There is a 32-bit and 64-bit download. At any rate, I have found these two techniques to work more often than not, when Windows Update fails, particularly at the hands of a malware infection and cleanup. The fix-it tool in the second link is good if malware or an overly zealous registry cleaner took out or modified registry keys or services needed to run Windows Update. Also, one should check to see if the Windows Update service is running, as well as Remote Procedure Call (RPC) and DCOM Server Process Launcher both of which Windows Update service depends upon to run.

I have one HP desktop computer running Vista that has never been able to install Service Pack 2. I have researched the error code (0x800f0900), have tried both downloading, then installing SP2 and running it from the Windows Update site. Install fails every time. Have tried System Update Readiness tool for Vista. Have tried disabling AV and firewall, limited startup via msconfig--all to no avail. That's the only one I haven't been able to solve so far. The above links work for most that I have had to deal with.

Thanks for the correction. I hope this info will help someone.

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Sounds good..
May 22, 2011 11:54AM PDT

All good advice. Happy Ever tried Windows free support for the nagging HP Vista problem? Mind turned out to be a .NET update that Windows Update never told me about. I had to run Secunia PSI to find out about it. Angry

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Highly recommended to install both Service Packs.
May 22, 2011 4:52AM PDT

First of all, remove the excess online protection that slows the application programs scanning for viruses and other bad files. Keep Avast! as your antivirus program, Defender as a supplement to the Windows Firewall and, IObit Security 360(last version recommended) + Advanced SystemCare(last version recommended). This is what I keep on my Windows 7 Home Premium SP1's current configuration. Right now, run ASC 4 with the Registry Fix option checked(enables it) with all other feature apps that are quite useful at putting a machine back in tip-top shape.

Second, go onto Microsoft.com's Download Page and, make the search for 'Service Packs' in order to find the Service Pack 1 needed to be installed a.s.a.p. prior to install Service Pack 2 for the O.S. Win. Vista(6). Download the first one and install. Let the machine reconfigure herself and reboot herself as many times as it is deemed necessary. From the ASC 4 list of function features, check the option Defragment Hard Drive. Run ASC 4's Deep Scan and fix all problems.

Third, go back onto Microsoft.com's Download Page and, find the Service Pack 2 for download and install. Just like the previous proceedings + another Deep Scan and fix all problems via ASC 4.

There, that should put your machine in proper working order. That will take a lot of time if, your machine is as slow as think she could be. The next batch of updates-upgrades of your O.S. should be dealt the same way as a Service Pack installation.

Good Luck with your severe updating! (Side Note: Have you flashed the newest Bios for this specific machine? Highly recommended before installing Service Pack 2)
Wink

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Help! Windows Vista just won't install updates
May 22, 2011 9:33AM PDT

Hi !
Unless someone had already suggested it, and in case none of the suggestions suit you, it may be just necessary to restore your system from the point/date it was working properly.
Just follow the steps:
Click Start/ Control Panel/ System Maintenance/ Back up & Restore/ on the left column, you can either choose "Restore Windows System Configuration (restores the whole system as it was the 1st time) or "Create a point of restore" (restores the system from the point/date you will have chosen).
When finished, restart the system to make the changes take effect.
Good luck
F.

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vista updates
May 22, 2011 5:15PM PDT

I also had the same problem with vista and it turned out in my case that less was more. After selecting the updates close the box so that just the actual updates downloading are showing. Do not use your computer during the process. Afterwards it may say failed. Hit the try-again button and it loads afterwards restart the system. I am not sure why but all windows have to be closed. Is the system an HP. I had to download a fix from HP for their updates first and then afterwards vista could load but only after the windows were closed.
Best of luck

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Problems installing updates
May 23, 2011 12:38AM PDT

First I think you are running too many anti-malware programs which can conflict with one another and possibly prevent updates from installing. I run Vista on my laptop and never had a problem installing updates, I run Ad Aware and MS Security Essentials. first download, but not install, Ad Aware and MS Security Essetenials, next download MS's Software Remvoal Tool (a new version of this exists on MS's website, and is good for removing rootkits, malware, etc.), take computer off line, uninstall all other anti-virus and anti-malware software, then run MS's software removal tool, if nothing is found install Ad Aware and MS Security Essentials, go back online and update both Ad Aware and MS Security Essentials, then try updating Windows.

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Still good advice, but...
May 23, 2011 5:38AM PDT

just an FYI for other readers here; I run a veritable gauntlet of security solutions, some of them very powerful and running in the kernel space; and 85% of the time this doesn't affect Windows Update, the other 15% is when the update process breaks the security solution itself. I found that reinstalling them using a clean boot will usually fix the problem, and of course doing that same thing running MS update can always fix the problem in that environment as well.

For newbies that don't know what a "clean boot" is: The definition, as I understand it, is using MSCONFIG to turn off all services and startups during the next boot. This has always negated any vexing security or other programs that may be interfering with an installation or update process. Uninstalling the AV or AM solution is usually not necessary, and sometimes simply turning off the real time protection of your AV and AM programs is sufficient.

Perhaps it would make more sense if I simply stated that is is always easier and faster to try the simple solution first, because that one usually works 95% of the time - then one can step up to the next level of complexity. KISS is the well known principle, but I'm not calling anyone here stupid. I am surprised how smart and knowledgeable everyone who is responding here on this subject has been! It is enough to make one feel very good about our CNET community!! Happy

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Fix It Solution
May 23, 2011 5:50AM PDT
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Updating Vista
May 27, 2011 11:45AM PDT

I have just finished rebuilding an old HP computer and clean-installed Windows Vista Ultimate. The first 105 updates went well (except the language packs - probably never need these anyway). Then it wanted to install Service Pack 1 - three attempts - no way would it install. After reading further about this on Microsoft's website, support has finished for the versions of Vista pre-Service packs. Updates work fine for customers with Service Pack 2 installed, but Service Pack 1 is a pre-requisite. Both service packs are available from Microsoft as stand-alone downloads. Service pack 2 is also available as a .iso disk image and can be setup from the CD you make from it. If you download Service Pack 1 you should be able to install it locally (you may need another update, too, which you can save locally - it's all explained on Microsoft's Website). Once Service Pack 1 is installed, you can install Service Pack 2 right away. You won't need to download any more updates first - just install Service Pack 2. After this you will notice that you have more free space on your hard drive and subsequent updates will work fine. I installed over 200 updates in the entire process but everything is fine now. If your graphics card cannot run Directx 9.0c or higher, you will also need to install Microsoft Movie Maker v.2.6 - this is also available as a free download from Microsoft. Hope this all helps and that you have a couple of days and nights free and a fast internet connection! Good luck.

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Excellent douglaspjones!...
May 28, 2011 10:42AM PDT

I seem to remember one has to install some prepratory updates in that instruction list, but maybe I'm getting confused with Win7. If I ever have to wipe and reinstall Vista again, I definitely planned to bone up on it at the MS site! Happy

Makes one miss the good ol' days when all you had to do was install the latest service pack and ignore all previous ones! Sad

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Got help?
Jul 1, 2011 8:01PM PDT

Hi!

Have you gotten any good help? I had the same problem and received help from a Microsoft tech. If you like, I can send you the instructions. I had a few corrupted files...


Regards

Kjell Eriksson, Uppsala, Sweden
kjeeri@telia.com