Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Tried to install SP1, didn't work and now I can't update

Dec 18, 2014 4:31PM PST

I have been at this for 5 days because a job that requires me to have IE10. Anyway, in order to get IE10 I needed to install Service Pack 1 on my Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit and that is when this all started. The update was showing up under past updates once I "installed" it, yet when I look under the system information and other areas it doesn't show up at all. I also started getting error code 80072EFE, which led to other problems, and sometimes it switches to 80080005 (current error) and back again. I know for sure that the issue is the download because I got it to work again somehow, no clue, and when I tried again it happened. Both times the download happened so late while I was asleep that I didn't see if any error came up and the laptop was off by the time I was awake.

I have been going back and forth on one forum, but this is taking way too long because the job emailed me on Sunday to start testing and it is now Friday. I have tried various solution. So far I have done, for what I remember, the Kaspersky solution, virus/malware scans, checking time/date, firewall check, removing downloads from SoftwareDistribution folder, system restore (doesn't work properly cause of update error), checking connection, hot fix install, Windows Update Diagnostic run, and that is about all I remember running. Windows Update Diagnostic even tells me that the error is "Problems installing recent updates" and when the 80080005 shows up it gives that one also as one of the "Not fixed" issues. I feel like the solution would be to remove any pieces of the updates that didn't work as possible so that it gives me the "Windows Update needs to be updated" message I got yesterday allowing me to retry the install. I figure maybe a manual install after doing that will get it to work.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Sure.
Dec 20, 2014 4:02AM PST

But ain't it strange that the search tool you use only works in IE10, and not in Firefox or Chrome? What strange tool is that?

Kees

- Collapse -
Microsoft
Dec 20, 2014 3:22AM PST

I just spoke with Microsoft and they told me the issue is that the file corrupted stuff in my registry and that is why this is happening. The problem is that they want to charge me to fix this and I don't have a bank account or the money to be doing that right now. Is there a program I could get online that does this?

- Collapse -
EasyCleaner
Dec 20, 2014 3:49AM PST

It might not fix it, but it will clear out all the registry items that are no longer valid and that might get you over the hump so you can get SP1 installed properly.

http://personal.inet.fi/business/toniarts/ecleane.htm

This guy's registry cleaner is safe, legit, he's been around for years. There are 2 times when a safe registry cleaner can be used;

One is where you had to manually remove folders of a program due to defective uninstall program for it and it caused registry errors to be issued.

The other is cleanup when some AV or Malware removing program got rid of virus or trojan, but references to it's parts are still in the registry.

Just realize that most other uses of one are unnecessary and many others that are offered are from places like ransomware providers.

- Collapse -
Answer
Last hurrahs.
Dec 19, 2014 1:14AM PST

I read you have no backup, no CD/DVDs and what a mess. But after you backup what you have, I would try the following.

1. Try the update in a new Admin capable user account.
2. Remember you didn't reveal much about your setup. One poor person (poor since that went to a shop counter and dropped hundreds on the OS and the reload!) had some security suite installed and set the "Maximum Security" which meant more than they ever imagined.
3. Malware can do this too. Try Grif's ideas for scans at http://forums.cnet.com/7726-6122_102-5509131.html?tag=posts;msg5509131

4. Since you are posting you've already googled the error so I won't do that again for you or mention possible Microsoft Fixits.
Bob

- Collapse -
Answer
This may help.
Dec 19, 2014 12:48PM PST

If you have a legitimate copy of Windows 7 Ultimate, contact Microsoft tech support. Explain your problem, then let them take control of your computer, and solve the Service Pack 1 problem. It may take you longer to find where to get in touch with a tech support agent, than it will to have them fix the problem. I've delt with Microsoft like this when I come across something that's beyond my knowledge. I hope that this helps.
Regards,
Mr. Windows

- Collapse -
Not sure
Dec 19, 2014 10:33PM PST

I honestly have no clue whether this was a legit copy or not since this was sold to me by someone. Is there a possible way that I could check and see apart from trying to find the guy and ask him?

- Collapse -
Click Start, right-click Computer, look at bottom of screen
Dec 20, 2014 3:34AM PST

If you have a valid activated version of Windows, it will say so on the bottom of that page.

When you've gotten your system back like you want it, I urge you to get yourself an external hard drive and a good 3rd party backup program. You can set it up to do everything automagically at the time and frequency of your choice. 1 TB external hard drives are about $50 these days and a really good FREE backup program is the Easeus Todo Backup Free. That can save you a lot of time and frustration the next time something like this happens. Sooner or later it happens to all computers for one reason or another.

Good luck.

- Collapse -
Amendment
Dec 20, 2014 3:57AM PST

Click Start, right click Computer, then select Properties.

If you have a valid activated version of Windows, it will say so on the bottom of the new window.

Sorry wpgwpg, hope you don't mind me adding a little to your post. Happy

Mark

- Collapse -
I'm glad you added it!
Dec 20, 2014 3:59AM PST

I just realized I'd left that little detail out. Shame on me! Thanks.

- Collapse -
JellyBean
Dec 20, 2014 3:36AM PST
https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

What I do then is run one of the product key quintets in google, and if that's suspicious, run a different one. If both get hits, or I find the full Product Key exposed on the internet, I can be sure it's no good any longer. If google doesn't condemn it, then use it when you contact Microsoft, and also make a record of it for yourself.

Make a screen capture of what it finds, all of it, and save it, also put on a backup.
- Collapse -
(NT) sold by the job you need the IE10 for?
Dec 20, 2014 4:43AM PST
- Collapse -
Answer
Long post
Dec 20, 2014 3:55AM PST
- Collapse -
Answer
Help doc from microsoft
Jan 6, 2015 10:51PM PST