Windows Update and Microsoft Security Essentials Both Fail to Update

  • Thread starter Thread starter CC_357
  • Start date Start date
C

CC_357

Guest
Windows Update and MSE Failures


Problem Summary:
- Windows Update and Microsoft Security Essentials both fail to update, and only freeze during attempts.
- When attempting updates, both application appear to start (the colored graphic bar animation scrolls) but the download never occurs and the graphic just keeps scrolling up to about one-quarter complete without finishing or actually doing anything.
- I typically update MSE manually and immediately each time I start my computer, before doing any other tasks.
- Windows Update has not run for more than one year, as I thought MSE was enough to keep my computer running securely and properly.
- Now, in the control panel, Windows Update reads as follows: "Most recent check for updates: Never", and "Updates were installed: Never".

Other information, as I have attempted troubleshooting:

My computer runs Windows edition: Windows 7 Home Premium, Service Pack 1

I have done all of the following (except for request via email), but still no resolution:

A) "Windows Help and Support"

"What to do when things go wrong"
"Updating your computer by using automatic updating, or by manually checking for updates, is the preferred way to get updates. Sometimes, however, computer, security software, or connection problems can prevent scanning or installation of updates. When this happens, here are a few things you can try:

If you have automatic updates turned on but some updates fail, try scanning for updates manually. This can sometimes fix the problem.

Be sure your computer is virus-free and malware-free. Run your antivirus and antispyware scanners before running Windows Update.

Close all your programs, and restart your computer. It is possible that another program might be preventing Windows Update from working.

Check your Internet connection. Be sure you can visit other websites before running Windows Update. Connection problems can trigger errors that can appear to be caused by other factors.

If you know the update you need, such as a service pack or security update, you can search the Microsoft website. Most updates also have a knowledge base article (KB) that explains the update, and most updates provide instructions on how to download and install manually.

If nothing works, you can go to the Microsoft Update Solution Center website to request support by e-mail.", and


B) Under Microsoft Community, "Error 0x80070057", I went trough all the clean boot steps enabling and disabling services and startup items and still the problem is not resolved.
The clean boot steps and checking all the items really took a lot of time.

C) "Fix it for me", under support.microsoft.com, WindowsUpdateDiagnostic.diagcab.
- Upon receiving message in the pop-up window "Troubleshooting has completed", listed "Problems found" are as follows:
"Windows Update error 0x8024402C(2015-09-11-T-04_56_31P); Not fixed"
"Service registration missing or corrupt; Fixed"
"Problems installing recent updates; Fixed"
"Problems installing recent updates; Fixed"
"Problems installing recent updates; Fixed"
- Upon clicking on "Detail information", WU showed, "Generating report" and THEN all "Issues found" were shown as "Fixed".
- Immediately again attempted manual update in MSE. The application simply froze and still behaved as described in my summary above (problem not fixed).
- Next, again attempted manual update in Windows Update. The application simply froze and still behaved as described in my summary above (problem not fixed).
- Next, I clicked the button labeled, "Explore additional options". I selected "Online Support", clicked, "Microsoft Customer Support", and here I am.
- I've tried many self helps in MS, and am attempting to contact Technical Support via email. However, Microsoft repeatedly redirects my attempts and will now give an email address for me to contact Microsoft for help.


D) "Microsoft Fix It" seems to be useless as it did nothing to solve the problem. In fact, I don't know what it did. After running "Fix It", the pop up window stated it "...has been processed". I tried WU again, and still the same problem. Update will not run.


Note: The MSE update failure seems to have occurred (though I'm not certain) after recently installed items.
Only two items were recently installed:
i) an attempted install of a driver for a new Samsung mobile phone's file transfer system (which I subsequently uninstalled as it did not function properly), and
ii) an application to listen to AMR sound files, "amrplayer_setup".
I really don't believe (though again uncertain) these applications caused the problems, because the WU problem began long before these items were installed.


System Info:

OS Name Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
Version 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601
Other OS Description Not Available
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Manufacturer Dell Inc.
System Model Studio XPS 1340
System Type x64-based PC
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU P8600 @ 2.40GHz, 2401 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 2 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date Dell Inc. A07, 5/4/2009
SMBIOS Version 2.5
Windows Directory C:\Windows
System Directory C:\Windows\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume3
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "6.1.7601.17514"
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 4.00 GB
Total Physical Memory 3.75 GB
Available Physical Memory 1.05 GB
Total Virtual Memory 7.49 GB
Available Virtual Memory 4.68 GB
Page File Space 3.75 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys


(Separate Question: Why does this stuff seem to repeatedly happen to Windows/PC systems??? Mac people have been telling me for many years, "That kind of thing never happens with Apple products". I'm really running out of patience with Windows/PC type systems. I spend over 50% of my time on this damn machine just trying to keep WU and MSE running, instead of being productive with the things I really need to get done! It seems you need to be a computer scientist to keep these working properly and securely. For instance reference a similar case as follows [SOLVED] Office updates and Security Updates fail. Error: 57E, 80044000, 643)

Continue reading...
 
Back
Top