Windows Update problem
 

The wife's PC doesn't seem to want to update properly. I have no idea if it's connected but today it froze a couple of times on startup After powering off/on a couple of times it fired up and I was able to get into her (admin) account. On doing this I noticed Avast was showing several updates were required e.g. Adobe Air which were completed but then a message appeared stating that Windows Updates had failed or something. I tried again via the start menu but it failed to update and gave me an error code:

Error code 8007EE2

With advice to try adding the following to the list of allowed sites in the Windows Firewall

http://*.update.microsoft.com
https://*.update.microsoft.com
http://download.windowsupdate.com

I am using Windows Firewall, however, and this should apparently not be necessary but I have checked WF and can't see these items in the list of allowed sites so am wondering what to do. I noticed from the that the last windows updates were done in July but they should have been automatic so it seems the problem started around then.

Rather than change anything I disabled Windows Firewall and tried to update but once again it failed and this time gave a slightly different code 80072ee2 with a message that Windows was unable to search for updates.

Not sure what to do now. It's Win 7 by the way. TIA

PS I tried to attach a screenshot of the window which opened but was unable to upload it. Wondering if this is part of the same problem...

Re: Windows Update problem
 

Both error codes and your inability to upload sound like a problem with your internet connection. Turn off any third party firewalls (i.e. Avast) and try again.

Re: Windows Update problem
 

Thanks for the reply. She's using Avast free version and I don't think it contains a Firewall. I managed to update Adobe Air and Avast virus definitions also. Oddly Avast tells me an update is available but when I click on it the programme tells me it's up to date.

Right now I'm backing up her documents and pictures/videos just in case there's a major problem with the hard drive or whatever.

Re: Windows Update problem
 

Hmm, if Avast has no firewall then I would try starting in Safe Mode with Networking. Windows update won't work there, but uploading images and/or other internet access should.

Re: Windows Update problem
 

Right, Avast has no Firewall but since I was last here I managed to update it to the latest version and that seems fine. I still can't get Windows Update to work however and can't upload an image to CF. I just tried emailing screen capture images of the Windows Firewall allowed applications settings from this machine and was unable to attach them to the email so will copy them onto an SD card and try to post them here later or tomorrow. I'm wondering if these settings are at fault somehow. Have been backing up stuff and farting around all afternoon so packing in shortly before my head explodes but will try starting in safe mode when I can.

Oh I did try starting in safe mode at one point this morning when the 'Windows wasn't shut down properly' message appeared after a failed attempt to start her up but that too hung for ages so I just powered the machine off and tried a normal restart after which it worked.

Having backed her up and found some recovery discs for the machine I'm wondering if it might be easier to do a restore or even a reset but I'm saying that having never done one... lol I seem to have 2 discs one for Win7 32 bit and one for Win7 64 bit so which would I use if I went down this route?

Re: Windows Update problem
 

Hi guys. I just noticed that on this laptop, my Windows Firewall settings are a bit different from my wife's and that there are various Windows programmes (Live for example) which are ticked to allow access by my firewall but are unticked on hers. Would it be safe to set her Firewall to allow any Microsoft or Windows programmes? I guess I'm wondering whether these settings have somehow been changed on her Firewall and are causing the uploading problem. If that is the case though, what I can't understand is why turning her Firewall off briefly didn't solve the issue. When I did this I didn't get a message telling me a restart was required. :confused:

Re: Windows Update problem
 

These are all just allows for inbound connections. They should have no effect on outbound connections.

Re: Windows Update problem
 

OK, sorry if I'm being really simple but why does the Windows error code I got mention that I may need to add those 3 Windows links to my Firewall exceptions then? :confused:

==========================

Update

Right I am now back on the wife's PC and the upload and Windows update problems persist. I just checked the update history and found the following were the most recent updates listed:

Definition Update for Windows Defender - KB915597 (Definition 1.185.2784.0)

Installation date: ‎13/‎10/‎2014 12:42 Installation status: Successful

Windows Update Agent 7.6.7600.320

Installation date: ‎26/‎08/‎2014 15:07 Installation status: Successful

Definition Update for Windows Defender - KB915597 (Definition 1.177.1917.0)

Installation date: ‎08/‎07/‎2014 14:57 Installation status: Successful

So prior to my being able to update the Windows Defender definitions yesterday, the last update was Windows Update Agent which is supposed to handle all automatic updating, the very thing which is broken. Could a problem here be the cause of this issue?

Re: Windows Update problem
 

It tells you to add the exceptions to other firewalls if you have them instead of the Windows firewall. It does not tell you to add them to the Windows firewall.

---------- Post added at 15:29 ---------- Previous post was at 15:28 ----------

Regardless, it's possible the Windows update updater is broken, but that wouldn't explain your inability to upload or send files through a browser. Perhaps the BITS service is damaged, although that shouldn't affect browsers either. An sfc /scannow would pick up any corrupt files as a result of that update, although it still seems to be more generic network issues to me.

Re: Windows Update problem
 

HI thanks for clarifying. I realise that the links were intended for other firewalls but thought that was simply because they'd already be in the Windows Firewall by default. So I was thinking maybe they could have been removed or changed in some way on my wife's PC.

I just started her PC up in safe mode but found that there was no network connection available so I was unable to trying uploading anything.

Re: Windows Update problem
 

Windows firewall doesn't require outbound exceptions as all outbound connections are always allowed by default - there's nothing to remove. Not all other firewalls work in this manner, that's why the advice is there.

Did you start up in safe mode or safe mode *with networking*?

Re: Windows Update problem
 

Ahhh......... :)

Will try that and report back. TVM

---------- Post added at 17:52 ---------- Previous post was at 17:19 ----------

OK managed to get into safe mode with networking. Was able to get online and tried to send an email attachment but it wouldn't upload. I also tried to attach an image to this post with the same result.

I got the same flagged up warning message about Windows being unable to update but also a new one telling me to turn on the windows security centre service. Not sure if that's important or what would be expected.

Incidentally getting into safe mode was a pain. On starting up a message appears to press F8 for boot options but when I did all I got was 4 choices about booting up from a HDD, Generic USB device or something, no mention of safe mode. Selecting the default choice just turned the PC on normally. Eventually I just turned to PC off by holding in the power button and when it rebooted I was presented with the various start windows normally and safe mode options I'm used to seeing.

Re: Windows Update problem
 

Right, I thought system restore might be worth a shot but oddly it shows up only one restore point which was yesterday afternoon for some reason I don't appreciate. Ticking the box 'show more restore points' does nothing so it appears I can't restore any further back than yesterday. :confused:

I've just noticed an option to create a 'system repair disc' but have no idea whether going down this route would be possible, worthwhile or advisable.

Re: Windows Update problem
 

I don't know if it's relevant to your problem, but didn't Microsoft issue a couple of updates then promptly withdraw them couple of months ago? (could have even be 3months)
Loads of people complained about failed updates at the time.
Plus don't forget current updates increased by 132Mb (in my case) today.

Re: Windows Update problem
 

Yes I recall that it was August I think. I'll have a dig around and see what I can find out about that.

I've just done a full system scan by Avast which showed no infections so that's positive. It did flag up 4 files which could not be scanned but I seem to recall they were flagged up before this current fault appeared.

Re: Windows Update problem
 

Hope you get sorted soon, currently trying to load current updates for win 7 on 3 laptops.
17 updates but loads 1 then cancelled other 16, restarted again to load 16 then promptly cancels 15.
Final load all 17 listed updates on 3rd attempt.

Re: Windows Update problem
 

Oh dear. I have a load pending too, just wondering if it'll all kick off when I turn off this laptop later...

No new updates are showing up on the wife's PC, it's as Microsoft can't 'see' it anymore so don't know what updates it needs.

---------- Post added at 20:36 ---------- Previous post was at 20:12 ----------

Just found this which concerns Windows Update Agent 7.6.7600.320 - the last update the wife's PC received before the wheels came off.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/25993...-settings.html

In the comments section there's this:


Wonder if this is the solution...

Re: Windows Update problem
 

Possible solution, can't break anything can it?

Re: Windows Update problem
 

Oh dear.

Just went up to try the above and now the PC won't fire up. The fan whirrs into action and lights up but instead of quickly slowing down, booting up and the screen coming on, the thing just keeps going with the fan whirring away at speed and a black screen with nothing on it. I left it for 10 mins with no change then powered off but on restarting the same thing happens. I'm going to leave it and see if it comes on but I'm not hopeful. The last thing I did before shutting it down was the Avast scan which I mentioned above. It was shut down normally with no sign of any problems so I'm baffled...

Re: Windows Update problem
 

can you re-format your hard drive and install windows again?

Re: Windows Update problem
 

I have recovery discs so that hopefully won't be necessary.

Anyway, I managed the get the PC to restart normally and tried following the above 'Windows Update' steps but when I get to the MS help and support link the page comes up 'cannot be found' so it seems MS have removed the fix for some reason.

I notice the comments on changing DNS settings but am nervous about trying that as I have no idea what I'd be doing and don't want to add new problems. Anyone got any thoughts as to how to proceed from here?

TIA as always.

Re: Windows Update problem
 

Still having issues with this. Anyone know what'd happen if I just uninstalled the suspect update and those which have followed it. If settings elsewhere have been changed by the update removing won't undo these will it?

Re: Windows Update problem
 

Are you any forward in sorting out your problem?

Re: Windows Update problem
 

See above, our posts crossed - how's that for a coincidence?

Re: Windows Update problem
 

http://www.pcworld.com/article/24656...r-crashes.html
Is this link the same as you put up earlier?
[Even the updates issued over last week are suspect]

Re: Windows Update problem
 

Windows update has been problematic for ages.

When i reinstalled my PC it took over 2hrs to download updates and recently another 16 were released and took 25 mins to download.

Re: Windows Update problem
 

No not the same but it seems to relate to the same updates. The only problem we can see on her PC is that it hasn't done any Windows updates since August and we can't get updater to work.

---------- Post added at 22:21 ---------- Previous post was at 22:20 ----------

Yes my laptop took ages to update. I don't mind that much because at least it's being done and they seem to be ok. The wife's machine is another matter, not been updated since August and don't know how to resolve it.

Re: Windows Update problem
 

You'd probably lose the ability to run Windows updates. The update to the updater is required for further updates to update.

Honestly, without direct access to the PC to investigate in detail I can't really suggest much other than 'reinstall' as you've already proposed. It may be a sledgehammer to crack a nut but last time I had Windows Update problems it took a good 4 hours of time in front of the machine to solve, and a reinstall would be quicker for most people!

---------- Post added at 12:27 ---------- Previous post was at 12:27 ----------

As I've told you before, that is not problematic, that is normal. You try downloading a gig of data and installing 16 programs by hand in 25 minutes...

Re: Windows Update problem
 

@ qasdfdsaq

Thanks for the reply mate. Yes I've spent ages trying to find out what's wrong, finding links to supposed MS 'fixes' only to find they're no longer available. Even now people are still reporting problems with this update so presumably MS hasn't really fixed it. :confused:

As regards a reset, I'm sure I read somewhere that a reset can be done either retaining personal data or not. Is that true? If it is I'd prefer the former option. If I do go down this route I have no idea what to expect so could you give me an idea what'll need to be done or point me somewhere where I can find out in layman's terms. TVM.