Windows 7 cannot find update files

[runzwithsizorz]

I have an ASUS ROG G73JH laptop with two hard drives (C,D) C is operating system. I can no longer update anything. Following is error message: "Windows cannot find 26EE0668-A00A-41D7-9371-......ending with page settings. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again."
There is no windows icon next to Windows Update in the control panel...only an empty folder.I can access Previous Downloads, but nothing else. I have tried all kinds of fixes, but nothing works. So...
1. Will resetting computer to factory condition option work? (In Asus, F9 key.)
2. If I only reset C drive, will D drive remain unaffected?
3. I plan on backing up all data to a flash drive anyway.
Origin, Steam and game files are on D. However, there are some ini.txt files on C, associated with games from Origin and Steam. I assume I can copy those to flash drive and reinstall later. Don't know if that will work, but can always reinstall Steam/Origin anyway, in worst case scenario.

Please advise,
The Wife

 

[Ketchup]

If the second hard drive is one you added (assuming I read correctly that this model comes with an extra bay), you should be fine to complete a reset without affecting the data on the other drive. Once you install Steam and point it to the location of your data, it should be able to pick it up on its own.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

If the second hard drive is one you added

No. This model laptop came with two hard drives...OS C and Data D.

 

[Ketchup]

No. This model laptop came with two hard drives...OS C and Data D.

OK. Make sure the recovery partition is not on drive D. It may be hidden, so you may need to use show hidden files or the logic of data used vs space available to be sure.

And make sure it's an actual drive, and not just another partition on the same drive (Disk Management is the easiest way to tell).

 

[runzwithsizorz]

According to reviews of my Asus model, it comes with 2 hard drives...However, I also opened disk management...how can I tell if DM is showing one partitioned HD or 2 HD's? It displayed three separate drives, Primary partition, C as Primary partition and D as Logical drive.

 

[Ketchup]

Ok, good. If it was one drive, C and D would be on the same line.

 

[ArisVer]

Ok, good. If it was one drive, C and D would be on the same line.

This is how you can see it in Disk Management.


Otherwise try Device Manager. You will see one or two entries of disks under Disk Drives.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

You will see one or two entries of disks under Disk Drives.

Only see one...

 

[Ketchup]

Only see one...

This is what I was expecting, as a Google search showed it coming with one drive, with an extra bay for additional storage. Every Asus machine I have worked with comes with two partitions on one drive, hence the additional drive letter.

The main thing this changes is your data on the D drive. Back up that data. It has been a few years since I have serviced an Asus, and I am not sure if they wipe the D drive with the recovery process.

Anyway, I think I am getting off topic here. Apologies. On to your current problem.

1. Microsoft has a FixIt tool for Windows Update.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/gp/windows-update-issues/en-us

if this doesn't work, you can try this:

2. Asus' Easy Recovery Essentials
https://neosmart.net/wiki/asus-recovery-disk/

And if that fails,
3. Back up your data and run the recovery.

Microsoft also has a FixIt tool for Windows Update.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/gp/windows-update-issues/en-us

 

[runzwithsizorz]

option 1 does not work
option 2 costs money
looks like option 3

 

[Ketchup]

option 1 does not work
option 2 costs money
looks like option 3

I apologize for #2. I read it and linked it. If your trip was anything like mine, took me links to about three different sites, just to figure out that one had to pay for the darn thing. I assume Asus is getting kickbacks from Neosmart for that one. What a joke.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

The only thing that I haven't tried is manually reset win update components. net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
Rename Software Distribution and Catroot folder...I have instructions, but not sure this will work if entire components are missing.
Also downloaded Microsft Fix it tool, but will not work because I do not have permission to alter wuauserv, even though running program and cmd prompt as administrator. So, should I attempt a manual reset or just return computer to factory state? Also, one last thing is to return computer to an earlier date (like Oct 1, 2015. However, how do I set the date myself to return to?
Thank you for all your help and advice.

 

[Ketchup]

Almost sounds like a virus. Have you run any scans recently?

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Yes. Only thing found were Pups. One more question: will downloading a recovery disk (Asus) fix Windows update? Aside from this, the computer is running fine...I just can't download updates.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Mr. Runz checking in here, :ninja:. Guys, as an easy solution what do you think about me just inserting our retail Windows disk, and ask it to do a recovery/repair???

 

[VirtualLarry]

Mr. Runz checking in here, :ninja:. Guys, as an easy solution what do you think about me just inserting our retail Windows disk, and ask it to do a recovery/repair???

That would likely result in an un-activated copy of Win7.

 

[Burpo]

Mr. Runz checking in here, :ninja:. Guys, as an easy solution what do you think about me just inserting our retail Windows disk, and ask it to do a recovery/repair???

As long as you boot to it, & it's the same version as what's on the drive, you can use the repair option.

 

[Ketchup]

Might want to try:

sfc /scannow

from an elevated command prompt.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

As long as you boot to it, & it's the same version as what's on the drive, you can use the repair option.

So, same version...Both are Home Premium, but one is retail version and the other was pre-installed on the laptop when I bought it (OEM). Can I use repair option from the Retail version? Or would that be considered a "different version"?

Also, tried finding corrupt files via "system file checker" but could not open details in notepad.(Win found corrupt files, but could not fix) There were no file details in notepad, only this:
findstr /c:"[SR]" %windir%\Logs\CBS\CBS.log >"%userprofile%\Desktop\sfcdetails.txt" which gives zero information on corrupt files.

 

[tcsenter]

Download and install (select appropriate version/edition) System Update Readiness Tool. Restart and try again.

Also try installing the latest Windows Update Client manually: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3112343