Windows Update problem

[benzylic]

I'm running Vista Home premium on a limited account.

When I run Windows Update it stays on "checking for updates" forever. It simply will not progress beyond that step. The longest I've let it go before giving up so far is 3 hours with no progress. The last time I ran Windows update is March 29 where it worked fine, and I installed all available updates, including optional and recommended.

I did the obvious check for spyware with SuperAntiSpyware, and the only thing it found was a lone tracking cookie, so I think my computer is clean. Googling turned up steps to delete the contents of c:/windows/softwaredistrobution folder, which I did with no success. All other Google results I found had error's accompying the problem, but mine never errors out.

Also I downloaded and installed Secunia PSI the last weekend in March, and it ran once working just fine. When I tried running it last weekend it stayed at step 6 "checking for microsoft updates" for 5 hours before I cancelled the scan. I have since removed Secunia PSI just to rule it out, but my windows update still does not work.

I'm going to let it check for updates overnight with my firewall (zone alarm), and antivirus (avira) disabled.

Any suggestions?

 

[RebateMonger]

Check the System Event log for disk errors.

 

[Lanyap]

If you are using the "Microsoft Update" option instead of "Windows Update" try switching back to "Windows Update". Once you complete the updates you can switch back to "Microsoft Update" and it should work.

 

[benzylic]

Chkdsk found some bad sectors
Western Digitals hard drive diagnostics test said my drive failed with bad sectors. although it passed SMART.
And finally the HP hard drive utility said "#10008 Replace Hard Disk 1"

And Lanyap, I was running Windows Update straight from the start menu. I dont see an option for Microsoft Update.

 

[mpilchfamily]

The Updater is stuck in a loop. On the last update something probably got messed up causing it to hang like that. All you have to do is find the last update that got mesed up, remove it and get the updater to realize it has to start over again. There is a MS knowledge baased article that covers the topic. Can't remeber the details off hand.

 

[Atheus]

Originally posted by: mxrider
"#10008 Replace Hard Disk 1"

this

 

[benzylic]

Originally posted by: mpilchfamily
The Updater is stuck in a loop. On the last update something probably got messed up causing it to hang like that. All you have to do is find the last update that got mesed up, remove it and get the updater to realize it has to start over again. There is a MS knowledge baased article that covers the topic. Can't remeber the details off hand.

I think this may have been half the problem. Uninstalling all updates from the last time it worked, causes Windows Update to find all updates, but upon attempting to download and install updates it causes Windows Update to freeze

Originally posted by: Atheus

Originally posted by: mxrider
"#10008 Replace Hard Disk 1"

this

HP is sending me a new hard drive, free of charge since its under warrenty.

So I'm not going to bother trying to get this fixed when in a week, I'll be reinstalling Vista on the new hard drive anyways.

Thanks for the help though.

 

[mpilchfamily]

Well it may not be the HDD. The updater may be stuck on that one update. There is more to it then just unistalling recent updates. The most resenct one that its stuck on isn't installed and may be stuck in the middle of the install. But since your getting a new drive guess it doesdn't matter what the fix to the problem is anymore.