Windows Update

[pontifex]

anyone having issues with Windows update tonight?

My updates keep failing but doesn't give me a reason why other than "there is a problem with your computer".


It worked this morning but I've been getting "NTLDR missing" the past few days, ever since I moved my system to a new case. So I did a repair install of windows tonight and now it won't update.




This thread originated in Windows / PC Software, but it's getting a routine relocation to Operating Systems since it's more of a Windows OS topic, rather than a "software-that-runs-on-Windows" topic.

AnandTech Moderator
mechBgon

 

[Nocturnal]

Nope, I have two computers here in the shop doing Windows Updates fine.

 

[benzylic]

Is it the installing part you're getting hung up on, or downloading the updates? Either way my updates downloaded and installed just fine.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: mxrider
Is it the installing part you're getting hung up on, or downloading the updates? Either way my updates downloaded and installed just fine.

download fine but fail to install

 

[doggyfromplanetwoof]

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: mxrider
Is it the installing part you're getting hung up on, or downloading the updates? Either way my updates downloaded and installed just fine.

download fine but fail to install

Did you upgrade from Windows9x(95, 98, me)? To windowsXP recently?

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: mxrider
Is it the installing part you're getting hung up on, or downloading the updates? Either way my updates downloaded and installed just fine.

download fine but fail to install

Disable automatic updates

Start > Settings > Control Panel > Automatic Updates > Turn Off Automatic Updates

Retry Windows Update

If it still does not work (or if it does and you finish) re enable automatic updates



You can verify that all of your critical windows files are intact and unchanged by doing:

start > run > cmd > sfc /scannow

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: mxrider
Is it the installing part you're getting hung up on, or downloading the updates? Either way my updates downloaded and installed just fine.

download fine but fail to install

Disable automatic updates

Start > Settings > Control Panel > Automatic Updates > Turn Off Automatic Updates

Retry Windows Update

If it still does not work (or if it does and you finish) re enable automatic updates



You can verify that all of your critical windows files are intact and unchanged by doing:

start > run > cmd > sfc /scannow

i did disable automatic update service, renamed the SoftwareDistribution folder in the windows directory, started the AU service and tried to get the updates again. same problem.

I made sure the BITS service was running also.

I manually downloaded the MS Installer 3.1

I ran that sfc /scannow command

Still failed updates. I was still getting the NTLDR missing error as well.

I ran fixboot, fixmbr, and copied the NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM files from the XP cd to replace the ones on my HD. Did the the repair install of windows as well.

The drive windows was on is old (120 GB). I had just received another drive from WD because I RMA'ed another old one (160) I had so I threw that in and did a restore from my acronis backup. Windows Update is working. Have yet to reboot again after that to see if the NTLDR error is still there. hopefully the new drive will fix it.

ok, just rebooted and no errors yet. just have to wait and see what happens now.

 

[pontifex]

i rebooted my system twice today and it seems to be working well. it must have been that drive

 

[mechBgon]

Was the drive an IDE model, on a cable by itself? If so, WDs like to be jumpered for Single Master and will sometimes have Issues if they're not.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Was the drive an IDE model, on a cable by itself? If so, WDs like to be jumpered for Single Master and will sometimes have Issues if they're not.

yes, it was an IDE drive on a cable by itself. I don't remember what the jumper was set to though.

i doubt that was the problem though because it had been running in that config for years. Unless unplugging it and moving it to the new case caused it.

everything is back to normal now and all my drives are on Sata connections now as well.