Windows 7: Error code 0x8000ffff when Windows 7 Update restarts

Early in February I started getting an error when restarting after a Windows 7 update. I reloaded Windows 7 three different times, then decided that Einstein was right. So, following instructions on this forum, after my 4th restart I got SURT and ran it [see CBS.zip attached], then downloaded Driver Mender & updated my drivers, then started downloading the oldest Windows 7 updates, pre-2013, a clutch at a time, and other software like MS Office a bit at a time, until I had established several good restore points. When I tried to upload the five recommended updates shown in this screenshot,



I got the following error message:



After choosing Startup Repair, I got this message:



After picking a restore point, I got this message:



It returned a failure message, thus [the dread error of my title]:



So, of course, the system then re-started and reported success, thus:



Am I doing something wrong? Is there a bad update out there for an HP laptop as old as mine? Or is this just the effects of too much ice-cream eaten late at night?

One piece of advice I found floating around when I received this error was to run a system file check:
from an elevated command prompt
sfc /scannow
In my case I had no system file problems. Since the error didn't reoccur I ignored it.

Regarding "Startup Repair" I have been left in the same state as you indicate in your pics. You may find that you need to run the startup repair multiple times with a reboot in between for it to do its job.
It also isn't a fool proof fixit all solution and you should always have a couple of good system images to fall back on.

There are no errors in CheckSUR - and nothing in the bare SFC log
However, the CBS logs make interesting reading!
One of the more interesting things is that the data appears to be old - the latest timestamp in the logs is 18th Feb

Please check your system clock/date, and run another SFC /SCANNOW, and post the new CBS.log file

Thanks, NoelDP and mjf. I appreciate your help.

I checked my system date and time, and they are correct. The data were old because I first consulted this forum on the 18th, but I didn't have a stable system until last night.

So attached is the new CBS zip file. What was it, NoelDP, that you found interesting in the original?

And, mjf, you say "you should always have a couple of good system images to fall back on." What is a good, reliable software package for creating such system images?

The most likely solution is going to be a repair of the .NET 4.0 framework.

Open Control Panel, then Programs & Features
In the programs listing, look for the .NET 4.0 Framework (or similar) entry and highlight it.
in the header bar, click on Uninstall/Change
You should be offered the option to Repair the current installation - use that.

When it's complete, reboot TWICE - waiting at least 15 minutes between boots.

then go to Windows Update, and do a manual check for Updates.
Install ONLY ONE of the updates - the oldest, (check the date in the right margin, or in the details)

see if it works OK.

Post back with details.

I use Windows inbuilt System Imaging and (free) Macrium Reflect.
Although neither have failed me, I think there is a higher Preference for the Macrium Product. A good tutorial download info...
Imaging with free Macrium

Thanks, Noel: I undertook the repair, as you specified. First, when I opened up control panel, I found something called "Ms .NET Framework 4 Client Profile," which looked like this:



So I proceeded, even though it wasn't the ".NET 4.0 Framework" file you specified, because it was the closest match. I initiated the repair, with a screen that looked like this after a bit:



When I rebooted the second time, and opened Windows Update, I found that the oldest update file was this one:



So I upgraded to that one, and the machine did not go into its Startup Repair mode.

But that recalled to me what was probably the onset of this problem: Firefox started crashing every time I closed a tab. It would offer to restart, and when I approved that, I could close the tab that had crashed it. But when I closed a different, other tab, it would crash again. Could a corrupted .NET framework cause that problem?

You sure need a lot of updates. Do you have SP-1 installed?

I note that all the updates listed are Optional ones - none are security-related.
You can take the option not to install any of them

Hi, Noel. One reason I have so many optional updates is that I have not installed most of them. And, Layback, Service Pack 1 was one of the first things that I upgraded to when I re-loaded Windows 7. But I noticed that the System pane in the Control Panel prompts me with a hyperlink to "Get more features with a new edition of Windows 7." What does that mean? Is there a "new edition" or just a Service Pack 2? Since this involves a purchase, I'm a little leery of even looking. Besides, I'm running Windows 7 Home Premium, so wouldn't Professional be next -- and I'm not doing much more than writing, and browsing the web.

Also, do any of you have any idea why this instability started showing up first in Firefox? As I mentioned, Firefox started crashing every time I closed a tab. The whole thing went down. It would offer to restart, and when I approved that, I could close the tab that had crashed it. But when I closed a different, other tab, it would crash again. Could a corrupted .NET framework cause that problem?

And, finally, how can I get Windows to recognize a new hard drive?

I really appreciate your help.