Windows Updates Fail, Windows Photo Gallery Errors, Ghost Files

andycastille · 11 Jan 2014

I am working on someone else's computer and they are having Windows Update problems. Not a single update can install. It downloads, installs, and restarts, but on boot, it undoes all changes. I have tried installing only one (of 100+) but it still fails. I have tried CCleaner for registry/cache issues, sfc /scannow (twice, both the first thing and last thing I tried), and the Windows Update Troubleshooter (it finds lots of issues but can't fix them).
This may or may not be related to the problem recently (when I started working on the computer) that Windows Live Photo Gallery 2011 won't open any photos. The program itself opens, but clicking on a photo gives an error message and clicking OK crashes the program. Windows Photo Viewer says "Loading" forever, too. I have tried the Windows Live Essentials troubleshooter, uninstalling (it fails), installing again (it fails), and manually deleting registry entries and folders (was suggested to me), rebooting, and installing again, and it still fails.
Adding to the corruption, there are some document files that won't delete (file doesn't exit error, while still listed). This has been happening for years, and I have yet to find a solution for them.

Sorry I can't provide log files currently, it is installing updates! I can only postpone so many times.

The system is a Sony Vaio laptop (about 3 years old) running Windows 7 Home Premium x64. Right now I only have access with TeamViewer, but I can get physical access tomorrow if needed.

Are these problems related? Can they be fixed? I've been working for 4 days now and still can't fix them. I'm a Linux person, so these things are alien! Thanks in advance.

NoelDP · 12 Jan 2014

Please run a full CHKDSK and SFC scan....

Click on Start > All Programs > Accessories
Right-click on the Command Prompt entry
Select Run as Administrator and accept the UAC prompt - the Elevated Command Prompt window should pop up.

At the Command prompt, type

CHKDSK C: /R

and hit the Enter key.
You will be told that the drive is locked,
and the CHKDSK will run at he next boot - hit the Y key, press Enter, and then reboot.

The CHKDSK will take a few hours depending on the size of the drive, so be patient!

After the CHKDSK has run, Windows should boot normally (possibly after a second auto-reboot) -
then run the SFC.

SFC -System File Checker - Instructions
Click on Start > All Programs > Accessories
Right-click on the Command Prompt entry
Select Run as Administrator and accept the UAC prompt - the Elevated Command Prompt window should pop up.

At the Command prompt, type

SFC /SCANNOW

and hit the Enter key

Wait for the scan to finish - make a note of any error messages - and then reboot.

Copy the CBS.log file created (C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log) to your desktop (you can't manipulate it directly) and then compress the copy and upload it to your SkyDrive Public folder (http://skydrive.live.com ) and post a link to it so that I can take a look.

Post a new MGADiag report with details of any error messages encountered.