Code 80070246 : Could not search for updates

My Windows 7 SP1 x64 desktop hasn't been able to run windows update for years.
It gives a Code 80070246 when searching for updates.

I ran SURT. It found 68 errors. I'm attaching the CBS folder without the cab files as they made it too big. The cab files had an older date.

I ran sfc /scannow in offline mode as described here: windows update error code: 80070246
It said "Windows Resource Protection could not preform the requested operation"

I don't have the Windows install DVD else I'd have tried some other suggestions on the web: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/w...c-c5ed7832f14e

Please help!

No responses for a few days. Hoping someone can help.

Hi Cordovan,
Looking at those logs you have not recieved any updates since you installed SP1, as the install appears corrupt.
Uninstall SP1
Reboot
Download the standalone version
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...PPILw2f2MIkU4w

once completed please run/post this tool
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=52012

Roy

Thanks torchwood.

I tried uninstalling SP1 but it doesn't show up in "installed updates". In fact it says that no updates are installed.
I then tried doing "wusa.exe /uninstall /kb:976932" in a command prompt with admin privileges. It gave an error: "Installer encountered an error: 0x8000ffff Catastrophic failure".

I then downloaded SP1 from your link and tried to install it without uninstalling the existing one. It gave an error: " Installation was not successful. An illegal character was encountered. For a multi-byte character set this includes a lead byte without a succeeding trail byte. For the unicode character set this includes the characters 0xFFFF and 0xFFFE. ERROR_ILLEGAL_CHARACTER(0x80070246)"

What do I do now?

Hi Cordovan,
couple of options, you will need your original w7 discs,

hard option follow the instruction from here
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/942968

either/or a repair install, a full re-installation

Roy