Can't get Win 7 Update to check for updates

[HenriK37]

Dell Optiplex 755, Win 7 Home. I have inherited this PC from the estate of a deceased uncle. I was with him when he purchased the PC so know it came from a legit source. Moreover, I have seen him successfully use it. The last recorded Windows updates are from July, 2015, when the PC ceased being used and a Win 7 sticker is still affixed to the case and the number is readable.

When I bring up the Windows Update site, I don't get an error code but do get a message telling me that 'system administrator' permission is required. So far as I know, there has only ever been one 'Administrator' user account account ever set up (and it still exists) and no password was involved, so far as I know.

As this may be a 'user' issue, how do I get to the 'super administrator' account and how do I get rid of any password that may have been established? Alternatively, would it be helpful to do a system reset to the date of the last update?

Otherwise, suggestions, advice, pointers to an appropriate tutorial, or anything else would be most appreciated as I would like to get this PC operating properly again

 

[Layback Bear]

This might be helpful.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/85657-password-reset.html

At the bottom of the tutorial their are a bunch of other tutorials.

• How to Reset the Password of a User Account in Windows 7
• How to Change the User Account Password if Unable to Login to Windows
• How to Change the Password for Your or Another User Account in Windows 7
• How to Create a Windows 7 Password Reset Disk
• How to Create a "Forgotten Password Wizard" Shortcut in Windows 7 and Vista
• How to Create a "Password Reset Wizard" Shortcut in Windows 7 and Vista
• How to Use System Restore to Change User Account Password
• How to Prevent or Allow a User to Change their Password in Vista and Windows 7
• How to Remove the Password for Your or Another User Account in Windows 7
• How to Create, Change, and Use a Password Hint in Windows 7

 

[HenriK37]

In snooping around the registry, I have found an interesting entry:

"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\DisableWindowsUpdateAccess" that has a value of "1".

Does this registry entry shed more definitive light as to what my problem may be? I now doubt that my problem could be a Windows password issue. Accordingly, any suggestions on how to proceed? My memory is that I have read in one of my Windows books that one can 'reset' Windows update. If this is correct, how best do I do it?

Finally (and for my general knowledge) how does one get to the 'super administrator' function in Windows 7?

Thanks again for any and all assistance.

 

[wben353]

Read this article Configure Automatic Updates using Registry Editor

Also, read this tutorial by Brink Windows Update - Reset

Hidden Win7 admin acct

 

[HenriK37]

First, thank you for telling me about the tutorial on the 'elevated administrator' account. Unfortunately, that was not my main concern. Reading the Brink tutorial on Windows Update indirectly led me to try the Fixit tool as shortcut repair. Running that tool got my PC's Windows Update to download 60+ updates. Unfortunately they won't install and Windows Updates reports error #80070002. Turning off Kaspersky Internet Security made no difference. Some progress but no complete repair yet. Back to rereading the Brink tutorial, I guess.

 

[wben353]

Windows Update errors "0x80070002" or "0x80070003". This problem occurs when some files in the Windows Update are missing, even though the update is downloaded and extracted successfully.
Run System Update Readiness Tool & post CheckSUR.log.
It may take a while to complete, be patient.
The log will be temporarily located at: C:\Windows\Logs\CBS

 

[HenriK37]

First, a clarification. The PC in question is a 32 bit Dell Optiplex 755 running Windows 7 Home Premium. The last successful Windows updates were in July 2015. My apologies for not being more precise originally.

Per your advice, I downloaded what I thought was the System Update Readiness Tool. The downloaded file was <Windows6.1-KB947821-V34-X86> and named "Windows Update Standalone Installer". Assuming that this is the correct file, it would help if Microsoft consistently used the same name for things. Upon clicking on this file, it returned a message "Preparing for installation" followed by "Searching for updates on this computer". After a while, the message "Do you want to install hotfix for Windows (KB947821)". When I tried to install the file, the message "Some updates were not installed" appeared. I have tried to install this file both with the Internet connection active and disconnected and both with Kaspersky Internet Security loaded and not loaded. All attempts to install the file failed.

I also tried to run the Brink option 3 .bat "Windows Update - Reset" file. This failed as well.

Otherwise, the PC appears to access the Internet without difficulty. I am more baffled than ever.

 

[wben353]

did u check to see if SURT created a log? C/windows/logs/cbs

 

[HenriK37]

Yes, there are several things in that sub-folder. Which item do you want to see?

 

[wben353]

CheckSUR.log

 

[HenriK37]

All I could find are the two attached files from 2014, well before the current trouble began. This is all greek to me.

 

[wben353]

The old CheckSUR.log has several cat, mum & manifests missing/corrupt. If SURT completed it would have these plus some I suspect.

I'll check & see how many of missing repair files & have...

 

[wben353]

DisableWindowsUpdateAccess
Reg_DWORD
Range = 1|0

• 1 = Disables access to Windows Update.
• 0 = Enables access to Windows Update.

You should set it to "0", reboot, & try running SURT again, yes that KB is SURT

 

[wben353]

Reset default registry & file permissions.
Download the SubInACL.msi from Microsoft and install it.
download attached zip, open it & run reset.cmd
restart computer.

 

[HenriK37]

Hi --

I double-checked the registry file setting and it was already at '0'.

I then downloaded the 'SubInACL.msi' file and, so far as I could tell, it installed correctly. I then downloaded the 'Reset.zip' file and I think it loaded but the resulting screen text went by so quickly I couldn't actually read the momentarily displayed text. I then rebooted the PC and nothing seemed to have changed. Accordingly, I tried to install the SURT file. The install process went through more steps than it ever has in the past but in the end, I got the usual message that the file installation had NOT been successful.

I then checked the log files to see if a new SURT log file had been generated. I did find a new 12 kB 'CBS.log' file with this morning's date and time but I couldn't open it (access denied). I can extract that file and send it to you if the SevenForums system will allow files to be attached of that size. Please advise.

Also, thank you for sticking with this situation as it must frustrate you as much as it does me.

 

[wben353]

if it's 12 kb it should upload. try & see.

Try running attached

You could try Repair Install not sure if it will fix your issue, but worth a try. Do you have win7 installation DVD?

 

[torchwood]

i hate that date

Hi Henrik,
Do you have KB3022345 installed please,
If so please uninstall it.

REBOOT
re-run Windows update.

Roy

 

[HenriK37]

wben353: I ran reset again but did not see any change beyond what I observed earlier today. When I tried to install SURT again, , the installation failed in the same way it did this morning.

I will try to attach the CBS.log file.

As Win7 Home Premium was pre-installed when this PC was originally purchased, I do not have any Win 7 media. Accordingly, I did not try to run the 'Repair Install' as suggested or try to run the 'reset securities policies win 7.bat' you provided.

torchwood: KB3022345 is not listed has having been installed on this PC.

P.S.: The CBS.log file could not be attached as it was larger than the SevenForums 2 mB limit. I could send it to you directly if we can figure out a way to do that.

 

[wben353]

Have to compress zip it then attach.

 

[HenriK37]

Having never compressed a file before, see if the attached indicates I managed it correctly.`