can't update important files and services while the system is using

[drfhoule]

1. I get the message "Windows can't update important files and services while the system is using them. Save any open files and restart the computer. and then try to check the new updates." and I am asked to reboot
2. Update history says Definition Update for Windows Defender - KB915597 (Definition 1.139.1946.0) Successful Important Date installed 14/11/2012 (today)
3. After restart: update history still indicates the above installation was successful yet there is also an indication that "most recent check for updates - never, updates were installed - never". Red x message tells me to check for updates again but then loop back to no.1 message.
4. Tried unchecking all services that were not Microsoft and restarted but problem remains.
Any way out of this loop? Thanks.

 

[NoelDP]

First of all - reset the services to their normal settings.
then


Open Windows Update
Click on Change Settings
Select 'Never Update...'
Click OK
exit Windows Update
Now open Windows update again
Click on Change Settings
Select 'Update automatically'
Click OK
exit Windows Update
Open Windows Update, and do a manual Check for Updates.

 

[drfhoule]

Did that but still receiving the same message. Any other ideas?

 

[NoelDP]

Open an Elevated Command Prompt, and run the following commands

NET START BFE
NET START BITS
NET START WUAUSERV
NET START TRUSTEDINSTALLER

post the results

Here are some instructions to make life easier
1) To open an Elevated Command Prompt Window (the ECP window), click on Start, All Programs, Accessories – then right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as Administrator. Accept the UAC prompt.
2) To run the commands easier, highlight the block of commands, and right-click on the highlight – select Copy. In the CP Window, click on the black/white icon at top left – select Paste. The commands will run but may not complete the last command, so hit the Enter Key once.
3) To copy the results... click on the Black/White icon in the top left, and select Edit... 'Select All', and hit the Enter key - then use Ctrl+V or r-click+Paste to paste it into your response.

 

[drfhoule]

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Windows\system32>NET START BFE
The requested service has already been started.

More help is available by typing NET HELPMSG 2182.


C:\Windows\system32>NET START BITS
The Background Intelligent Transfer Service service is starting.
The Background Intelligent Transfer Service service was started successfully.


C:\Windows\system32>NET START WUAUSERV
The requested service has already been started.

More help is available by typing NET HELPMSG 2182.


C:\Windows\system32>NET START TRUSTEDINSTALLER
The Windows Modules Installer service is starting.
The Windows Modules Installer service was started successfully.


C:\Windows\system32>

 

[NoelDP]

That looks normal.


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, 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 to your desktop (you can't manipulate it directly) and then compress the copy and attach it to your reply

 

[drfhoule]

No CBS.log file was created. The following appeared at the end of scannow:

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Windows\system32>sfc /scannow

Beginning system scan. This process will take some time.

Beginning verification phase of system scan.
Verification 100% complete.

Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.

C:\Windows\system32>

P.S. Same message as my original query still appears when I check for updates.

 

[NoelDP]

Please run the CheckSUR tool from http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947821
(you'll need to look in the details for Method 2)

Then zip the CheckSUR.log and upload it to your public SkyDrive so I can take a look - post a link in your reply.

The tool can take anywhere from 5 mins to a couple of hours to run (or 'Install') depending on how much it has to do, and may exit silently - it may appear to freeze for most of that time, but be patient.

 

[drfhoule]

That took me to a page where I downloaded the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB947821) [September 2012] - saw nothing with the name checksur. It installed automatically and it rebooted but no log was created on my desktop. I don't understand...

 

[NoelDP]

Did you not bother to read any of the article?

The CheckSUR log is at
C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CheckSUR.log

 

[drfhoule]

I just read that page again and saw nothing about checksur but I did find a file in C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\ - thank you for that link. First time using SkyDrive, hope this works!
https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=573BA83FBE59903!157

 

[NoelDP]

It worked
CheckSUR found no problems, either.

What Anti-Virus program are you using? - what other security software is installed?
What other Anti-Virus programs have EVER been installed on this machine?

 

[drfhoule]

AVG Internet Security 2013
Defender was installed then uninstalled by the tech when I bought the computer a few months ago.

P.S. That original message still appears when I check for updates (can't update important files and services while the system is using them)

 

[NoelDP]

It's unusual for Defender to still be running when AVG is installed.
Please post an MSINFO32 dump
run MSINFO32 and go to File Save - save it as an NFO file, and zip it ip and attach it to your reply.

 

[drfhoule]

Requested file

Defender uninstalled when AVG was installed so they are not working together.

I hope this file is what you were asking for; sadly, I am not a computer genius like you. I slid it into this text box, not finding an insert button. In case that did not work, here is the link to my skydrive:
https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=573BA83FBE59903!158&authkey=!AJgUJBYNBhUKDJM

just noticed the little squiggle that represents a paperclip when I zoomed to 150% (I have cataracts and everything appears a bit blurry right now).

 

[NoelDP]

I'm not clear about which Defender was 'uninstalled' -

Windows Defender cannot be uninstalled as it's part of the Operating system (it can only be switched off - in which case you should not be getting updates for it).
It's also not an Anti-Virus.
It's still running in the background here (there are three loaded modules) - and getting updates - so hasn't been switched off.
It may therefore be conflicting with AVG

BitDefender is a third-party AV, which can be installed/uninstalled - although uninstalling can leaver residues behind which may interfere with other AVs.


I can see no other problems in the MSinfo32 data (which was somewhat corrupted, and missing a few things - but nevermind )

 

[drfhoule]

can't update

Windows Defender
My AVG license is expiring soon. Would I really be ok without it ?

 

[drfhoule]

AVG

I will download and install Microsoft Security Essentials and uninstall AVG. Whether it solves the problem or not, I will get back to you ... tomorrow. Thanks for your efforts and patience so far.
Francine

 

[NoelDP]

IMHO, you'll be happier with MSE than with AVG - it's a lot less intrusive, and your machine will seem more responsive (especially if you have limited RAM)
You willl need to run teh AVG removal utility after uninstalling it to get rid of teh inevitable residues....

Download the AVG Remover from here
http://www.avg.com/us-en/utilities
Follow the instructions for running it, and then reboot the machine (whether it asks for it or not, and whether the program rebooted already or not).

 

[drfhoule]

A new day. AVG Internet Security was scrubbed out completely, MSE installed and rebooted many times. I have 8 GB RAM and don't do anything demanding on the computer so I can't see the difference. BUT in addition to the original problem I had (see updateprobs.jpg attached), I see now that "Windows Firewall is turned off or set up incorrectly - Turn on now".Clicking on turn on I get "Action Center can't turn on Windows firewall - Turn on Windows Firewall manually". Clicking on that, I get "Windows Firewall is not using the recommended settings - use recommended setting". So I click on that and UAC asks permissions to which I say yes. But the message still tells me I don't have the recommended setting. Firewall just does not turn on (see firewallprobs.jpg attached). View attachment 241732

View attachment 241733