Checking for updates of my windows 7 system no longer responds

[a cooperator]

Hi,
Windows 7 systems was automatically notifying me when there are new available updates. However, this is no longer working.
Thus, when I found out that Windows no longer automatically notify with new available updates, I became manually checking for updates by following the following steps:
First: I open the control panel. Then, I click on the 'System and Security" option. After that, I click the 'Window updates' option. Next, in the window of the windows update, I click the 'check for update' button. Finally, this message "Windows cannot search for updates now, because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer" shows me.
I have tried restarting my computer; however, this did make no difference.

On top of that, I would firstly like to say that I have been installing Norton Internet Security since I purchased my computer. So the problem is less likely to be related with viruses. I also regularly clean the temporary files with CCleaner tool.

In addition, I have recently installed 'Spybot - Search & Destroy' and have let it detect for issues and fixed them. Do you think it might be causing the problem? For me, however, I am really not sure. Because I don't remember that I have checked for the updates of my Windows system and they worked before I installed 'Spybot - Search & Destroy'. So, I wouldn't judge that Spybot - Search & Destroy might be causing the problem.


Next, If I am behind a proxy that requires me to enter user authentication (username and password), can I configure any thing in window's Control Panel, although I made sure that the correct proxy settings are configured in the MS Internet Explorer settings?

The systems was working quite well during the guarantee period after the guarantee finish the problems will be beginning. This is what is going on with me now. The system was automatically notifying me and downloading updates.


Fianlly, I have downloaded FIXIT from microsoft

from here
However, I never run it because I am really afraid of running it.



I would quite greatly appreciate it if you could help me.

 

[DustSailor]

Hello Coop. Try using system restore (Click here for restore help) to a point before you used search and destroy. If you aren't sure if search and destroy is causing problems, it is probably best not to use it at all. All you really need is an antivirus software. If you want additional scanning protection, try malwarebytes (here).

After you restore, or if you are unable to restore, do download and run that microsoft fit it tool, and don't be afraid to use it. It will help make sure everything is in order and not missing any important files. Try this one out as I'm not sure which file you've shortcut to download - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058

Your internet explorer proxy settings sets it for windows update also, so you don't need to worry on that front, it should work fine.

 

[a cooperator]

Thank you so much indeed for your reply.

In fact, I have tried doing a system restore and have applied all the steps, and then I restarted my computer. When the windows booted again, I have found this message :

'System Restore' 'wasn't successfully completed and the system files and settings of your computer weren't changed.

Details:
The System Restore failed in replacing(extract) the file "C:\Windows" with its original copy from 'System Restore'
An unspecified error occurred during the process of the System Restore (0x80071a91)
You can try to do the 'System Restore' again and choose a different restore point. If you continue to see this error, you can try an advanced recovery method can take another restore.

Although I have disabled the Norton internet security during the process of the system restore, that didn't make any difference

 

[DustSailor]

First, follow this tutorial (completely safe for you to do): http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html - created by Brink

Next, try again with a different restore point, if you can. Let me know if the same problem occurs. Go ahead and do the microsoft fix-it download, that will be important. It will not break anything.

Failing all of the above, we'll look into your security software. This will have to be tomorrow, unless someone else chimes in, as I cannot hold of sleep any longer. G'night, 'till tomorrow

 

[a cooperator]

First, follow this tutorial (completely safe for you to do): http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html - created by Brink

Next, try again with a different restore point, if you can. Let me know if the same problem occurs. Go ahead and do the microsoft fix-it download, that will be important. It will not break anything.

Failing all of the above, we'll look into your security software. This will have to be tomorrow, unless someone else chimes in, as I cannot hold of sleep any longer. G'night, 'till tomorrow

Thank you so much for your continue in replying.
I have done scanning and found some corrupted files.

When I verified for the corrupted files with the verified command, I didn't find any thing.

When I repeated the first command for scanning the corrupted files, I didn't find any corrupted files.

 

[a cooperator]

I would like to say that I have done a system restore many time and in each time I have chose a different point until I have finished all the point listed in this window below:

But in each time the computer boots after restarting it, I have noticed the same error.
First: Does what I disabled in Norton is enough as mentioned in this screenshot:

Second: as long as the steps of 'scanning for corrupted files which were applied in 'Cmd' showed in the first scan that there are some corrupted files detected and successfully repaired, why does the problem go on?

Finally: As long as I have applied all the pints listed in the first screenshot and the same error occurs, I would like to ask you if I create a system restore from the 'undo system restore' option instead of the 'choose a different restore point' option. This is not the screenshot of my computer, but I copied from Brink's explanation, because my system is Arabic version, and I want to show you what I want to convey.

As aside, I have remembered that I have made 'Spybot - Search & Destroy' scan and fix the issue after I installed it two month ago, I have still the backup which created after it scanned and fixed the issues, Can I restore this backup and issue will be solved. I have hesitated to do that because when I have made Spybot - Search & Destroy scan and fix issue was some toolbars such babylon and brothers and so on. Thus, if I restore the backup created automatically when Spybot - Search & Destroy scanned and fixed the issues, the toolbars will reinstall. So, can I restore that or I will get rid of it.

I only see one file I am expecting that is related with this issue:
I am asking this question because representatives for Norton security said to that I mustn't use tow security software, so I would like to be going to be uninstalling 'Spybot - Search & Destroy':

The first one in the list, it is .REG file:

So could you confirm whether or not I restore it?

 

[DustSailor]

Leave the registry alone. What you'll want to do is restart your computer, and do Brink's tutorial once more. Then restart the computer and do the tutorial a third time. Sometimes it requires 3 'sfc /scannow' actions to be performed. Don't bother with the verify command.

Try not to use registry scanners or 'fixers'. If you don't know what you are erasing, even with the widely trusted Ccleaner registry scanner, you can mess up the software on your computer (it might have been what you've done already). I recommend a simple antivirus. Anything else is like dropping a nuke on a village. Overkill.

Make sure both norton and windows are updated completely.

If you keep getting the restore error, don't worry about the system restore, it isn't working.

I have to leave right now but I'll try to get back with you soon as I can. See ya then

 

[a cooperator]

Thank you so much indeed,

Make sure both Norton and windows are updated completely.

Could you please reply my question?

First: My original problem is that updates of windows don't work even I click the button 'check for updates' as said in my very first thread, and this problem brought me to do a system restore due to keep the system in case I have done anything wrong in attempting to fix the updates of windows.




Second: As long as I have applied all the pints listed in the first screenshot and the same error occurs, I would like to ask you if I create a system restore from the 'undo system restore' option instead of the 'choose a different restore point' option. This is not the screenshot of my computer, but I copied from Brink's explanation, because my system is Arabic version, and I want to show you what I want to convey.

Third: can I boot the windows in the safe mode and make the system restore? Will this make?

Finally: As far as you that 'Spybot - Search & Destroy' enable you to make a backup for the issues fixed, thus can I uninstall the 'Spybot - Search & Destroy' without restoring the backup for the issues? As you see that in the last screenshot in last post, there is .REG file has been deleted.

 

[DustSailor]

Sorry for not understanding the entire problem originally, but I think I understand now:

First: My original problem is that updates of windows don't work even I click the button 'check for updates' as said in my very first thread, and this problem brought me to do a system restore due to keep the system in case I have done anything wrong in attempting to fix the updates of windows.

Did you run that fix-it tool I provided? I'll give it again: How do I reset Windows Update components? - this tool is completely safe.

Second: As long as I have applied all the pints listed in the first screenshot and the same error occurs, I would like to ask you if I create a system restore from the 'undo system restore' option instead of the 'choose a different restore point' option. This is not the screenshot of my computer, but I copied from Brink's explanation, because my system is Arabic version, and I want to show you what I want to convey.

NO! your system will create restore points automatically, and if you create one now with all your problems and use the restore, it will restore you back exactly to the same point with all the problems still there.

Third: can I boot the windows in the safe mode and make the system restore? Will this make?

This made me think of something. Try restoring using this tutorial (not in safe mode): http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/139810-sfc-scannow-run-command-prompt-boot.html - created by Bare Foot Kid
Only try to restore to a point in time BEFORE you deleted any registry keys using spybot.

Finally: As far as you that 'Spybot - Search & Destroy' enable you to make a backup for the issues fixed, thus can I uninstall the 'Spybot - Search & Destroy' without restoring the backup for the issues? As you see that in the last screenshot in last post, there is .REG file has been deleted.

I've never used spybot, so I couldn't tell you. If you uninstall it, spybot will not restore or backup at all.

If spybot has a backup or restore feature, it is completely seperate from any windows backup or restore feature. If it has backed up files before you deleted them, you might try to restore them using spybot, if you can.

If you mean something different, I am not sure because I never use it (it is too rough of a scanner).

 

[a cooperator]

Thank you so much indeed for your reply,
I would like to ask you this question:
This is the oldest date(6/12/2012) for all the others dates listed in this list; however, this is not the date of the installing of Spybot-Search& Destroy, I have remembered that I have installed Spybot-Search& Destroy and let it fix the issue in the date (5/8/2012), so how can I chose this restore point in this date as long as all the dates available in this list are after this date????

 

[DustSailor]

Be aware that restoring the computer may erase some things since that date and today's date. Read the tutorial to find out exactly what it will remove. I would try to restore the computer to that date even though you've fixed some items, because it may be before the computer broke.

Keep in mind that I am not 100% sure spybot is the problem or cause of the problem. It is just a guess because of how you mentioned you deleted some registry items with it, which I recommend against.

Also remember that if you restore back to that early date, all sfc scans and some other things you've done will be like you hadn't performed them. You may need to sfc scan 3 more times with a restart after each (if you get errors again). Also make sure windows can update after you do the restore.

let me know how it goes and any other problems you have afterwords.

 

[a cooperator]

Thank you so much,

I hope you kindly answer me on these points,

First: I have really done scanning with 'sfc scan' about more than three times with a restart after each one of them. But that didn't make any difference,

Second: Could you let me know whether sfc scan is for fixing the error of system restore or updates of windows, Because now I became have two problems.

Finally: If I really need to create a restore point before this date (5/8/2012), in which I let Spypot program fix the issue, how will I be doing that as long as the dates listed in that screenshot are after this date? In other words, I want to let the restore point restore the computer to before this date (5/8/2012), for example, from this 5/1/2012. or even earlier date when the computer was working well????


I have typed rstrui.exe in the search box, and run it as an administrator. And I noticed no difference. The same error is going on with the system restore.
Why is this error going on???

 

[DustSailor]

I will answer your questions and any others you may have:

1. Only do 3 more sfc scans IF you manage to restore your computer to an earlier date.
2. SFC scan will fix most errors for the entire windows OS. If it doesn't work, usually the only other options are, in order, a system restore, a repair install, or a complete reinstall.
3. You cannot create a new restore point to a date prior to the current time and date. In other words, each new restore point would copy your current system so that later, if you were to have any problems, you would be able to use the restore to go back to the time when your computer works.
   
   Your computer will periodically create these restore points for you automatically, and will delete really old ones. The more space you give to system restore, the more restore points your system stores. This way you do not have to lose all your data if you were to reinstall. Do not worry about creating a new restore point right now, because your computer is not working right. If you create a restore point now, it will be created with the corrupt system and not work if you use it.

Failing this, a more complicated method would be the repair install, which will still keep your programs and files saved. If you do this, you will need to uninstall the service pack, use the tutorial to repair, and then install the service pack again. If you don't have the service pack (also called sp1), then you do not need to do that extra step.

Credits:
Both tutorials created by Brink

 

[a cooperator]

Thank you so much indeed,

I really appreciate your help
First: The original problem with updates of Windows is still going on, so Would you think that even if I had succeeded in doing system restore from the advance options, I will never benefit from it as long as it will contain the corrupted windows. Then why do we have to exhaust ourselves for with doing 3 or more sfc scans in order for we find a solution for the problem of system restore.

Second: after I have created a System Repair Disc I have done these steps for Brink's quite good explanation for doing system restore with Using a Windows 7 Installation or System Repair Disc .
But when I booted from a System Repair Disc I didn't notice some windows such as in Brink's explanation:
For instance I didn't see these two windows:

I immediately skipped into this window below and this window which doesn't contain any system in Brink's Explanation contains a system with my case. Thus I am asking what next step I should do because I am afraid that will restore my system from the backup copy of the factory.
Also, I have noticed that the drive of my system was 'D', although it was supposed to be 'C'.

It might have been so because i have Original equipment manufacturer (OEM), there are two drives in my computer 'D', which I think is Original equipment manufacturer, and 'C', in which windows is installed.

I hope you forgive me because I have added some things for Brink's screenshots, but I had to do to show you and because I couldn't take a screenshot from my system due to impossibility inside MS-DOS.

 

[DustSailor]

First: The original problem with updates of Windows is still going on, so Would you think that even if I had succeeded in doing system restore from the advance options, I will never benefit from it as long as it will contain the corrupted windows. Then why do we have to exhaust ourselves for with doing 3 or more sfc scans in order for we find a solution for the problem of system restore.

My friend, you have the wrong idea. sfc scan doesn't scan any of your restore points, because it cannot fix them. Restore points are like copies of your windows system and files. So if you created a restore point right now, it would just be copying your system exactly how it is right now (including the trouble installing updates). If you want to repair your computer, you must use "repair Install", not a restore point. A restore point is good if you create one when your computer is well and acting good. Then if it begins to mess up, or you are having problems with it, you can restore it back to the time when it was acting good.

The reason you do an SFC scan is hopefully to fix the broken computer. If it finds something bad, it requires 3 scans and 3 restarts after each scan. Sometimes even this will not fix your problem, as it may run deeper.

I had wanted you to do another 3 scans after you restored your computer, but it sounds like you are having trouble restoring it. In that case, you no longer need to run any SFC scans, because it didn't work. Now we will try the recovery options.

Second: after I have created a System Repair Disc I have done these steps for Brink's quite good explanation for doing system restore with Using a Windows 7 Installation or System Repair Disc .

A system recovery disk is the same thing as a repair install, it is just another method of repair.

You cannot use a OEM Windows 7 "Factory" Restore/Recovery type of installation disc that came with or created from a store bought computer to do a repair install with. These can only be used do a clean install instead.

If your windows license is OEM, then you cannot use the OEM disk to do a repair. You will need to create the recovery disk.

The recovery disk will not allow you to do a clean install, so if you have created a recovery disk, then it can only repair the computer, and you shouldn't worry that it will reinstall the computer on accident.

Also, I have noticed that the drive of my system was 'D', although it was supposed to be 'C'.

It might have been so because i have Original equipment manufacturer (OEM), there are two drives in my computer 'D', which I think is Original equipment manufacturer, and 'C', in which windows is installed.

I hope you forgive me because I have added some things for Brink's screenshots, but I had to do to show you and because I couldn't take a screenshot from my system due to impossibility inside MS-DOS.

Drive D is your recovery drive. I don't know what kind of computer you have. You could use the recovery partition depending on who makes your computer. For example, here is hp's recovery partition and how to use it: http://www.ehow.com/how_4841280_use-hp-recovery-partition.html

 

[a cooperator]

he recovery disk will not allow you to do a clean install, so if you have created a recovery disk, then it can only repair the computer, and you shouldn't worry that it will reinstall the computer on accident

Thank you so much,

First: Do you mean with 'so if you have created a recovery disk' a System Repair Disc ? If so, yes, I did, I booted from it, but I didn't complete the steps because as I said before that I found that systems shown in the window in which was not supposed to appear. If you have a look at my third screenshot, you understand me.

Second: I really also created a backup copy in three DVDs a year ago in the very first start of my computer. But I wouldn't like to use this one because this will return my system into the factory.

This is my system's version:

I would like kindly reply me.

 

[DustSailor]

I am sorry. I was very tired last night and even confused myself a bit. You can create a system repair disk, but it only helps with recovery options. A repair install is what you'll want to use, and you do not need to create any disks.

I am not sure why you aren't getting the same screens as in Brink's tutorial. Just follow it as best you can, and if it skips a screen, that is okay. Save your work to an external hard drive or USB device just in case.

On second thought, I might ask another member for help. I think it should list the C drive if you are repairing to it. Give me some time.

 

[karlsnooks]

a ccoperator,

First and foremost, remove SPYBOT. That will only bring you problems.

NORTON is no guarantee that you do not have an infected system and Spybot most certainly isn't.

To make sure that your system is not infected (which I suspect to be case), then carry out the following:

HOW TO USE WINDOWS DEFENDER OFFLINE ON A USB STICK
Windows Defender Offline
· is a free standalone, bootable malware and virus remover from Microsoft.
· performs an offline scan of an infected PC to remove viruses, rootkits and other advanced malware.

Download Windows Defender Offline (about 764 kB)

You will have the choice of downloading the 32bit version (x86) or the 64 bit version (x64).
The link will help you determine whether you are running a 32 bit version or 64 bit version of Windows

NOTE!! You can download and prepare a 32 bit version using a 64 bit version of Windows
NOTE!! You can download and prepare a 64 bit version using a 32bit version of Windows.

You run the 32 bit version on a 32 bit version of Windows.
You run the 64 bit version on a 64 bit version of Windows.

The 32 bit download file name is: mssstool32.exe
The 64 bit download file name is: mssstool64.exe

For the curious, this program was originally name Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper.


INSTALLATION:
You will need an Internet Connection.
Insert 512 mB (Microsoft’s 256 mB is no longer accurate) or larger USB stick into a usb port.
Run the downloaded program--mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe
NEXT button
Choose the option On a USB flash drive that is not password protected
NEXT button
NEXT button
.
The install program will format the usb stick using the NTFS format.
The install program will download about 210 mB.
The install program will name the USB stick WDO_Media32 or WDO_Media64
The WDO_Media32 usb stick will have used space of 255 mB (268,140,544 bytes)
The WDO_Media64 usb stick will have used space of 282 mB (296,165,376 bytes)
You can expect the number of mB to increase as more malware appears.

UPDATE Windows Defender Offline USB stick:
· reinsert the usb stick
· run the installation program, mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe, again.
· the update will download about 66 mB (mssstool32.exe) and 68 mB (mssstool64.exe).

Since the malware database is sometimes updated several times in a day, always update before running.

PERFORM AN OFFLINE SCAN
Bootup your computer from the USB stick
Windows Defender Offline will automatically perform a quick scan.
After the quick scan finishes, Choose Full Scan
Select all of your drives

The initial, full scan can easily take several hours, but
Remember, your computer is being very thoroughly checked for all types of malware.


RESULTS OF THE SCAN
The results will be in 4 log files on your computer's disk in:
\Windows\Microsoft Antimalware\Support
Upload the four log files please.
================================================


I await the log files before I'll proceed.

 

[gregrocker]

If you can get into Win7 then install and run Malwarebytes Full Scan.

Once you have confirmed your System is clean or infection is cleaned up, run SFC -SCANNOW Command.

If full functionality is not returned, we will help you run a Repair Install - read the blue link now to understand how it is done. Do you have the latest official Win7 installer with SP1?

 

[karlsnooks]

MalwareBytes starts too late for bootsector/rootkit malware.

Windows Defender Offline does not start Win 7 thus avoiding the pitfalls of some very, very popular anti-malware.