Code 80070246 : Could not search for updates

[cordovan66]

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: http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-...date-error-code-80070246-a-2.html#post2073997
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/...ould-not/83d1d25b-965a-446b-befc-c5ed7832f14e

Please help!

 

[cordovan66]

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

 

[torchwood]

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&r...d=5842&usg=AFQjCNGudX8cGUhAcGZhPPILw2f2MIkU4w

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

Roy

 

[cordovan66]

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?

 

[torchwood]

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

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Yea I'd just use Chrome and get a iso with sp1 already on it of your version of windows and clean install
Download Windows 7 and 8.1 ISO Images from Microsoft - gHacks Tech News

If you run into issues getting updates then just review this
http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-...ut-windows-still-wont-update.html#post3237782