error code when updating windows

[skillboy]

It's error code 8024801C. When I tried to update, that's what came up.

Can someone identify this code?

 

[hoganth]

It's error code 8024801C. When I tried to update, that's what came up.

Can someone identify this code?

Seems like this is an old error code for a virus or malware. You should thoroughly scan your computer for such. Then run your updates.

 

[cluberti]

Actually, that error code is "WU_E_DS_RESETREQUIRED". Generally you don't see this unless the WU datastore is corrupt, or some change was made that requires a reboot to finish. Once you start seeing this, you'll always see this until whatever it is that caused it is dealt with (again, either the WU datastore is corrupt, or you need to reboot - hope it's the latter).

 

[skillboy]

Well my I've tried shutting it down manually (I had to cause it kept freezing for a long period of time) and still the error is shone.

What can I do to view the WU datastore?

 

[Petey7]

Here is a fix that I got from Jacee, another member on the site. I've recommended to a few people and even used it on my dads XP computer. It works a lot of the time, but no promises.

Clear your DNS cache and restore MS's original hosts file

Copy and paste these lines in Note pad.
@Echo on
pushd\windows\system32\drivers\etc
attrib -h -s -r hosts
echo 127.0.0.1 localhost>HOSTS
attrib +r +h +s hosts
popd
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns
netsh winsock reset all
netsh int ip reset all
shutdown -r -t 1
del %0

Save as flush.bat to your desktop. Right click on the .bat file and choose to run as Administrator. Your computer will reboot itself.

 

[cluberti]

Well my I've tried shutting it down manually (I had to cause it kept freezing for a long period of time) and still the error is shone.

What can I do to view the WU datastore?

If the above doesn't work:

1. Open services.msc
2. Double-click the "Windows Update" service
3. Change the startup type to "Disabled"
4. Click the "Stop" button to stop the service
5. Click OK, and close the Services window
6. Open the %windir%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore folder
7. Delete any files and folders inside the DataStore folder (do NOT delete the DataStore folder itself - only the stuff inside it)
8. REBOOT THE MACHINE

Now, try windows update again. Note that deleting the contents of the DataStore folder can delete your Windows Update history, but it will not remove the actual updates you've installed (just the history list for reference).

 

[skillboy]

I'll try to do what you both said and see what happens