Windows Update Error - 80073712 (For Over A Year!)

[itsjinx]

Hey Everyone, new member here!

I've been reading this forum for years, but never had the need to ask a question myself until now... I'm hoping anyone can help me figure out what the heck is

wrong with my computer... I simply CANNOT use Microsoft Update! This has been the case for about a year I think, and I have never found a solution to it

and I have tried everything I read online and nothing will fix it....

Details:
- Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
- Sony Vaio VPCF127FX (3 years old)
- Bitdefender Total Security 2013
- Disabled windows firewall/anti-virus/defender
Problems:
- When trying to 'check for updates', I always get this error:
And error occured while checking for new updates for your computer. Error(s) Found: Code 80073712
- Cannot Install Internet Explorer 9!!


Things I've tried:
- My computer cannot run/execute SFC utility in prompt. It always gives this error:
Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation.
- I've tried Microsoft Fix it and it finds no problems
- I've tried the latest 'System Update and Readiness Tool'
- I'm confident it has nothing to do with bitdefender. Even so, I've disabled it and removed it to see if it was an issue and this problem is the same.

- Checking Windows Event Logs Gives This information:
Version=1
EventType=WindowsUpdateFailure
EventTime=130086362343763871
Consent=1
UploadTime=130086362344075871
ReportIdentifier=b749991f-94ce-11e2-8a62-544249158cdf
Response.BucketId=720737087
Response.BucketTable=5
Response.type=4
Sig[0].Name=ClientVersion
Sig[0].Value=7.4.7600.226
Sig[1].Name=Win32HResult
Sig[1].Value=80073712
Sig[2].Name=UpdateId
Sig[2].Value=61CA813A-7585-442E-A66B-B0D15CE6BDC0
Sig[3].Name=Scenario
Sig[3].Value=Scan
Sig[4].Name=SourceId
Sig[4].Value=101
Sig[5].Name=Environment
Sig[5].Value=Unmanaged
DynamicSig[1].Name=OS Version
DynamicSig[1].Value=6.1.7600.2.0.0.768.3
DynamicSig[2].Name=Locale ID
DynamicSig[2].Value=1033
State[0].Key=Transport.DoneStage1
State[0].Value=1
FriendlyEventName=Windows Update installation problem
ConsentKey=WindowsUpdateFailure
AppName=Host Process for Windows Services
AppPath=C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe
ReportDescription=A Windows update did not install properly. Sending the following information to Microsoft can help improve the software.


If anyone has any ideas or suggestions please help!!!!

 

[FaberTech]

have you tried running SFC from safe mode. I never run it in normal mode.

 

[itsjinx]

I'll try that now!

 

[itsjinx]

have you tried running SFC from safe mode. I never run it in normal mode.

Just tried it, nothing... Same error :-/

 

[FaberTech]

Have you tried this command? sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c:\ /offwindir=c:\windows

Here is more information on sfc syntax

Sfc Command Details and Examples (System File Checker)

Im assuming you are running these commands from an administrative account.

 

[NoelDP]

Your best option in that case is to run the CHKDSK and SFC in offline mode from a Repair Environment boot.

Reboot the computer, and tap the F8 key until you get the advanced boot menu up - one option should be 'Repair your computer'. Pick that one.

Log into your normal account.
You'll get a set of options - pick the Command Prompt one.
At the command prompt, type DIR C:\
- if we're lucky this will bring up a listing of your normal C: drive contents, including the Program Files folder(s) and the Windows folder.
If not, try D:\ or E:\ (etc. until you get the right letter)
then type the following command

CHKDSK <drive>: /R

and wait for it to complete - it could take a few hours, depending on the size of the drive.

Once complete, type

sfc /scannow /OFFBOOTDIR=<drive>:\ /OFFWINDIR=<drive>:\Windows

where <drive> is the letter you found above.
(example - sfc /scannow /OFFBOOTDIR=P:\ /OFFWINDIR=P:\Windows)

Wait for the command to complete. (make a note of the response!).

Once it has, type EXIT and the pick the option to reboot.

 

[itsjinx]

I will try that now!