Solved Windows Update Won't Start or Run

[swassociates]

I have two computers experiencing the same issue. They were both off for about 3 weeks. Both working perfectly when I shut them down at that time. When I started them today and attempted to run Windows Update I got a Dialog Box that said the service wasn't running and to restart the computer. It's exactly the same on both machines. I went to Administrative Tools, opened Services and restarted Windows Update, and rebooted, no change. I have since rebooted several times with the same result, Windows Update won't run. Other then that everything seems fine.

I have run the troubleshooter on both machines, done "Clean Boots" on both machines, done startup repair booting from the Windows disk, and nothing has changed. Everything else runs fine with no issues. I just can't get to updates.


Here is a picture of the Dialog Box I see when I attempt to run Windows Update

Dialog Box


Any ideas folks?

Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 32 Bit
Norton Internet Security

 

[karlsnooks]

I never fetch files from sites with which I am not personally familiar.

Would you please upload the file using this procedure:

Post a File or Screenshot in Seven Forums

 

[swassociates]

Here is the dialog box image

 

[karlsnooks]

WIN | type SERVICES.MSC | ENTER | scroll down to Windows Update |
right-click on Windows Update | Properties |
startup type should be Automatic delayed.
You may need to click on the START button
OK button

WIN = key with Microsoft logo on top.

 

[swassociates]

I have restarted the service. It shows running but I have hit restart again and rebooted with no effect.

 

[karlsnooks]

why did you do the restart and reboot?

The enabling using the procedure I gave is immediate.

 

[swassociates]

I have already done, exactly as you have described here with no effect. It already shows "Automatic Delayed" but I restart the service anyway. It has no effect. I stop the service, and then restart, also no effect. Everytime I open Windows Update it says the service is not running, and when I click "Check for updates" I get the dialog box shown above.

WIN | type SERVICES.MSC | ENTER | scroll down to Windows Update |
right-click on Windows Update | Properties |
startup type should be Automatic delayed.
You may need to click on the START button
OK button

WIN = key with Microsoft logo on top.


View attachment 212759

 

[karlsnooks]

First, a word of explanation:
Windows Defender OFFLINE is NOT Windows Defender.

With that said, please click on the WDO link in my signature.

Here is the procedure that I use for WDO.

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 in:
\Windows\Microsoft Antimalware\Support

Upload the four log files please.

 

[swassociates]

I'm running the program now. When finished upload to where?

 

[swassociates]

Just one question. I have the USB stick setup finished and I have rebooted from the stick using the F12 boot menu option and then selected the stick. Nothing seemd to be happening. Am I doing this correctly?

 

[karlsnooks]

whate were the choices you saw on the screen?

What option did you choose?

 

[swassociates]

I am having trouble getting it to boot from the stick. Maybe I'm doing it incorrectly. I tried just putting the stick in and starting the computer, I tried booting from the boot menu using F12. I'm not able to get it to boot from the stick. I think I'm just doing it wrong. Can you give me some guidance?

Thanks

 

[swassociates]

I was never able to get it to boot from the Flash Drive but I was able to get it to boot from a DVD and was able to run the quick and full scans. Here are the files.

 

[karlsnooks]

Excellent.

Will be looking at the logs in a few minutes.

Sooner or later, you will have the need, once again, to boot from a USB stick.

So that we can walk you thru the procedure and start you on your way to being a Win 7 guru,
would you please update your System Specs by using the following procedure AND use SPECCY when doing so.

Update your SevenForums System Specs
User CP (located on the top menu bar) |
Your Profile | Edit System Spec (left-hand column)

To gather info, use Speccy (my favorite) or SIW or System Info

Add the word laptop or desktop or netbook to the
“system manufacturer” block, for example,
Toshiba Satellite L305D notebook.

Provide full windows version info, for example:
MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit

Use the “Other Info” block for Optical Reader,
Mouse, touchpad, wifi adapter, speakers, monitor, etc

Scroll down and click on SAVE CHANGES.
===========================================================

thanks,
karl

 

[swassociates]

I really appreciate the assistance. I will have the User CP updated shortly. BTW - I have to go out of town tomorrow on business until Friday evening. I may not be able to respond during that time.

 

[karlsnooks]

Unusual log, but maybe ok.

One thing:
Immediately uninstall COMBOFIX.

Never use that program unless you receive specific instructions for your system. No responsible person advising you to use that program would have you leave that program on your computer. ComboFix causes as many problems as it cures.

Carry out following please:
Install CCleaner:
CCleaner - PC Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download

list of STARTUP PROGRAMS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Startup button | Windows tab |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
accept Startup.txt as file name | SAVE button

list of SCHEDULED TASKS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Startup button | Scheduled Tasks tab |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
enter Scheduled Tasks as File name | Save button

List of INSTALLED PROGRAMS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Uninstall button |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
accept install.txt as File name | Save button


UPLOAD the startup.txt file
UPLOAD the Scheduled Tasks.txt file
UPLOAD the install.txt file.

HOW TO UPLOAD
Post a File or Screenshot in Seven Forums
=======================================
thanks,
karl

 

[karlsnooks]

Google is your friend.

This is the link regarding booting up your device:
Documentation

Here is some specific info from that page.
Boot Menu

The boot menu allows you to set a one-time boot sequence without entering the system setup. You can also use this procedure to run the diagnostics on your computer.
To enter system setup using the Boot Menu:

1. Turn on (or restart) your computer.
2. When the Dell™ logo appears, press <F12> immediately.
3. Highlight the option to enter the System Setup and then press <Enter>

NOTE: Making changes in the boot menu does not make any changes to the boot order stored in the System Setup program.============================================================
To those bootup instructions, I only add:
Power Off your computer.
Plug in the USB drive prepared by WDO (Windows Defender Offline)
Now follow the instructions immediately above.

 

[swassociates]

I have some good news on the Windows Update issue. I got some advice from a Windows Tech online. It was a simple fix and did the job. I think we can guarantee that it was running a big Norton update first that caused the problem. Here is what I did. Quite simple but it worked.

I went to Administrative Tools/Services, and stopped the Update service. I then went to the folder c:/Windows/SoftwareDistribution and deleted all of the files and folders. I then went back to Services and restarted the Windows Update service which recreated all of those folders again. I then went and manually ran the Update Service and everything worked. Both computers are fine.

What a relief!

 

[decaffeinated]

Thanks swassociates!! I had the exact same problem, except that I left one of my PCs off for 3 months and when I turned it back on, Windows Update failed with the exact same problem you documented. Your troubleshooting efforts saved me a lot of time and hair pulling.

I really appreciate your diligence.

 

[puremacgyver]

Thanks !! I just did a major restore with Acronis going back to 01/2012 and had the same problem. Thanks you for your Post swassociates!!!!

Mac