Solved Windows won't Update - other scary symptoms

[Stimson]

I fear serious problems here but have tried all I know to get things working. Any help or advice greatly appreciated.

I have been noticing some general sluggishness over last week. Went to do usual manual update for Windows this morning and got notice (image attached, I hope) that "Windows could not search for new updates" "Error Code 8024402C". Have NEVER seen this before!



Here are other symptoms:

1) Then could not open Malwarebytes. Notice said files were missing or corrupted (I had just updated earlier in the day!). The notice had a button to check for updates. Seeing no other route to go, I clicked the button and seemed to receive the usual update stream from Malwarebytes, which then seemed to function normally.

2) Then could not do System Restore. Machine seemed to go through the normal restore process but on restarting a notice said "System restore did not complete successfully." (Attaching screen shot) I've never seen this before!



3) Now cannot open Windows support pages. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us Just get a blank page.

I have downloaded no recent files, made no changes to the computer, or downloaded any updates that I can associate with this problem. The only unusual computer behavior that I've noticed is files opening a little slower than normal, and browser links working slower than usual. (I have an undiagnosed email-sending problem but I think that is unrelated).

Here is what I have tried:

1) System Restore -- No dice!
2) Scanned with Avast and Malwarebytes free versions -- No hits.
3) Ran chkdsk -- it made some small changes but found nothing serious; and running it did not solve anything.
4) I've run all the onboard diagnostics I can find. (The "windows Update troubleshooter" says updater is working, but then when I try it, I get the same error.)

This computer is a desktop, not on a network and has a wired DSL connection. Computer is not used for gaming, has loads of open disk space.

I am at a total loss and out of my computing league here. Don't know if I'm dealing with a virus or some other problem. Even if I try to restore to a past disk image I'm still not sure if that image might also be corrupted.

Any advice greatly appreciated!

 

[gregrocker]

Could be Avast which has bloated up to where it can cause problems and is no longer recommended here. You can uninstall it and try MSE to compare.

Try another MBAM and a SUPERAntiSpyware full scan then run SFC /SCANNOW Command.

Establish a Clean Boot as shown in Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7 then continue to work through those steps if nothing else helps.

 

[Layback Bear]

I don't know if Avast is causing your problems.
What I do know is that in the last few weeks Avast has been causing members all kinds of problems. The problems vary.

I also recommend MSE.
Microsoft Security Essentials - Microsoft Windows

 

[Stimson]

Thanks gregrocker and Layback.

I will start by uninstalling Avast and installing MSE -- I've had my suspicions about Avast, and understand its reputation has not been too hot lately.

Then will work through gregrocker's other recommendations.

May take a couple days to get through all the steps but I will report the results.

Thanks much for the advice and help.

Added:

Just reading the great SevenForums tutorial on uninstalling Avast, by andrew129260.


The tutorial recommends using RejZoR's "Avast Cleanup Tool" after the first uninstall process. But RejZoR's site recommends NOT using the tool for Avast 2015.

I'm going to assume that RejZoR's advice is the more up-to-date (at least for Avast 2015), and NOT run it.

Maybe someone could post if this assumption is not correct.

Regardless, the tutorial is terrific!

Thanks.

 

[gregrocker]

I'd ask that question in the tutorial comments section so Andrew and its other correspondents see it.

 

[Stimson]

Sorry to dredge up this thread after so long, just thought results might be useful to someone.

After much testing, a new router configured per my ISP recommendations seems to have solved the problems. I say "seemed" only because at this point there's no way to prove anything.

I can't explain all the original symptoms, and suspect some (like the failed Restore) may have been more a result of the failed update event than of any previously existing issue. And I suspect there may have been two separate ISP/router issues, making for especially difficult diagnosis. (Remember the supposedly-unrelated matter of sending email?)

Thanks again to those who offered assistance. Suggestions all made perfect sense! Much appreciated.

 

[gregrocker]

Be sure that System Protection is turned on and has plenty of space apportioned, as much as you can comfortably afford: System Protection - Change Disk Space Usage

We never got reports back about the Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7 which will uncover any systemic problems, so I'd gradually work through them to go over and learn more about your Win7. As always if there is doubt about your install you have the ability to achieve a perfect Clean Reinstall Windows 7 with our help as have over 1.3 million others who've used that tutorial without a single problem.