Windows Update Won't Start or Run

whate were the choices you saw on the screen?

What option did you choose?

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

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.

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

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.

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!

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.