Can't open Windows Update

sharkchum · 21 Jul 2012

Hello All,

I'm having problems and I believe they are all related, I'm stuck. From the control panel, Windows Update and Windows Firewall will not open at all. I click on them and I get nothing. Also, Whenever I try to right click on a folder on the desktop I get the "Windows Explore has stopped working". Another thing is that even though I'm connected to the internet, the icon shows that I'm not.

After trying to mess with all that I restarted in safe mode and tried to do a system recovery and windows will not let me open that.

Now what?

Please help.

koolkat77 · 22 Jul 2012

Welcome to Seven Forums sharkchum

(1)Do you have Service Pack 1 installed?
(2)What antivirus are you using?
(3)Are you using any registry cleaners?

*Try resetting windows update components.
Windows Update - Reset

*Do a SFC Scannow and reboot if violations are found. Run the scan 2 more times if it wasn't able to repair some.
SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

*Download and run Windows Update Readiness tool.
What is the System Update Readiness Tool?

Post back results for further suggestions.

sharkchum · 23 Jul 2012

(1)Do you have Service Pack 1 installed? yes
(2)What antivirus are you using? webroot, which I uninstalled thinking it was the problem
(3)Are you using any registry cleaners? malware bytes, super antisyware, spybot and I tried a couple of others

*Try resetting windows update components.
Windows Update - Reset nothing happened

*Do a SFC Scannow and reboot if violations are found. Run the scan 2 more times if it wasn't able to repair some.
SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker Could not perform

*Download and run Windows Update Readiness tool. error 0x80040154
What is the System Update Readiness Tool?

Also, my computer did not come with a recovery disk or a copy of Windows 7, which pisses me off now.

Thanks for the help, any other ideas?

koolkat77 · 23 Jul 2012

Do you use any registry cleaning program? If yes please uninstall those and try the SFC scan again 3 times.

I'm afraid you may have to do a Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 but I'm calling for more help.

Britton30 · 23 Jul 2012

Hi sharkchum Welcome to Seven Forums.
To help all of us would you please add your systems specs? Here's how: System Info - See Your System Specs
Under System Manufacturer/Model Number add desktop or laptop and whether self built.

You can easily copy/paste from within the app, no install required.

If the system is factory built there will be a recovery option. Back up all of your data first, you will likely lose it with this method. We can tell more when we see your specs.

karlsnooks · 23 Jul 2012

Sharkchum,
Welcome to SevenForums.

You have either a very corrupt system or a very infected system.

Let's try the easy approach first.

The easy approach is to restore to a system restore point from before this problem occurred. You may not have one with all of those "cleaners" you have been using.

Even if you think you do not have any restore points, please carry out this procedure:

RESTORE TO A PREVIOUS SYSTEM RESTORE POINT
1) WIN | type SYSTEM RESTORE | ENTER | NEXT
| Choose a different restore point radio button | NEXT
2) Show more restore pointscheckbox (lower left)
3) Highlight the desired restore point
4) Scan for affected programs(lower right)make a note of affected programs
5) CLOSE | NEXT | FINISH

WIN = key with the wavy Microsoft flag on top.

-----------------------------------
Let me know the results.
karl

sharkchum · 23 Jul 2012

I'm afraid I'm going to have to reinstall. Anything having to do with restore or recovery won't open or there is an error message.

When I try sfc/scannow it tells me only the administrator can perform this, I am the administrator.

Thanks for all the help guys.

koolkat77 · 23 Jul 2012

Sharkchum,

When you open command prompt right click and select "Run as administrator"

Good luck with your reinstall.

sharkchum · 24 Jul 2012

I was wanting to upgrade from home edition to ultimate anyway so can I just put the new disk in and go or will I still have problems? Do I have to wipe it clean and start from scratch?

Again, thank you everyone for your time.

Britton30 · 24 Jul 2012

To do a full install you will lose your data, you'll be given an option to format the drive in the install. If you have an Anytime Upgrade key, you may be able to salvage your data but then may still have the corruptions.
I would recommend saving your personal data and software keys and do a full, clean install.