Update error 80073712, SFC not working, cannot update Win7

A couple of weeks ago I got error messages from Security Essentials when restarting a PC (Win7/32, SP1). I could not uninstall the program using the Control Panel, so I used the FixIt-utility from Microsoft.
This made things worse.
I am not able to run Windows Update anymore (error code: 80073712 – Windows could not search for new updates).
There are no system restore dates going back before I started having the problems two weeks ago.
When running sfc /scannow (as admin) I get the following error message:
Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation.
Tried the same function using the Win 7 (SP1) install disk. Get the following error:
There is a system repair pending which requires reboot to complete.
Restarted several times with the same results.
Since SFC was not working I tried to do a repair install. During the compatibility check I got this message:
Windows needs to be restarted so necessary changes to system files can be made before continuing.
I have tried several reboots and also checked for a pending.xml file. Nothing.
Any suggestions/ideas? It is a standard PC I use for Office apps.

Hi Tom,

Thanks for taking the time to respond to my problems. Appreciate it!

I run DISM and got the following message:
C:\Windows\system32>dism /image:C:\ /cleanup-image /revertpendingactions

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 6.1.7600.16385


Error: 87

The /Image option that is specified points to a running Windows installation.
To service the running operating system, use the /Online option. For more inform
ation, refer to the help by running DISM.exe /Online /?.

The DISM log file can be found at C:\Windows\Logs\DISM\dism.log

Do you need the log file?

BTW, I run the latest Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool (KB890830) - full scan last night.

Requested data:
SURT - installed latest version (Installing Hotfix for Windows (KB947821)).

1. System Update Readiness Tool

<CheckSur.log>:

=================================
Checking System Update Readiness.
Binary Version 6.1.7601.21645
Package Version 18.0
2013-05-23 23:17

Checking Windows Servicing Packages

Checking Package Manifests and Catalogs
(f) CBS MUM Corrupt 0x00000000 servicing\Packages\Microsoft-Windows-IE-Hyphenation-Parent-Package-English~31bf3856ad364e35~~~10.2.9200.16437.mum Expected file name Microsoft-Windows-IE-Hyphenation-Parent-Package-English~31bf3856ad364e35~neutral~~10.2.9200.16437.mum does not match the actual file name
(f) CBS MUM Corrupt 0x00000000 servicing\Packages\Microsoft-Windows-IE-Spelling-Parent-Package-English~31bf3856ad364e35~~~10.2.9200.16437.mum Expected file name Microsoft-Windows-IE-Spelling-Parent-Package-English~31bf3856ad364e35~neutral~~10.2.9200.16437.mum does not match the actual file name

Checking Package Watchlist

Checking Component Watchlist

Checking Packages
(f) CSI Unable to Query Store Version 0x00000002

Summary:
Seconds executed: 145
Found 3 errors
CSI Unable to Query Store Version Total count: 1
CBS MUM Corrupt Total count: 2

Unavailable repair files:
servicing\packages\Microsoft-Windows-IE-Hyphenation-Parent-Package-English~31bf3856ad364e35~~~10.2.9200.16437.mum
servicing\packages\Microsoft-Windows-IE-Spelling-Parent-Package-English~31bf3856ad364e35~~~10.2.9200.16437.mum
servicing\packages\Microsoft-Windows-IE-Hyphenation-Parent-Package-English~31bf3856ad364e35~~~10.2.9200.16437.cat
servicing\packages\Microsoft-Windows-IE-Spelling-Parent-Package-English~31bf3856ad364e35~~~10.2.9200.16437.cat

---

2. SFC Scan
C:\Windows\system32>sfc /scannow
Beginning system scan. This process will take some time.
Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation.

3. Windows Update Error Codes
Error(s) found:
Code 80073712 Windows Update encountered an unknown error

4. Log Collection
I have created a Zip File. I have left a copy in my public drop box. Can post the link if it is needed.


Again - thanks,

Mort

Hi again,

A couple of frustrating days; run a complete chkdsk on the drive again and it came up clean. Same with malware/antivirus.

When I run the command from the recovery console, the following happens:

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 6.1.7601.17514

Error: 2
Unable to access the image.
Make sure that the image path and the Windows directory for the image exist and you have Read permissions on the folder.

I have opened the DISM.ERR-file and I find the following messages:

2013-05-25 23:22:53, Info DISM DISM.EXE:
2013-05-25 23:22:53, Info DISM DISM.EXE: <----- Starting Dism.exe session ----->
2013-05-25 23:22:53, Info DISM DISM.EXE:
2013-05-25 23:22:53, Info DISM DISM.EXE: Host machine information: OS Version=6.1.7601, Running architecture=x86, Number of processors=4
2013-05-25 23:22:53, Info DISM DISM.EXE: Executing command line: dism.exe /image:C:\windows\ /cleanup-image /revertpendingactions
2013-05-25 23:22:53, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=1432 Getting the collection of providers from a local provider store type. - CDISMProviderStore::GetProviderCollection
2013-05-25 23:22:53, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=1432 Provider has not previously been encountered. Attempting to initialize the provider. - CDISMProviderStore::Internal_GetProvider
2013-05-25 23:22:53, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=1432 Loading Provider from location X:\sources\WimProvider.dll - CDISMProviderStore::Internal_GetProvider
2013-05-25 23:22:53, Warning DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=1432 Failed to Load the provider: X:\sources\WimProvider.dll. - CDISMProviderStore::Internal_GetProvider(hr:0x8007007e)
2013-05-25 23:22:53, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=1432 Provider has not previously been encountered. Attempting to initialize the provider. - CDISMProviderStore::Internal_GetProvider
2013-05-25 23:22:53, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=1432 Loading Provider from location X:\sources\FolderProvider.dll - CDISMProviderStore::Internal_GetProvider
2013-05-25 23:22:53, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=1432 Connecting to the provider located at X:\sources\FolderProvider.dll. - CDISMProviderStore::Internal_LoadProvider
2013-05-25 23:22:53, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=1432 Provider has not previously been encountered. Attempting to initialize the provider. - CDISMProviderStore::Internal_GetProvider
2013-05-25 23:22:53, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=1432 Loading Provider from location X:\sources\CompatProvider.dll - CDISMProviderStore::Internal_GetProvider
2013-05-25 23:22:53, Info DISM DISM Provider Store: PID=1432 Connecting to the provider located at X:\sources\CompatProvider.dll. - CDISMProviderStore::Internal_LoadProvider
2013-05-25 23:22:53, Info DISM DISM.EXE: Got the collection of providers. Now enumerating them to build the command table.
2013-05-25 23:22:53, Info DISM DISM.EXE: Attempting to add the commands from provider: FolderManager
2013-05-25 23:22:53, Info DISM DISM.EXE: Attempting to add the commands from provider: DISM Log Provider
2013-05-25 23:22:53, Info DISM DISM.EXE: Attempting to add the commands from provider: Compatibility Manager
2013-05-25 23:22:53, Info DISM DISM.EXE: Succesfully registered commands for the provider: Compatibility Manager.
2013-05-25 23:22:53, Warning DISM DISM.EXE: Failed to load WimManager. Try running from the Deployment Tools Command Prompt. If the issue persists, ensure that wimgapi.dll and wimserv.exe are up to date.
2013-05-25 23:22:53, Warning DISM DISM.EXE: Failed to add any commands.
2013-05-25 23:22:53, Error DISM DISM.EXE: Failed to access the image folder or image's windows folder.
2013-05-25 23:22:53, Info DISM DISM.EXE: Image session has been closed. Reboot required=no.
2013-05-25 23:22:53, Info DISM DISM.EXE:
2013-05-25 23:22:53, Info DISM DISM.EXE: <----- Ending Dism.exe session ----->

---

Hi,

Decided to start over with a clean install.

Thanks!