Windows Update not working

[StevieM]

I have a user who has had an issue for 6-8 months but has only told me now!!

Running Vista Business.

They cannot install any updates. The notification icon is in the task tray but when you hover it says "Windows can't check for updates". If you go on and ask it to check, it returns an error, saying "windows cound not search for new updates" and give error 80070246.

Viewing the update history shows a few successful updates but a repeated failure of KB938371

I have seached the web and found a few references to this but nothing that has worked.

Any ideas on how to get this machine back running correctly would be great!!

 

[Davetoo]

Did none of these pages help you?

http://www.google.com/search?source..._ENUS280&q=error+80070246.&btnG=Google+Search

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

There are no more PDC's! There are DC's with FSMO roles!

 

[StevieM]

I have worked through a ton of these from google, no joy

 

[robmazco]

Can we assume you have full admin rights?
Also, have you done manual updates or is SP 1 in place?

 

[StevieM]

I am full domain admin, with full local rights.

Tried manually installing the failed update, did not work. Have not manually installed SP1 as saw ona couple of sites notices that it could corrupt if there were failed driver installs

 

[StevieM]

ANy ideas, would downloading SP1 and installing 'overwrite' the problem and leave the laptop working?

I really do not want to re-install this laptop as it a LOT ofr stuff on it (none that affect vista updates tho )

 

[linney]

Is this 64-bit or x86 we are talking about here?

"Update 938371 updates Windows Vista in order to install or to remove Service Pack 1 more reliably. For more information, see the "Update information" section".

A software update is available for the Windows Vista installation components

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/938371

You cannot install some updates or programs

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798#appliesto

From my experience, the only times (twice on a 64-bit Ultimate) I have had to re-install Vista was when Windows Updates started refusing to install some available updates while happily installing others. For me no other options (and I tried a few) worked. Even Image backups from just after the previous month's updates failed to correct the problem which had me wondering if the problem stemmed from some previous updates? Anyway I now keep and image of just after the original install with all installed programs and updates included as an additional backup.

I guess I am just saying don't be surprised if the only fix that works is a format and clean install, but hopefully it wont come to that.

 

[StevieM]

x86

Still cannot get it to work!