Windows Update Wont Work

[Chargr]

I recently connected my computer to the internet again, after a month without service. I can connect to the internet fine, but the problem is with Windows Update, it just says "Windows Update Can't check for Updates". When I click the icon on my task bar, it won't pop up, not even the start menu.

 

I also have a very slow start up problem, where it freezes for about 5mins before the Vista icon and after logging in, that started happening when I had no Internet access to the computer.

 

Any Help plz? Thanks.

[Star-Lord]

 

I recently connected my computer to the internet again, after a month without service. I can connect to the internet fine, but the problem is with Windows Update, it just says "Windows Update Can't check for Updates". When I click the icon on my task bar, it won't pop up, not even the start menu.

 

I also have a very slow start up problem, where it freezes for about 5mins before the Vista icon and after logging in, that started happening when I had no Internet access to the computer.

 

Any Help plz? Thanks.

Do you have the Vista SP1 installed on that Vista computer? If not go and downloaded, It will fix most of the bugs on the first release. Then their's dozens more at MS Vista Download Database which you will need as well.

 

Defragg your system constantly, Vista will fragment files like a wino drinking wine. Use a third party utility for this because Vista's own really sucks and doesn't even give you a hint of what's going on in the background.

I Like this one HERE it's freaking fast and cool to look at.

Edited July 18, 2008 by pcguytech_2005

[Chargr]

I have SP1 since it was released, after reconnecting my ISP this started happening.

 

All try that disk defrag, hopefully it makes the PC boot up the way it needs to.

 

Btw I cannot access my Control Panel, it just appears in a black white screen & closes.

[Slamman]

I tend to not speculate on Vista operations, but in the stadard Device Manager (you can choose the traditional component display in XP), you can click on area Networks to see what is being sent out or not... It sounds like a communication error, sometime hampered by locks like a Firewall and AntiVirus...for a Trusted source like MS's own site, you can mark it down as a trusted site. After changes here you'd likely have to reboot to intialize them.

 

Maybe you can access the control panel via the RUN menu....sounds like you're seeing an MS Dos type interface as it shows up in a Windows GUI! If it's a open windows the regular size with nothing showing and closes without an error message, it is odd!

I have IE on one Win98 disk doing the same, nothing shows up, which in my case, required I turned off the presentation of Web Pages on the desktop and in folders, then images showed up again! I can't recall this problem prior, but it came about switching mobos that the HDD was on.

Edited July 19, 2008 by Slamman

[Star-Lord]

 

Step 1 Rename Windows Update Temporary folders

 

======================

 

1. Click Start, in Start Search item, type: "notepad" (without quotes) and press Enter.

 

2. Copy the following commands and then paste them into the opened Notepad window:

 

 

 

net stop wuauserv

 

net stop Cryptsvc

 

cd /d %windir%\SoftwareDistribution

 

rd /s /q DataStore

 

ren %windir%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.old

 

net start wuauserv

 

net start Cryptsvc

 

 

 

3. After pasting the above commands, please close the Notepad window. Choose Save when you are prompted to save the file. Type "register.bat" as the file name and choose Desktop from the left panel as the location.

 

4. Refer to the Desktop and right click the register.bat file, then choose Run as administrator.

 

5. You will see a DOS-like window processing.

 

 

 

Step 2 System File Checker

 

======================

 

1. If we have Windows Vista installation DVD disc, Please put it in the DVD/CD-ROM, if not, Please perform step 3 directly.

 

2. Click "Exit" if the auto-menu pops up.

 

3. Click start, click All Programs, click Accessories. Right-click Command Prompt and click Run as administrator.

 

4. Type "SFC /Scannow" (without quotation marks) in the "Open" box, and click "OK".

 

 

 

Note: There is a space between "SFC" and "/Scannow". This command will take several minutes to complete and may require access to the Windows installation source files.

 

 

 

 

Here's a suggestion from Tim Quan from MS that could solve your problem.

Good Luck!

[Chargr]

Thanks, I'll try that out.

 

Btw, if my Computer Randomly shuts down is that because my PC is overheated or a virus? Core burned out?

 

Also pcguytech_2005, I defragged my HDD and it did help out a little, but my PC still boots up very slow.

 

Edit: I did what the quote said, but Windows Update remains with the same excuse of "Windows Can't check for Updates"

Edited July 19, 2008 by Chargr

[Slamman]

A random shutdown has NEVER happened to me, but I have suffered a freeze that requires a reboot, and in my case, it was an AMD K6 300Mhz CPU in a 233 Intel/Cyrix socket 7 IBM mobo that has trouble with accepting the AMDs at higher clock speed, the jist is it doesn't run stable, so it locks up unexpectedly.

 

I am not keen on your problem, but it could be similar as well.

EDIT> To aid boot ups, you can adjust the programs that are automatically setup and running via the installation, this is commonly in the Device Management area however, also to aid bootset options to performance side to aid speed. Also anything set in the Startup section should be turned off so you manually select it instead. I only have Startup running three things at most, typically where Office is installed, it will start the toolbar or something or it will start antivirus scanning apps.

Edited July 19, 2008 by Slamman

[Chargr]

Ok I think I know why Vista isn't updating, its because Microsoft thinks my Copy Of Windows Vista has not been validated which it has.

 

I get an error code of "Access Denied" when trying to start the Software Licensing Properties.

 

So, I can't download anything from Microsoft because it thinks I haven't validated.

 

How can I solve this?

 

The Slow start up may be the processor, I'm not too sure though. When my PC freezes it makes this clicking sound.

[Girish]

Do a full scan of your computer and see if you can find any virus/spyware/trojan traces.

 

As for the update thing, see if this link helps.

[Chargr]

Yeah I've done a Full Scan for Viruses or Spyware, and there was none.

 

The link doesn't help, not useful. Thanks though.

[Star-Lord]

 

Yeah I've done a Full Scan for Viruses or Spyware, and there was none.

 

The link doesn't help, not useful. Thanks though.

 

Ok! Chargr, To speed things up a little use Windows Bit defender and disable all programs that start up with the computer, empty out your prefetch folder in your Windows directory.

Delete all junk files that are not longer needed and left behind by already un-installed programs while you're at it optimize your registry , you can accomplish both tasks with the help of CCleaner.

Run the latest version of Free! Lavasoft Adware 2008 remover with latest updates! then followed by Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.6.0(New) you'll want to use this with latest updates! as well, their last version was highly unstable and it was redone with brand new features and more accurate results and speedy! loading time it will find spyware no matter where it's hides.

 

However if you really want to find out what program can be slowing you down do the following.

Open the 'start' menu and type 'msconfig' in the search bar. Hit ENTER. Navigate to the 'startup' tab.

The programs listed there run when Windows Vista loads, then generally stay resident in the taskbar. None of them are essential to the operation of Windows, First you want to start with the "disable all" button, then hit "ok" and restart your computer in normal mode.

If Vista runs correctly, you can now go back to MSconfig and recheck some of the programs and restart until you find the culprit of the trouble.

 

Last Resort:

To use system restore in Windows Vista safe mode:

Open the 'start' menu and type 'system restore.' Click 'next' and choose the restore point you wish to use (Choose one way! before you had the error) by highlighting it and then hit 'next'. Make sure you have saved any Documents, Programs then click 'finish'. The system will restart and revert to the settings saved in the restore point.

 

Note: the "Last known good Configuration" advanced boot menu option will automatically load your most recent restore point, which can provide you with a bit of a shortcut, albeit with less flexibility.

Good Luck!

Edited July 20, 2008 by pcguytech_2005

[Chargr]

Thanks for that.

 

What about this clicking sound I keep hearing inside the Computer? When that happens it freezes my computer for a while.

[Star-Lord]

 

Thanks for that. 

 

What about this clicking sound I keep hearing inside the Computer? When that happens it freezes my computer for a while.

It is somewhat normal to hear sounds coming out of the interior of your PC however if the sound is constant and it's from your hard drive chances are you might have a faulty hard drive and chances are it will quit on you at any given time. So backup just in case. The constant shutdowns are more likely to be overheating or the PS is overloading. I would check first all the fans inside you case including chipset/CPU fans as well and cleaned them out. Also check the fan on the PS itself it might be backed up with dust accumulation try blowing some compress air in there while powered down and unplugged.

 

Start the computer up with the side panel off and leave it on for a least 30 min. to an hour if it doesn't shutdown on it's own you'll know for sure it's heat related. On another note corrupted Graphics drivers,sound drivers are know to shutdown PC's so make sure you have the latest drivers for both your graphics and your sound card too!.

 

Good Luck!

[Chargr]

Yeah I think overheating is one of the problems, because the computer starts to run fast at times, (like a vacuum) . I have my 2 cores displayed in my desktop and they sometimes reach 100%.

[Star-Lord]

 

Yeah I think overheating is one of the problems, because the computer starts to run fast at times, (like a vacuum) . I have my 2 cores displayed in my desktop and they sometimes reach 100%.

The big mistake a lot of manufacturers make is that they forget or just don't install fans at the front of the case . This area here gets neglected a lot and without cool air coming in the hot air which is supposed to be moving and withdrawned from inside the case doesn't dissipate fast enough to cool down the whole system. Adding at least one front fan will make the air circulate and also allow rear fans to work better. So if you don't have a front fan Please! install one for your convinience, you won't regret it.

[Chargr]

Thanks pcguytech_2005, but the problem appears to be with my HDD. I'm now in a rush to backup my files before time runs out. My HDD is the one making clicking sounds and making my PC boot up slowly. It probably even deleted important files that made my computer receive updates.

 

Now I have to buy a new HDD, I just don't know which HDD is right for my computer.

 

I have an HP desktop, and the HDD I had was from Samsung. How can I make sure I pick up the right HDD?

[Paigey]

Thanks pcguytech_2005, but the problem appears to be with my HDD. I'm now in a rush to backup my files before time runs out. My HDD is the one making clicking sounds and making my PC boot up slowly. It probably even deleted important files that made my computer receive updates.

 

Now I have to buy a new HDD, I just don't know which HDD is right for my computer.

 

I have an HP desktop, and the HDD I had was from Samsung. How can I make sure I pick up the right HDD?

It doesn't really matter, just make sure that you get either an IDE or SATA HDD depending on what your motherboard can support, the manufacturer doesn't matter, and obviously make sure you get the size you're looking for.

[Star-Lord]

Make sure you have created Recovery CD/DVD's from the Recovery D:\ Partition off the failing drive unless you've done so already. Just in case HP didn't give you the actual Operating System on Disk. If you have done so then disregard.

[Chargr]

Make sure you have created Recovery CD/DVD's from the Recovery D:\ Partition off the failing drive unless you've done so already. Just in case HP didn't give you the actual Operating System on Disk. If you have done so then disregard.

Didn't think about the Operating System, its all on the failing HDD, no disc. I'll back that up as well, I just need some discs today.

[Slamman]

I downloaded SP3 for XPs off a Google search Mirrored site of MS's.

That SP3 data was 303MB or such, in size, took a hella bit of time on broadband, even, to D/L in my humble opin, but installed most recently on an old XP Home copy I bought new for $150, so it gives you an idea how dated my own XP is that I freshly installed... I used this copy on my AMD64 setup rig and ran the SP3 pack, it worked flawlessly, so try my same approach, use Google and not MS directly. SP3 should have all your updates in one.

[Slamman]

Thanks pcguytech_2005, but the problem appears to be with my HDD. I'm now in a rush to backup my files before time runs out. My HDD is the one making clicking sounds and making my PC boot up slowly. It probably even deleted important files that made my computer receive updates.

 

Now I have to buy a new HDD, I just don't know which HDD is right for my computer.

 

I have an HP desktop, and the HDD I had was from Samsung. How can I make sure I pick up the right HDD?

Addendum> There is no other requirement on a new PC other then interfacing, SATA or PATA.