Windows Updates, and now other updates fail consistently

mobiledog · Aug 3, 2008

I have had a problem with updates failing for a couple months. I have worked with both HP and Microsoft's Vista support teams to no avail. i have tried five or six different methods at the request of the HP and MS support teams to overcome this problem.

i consistently get messages that "Host Proces for Windows Services stopped working and was closed" and that windows will notify me if a solution is available.

the updates generate an error WindowsUpdate_800706BA.

Windows Update does not work, Windows Media Center updates do not work, and now the HP Printer updates no longer work. I'm kind of hanging open here without any of the security patches, OS fixes, and other updates.

any new suggestions would be welcomed!! My MS support guys just stopped responding to my replies about three weeks ago. i fear i'm at the end of his script!!

the mobiledog

Axon · Aug 4, 2008

It's a time out error, network related.

What Internet connection are you using?

mobiledog · Aug 4, 2008

thanks for the quick reply.

my internet connection is a pretty solid 10/1 cable modem connection. it occasionally is unavailable but not for the frequency and regularity which i have tried manually force and push the updates.

where do you get the definition of the error codes?

Axon · Aug 5, 2008

Try to run a sfc /scannow.

And if that doesn't work, a CHKDSK -> That fixed my problem once, bad sector detected and afterwards I could install updates again.

mobiledog · Aug 6, 2008

per advice i have recieved, i have performed a chkdsk, uninstalled SP1, and reinstalled SP1.

this appears to have not changed anything. i still get small Microsoft Windows error screens with the message "Host Process for Windows Services stopped working and was closed"
"A problem caused the application to stop working correctly. Windows will notify you if a solution is available".

is anyone aware of a way i can manually download and install the updates myself? at least i won't be running months behind on security updates. i can live without updates ot my Media Center's TV guide and printer updates.

thanks for any guidance you can provide.

johngalt · Aug 6, 2008

All updates are available through Microsoft downloads - just not the KBxxxx number and search for it at Microsoft.

mobiledog · Aug 6, 2008

i found the updates and downloaded them. they fail with the same error number, something about a failed remote procedure call.

does that open any new ideas for someone following this? thanks for listening...

echrada · Aug 7, 2008

Unfortunately there is only one solution if all else failed. Get a new hard drive and start from scratch.

mobiledog · Aug 7, 2008

Isn't there some sort of a system log that can tell me what process if failing on such a frequent basis? the remote procedure call failures must point toward something?

it is very disappointing that in 2008 I am receiving the same fix to a Microsoft problem i did back in 1985... reformat your hard drive and reinstall. hopefully you are kidding??!!

dog

dmex · Aug 10, 2008

mobiledog said:
Isn't there some sort of a system log that can tell me what process if failing on such a frequent basis? the remote procedure call failures must point toward something?

it is very disappointing that in 2008 I am receiving the same fix to a Microsoft problem i did back in 1985... reformat your hard drive and reinstall. hopefully you are kidding??!!

dog

Look for a option in your BIOS called HPET and disable it..If its not there then thats not the problem...However a RPC error is serious and basically means some program or some system tool your using has corrupted the windows kernel tables requiring you to reinstall...This is the same procedure for all operating systems not just Vista because there are some things you just cant fix.

On the reinstall issue, make sure you update before installing drivers and only install drivers for missing devices and your graphics card --Nothing Else-- If Windows has a driver already (minus graphics) dont update it unless your having issues...afterwards check for updated versions of all the programs your using and make sure they are Vista compatible or you might cause the RPC error again and have to format again...I also highly recommend you DONT DISABLE UAC, It helps protect all the core-components from modifications and will keep Vista running very smooth after installing all the programs and also prevents drive-by-downloads and stops hundreds of programs trying to alter the windows core and will also prevent this error and others from ever happening again :shock:

Steven

mobiledog · Aug 11, 2008

dmex,
thank you very much for your insight and for staying above the fray. funny how someone who hates the OS so much has free time to surf through posts to vent. don't they know the olympics are on TV??!!

now my ignorance is going to hang out really badly so bear with me. how can i check my bios to see if HPET is supported? is it at the setup menu in the pre-boot phase where i can select bootable drives, etc?

also, you said to reinstall. hopefully you mean to reinstall over the top of my drive and not the old reformat, reinstall from the days of old. i understand completely that a "clean" reinstall will wipe away all old sins, etc, but this is a 350GB drive that's about a quarter full of photos, music, etc. it is a multimedia version of the OS after all. (and yes, i have it all backed up

)

thanks again to you all for your help and patience.

johngalt · Aug 11, 2008

Yes, mobiledog, the BIOS is what starts your computer the second you press power.

Typically, you have to press a 'key' to get into the BIOS - usually [DEL] but sometime salso known to be F10, CTRL + S, and a few others.

Once in there, usually under advanced options / settings / CPU configuration / etc is where you'll find a way ot enable / disable HPET.

If it seems that you cannot change that, make sure that ACPI is first enabled.

dmex · Aug 11, 2008

Hi Mobiledog,

Yes the BIOS is the setup menu in the pre-boot, Johngalt is correct about the keys and procedure where to find HPET, it may be located in another section of your BIOS but if you do find it then just disable it...

You where also correct about the reinstall not reformat, Its just reinstalling Vista over your current installation without deleting all your personal stuff, windows will create a Windows.old folder on C drive with all your files and data saved so just make sure you dont click the format option during setup

I have a procedure you can also use to fix any windows update errors if you want to try that first so let me know.

Steven

Luf, I have a procedure to solve windows update errors so please ask me if you want to try this...otherwise Your posts in this thread will be deleted for Thread Hijacking since they are nothing but nonsence and ranting about your Vista issues, If you want to solve the problems please detail the errors you are getting instead of ranting :shock:

mobiledog said:
dmex,
thank you very much for your insight and for staying above the fray. funny how someone who hates the OS so much has free time to surf through posts to vent. don't they know the olympics are on TV??!!

now my ignorance is going to hang out really badly so bear with me. how can i check my bios to see if HPET is supported? is it at the setup menu in the pre-boot phase where i can select bootable drives, etc?

also, you said to reinstall. hopefully you mean to reinstall over the top of my drive and not the old reformat, reinstall from the days of old. i understand completely that a "clean" reinstall will wipe away all old sins, etc, but this is a 350GB drive that's about a quarter full of photos, music, etc. it is a multimedia version of the OS after all. (and yes, i have it all backed up )

thanks again to you all for your help and patience.

johngalt said:
Yes, mobiledog, the BIOS is what starts your computer the second you press power.

Typically, you have to press a 'key' to get into the BIOS - usually [DEL] but sometime salso known to be F10, CTRL + S, and a few others.

Once in there, usually under advanced options / settings / CPU configuration / etc is where you'll find a way ot enable / disable HPET.

If it seems that you cannot change that, make sure that ACPI is first enabled.

Luf · Aug 11, 2008

Sorry about the rant. I know it was rather immature. (I think I just needed to get it out there).

I deal with other's problems all day every day. (I'm sure many of you do too). Apparently I can't handle my own computer problems though. /sigh

I've just never had so many problems from a fresh install before. It's been driving me crazy. -_-

Thanks for bringing me back down to earth in a calm manner.

eagles10 · Aug 12, 2008

I think I might be able to help. I've been having the Windows update problem from start on my desktop (Vista Business) and my laptop (Home Premium). After much digging I realised that this was a dual problem. Partly it is a Vista problem but also it's a problem with the ADSL modem/router.

Bear with me because I'm not a techie by any stretch of the imagination, BUT, both my machines now handle the Windows Updates with no problems.

Here's what I did:

1. Go to DrTCP windows tcp tuning and tweaking - dslreports.com download the program and run the 2000/XP version. The TCP Receive Window will be blank, leave it that way. In the MTU box (bottom right) enter 1400 then save and exit.

2. Reboot the computer and modem/router.

3. Go to ::. Kitz - Vista MTU .:: and follow the instructions there on how to change the default MTU setting from 1500 to 1400.

4. Reboot the computer and modem/router - VERY important!

5. Voila!

This worked for me perfectly on the desktop but on my laptop I still have to disable my firewall (Computer Associates) and re-enable after installing the updates, but at least it works.

Maybe some techie's can fine tune this to make it a lot simpler but I hope it brings you as much joy as it did me!!!!!!!

dmex · Aug 15, 2008

Changing the MTU value on Vista while using ADSL/Wireless will have zero effect because Modems strip the value from all tcp/udp packets and replace it with there own value around 1492 :shock:

This procedure has worked for others on this forums and I also suggest trying this method if changing the MTU value doesnt work :rolleyes:

Perform the following steps to reset the Windows Update component.

1st...Stop the Background Intelligent Transfer Service and the Automatic Updates service. To do this, follow these steps:

-Click Start/All Programs/Accessories. Right click 'Command Prompt' and select 'Run As Administrator'. Click 'Continue' on the UAC prompt.

-At the command prompt, type the following commands, and then press ENTER after each command:
net stop wuauserv
net stop bits

2nd. Rename the Catroot2 folder. To do this, follow these steps:
-Type the following commands, and then press Enter after each command.
net stop cryptsvc
ren %systemroot%\System32\Catroot2 oldcatroot2
net start cryptsvc

---Rename the "SoftwareDistribution" folder:
-Type the following command, and then press Enter.
ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old

4. Register the files that are used by Windows Update and Microsoft Update. To do this, follow these steps:
-At the command prompt, type the following commands, press ENTER after each -command, and then click OK every time that you receive a verification message:
regsvr32 wuapi.dll
regsvr32 wuaueng.dll
regsvr32 wucltux.dll
regsvr32 wups2.dll
regsvr32 wups.dll
regsvr32 wuwebv.dll

5. Start the Background Intelligent Transfer Service, the Automatic Updates service, and the Event Log service. To do this, follow these steps:
-At the command prompt, type the following commands, and then press ENTER after each command:
net start bits
net start wuauserv
net start Eventlog
exit

Reboot the computer and try Windows Update again.
Let us know the results.

Steven

mobiledog · Aug 15, 2008

ok, so i followed the instructions step by step and no success to report.

when i tried to net stop the wuauserv and bits, they were not running so they were not stopped by this attempt.

the rest responded with success as expected until i got to renaming the SoftwareDistribution folder. it did not exist so was not renamed.

again, everything responed as i expected until i got to Eventlog. it did not start because it reported it was already running.

a couple other potential clues when i restarted...
- the error i received when attempting to start Windows Update was "WindowsUpdate_800706BA"

- the same system process errors i spoke of before were present before i finished in the command prompt box. they report a problem and then in a separate box tell me that windows will let me know if a solution to the problem is found. "Host Process for Windows Services stopped working and was closed. A problem caused by the application to stop working correctly. Windows will notify you if a solution is available. " clicking close is the only option.

also, the background to my bar at the page bottom has changed in format to a white bar with light colored lettering, almost unreadable. not sure what this has to do with anything but i find it most unusual!

I've got 2 1MB sticks of memory and a 2.5MB 8 inch floppy with POWER loaded for first one to the answer! I'll see if i can find some original IBM DOS disks to throw in! :D

thanks for all your deep thinking on this one gang.

dawg

mobiledog · Aug 16, 2008

apologies for the double post, but changing the MTU had no impact on my cable modem connection. the speed of my connection is quite high (up to 15Mbps/1) and i believe i experience very few network errors but cannot confirm that without some monitoring equipment.

someone early in the game said the error indicated a timeout problem. i can't find much about the error reported above, how might i learn more about what that error indicates?

thanks to all and have a tremendous weekend!!

mobiledog · Aug 16, 2008

and finally, my bios (Award 5.06 May '07) doesn't appear to give me the processor settings mentioned in the stream above but i'll keep digging. this is a standard off the shelf HP 81xx multimedia PC.

i'm going to wait a few more days to see what other suggestions come in, but have resigned myself to the fact that i'll likely need to reinstall. The version that came with this PC allowed me to make a backup they said would only reload once.

this begs the next question, where can i get legal images of Vista pro to reinstall with my original license key??!! i can get my license key numbers but need disks to load up.

I swear, sometimes it was easier and faster with the punch cards and casette tape recorders! dang :/

johngalt · Aug 16, 2008

I read through your entire thread, and notice 2 main things:

process, especially those requiring a background internet connection, are crashing...have you disabled the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (commonly called BITS) on your services?

I also saw that some other network activity seems to be the root of almost all your problems. Have you performed malware scans?

Use some of these along with whatever you have installed:

Online Scanners

TrendSecure | HouseCall™ Free Scan

BitDefender Online Scanner - Free Online Virus Scan (Internet Explorer only)

Free Virus Scan - Kaspersky Lab

Installed AV scanners:

avast! antivirus - high security and protection from malware with anti-spyware and anti-rootkit software built in

Antivirus Software - Eliminate viruses with ESET NOD32 Antivirus and ESET Smart Security

AVG Free - Download antivirus and antispyware software for Windows XP and Vista

Ad-Aware @ Lavasoft - The Original Anti-Spyware Company - Lavasoft

Two really highly rated malware scanners: (disclaimer - I beta test the first app extensively, and have been for the last year).

Malwarebytes.org

Malwarebytes.org

Windows Updates, and now other updates fail consistently

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