Vista not updating!

[Pandabaker]

My laptop has been giving me issues since shortly after the warranty on my laptop expired in mid 2009. Most of them have usually small issues I could fix on my own, but lately it's just been driving me insane. I have a ton of other issues I'd like to talk about, but the main one right now is the my Vista is not updating. The last time my computer successful updated; according to its history, is 05/02/2011. So, that's quite a while back, and I didn't notice until recently. Every time I try to get it to check for updates, this comes up, "An error occurred while checking for new updates for your computer. Code 80070490 Windows uncovered an unknown error." So, I went to the get help section and followed the steps and stuff...it didn't work. I tried the whole manual update, I got another error. Can someone help me?

I have a Dell Inspiron 1525 and a lot of the issues I've had/have seem to be common with other people who have this system.

 

[richc46]

Maybe this will help
Windows Update error 80070490

In addition here is the readiness tool that is mentioned.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947821

 

[niemiro]

Hello!

As Rich has said, two choices:

Either: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html

Or: Download and run the System Update Readiness Tool from here: Description of the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Vista, for Windows Server 2008, for Windows 7, and for Windows Server 2008 R2 and then open C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CheckSUR.persist.log and copy and paste its contents here.

Normally, this error is quite easy to fix from a CheckSUR log. Assuming that there are no hidden surprises in that log, usually a fix is quicker than a repair install, although I can guarantee nothing, so you would be gambling on that ten minutes, because I don't count the download and install time of the tool, because you can still use the computer while doing that

The very best of luck!

Richard

 

[philnolan3d]

I've been having this same problem on my Vista laptop for a long time now, Windows Update always lists the same 17 updates that give that same error code. I have been trying to fix it over the past few days. First thing I tried was the Readiness Tool and saw no difference after running that. So I moved on to the Repair option, following the instructions on the page linked above (which is also in the Windows Help File). The problem is that it won't let me click the Update button in the Windows installer, the button is grayed out saying that if I want to upgrade I have to use a copy of Windows that's newer than the one I have.

 

[richc46]

Did you install all the SPs?

 

[philnolan3d]

Yes I have SP1 and 2 installed. To be clear other updates install, like just last night it said I have 27 updates when it was done it said 10 installed 17 failed, as usual.

 

[richc46]

If you have all the updates, what version are you advised to use?
And Do you mean update and not upgrade?

 

[philnolan3d]

No, Upgrade. Step 6 on the link above says to choose "Upgrade". Here's the sceen it gives me that won't let me hit Upgrade.

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/2971/winupgrade.jpg

It doesn't advise a version, it just says "more recent than the one currently installed".

 

[richc46]

You have to do a clean install, not an upgrade.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/68767-clean-install-upgrade-vista.html?ltr=C

I do not really understand how we got from updates to an upgrade (or clean install)
An upgrade is NOT an update.

You must back up your stuff, first. You will lose them.

 

[philnolan3d]

We got to Upgrade because that's what Microsoft tells you to do in that link (and the Vista Help file).
Windows Update error 80070490

 

[richc46]

OK I see what you are doing, your using upgrade as part of the repair install. This tutorial (see note) will explain the limitations of this upgrade, including SPs
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html?filter[11]=Performance Maintenance

 

[philnolan3d]

Geez, I think I'll just deal with the errors, I don't think I like wiping out my drive and reinstalling Windows. There's always something that doesn't get backed up.

 

[richc46]

There is one other solution. You can get an upgrade Windows 7 DVD and key for about
$125.00.
Im using Seven and its a great OS.

 

[philnolan3d]

Yeah I'm not sure I want to spend that much to upgrade a 4 year old laptop though, it's something to think about, expecially since I may lose or have to replace some of the things that came with the HP laptop, such as the HP Quickplay HD-DVD player (which I'm also having trouble with right now.

 

[richc46]

Whatever you decide, I wish you luck. If you want to go with Seven, join the Seven forums. Im there too.
Windows 7 Forums

 

[niemiro]

Hello!

Sorry for the delay. Upgrade is disabled if you boot the disk, or more importantly for you, if the DVD's Service Pack number is different from the computers.

This error is usually not too hard to fix. Please just copy to the Desktop, and upload, C\Windows\Logs\CBS\CheckSUR.(persist).log.

Thanks!

Richard

 

[philnolan3d]

This error is usually not too hard to fix. Please just copy to the Desktop, and upload, C\Windows\Logs\CBS\CheckSUR.(persist).log.

Hi, thanks, here it is. I'd also like to apologize to Pandabaker for absconding with his thread.