Windows Vista Vista 32bit laptop doesn't accept the updates

Hi Group,

I have a still quite new Dell XPS M1530 laptop with Vista. For some time now whenever the machine does an software update some of the updates do not install. I try to do it manually afterward, to no avail.
There were 2 particular updates which didn't install since 02.10.2009
Now the IE8 added to the list.
What is responsible for it and how can I make it work.
I would appreciate the help.
Cheers,
JMK

 

You haven’t said how some of the updates don’t get installed, do you get an error message or are they simply ignored?

Anyway, here is my evolving list of solutions, some of which you may have tried and some may not be relevant:

1. If you cannot update using windows update or they keep failing, this is known to help in some cases. Go to Internet Options > Security Tab > 'Trusted sites' icon > click Sites then uncheck 'Require server verification' and add these two entries http://*.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and http://*.windowsupdate.com.
Click Close, Apply and OK.

2. Alternatively, look here for specific error messages http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/ph/6527/
Specific error 0x8007000b here http://support.microsoft.com/kb/939399/en-us
Errors 0x80072EE2, 0x80072EE7, 0x80072EFD, 0x80072F76, 0x80072F78 here http://support.microsoft.com/kb/836941/en-us

3. Windows update troubleshooter http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/troubleshoot/

4. Sometimes the update log will give a clue as to the reason/error. Go to the Windows Orb (Start), type %windir%\windowsupdate.log and press Enter. To find the error(s), go to the end of the file (Ctrl+End) then use "˜Find’ (Ctrl+F) to check for the word 'fatal', use search "˜Up’ to search upwards from the end of the file. There is more information here http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/902093

5. You could try stopping the Windows Update service, rename the software distribution folder then restart the service, as follows:
- Make sure you are logged on as an Administrator, click the Windows Orb (Start), type services.msc and press Enter. Scroll down to Windows Update service, right-click it then click Stop.
- Click the Windows Orb (Start), type %windir% in the Start Search box and then press Enter. Locate and rename the SoftwareDistribution folder to, say, SoftwareDistributionOLD. By renaming the folder your update history will appear to have been erased as it is not presented to the Windows Update website. However, updates can still be viewed by going to Control Panel > Classic View > Programs and Features > View Installed Updates.
- Go back to Administrative Tools > Windows Update service (Provide the Administrator password or confirmation if prompted to do so), right-click it then click Start. Try to download the missing updates again.

6. Try running chkdsk from an elevated Command Prompt. Click the Windows Orb (Start) > All Programs > Accessories and right-click Command Prompt, then "˜Run as Administrator’. Type chkdsk /r (note the space) and press Enter. It will probably run next time you boot the system.

7. Try running the system file checker from an elevated Command Prompt. Click the Windows Orb (Start) > All Programs > Accessories and right-click Command Prompt, then "˜Run as Administrator’. Type sfc /scannow (note the space) and press Enter. This may take some time and, depending upon your installation of Vista, you may have to put the Vista DVD in the drive. Try to download the missing updates again.

8. System restore is another possibility but for most people this has been going on for so long that the restore points have probably been overwritten.

9. You cannot install some updates http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798