Constant windows update failure

[LauraJ23]

Just recently my windows 7 laptop has been attempting to update, but every time, it fails and ends up reverting changes.

Is this a microsoft problem, or could there be something not right in my system?

 

[neil_g]

find the kb number and try downloading and installing it manually

 

[LauraJ23]

Thanks Neil, there are 40 which keep failing, how do I do these manually?

 

[Lyonspride]

Try http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-updates-activation/247030-windows-updates-keep-failing.html

Also disable any anti-virus you may have, I know from experience that a certain well known AV blocks updates and blocks you from installing AV or anti-malware stuff from other companies.

 

[LauraJ23]

Thanks for the link. Will take a look at it later. The only anti virus I have is microsoft security essentials.

 

[neil_g]

Thanks Neil, there are 40 which keep failing, how do I do these manually?

does it seem to trip over on the same one each time? i.e. the same one at the top of the failed report?

Also disable any anti-virus you may have, I know from experience that a certain well known AV blocks updates and blocks you from installing AV or anti-malware stuff from other companies.

which one?

 

[Lyonspride]

which one?

It shares part of it's name with the current Xbox.

I had no end of trouble with it on my parents machine and the worst thing was that after the subscription runs out, instead of simply stopping the updating of its own virus definitions, but continuing to protect the system..... It actually stops protecting from all known viruses and then also continues to block other anti-virus/malware tools from installing/updating.

If Microsoft did the above, they'd be sued for millions.......

 

[Mithrail]

Try deselecting all the updates in the windows update list, then installing them a few at a time.

 

[neil_g]

It shares part of it's name with the current Xbox.

norton 360?

 

[david357]

Try deselecting all the updates in the windows update list, then installing them a few at a time.

This is what I have done also, I had the same problem with the update process falling over every time and reverting to the previous state, so I deselected all and tried 4 or 5 at a time.

My plan was to find the problem update and deselect it permanently, but by updating in stages the whole lot worked. (I also manually restarted the pc after each successful update.)

hth.

 

[John Young]

http://support.microsoft.com/mats/windows_update/

 

[whitevanman]

This is what I have done also, I had the same problem with the update process falling over every time and reverting to the previous state, so I deselected all and tried 4 or 5 at a time.

My plan was to find the problem update and deselect it permanently, but by updating in stages the whole lot worked. (I also manually restarted the pc after each successful update.)

hth.

This is what I had to do. I updated in their groups or if they were individual files just install thoughs on their own. Had 40 or more up dates to do and restart if required after each up date, its not a 5 minute job.

 

[LauraJ23]

Thanks. I will try 1 by 1. It keeps failing at a different point each time. I even lost my whole desktop display which has come back after a restart.

 

[david357]

I should also have said, make sure that you install the oldest updates first.

 

[f1charlie]

Probably nothing to do with your problem:

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/security/381121/microsoft-withdraws-patch-after-botched-security-update

Although I am running Vista and don't have Kaspersky, I had problems booting my computer after this update. Once the update was uninstalled, my boot problem went away. Might be worth checking if it is in your list or has already been installed. You never know, it might be doing something strange.

 

[Suvv]

Microsoft have a tool to fix update problems. This may be of use.

 

[LauraJ23]

Thanks for the links. Will take a look and see what happens.

 

[LauraJ23]

Right, I tried the above link and it didn't change anything. I then proceeded to the updates 1 by 1.

I found 3 which were causing problems

kb 2786400
kb 2726535, this wasn't even on the list and appeared in the failed list after the one above failed and then this one
kb 2840149

This appeared after the restarts


windows 7. update problem by scilly puffin, on Flickr


windows 7. update problem by scilly puffin, on Flickr

All seems ok at the moment, does anyone know what went wrong with the above? I am thinking maybe they are corrupted files causing the problems?

 

[f1charlie]

I found 3 which were causing problems

kb 2786400
An update is available that changes the default settings of the shaping behavior for Arabic text rendering in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2

kb 2726535
An update is available that adds South Sudan to the list of countries in Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 R2

kb 2840149

This one is the replacement for the faulty update I described earlier. Some details here.

The first two you may not need to worry about unless they are applicable to your needs.

Perhaps try running the System File Checker (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833) to ensure all the correct files are in place and then try the third update again.