Vista - Error Code: 80071A30 (Can't install updates)

I have been having problems with Windows Update for about 3 months now, the case is that I cannot update Windows at all and every time i get the same error message "Code 80071A30 - Windows Update encountered an unknown error". I have tried all the methods that I could find on different forum posts on fixing Windows Auto Updater and even tried installing all the updates manually but nothing seems to work.

 

 

Windows Update Forum:

 

This is the Vista Operating System Install, Upgrade and Activate Forum.

You will get the best help for any Update/Service Pack problem in the Windows Update Forum; link below:

http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistawu/threads

When you repost there, kindly include any Error Codes, and exactly what happens when you attempt to Update.

That way you will receive the best help there.


Cheers.

 

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Mick Murphy - Microsoft Partner

But i have this problem with Windows Vista not Windows 7

 

XP, Vista and Windows 7 Update questions are ALL asked in that Forum.

Read the URL at that link.

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Mick Murphy - Microsoft Partner

Is Vista SP1 or SP2 installed?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your subscription current?  What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?  What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought it)?

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~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft

This issue can be caused by the following factors:

 

1. The Windows Update service has been stopped.

2. Corrupted Windows Update Temporary folder.

 In order to narrow down the cause of this issue and resolve it, please refer to the following steps. After finishing each step, please check the result again on the Windows Update website.

NOTE: Some third party programs can affect the Windows Update service. If you are running any third party applications such as Spyblocker, Internet or web accelerators (programs designed to boost the speed of the Internet connection), security or anti-virus programs (Norton, McAfee, Norton Internet Security 2008 etc.), I recommend we temporarily disable or shut them down and then try accessing Windows Update later. Please understand that we are disabling these programs only for the purpose of troubleshooting and we can re-enable these programs after we finish troubleshooting.

Step 1: Verify the relevant Windows Update services

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

1. Click the Start Button, in Start Search box, type: "services.msc" (without quotes) and press Enter. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

2. Double click the service "Windows Update".

3. Click on the "Log On" tab, please ensure the option "Local System account" is selected and the option "Allow service to interact with desktop" is unchecked.

4. Check if this service has been enabled on the listed Hardware Profile. If not, please click the Enable button to enable it.

5. Click on the "General" tab; make sure the "Startup Type" is "Automatic" or "Manual". Then please click the "Start" button under "Service Status" to start the service.

6. Please repeat the above steps with the "Background Intelligent Transfer Service" service.

You can also temporarily stop these services, restart the computer, and then start these services again. If any service is missing or cannot be stopped or restarted, please let me know.

Step 2: Rename the Windows Update Softwaredistribution folder in Normal Mode.

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

This problem may occur if the Windows Update Software distribution folder has been corrupted. We can refer to the following steps to rename this folder. Please note that the folder will be re-created the next time we visit the Windows Update site.

1. Close all the open windows.

2. Click the Start Button, click "All programs", and click "Accessories".

3. Right-click "Command Prompt", and click "Run as administrator".

4. In "Administrator: Command Prompt" window, type in "net stop WuAuServ" (without the quotes) and press Enter.

Note: Please look at the cmd window and make sure it says that it was successfully stopped before we try to rename the folder. However, if it fails, please let me know before performing any further steps and include any error messages you may have received when it failed.

5. Click the Start Button, in the "Start Search" box, type in "%windir%" (without the quotes) and press Enter.

6. In the opened folder, look for the folder named "SoftwareDistribution".

7. Right-click on the folder, select Rename and type "SDold" (without the quotes) to rename this folder.

8. While still in the "Administrator: Command Prompt" window, type the command "net start WuAuServ" (without the quotes) in the opened window to restart the Windows Updates service.

Note: Please look at the cmd window and make sure it says that it was successfully started. However, if it failed, please let me know before performing any further steps and include any error messages you may have received when it failed.

 

If the issue persists, to clarify the issue and provide more accurate troubleshooting steps, please assist me in collecting the following information.

 

How to capture a screenshot

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

1. Press the Print Screen key (PrtScn) on your keyboard.

2. Click the Start Button, type "mspaint" in the Search Bar and Press Enter.

3. In the Paint program, click the "Edit" menu, click "Paste". Then click the "File" menu, and click "Save".

4. The "Save As" dialogue box will appear. Type a file name in the "File name:" box, for example: "screenshot".

5. Make sure "JPEG (*.JPG;*.JPEG;*.JPE;*.JFIF)" is selected in the "Save as type" box, click "Desktop" on the left pane and then click "Save".

 Please send this saved JPEG file to my email account at *** Email address is removed for privacy ***

 How to collect the WindowsUpdate.log file

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

1. Click the Start Button, type "WindowsUpdate.log" (without the quotes) in the Search Bar and Press Enter. We will see a file named "WindowsUpdate.log"

2. Now click on the "File" menu and then click on the "Save As".

3. From the left panel, click "Desktop" and click the Save button.

The file will be saved to your Desktop. Please send the file as an attachment in an email to *** Email address is removed for privacy ***.

Note: When attaching files to emails, the process will vary depending on the email application being used. While you are composing the email, most applications will provide you with either an "Attach" button or Paper Clip Icon to click in order to attach a file. After clicking this button/icon you must browse to the file you wish to attach and select it by either double clicking it or clicking it once and then clicking on the "Attach" button.

Please try my suggestion and let me know the results at your earliest convenience. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Could you please provide your e-mail address so that I can send you the screenshots.

 

thanks

You're now FOUR months behind on critical security updates. See...

     Cleaning a Compromised System
     http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc700813.aspx

Back-up any personal data (none of which should be considered 100% trustworthy at this point) then format the HDD & do a clean install of Windows. Please note that a Repair Install (AKA in-place upgrade) will NOT fix this!

HOW TO do a clean install of Vista: See the "If you want to reinstall Windows Vista by performing a clean installation..." section ofhttp://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Installing-and-reinstalling-Windows-Vista

After the clean install, you will have the equivalent of a "new computer" so take care of everything on the following page before otherwise connecting the machine to the internet or a local network (i.e., other computers) and before connecting a flash drive, SDCard, or any other external drive to the computer:

     4 steps to help protect your new computer before you go online
     http://www.microsoft.com/security/pypc.aspx

Tip: After getting the computer fully-patched, download/install KB971029 manually before connecting any external drive to the computer:http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971029

NB: Any Norton or McAfee free-trial that came preinstalled on the computer when you bought it will be reinstalled (but invalid) when Windows is reinstalled. You MUST uninstall the free-trial AND download/run the appropriate removal tool BEFORE installing any updates, Windows Service Packs or IE upgrades AND BEFORE installing your new anti-virus application.

     Norton Removal Tool
     ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/removal_tools/Norton_Removal_Tool.exe

     McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool
     http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/MCPR.exe

Also see:

Risks & Benefits of P2P file sharing
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/data/downloadfileshare/filesharing.aspx
http://blogs.technet.com/mmpc/archive/2008/10/06/the-cost-of-free-software.aspx

Steps To Help Prevent Spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/security/spyware/prevent.aspx 

Steps to Help Prevent Computer Worms
http://www.microsoft.com/security/worms/prevent.aspx

Avoid Rogue Security Software!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/antivirus/rogue.aspx

If you need additional assistance, please begin a new thread in this forum: http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistarepair/threads

If these procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA or Geek Squad) computer repair shop.

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~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft

Hi have a problems with window update, what can i do to solve this problems? 

Hi akeemjohnson,

Are you getting the same error as the original post?  Also, are you using Vista as well?

Please let us know more details about your issue so we can better assist you.  In the meantime, you can also take a look at the article here with some troubleshooting.

Thanks!