Windows Update will not work - Vista Business 32-Bit Operating System

Windows Update will not work...It says "Checking For Updates" and will not go farther.

Dell said to just re-install Vista, which I did, twice, from Recovery Drive D, and I ran Standalone SP1 and SP2 to get as far along as I could, knowing that there are numerous additional Updates needed since SP2.

Hi Diamondspearls:

If the initial "Checking for updates..." phase of Windows Update (WU) seems to hang for hours without throwing an error message, many Win 7 and Vista users have been having the same issue dating back to the official release of Win 10 in July 2015.  See the posts in my thread August 2015 Windows Update for Vista Requires One Hour to Run to Completion since 16-May-2016 for a summary of what I've found so far.

The only reliable workaround I've heard of (other than letting WU run for several hours to find monthly Patch Tuesday updates) is posted on Dalai's webpage titled  Search for Windows Updates takes forever? - A possible solution .  This webpage currently has a list of five Windows kernel-mode driver (Win32k.sys) updates that must be downloaded from the Microsoft Download Center and pre-installed before you run Windows Update if any of those five updates are  missing from your system.  From the author of that webpage:

"This HowTo is valid for Win7 SP1 and Vista SP2, which have been newly installed or haven't been updated for some time. It should also help on systems that were up-to-date last month - just install the missing updates from the list below in this case...

...The term "solution" might be a little bit exaggerated, since the following HowTo only tries to make sure that the Update Agent doesn't need to check all updates, so the check for new updates is done faster. Futhermore, it's only a temporary solution; most likely the issue will appear again with the next Patchday."

Before trying this workaround, check your Windows Update Agent (WUA) at C:\Windows\system32\wuaueng.dll and confirm you have the current v7.6.7600.256 (rel. June 2012) for 32-bit Vista.   If you have an older version of the WUA see the section titled Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP in the support article KB949104: How to update the Windows Update Agent to the latest version.

Since you've just performed a re-install with the standalone Vista SP2 installer, you'll likely find that all five of the required Win32k.sys updates on Dalai's webpage are missing from your list of installed updates at Windows Update | View installed updates and will have to be installed manually (from oldest to newest).   The approximate release dates of these updates are: KB3078601 (18-Aug-2015); KB3087039 (08-Sep-2015); KB3109094 (07-Dec-2015); KB3145739 (12-Apr-2016); KB3153199 (10-May-2016).  Since you have a 32-bit Vista OS you would use the download links for Vista (x86).  Then re-boot and run a manual WU and let "Checking for updates..." run until it reports that updates are available for download.  This should take about 20 min to 1 hour, depending on the number of available updates WU finds.

Users who managed to install their April 2016 Patch Tuesday updates last month should only have to pre-install one missing update from the Microsoft Download Center - KB3153199 - before running WU to apply their May 2016 Patch Tuesday updates.
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32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox v46.0.1 * IE9 * NIS v21.7.0.11
HP Pavilion dv6835ca, Intel Core2Duo T5550 @ 1.83 GHz, 3 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS

great White,

Thank You for this reply.

I really appreciate it.

I will try these things Tomorrow and Saturday.

I have been on the computer since 7:30 a.m. today.

After I posed my question, I restarted in Safe Mode With Networking, and Windows Update would not even launch at all.

Also, prior to creating this question, I have worked for months to try getting Windows Update to work, leaving it on for days at a time.

Nothing works.

Also, again, I had BIG Trouble getting SP 1 and SP2 to work after re-installing Vista, both times, and the SP's were standalones.

I searched and stumbled into so many things that I probably have forgotten about many that I tried.

Anyway, I am hopeful that something you have provided will get things going in the right direction.

I will try to post what happens.

Thanks again.

Sincerely,

Dave

Hi Diamondspearls:

There might be some other underlying problem with your Windows Update components, so post back if you confirm you have the latest Windows Update Agent v7.6.7600.256 (WUA) for Vista and still have difficulty installing any of the standalone installers (.msu files) for the Win32k.sys updates mentioned in my previous post.

If you haven't already done so, I'd also advise that you disable automatic Windows Updates [Start | Control Panel | Windows Update | Change settings | Important updates | Never check for updates (not recommended)] and re-start your computer. This will not prevent your Windows Update service wuauserv from loading at boot-up but it will prevent Windows Update from automatically launching in the background and consuming high amounts of memory and CPU while you're trying to diagnose your problem.

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32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox v46.0.1 * IE9 * NIS v21.7.0.11
HP Pavilion dv6835ca, Intel Core2Duo T5550 @ 1.83 GHz, 3 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS

Mr. Great White North,

Thank You.

Yes, I have Windows Update Agent - wuaeng.dll - version 7.6.7600.256 - June 02, 2012.

I had made sure of it a long while back, and should have stated so in  my original post, but, as I was saying, I have been going up and down, and all around, in order to find resolution for this nightmare.

I may end up having to retire this laptop, even though I like it, (and, of course, I paid a ton for it originally, not that it would worth much now!).

I have run the Windows 7 Upgrade Adviser (Advisor?) many times, too, and there were a few shortcomings I was concerned about if I was to upgrade, and  I really like Windows 7, so it would be nice to use, maybe if I cannot overcome this Vista Windows Update debacle, I might risk it and install Windows 7 and see how it goes.

Meanwhile, I had turned Windows Update to Not Check At All For Updates, already.

Now, I am trying to run the KB3078601 Update, and it is just the same Standalone Windows Updater, saying it is checking for updates, but getting nowhere.

I did not do things properly to add the script to the Folder that I have these 5 Updates in on a flash drive per Dalai's instruction, because, when I Double-Click the Script File, it just opens the Notepad Text Information.

So, I don't know how to do that, apparently, and I am also murky on the instructions he provides above it regarding using a Command Line Shell As Administrator to try to run the updates one by one.

I have not done that type thing before, I guess, and I am thinking he makes a step or two of expecting that folks know each thing automatically, but I don't.

It is probably something I should know, I guess, but I don't.

So, I just clicked the first Update to open it and run it, and got the searching for updates in the Standalone Windows Update Window.

I have no more steps to try right now, and hope you will be able to guide me further.

I think as I have gotten older, I have realized there are lots of little things to still learn to complete tasks in the world of computers, even though I have quite a bit of experience, I have continued to learn more and more.

Thank You again for your help.

Sincerely,

Dave

Hi Diamondspearls:

Before we proceed, you noted in your original post that you re-installed Vista from your recovery drive, but after reading Dell Recovery Partition – Guide for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 I'm not sure if you tried to repair your Windows installation or if you completely restored your laptop back to its factory settings. Since you had to reinstall the SP1 and SP2 service packs I assume you restored all the way back to your factory image.  If that's correct, then you likely re-installed outdated software that was installed at the factory (e.g., possibly an old 30-day trial version of antivirus software like Norton or McAfee) and rolled back drivers for hardware components like your network and video cards.  Are you having any other noticeable problems on your computer other than Windows Updates, and if so have you updated your Dell XPS M1330 with the latest available software and drivers at http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/04/product-support/product/xps-m1330/drivers?  There is also a diagnostic tool at http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/04/product-support/product/xps-m1330/diagnose to check your laptop components but I'm not sure if this tool will run if the warranty for your laptop has expired.

If your only concern right now is installing the five missing Win32k.sys updates on Dalai's webpage, just try the oldest KB3078601 released 18-Aug-2015 as follows - assuming this KB isn't already in your list of installed Windows updates at Windows Update | View update history.

1. Go to Dalai's webpage at Search for Windows Updates takes forever? - A possible solution
2. Click on the Vista (x86) link for KB3078601, which should redirect you to the correct download page https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=48360 for the 32-bit .msu file (where msu = Microsoft Update Standalone Package) on the Microsft Download Center.
3. Before starting the download , expand the section titled Install Instructions and read the instructions to familiarize yourself with the process.  Note the System Requirements assumes you have Vista SP2.
4. Select the appropriate language for your Windows OS (e.g., English) and click the red Download button.
5. Choose Save As and save the .msu file Windows6.0-KB3078601-x86.msu to your Windows desktop (or some other location on your hard drive where it's easy to find) and close your browser.
6. Double-click the .msu file to start the installation.  As long as you have a working Windows Standalone Update Installer (C:\Windows\system32\wusa.exe) the installation should run automatically.
7. Wait for the installation to run to completion and inform you if the installation was a success or failed with an error.  Be patient - some users have reported the first Win32k.sys update takes an hour or more to download and install.
8. Re-boot your computer.

If KB3078601 installs without an error, just follow the same procedure for the remaining four missing Win32k.sys updates (from oldest to the newest) and re-boot after each update is installed.

If it doesn't work, post back and I'll provide instructions for running a diagnostic with Microsoft's Windows Update Readiness Tool.
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32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox v46.0.1 * IE9 * NIS v21.7.0.11
HP Pavilion dv6835ca, Intel Core2Duo T5550 @ 1.83 GHz, 3 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS

Hi, Great White North,

I wanted to wait to submit any further update information regarding my progress, because I am right in the middle of 228 Updates Installing, and I did not want to prematurely tell things until they were actually completed.

But, since you detailed the above steps, I thought had better submit new information now.

I manually stopped Windows Update in Services and it timed out before stopping.

So, I did it again, and it would only go far enough to say Stopping, and it stayed at that status.

I closed Services and re-booted, and went to the earliest Update, KB3078601, and it opened fine, updated, with a window that looks like the updates installing window on XP.

I re-booted, and did the KB3087039 the same way, re-booted, and so on through all Five Updates.

After the Fifth Update, I went to Windows Updates Settings and changed back to Notify me, but let me decide to download and what to install, and then looked at Services - Windows Update, which was already Started, because I left it on Automatic (Delayed) instead of changing it to Manual, (I just forgot to change to Manual originally).

Then I performed Windows Update as I regularly would, double-clicking it from my Desktop.

It ran quickly, identifying 230 Updates.

I clicked Download and Install, and it downloaded 1,004 MB in 25 minutes, a world record, I think.

Now, it is installing approximately #85 of 228 Updates.

I will, of course, re-boot, then run Windows Update again until I get all of the Updates.

Hopefully, until next month's glitches hit, it will be as good as it can be, given the monstrosity caused by Microsoft pushing Windows 10, just like what happened back at the advent and populating of Windows 7 that wreaked havoc on XP.

I am hopeful it will be good for the time period before next month, and we will probably need to go into more specifics for resolution at that time.

Also, to respond to your first thoughts in your latest Reply, I Recovered back to Factory from the D;\Recovery Drive, and immediately installed all Dell Drivers and Downloads, and put on my usual Zonealarm, Malwarebytes, etc.

I do not like McAfee, and never have, and I have read too many bad things about it, like hogging memory, taking what should be free resources and tying them up even after it has completed scans and treatment, so I removed that right away, from Programs and Features.

Also, for years my WiFi Catcher conflicted endlessly with whatever associated with encryption and who knows what, and my Intel WiFi Card was up and down.

Re-installing Vista and Drivers has corrected ALL of that, and it is quite a relief not having to monkey with resetting things repeatedly, only to have them fail.

Whatever corruption there was, and it was significant, the careful re-installations I have done has really helped.

The most significant thing now, if the Windows Updating works properly, as it should, is that Internet Explorer Suddenly Stops Working.

This happens on Vista, IE 9 on the Dell XPS M1330 Computer, as well as Four computers I have with Windows 7, and the latest Dell XPS15 with Windows 10, all of which have the latest updates and latest IE.

I cannot get it resolved, at all.

Thank You.

Sincerely,

Dave

Then I performed Windows Update as I regularly would, double-clicking it from my Desktop. It ran quickly, identifying 230 Updates.  I clicked Download and Install, and it downloaded 1,004 MB in 25 minutes, a world record, I think.  Now, it is installing approximately #85 of 228 Updates.

I will, of course, re-boot, then run Windows Update again until I get all of the Updates.

Hopefully, until next month's glitches hit, it will be as good as it can be, given the monstrosity caused by Microsoft pushing Windows 10, just like what happened back at the advent and populating of Windows 7 that wreaked havoc on XP.

I am hopeful it will be good for the time period before next month, and we will probably need to go into more specifics for resolution at that time...

...The most significant thing now, if the Windows Updating works properly, as it should, is that Internet Explorer Suddenly Stops Working. This happens on Vista, IE 9 on the Dell XPS M1330 Computer, as well as Four computers I have with Windows 7, and the latest Dell XPS15 with Windows 10, all of which have the latest updates and latest IE.

Hi Diamondspearls:

That's great news - it sounds like you're making good progress.  What you've described sounds almost identical to copiman's experience in the VistaForums thread Current tips on updates after he performed a clean re-install of Vista.  Windows Update wouldn't run after he installed the SP2 service pack, but as soon as he installed the five Win32k.sys updates suggested by Dalai his "Checking for updates..." completed in 20 min and 230 available updates were downloaded and installed within about 2 hours.

I suspect this pre-install of missing Win32k.sys updates is only a temporary solution and that these slow Windows Updates will return next month after a new batch of Patch Tuesday updates is released.  Going forward, I suggest that you leave automatic Windows Updates completely disabled [Windows Update | Change settings | Important updates | Never check for updates (not recommended)] and check Dalai's webpage Search for Windows Updates takes forever? - A possible solution a few days after the June 2016 Patch Tuesday updates are posted the Microsoft update servers on 14-Jun-2016 (i.e. the 2nd Tuesday of the month).  If a new Win32k.sys update has been added to Dalai's list of recommended updates, that new update will have to be downloaded from the Microsoft Download Center and pre-installed before you run a manual Windows Update to apply the remaining dozen or so available June 2016 updates.

I'd also suggest leaving your Windows Update service (wuauserv) set to Automatic (Delayed) startup so it always starts at boot-up.  Black Viper has posted possible tweaks for Vista SP2 services <here> and even his most severe "bare bones" configuration suggests that the BITS and Windows Update services should always be left as Automatic (Delayed).  You won't see wuauserv consume large amounts of CPU and RAM until a Windows Update session (automatic or manual) is launched and the Windows Update Agent wuaueng.dll starts searching for available updates - see my comments in post # 162 of the VistaForums thread windows update just seems to hang while checking.  These days it's very rare for Microsoft to release updates for Vista outside of Patch Tuesdays so I completely disabled my automatic Windows Updates a few years ago and just run one manual Windows Update each month a few days after the Patch Tuesday updates are posted to the Microsoft servers.

I use Firefox as my default browser so I won't be much help with your IE browser problem, but if you're having issues on multiple machines with different OSs and different versions of IE that sounds like a problem with your Internet connection dropping out.  Have you tried rebooting (power cycling) your router by unplugging the power connector, waiting for about 30 seconds and then plugging it back in?

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32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox v46.0.1 * IE9 * NIS v21.7.0.11 * MBAM Premium v2.2.1
HP Pavilion dv6835ca, Intel Core2Duo T5550 @ 1.83 GHz, 3 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS

Hi, Mr. Great White North,

I got 47, or so, more updates, which took a somewhat normal amount of time to install, but they downloaded VERY quickly.

So, it seems good until the next Patch Cycle in June, as you said, and I will proceed accordingly, per your guidance, which I really appreciate.

Yes, I have regularly re-started the ATT U-Verse Residential Gateway Modem, along with having to have that replaced too many times since I started with them in 2008, along with many, many Tech visits and Technical Assistance Repair Calls.

I believe their service is a cause of many problems, and the forums confirm my experiences with lots of other folks, too.

I think people are very upset with their Cable and Internet Service Providers, no matter who they use.

Thank you, again, very much for your help!!

Sincerely,

Dave

Hi Diamondspearls:

You're very welcome, but the real credit goes to all the Vista users posting in ScousaJAY's VistaForums thread windows update just seems to hang while checking who have been working together since August 2015 to gather and share any relevant information they've found about these slow Windows Updates.  If someone finds a better workaround than Dalai's suggestion at Search for Windows Updates takes forever? - A possible solution to pre-install missing Win32k.sys updates then I'm sure it will be posted in ScousaJAY's thread.

Woody Leonhard has also posted a series of articles on this topic in his Woody on Windows InfoWorld blog, including his latest May 2016 article Windows 7 update scans taking forever? KB3153199 may solve the problem which notes that many Win 7 and Vista users have speeded up Windows Updates by pre-installing monthly Win32k.sys updates. Other IT professionals have recently taken up the cause - see Michael Horowitz's ComputerWorld articles Patching Windows 7 can be painfully slow (April 2016) and Windows Update on Windows 7 is still a problem (May 2016) - and I'm hoping their contacts at Microsoft will eventually take notice and provide a permanent fix.
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32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox v46.0.1 * IE9 * NIS v21.7.0.11 * MBAM Premium v2.2.1
HP Pavilion dv6835ca, Intel Core2Duo T5550 @ 1.83 GHz, 3 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS

Hi, Great White North,

Yes, indeed!

I am so very glad you credit the Folks who have tirelessly pursued this unfortunate and negative issue, prevailing as best as possible over time.

I also hope that my post is one more example for people to find for help, since you have succinctly compiled the best and most useful resources in a single place.

I also hope that the issue that may continue to happen as succeeding monthly patch cycles come along will be able to be addressed and resolved in an ongoing manner, as is sorely needed.

Thank You, and Them, very much!!!

Sincerely,

Dave