Windows Update won't work

usasma · Sep 28, 2012

Clean install of Win7 SP1 64 bit on an Asus laptop - done from user created recovery disks. No errors during installation. Device Manager = OK

I get the "Windows Update cannot currently check for updates, because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer."
Windows Update service IS running
BITS is running also.

Restarting doesn't help.
Ran Microsoft FixIt - no help
Reset settings (turned WU off), rebooted, reset settings back - no help
Stopped, then restarted Windows Update service - no help
Removed contents of Software Distribution folder (after stopping Windows Update service) - no help
SFC.EXE /SCANNOW fixed some issues - attached is CBS.log file
Going to reboot now....BRG! :0)

BTW - this happens frequently with reinstalls - I've seen it on HP and on Toshiba systems also.
What I'm looking for is a couple of things to check for fast results - and avoiding another reinstallation (or making the user order a set of recovery disks from the manufacturer).

***************
EDIT: After reboot - Windows Update still doesn't work and still gives the error message that I started this post with.

usasma · Sep 28, 2012

Just happened to me on a Sony with a plain vanila install of Win7 Home Premium SP1 64 bit (using a Retail disk that I downloaded from TechNet)
We only installed 4 drivers (can't recall which one's - but one was the Intel Management Engine)
Went to update Windows and go the error.
Will check on it at work tomorrow (Time for me to go home for the day! :0)

niemiro · Sep 28, 2012

Hello :)

Could you please check another couple of services for me? In general, these are the services (and dependencies) which Windows Update requires to operate.

Windows Update
Background Intelligent Transfer Service
Windows Modules Installer
Windows Event Log
Software Licensing/Software Protection

There are some other ones, but those are the main ones.

Please allow me some time to think about this a little more.

Thank you :)

2xg · Sep 28, 2012

Hi John,

This just happened to me last week and yes a plain vanilla install also but I've used Windows 7 Pro and I was able to resolved the issue.

This is what I've tried:
- Verified the WU Service is Started
- Performed Clean Startup
- Ran sfc/scannow
- System Restore
- Ran WU Troubleshooter (this might have fixed the issue for me)

Please let us know how it works out.

usasma · Sep 28, 2012

I'll check this tomorrow morning at work.

Went back and checked the Sony laptop and found that BITS wasn't started (it was set on Manual!)

OT:
Checked Windows Update on my Windows 8 system and it's set for Manual (Triggered Start) - WTHeck?
Link that describes Trigger Started Services: http://channel9.msdn.com/posts/Trigger-Started-Services-on-Windows-7

usasma · Sep 29, 2012

Got to work this morning and a co-worker had fixed the Asus.
He installed a later version of the Intel Storage driver (IaStor.sys)
It seems that there's an issue with Win7 SP0 and Advanced Format drives (those with 4kb sectors rather than the older version with 512 byte sectors).

Solution is to install v9.6 or later of the IaStor.sys driver from Intel. If issues are experienced with versions later than 10.1 - the advice is to revert to v9.6 to v10.1

Info at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2510009

XP just won't work with native 4kB sectors - but there is some anecdotal evidence that it may work with the 512e versions (4kB versions that emulate the 512 byte sectors).

Vista SP2 and KB2470478 are needed on Vista systems
Win7 SP1 and KB982018 are needed on Win7 systems

Still working on the Sony tho'
Last night it decided that it wasn't able to validate (I'd used a retail disk to install with the OEM key)
So I'm going back to the original Sony restore and will see if I can work the IaStor.sys magic with it!

FYI - the address for the IaStor.sys drivers in my reference is: http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/highlights/chpsts/imsm
Intel's take on the 4kB sector issue: http://www.intel.com/support/chipsets/imsm/sb/CS-031502.htm

EDIT:
More info from Sony: http://www.sony-europe.com/discussions/message/757489
Mar 31, 2012 11:13 AM post by Blencogo give links to Toshiba suggestions (and a free tool to use):
http://storage.toshiba.eu/cms/en/support_services/advanced_format.html
http://storage.toshiba.eu/export/si...ownloads/advanced_format/4KWhitePaper_TEG.pdf

usasma · Sep 29, 2012

PS - fixed the Sony with:
- re-reinstalled Windows
- stopped the system as it went to reboot into Windows (for the in-Windows phase of setup)
- inserted the AHCI version of IaStor.sys (v10.8) from a PE mode (not in Windows)
- allowed setup to continue and all was well!

writhziden · Sep 29, 2012

John, I recently experienced this on my own Sony and a hotfix was installed during the setup process to resolve the 4 kb issue. I sent a PM to John G. and Richard about the problem.

I believe Sony is aware of the problem in their newer systems. Probably the older system you just fixed was before the issue became prevalent since mine came with SP1 pre-installed.

An update that improves the compatibility of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 with Advanced Format Disks is available

One thing Richard mentioned to me is the hotfix must be installed in a special way in order to work. Since it is a Windows update, it will likely fail to install until the update is installed specially. Basically, it creates a catch-22 where you need the hotfix installed in order to install the hotfix. He was not able to provide the specific methods used, but you can speak with him if you want more info, or maybe he'll see this post and add more input.

usasma · Sep 30, 2012

Thanks Mike! I'll keep that one on my flash drive!
A bit OT - but I'm reminded of the High Def audio update from XP (pre-SP2) KB888111 that I still have on my flash drive!

With the Sony problem I saw originally - it would boot to Windows but would refuse to install any Windows Updates. Next time we get one in, I'll try the hotfix to see what I can come up with (and will post the results here).

This time when I knew the problem existed, I didn't even let it boot to Windows. I grabbed it during the reboot and injected the more current version of IaStor.sys before it could even attempt to load it. This seems an easier "fix" - but requires watching the PC to ensure it doesn't reboot without you catching it (luckily the Sony recovery DVD's have a dialog to click when it's time to reboot).

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Windows Update won't work

usasma

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