Windows Update permanently "looking for updates", possible component hive corruption

gary99 · Nov 3, 2016

Windows Update permanently "looking for updates", possible component hive corruption

Hi everyone. I've been having Windows update problems for while and have luckily stumbled across this site, which looks like my only hope of solving this thing.

One day I noticed Windows Update was permanently stuck at "searching for new updates." I went through the typical Fix-it(s) and other things Microsoft suggests (system update readiness tool). SURT stalls at "searching for updates on this computer", and the Fix-it's put Windows Update into a state where it says "no updates have been installed" and "most recent check for updates" is "never." However, the "updates were installed" field currently shows "Yesterday at 3:39AM", and "view update history" shows me all updates successful, up to yesterday's date (11/2/2016). I don't really trust this.

So I decided to run an sfc /scannow. This gives me the error "Windows Resource Protection could not start the repair service." A google search shows I need to start the trusted installer/windows modules installer service. Trying to start this service gives me the error "Error 1017: The system has attempted to load or restore a file into the registry, but the specified file is not in a registry file format."

So now I'm here and I've run SFCFix. Here is the result:

SFCFix version 3.0.0.0 by niemiro.Start time: 2016-11-03 14:04:36.785
Microsoft Windows 7 Service Pack 1 - amd64
Not using a script file.

AutoAnalysis::
WARNING: Failed to check store directories with return code 1 and error code ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND. COMPONENTS hive may be corrupt.

WARNING: Components hive failed load test and may be corrupt.

WARNING: Components hive failed final reload test with error code 0x3F9 and may be corrupt.

SUMMARY: No corruptions were detected.
AutoAnalysis:: directive completed successfully.

Successfully processed all directives.
SFCFix version 3.0.0.0 by niemiro has completed.
Currently storing 0 datablocks.
Finish time: 2016-11-03 14:05:43.448
----------------------EOF-----------------------

I've uploaded my CBS folder to my own hosting (~60MB) : http://ohlongjohn.com/files/CBS.zip

It looks like I have a component hive problem. I cannot begin to express the amount of appreciation I would have if someone could point me in the right direction. Thank you so much in advance to whoever has the patience to help me work this one out.

gary99 · Nov 3, 2016

Re: Windows Update permanently "looking for updates", possible component hive corrupt

I also went ahead and uploaded the file "components" from c:\windows\system32\config to my hosting here: http://ohlongjohn.com/files/components.zip

zcomputerwiz · Nov 15, 2016

Re: Windows Update permanently "looking for updates", possible component hive corrupt

Hi Gary,
It looks like the components hive has been overwritten with garbage data. Do you have an earlier version from a backup?

gary99 · Nov 15, 2016

Re: Windows Update permanently "looking for updates", possible component hive corrupt

Hey! Thanks for the reply!

Unfortunately I don't. My RegBack folder has DEFAULT, SAM, SECURITY, SOFTWARE, and SYSTEM, but no COMPONENTS. How bizarre. I do have three files in ./config named components.log, log1, and log2, but they're all pretty small in size (1kb, 256kb, 0kb) so I don't imagine they're any help. I don't have a restore point back to the last time the components file was modified (11/28/15) so at this point, looking on the internet, it looks like my only option is a repair installation. All of the repair installation guides tell me to first uninstall service pack 1, but I have no way to remove it, because none of my installed updates show up in Windows Update. I know I have SP1 installed because it shows up under control panel > system. Would creating a backup, installing Windows fresh, and restoring the backup bring the same problem back?

Any ideas?

Thanks a ton,
Gary

zcomputerwiz · Nov 15, 2016

Re: Windows Update permanently "looking for updates", possible component hive corrupt

No, you should not need to uninstall SP1 to perform the repair install.

Do you have Windows 7 x64 SP1 installation discs or other media?

gary99 · Nov 15, 2016

Re: Windows Update permanently "looking for updates", possible component hive corrupt

I don't. I have an old Windows 7 x64 without SP1. Looks like I'm going to have to get a newer Windows 7 disc to do this. Convinced it's my only option now. I really appreciate the help! I was headed in the direction of doing a repair install but I'm really glad I was able to get a second opinion from you, and now I know it isn't mandatory that I uninstall Service Pack 1 which is great. Once again, thanks a load for your time. You're doing an extremely valuable service here!

Gary

zcomputerwiz · Nov 15, 2016

Re: Windows Update permanently "looking for updates", possible component hive corrupt

Glad to help!

Yes, installation media with SP1 will be required for the repair installation (also called an in place upgrade).

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Windows Update permanently "looking for updates", possible component hive corruption

gary99

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gary99

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zcomputerwiz

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gary99

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zcomputerwiz

Windows Update Expert

gary99

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zcomputerwiz

Windows Update Expert