I want to scream - Windows update doesn't work with new hard drive

[joydivision]

A couple of months ago I did a job to do a N&P and replace the hard drive. All routine stuff.

They then phoned and said windows updates is not working and it keeps saying windows not is not genuine despite the fact it was activated fine.

So I took the computer back this week (is the first time the client could spare the machine). I spent ages trying to fix both issues, but gave up and make recovery CDs instead from the original drive to do a N&P.

As I tried to install it said hardware not supported. So as an experiment I put the original drive in, and sure enough I could install windows. I now clone the windows to the new drive, same problem - windows update doesn't work. Cannot even use WUSUS or install SP1.

I put in the original drive, windows update works fine but of course it is Windows 7 with no SP. I install all the updates using WUSUS and everything works perfectly.

After this point after some research I found the issue is because the new drive is an advanced format drive (but only 320gb) and there is an update to fix the issue. I install the update, and tried to install Intel Rapid Storage technology (which apparently fixes the problem too) but that said not supported. I now clone the working OS complete with updates which are supposed to fix the issue to the new advanced format drive, everything works fine but windows update still doesn't bloody work!!!!

Any other ideas? Can you still buy none advanced format drives as that would fix the issue. I have spent over 20 hours on this now, and the laptop is very close to getting destroyed.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Might help if bothered to mention brand names and model numbers!

And exact error messages about WU might help.

 

[joydivision]

Might help if bothered to mention brand names and model numbers!

And exact error messages about WU might help.

Is a crappy Sony Vaio laptop 2011 vintage, I3, 4GB RAM, BIOS is already lated one installed etc, I am not sure the model number as it is long and I am at the end of my tether. Downloaded an older version of Intel RTS and so far Windows update is at least now trying to go through the motions.

I have done this loads of times with AF drives and never ever experienced this problem What always seems to happen with me is I fix the issue just as I make a thread. That said it is stuck on the checking for updates screen, but at least it is doing that and not giving the error message "cannot install updates, try restarting your computer".

Issue is fixed now. I will make a new thread detailed the exact fix as this might save other people a massive head ache. The fix was to update Intel Rapid Storage technology, but you need to install windows on a none AF drive first.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Your problem is that Windows 7 does not support AF. Windows 7 with SP1 does. You need to use a Windows 7 SP1 install disk NOT a Windows 7 disk. Image disks are probably not SP1.

 

[nlinecomputers]

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/hh848035(v=vs.85).aspx

 

[NYJimbo]

The fix was to update Intel Rapid Storage technology, but you need to install windows on a none AF drive first.

We have a few threads about this nightmarish driver and its support software. Amazing how much hell you can go through with a hard drive controller driver.

 

[joydivision]

We have a few threads about this nightmarish driver and its support software. Amazing how much hell you can go through with a hard drive controller driver.

Yep the problem is, with the original installing using the recovery discs, there was no way of installing the rapid storage drivers. The answer was to use the original faulty drive, get the OS working on that, with all the service packs, then install RST, then clone it to the new drive. The solution sounds so simple but it took me a while to research while windows update wasn't working.

The worst thing is as this is a 'warranty' job I won't get a penny for it.

 

[joydivision]

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/hh848035(v=vs.85).aspx

Indeed, but I had a nightmare even installing that, with the AF drive it wouldn't let me, I had to install it on the none AF drive after installing SP1. That was half the problem the AF drive would let me install zero updates even when it was standalone.

 

[nlinecomputers]

In the future you might try this.

There is a single patch that adds AF compatibility to Windows 7.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/982018

So you might try to Install your image. Install the hotfix, then install your Intel drivers, then install SP1. I suspect that the Intel drivers fail to install on your AF drive because you don't have that hotfix.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Indeed, but I had a nightmare even installing that, with the AF drive it wouldn't let me, I had to install it on the none AF drive after installing SP1. That was half the problem the AF drive would let me install zero updates even when it was standalone.

If that is the case then the AF format is probably not reading anything on the disk correctly. It is a wonder windows 7 SP0 works at all on it.

 

[joydivision]

In the future you might try this.

There is a single patch that adds AF compatibility to Windows 7.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/982018

So you might try to Install your image. Install the hotfix, then install your Intel drivers, then install SP1. I suspect that the Intel drivers fail to install on your AF drive because you don't have that hotfix.

Possibly, but the half the problem is I couldn't install that hotfix, it just came up with a generic error message. So I installed it on the none AF drive, then cloned it over. Windows update still didn't work, what fixed it was installing Intel RST.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Possibly, but the half the problem is I couldn't install that hotfix, it just came up with a generic error message. So I installed it on the none AF drive, then cloned it over. Windows update still didn't work, what fixed it was installing Intel RST.

Yep because the drivers on that image like Windows 7 SP0 are NOT AF aware. One more reason to avoid using images and just do fresh installs.

 

[joydivision]

Yep because the drivers on that image like Windows 7 SP0 are NOT AF aware. One more reason to avoid using images and just do fresh installs.

I did originally do a fresh install, I always do for this sort of reason, but my fresh install kept saying it wasn't genuine. I spent several hours trying to fix that, but nothing would work. I have come across that issue a few times before when using my own 'genuine' OEM Windows discs.

 

[NYJimbo]

I did originally do a fresh install, I always do for this sort of reason, but my fresh install kept saying it wasn't genuine. I spent several hours trying to fix that, but nothing would work. I have come across that issue a few times before when using my own 'genuine' OEM Windows discs.

It has something to do with cryptographic stuff not running or something else with defender, security, some layer. I know we couldn't do windows update and had similar faults and each time pointed back to that stupid intel raid controller driver/software.

 

[JustInspired]

Not sure where I sourced it but here are my Evernote notes on this:

Windows update cannot currently check for updates because the service is not running

If usual SoftwareDistribution deletion and dll fixes don't work update the Intel RST Rapid Storage Technology driver.

The RST can also sort out "Windows Live Mail could not be started - 0x8E5E0247 or 0x8000fff" errors especially when this happens after cloning the hard drive.

 

[joydivision]

Not sure where I sourced it but here are my Evernote notes on this:

The problem with this job Julian, is even when I worked out what the fixes are, it wouldn't let me install any of them, hence having to clone to a none AF drive and do all the updates on that.

Certainly if I ever have windows update trouble again, RST will be one of the first things I try after the usual fixes.

 

[ohio_grad_06]

I've had this on drives where I've cloned before. At times even after cloning, having to reinstall the driver, as well as maybe even run the Windows update fix from the tweaking.com all in one tool.

 

[TAPtech]

Intel RST driver saved me on one of these.

Why aren't you using a post SP1 install disc though? Seems like a ton of wasted time.

 

[JustInspired]

The problem with this job Julian, is even when I worked out what the fixes are, it wouldn't let me install any of them, hence having to clone to a none AF drive and do all the updates on that.

Certainly if I ever have windows update trouble again, RST will be one of the first things I try after the usual fixes.

Thanks I've updated my notes.

 

[joydivision]

Intel RST driver saved me on one of these.

Why aren't you using a post SP1 install disc though? Seems like a ton of wasted time.

I did originally do use my OEM SP1 CD, but although it activated fine it the windows is not genuine message came up. Hence I used the original drive to create recovery CDs. Sometimes if you use the OEM CD that happens as it is not strictly complaint.