Vista x64 home prem not updating

[BeefTipz]

So I figure a great way to learn about how to repair PC's would be to tackle a problem I have had with my own PC for a long time now, but have neglected.

My poor mistreated PC has never been updated, and the only code I have ever gotten for this is code 80070424 - Windows cannot update

Tried (per windows help and support)
Administrative tools>Services>
-check to see if background intelligent transfer service, windows update, and workstation were all present and started (yes)
Try again... fail, same error

I downloaded windows update agent x64 and encountered "fatal error" (encountered unrecoverable error.) I could only find this for Windows XP which I didn't realize at the time of the download...

So at the suggestion of Microsoft's Support site I go to Windows Update website. Which naturally tells you to go to start button, all programs, then windows update.......

So I resort to Google as always, and end up with a forum with these suggestions.
Link: http://forums.techarena.in/windows-vista-performance/1071990.htm

Start - search %windir%
properties>security>advanced>owner>edit
change to admin*
*This was set account unknown(s-##-### and so on) which I am quite uncomfortable with and think I should remove. Would like more input please.
Click OK.

Back to security tab of servicing folder properties>edit
grant full control to administrator
ok "error applying security" c:\windows\servicing\CbsApi.dll Access is denied
c:\windows\servicing\CbsMsg.dll
\en-US
\GC32
\g64
\packages**

**At this point I figure it was going to be all the files, so I stopped recording them, and it only popped up two more errors.

At this point I'm again uncomfortable with this, on top of the names of the files he suggests "trustedinstaller.reg and trustedinstaller.exe"

So I figure I will give Glary Utilities a shot because it would seem that the problem is registry related, and it claims to "Fix invalid or incorrect registry entries".
To no avail... Either this didn't solve the problem, or the problem is unrelated.

I scrutinized what the program said it was fixing, and have a backup in case something unexpected was to happen, but I feel lost still.

Would you guys advise following the "trustedinstallers" and removing the unknown account? Also a link to some suggested reading would greatly be appreciated.

For now I will go eat dinner, then go back to watching Prof. Messer's Free A+ videos while trying to Google more possible solutions.

Thank you

 

[Vicenarian]

Or try a WSUS offline disc? Might fix something so it will update normally.

 

[BeefTipz]

After searching through the forums a little more (tried various google searches +technibble the first time, this time used the forum search...) I have decided to give Autopatcher a try. I am currently downloading it. I am confident that this will update the computer, but will not solve the problem of why the computer is not updating in the first place.

 

[Frank]

I've had to deal with an issue like that for one of my clients. Various updates would fail, including SP1 and SP2. Biggest headache ever.....

I had to drill through the registry settings for individual updates. Some of the states were set wrong, and I also had to reset the states for some prerequisites for the service packs.

This particular PC also had issues showing the system info, RAM processor, etc. It turned out to also have WMI problems.

I cannot even explain what I did to fix it. I just kept hammering away at it relentlessly. And got it taken care of

All I can do to try to help is give you a couple of text files that I saved some info on. You might be able to decipher what I was doing, or it might help you with some Google searches.

Make sure to run the update readiness tool and go over the checksur log.

 

[BeefTipz]

So I downloaded Autopatcher, but did not download the Vista package in the original installation. By the time I finished the install I found WSUSoffline. When I tried implementing WSUS, the program returned an error:

ERROR_SERVICE_DOES_NOT_EXIST(0x80070424).

Next step is to give the Windows System Update Servicing Tool a try. At the download page it says "This tool is being offered because an inconsistency was found in the Windows servicing store which may prevent the successful installation of future updates, service packs, and software. This tool checks your computer for such inconsistencies and tries to resolve issues if found."

Shoddy work, eh?

The tool installed a hotfix, which did not work apparently. Windows Update still cannot check for updates for the same error code.

Will continue to work at this.

EDIT: I have not opened the text files until just after trying Windows Update Servicing Tool. I will give them a look and update you guys when I'm finished.

 

[aerocell]

Hi,
do you have the correct date/time set/synced, and also it might be worth while checking to see if there are any expired trusted root certificates in IE.

 

[harpy1976]

I would definitely check the date/time signature. If that doesn't work, it almost sounds like a corrupt OS. You may want to back up all data and re-format and make sure the OS install goes smoothly.

 

[gunslinger]

Vista was designed to do stuff like this. Might I suggest re-format to Win 7? Reinstalling Vista would be like giving the computer back with a virus on it and knowing it.

 

[BeefTipz]

Thank you for the continued suggestions.

I will check the time/date settings again. I'm pretty sure it's set correctly though. I haven't had a chance to do much with the registry due to recent thunderstorms. Call me superstitious, but I like to have the computer off. I have even unplugged it because I haven't found the surge protector yet.

My wife and I just purchased our first home and moved in earlier this month. Due to this funds are a bit short. Not sure what I think of upgrading to Windows 7.

Regarding the PE textpad:

I did download and have UBCD up and running. I'm not a huge fan of the Parted Magic OS that it comes with, and will make a UBCD4Win from a Dell oem CD that apparently requires a bit of a workaround. PC Regedit on Parted Magic didn't allow me to actually DO anything. I did get to poke around a bit before the storms though. There are a TON of files in the winsxs folder.

EDIT:

So I have made absolutely no progress with getting the PC updated. It turns out that with UBCD you can read NTFS files, but not write/edit them. The creation of UBCD4Win is complicated, due to Dell and Vista. The command file to fix the registry apparently did not work. I will keep you guys updated as time and weather allows. I have also created a WinPE cd and am realising i need to learn more about the command prompt.