Unable to get Windows Updates on Windows 7

Windows 7 OS.  The system has not been used in several weeks but works fine except that I cannot get any updates.  There is no error message except for the red X in the Windows Update panel and suggesting that we should try again which continues to fail.  I've already downloaded and run the Fixit for updates.  That did not do any good.  The services.msc shows updates as started - delayed.  I attempted to force a start but it will only do started - delayed.  The only other strange thing I noticed is that updates is showing "no updates installed previously" which is incorrect.  Suggestions?  Thanks.