asked on

Windows Update just checks perpetually

I needed to restore a saved disc image of my Windows 7 Professional partition. Now, Windows Update just keeps checking perpetually for updates, but never reports any updates. I ran the Windows Update Diagnostic Utility, which corrected numerous problems. Also ran sfc /scannow. The issue persists, and the diagnostic utility reported a failure to correct Windows Update Error 0x80070003. Is there a fix for that?

SOLUTION

John

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

ddantes

ASKER

Thank you. The issue persists after those steps, but this time Windows Update reported error 0x80070003 instead of perpetually checking. I stopped the Windows Update service, deleted the contents of the DataStore and Download subfolders in Windows>SoftwareDistribution, restarted Windows Update service, but that didn't help.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

jcimarron

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

ddantes

ASKER

Thank you. That is the Windows Update Diagnostic Utility which I described initially.

FOX

ddantes,
I want you to download and install the windows system readiness tool for your OS, I assume your using 64 bit.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=20858

downloand and run this

John

The issue persists after those steps, but this time Windows Update reported error 0x80070003 instead of perpetually checking <-- Now that you have done this, restart and try the Update Readiness tool suggested above. This time it might work.

jcimarron

ddantes--
And another tool
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/971058

ddantes

ASKER

Thank you. I'm using 32-bit. I have tried the Upgrade Readiness Tool, but it seems to have hung up about 90% of the way through the installation. It's been running for over ten minutes.

John

OK, Something has gone wrong with your operating system.

You can try SFC /SCANNOW from an admin command prompt.

More likely now, you should try a Windows 7 Repair Install. You need the Windows 7 DVD. Start from it and select Repair Mode. Back up first to be safe.

ddantes

ASKER

OK, I'll post after the repair install.

rindi

How old was the image you restored? Was SP1 already installed on it? If not, first install SP1. Also, on a newly installed Windows 7 system the initial upgrade check takes very long (hours) until it even shows any updates. So just let it sit there and don't worry if it takes long, maybe even set the updates to automatically install so you won't be needed for interaction.You can change that back to your normal settings later.

ddantes

ASKER

The restored image was a year old, and it included SP-1. The repair install did not solve the issue, and the same error was reported.

FOX

ddantes,
Is this box loaded up with apps that you prefer not to reinstall? At this point it may be in your best interest to copy your data to an external drive, format that drive and reinstall windows 7. Is this a laptop?

ddantes

ASKER

This is a desktop. To say that is loaded would be an understatement. It would be easier to move to a new home than to reinstall and reconfigure everything.

FOX

Jeez

FOX

Ok, Method 2 of this link is your way out. It keeps your programs, files, and so forth.

http://www.maximumpc.com/how-to-repair-a-faulty-windows-installation-without-reformatting/

http://windowssecrets.com/top-story/win7s-no-reformat-nondestructive-reinstall/

*If your current installation has sp1 for windows 7 make sure you uninstall it before you do the install*

ddantes

ASKER

Thank you, but I've tried these steps. I'll try restoring a different saved image of the Windows partition.

ddantes

ASKER

All comments are appreciated!