Windows Update Error

I am not sure if I am posting this to the correct place, but here I go.  When I try to update windows I am getting the following error message 80073712.  I followed the instructions to fix this such as System Update Readiness Tool for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB947821) [November 2012]  I installed this and it didn't work.  I still get an error trying to search for updates.  I ran all the security programs such as MSE, Malwarebytes and Superantispyware and found no bugs.  Plus, I have not made any additions or changes to my machine such as hardware or software.  I can't seem to correct this problem so any advice and or suggestions will be welcome.
 
Thanks in advance, Rich

 

This info from Microsoft, Rich.
 
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/957310

 

No, I haven't allheart, how do I go about doing that???  I did that  System Update Readiness Tool thinger and it didn't work.  I hope I don't have to load Win 7 again.

 

I ran the System File Checker or tried to and I got a message about Windows Resource Protection and it said that it couldn't do the repair.  So, I am back to square one.  Not sure what to do now.

 

PS:  I just tried Windows Updates again and it keeps giving me the error.  There was a thng that said get help with this error and it showed something called Fix It.  I tried that as well and it said that it fixed the problems, but, it is still not fixed.  I supposed I will have to load the Win 7 ultimate disk and do a repair????  Plus, I checked my update history and it said that there were no updates installed????  I do update checks all the time and up until this problem started, I had all the current updates, so I don't understand what happened.  Like I said, I have made no changes to my machine and I do regular scans all the time.

 

Another direction that could be tried is to go back to a restore point before the issue. Then install updates one at a time until the issue returns, if it does. This would narrow it down to which specific update is causing an issue if any.

 

I tried that Jay and it didn't work.  I think I may have to load my Win 7 operating system disk, if so, how do I go about doing a repair, because I don't want to lose any of my current data.  I have loaded many disks before but I have never used them for a repair.

 

I would open command prompt and run as administrator and repair any files running sfc /Scannow.
 
 
sfc /scannow

Note: There's a space between sfc and /scannow.
 
Hi Rich. From my experience critical Microsoft updates seldom give issues.
Over time I have had problems with Custom updates.
I steer clear of those as a rule.

 

Rich, to my knowledge there is no way to do a repair install like you could with XP.   Hmmm, never tried it nor have I heard of it being done but it is just possible that you could do an upgrade install over the old.  I doubt very seriously that this would be allowed but if you get desperate...
 
Are you not doing image backups now?  Can't you just restore an image from before the issue?

 

Windows Resource Protection

 
I did that Doughie and it didn't work it said because of Windows Resource Protection it could not do the repair.  I don't know what happened but it appears that I may have some corrupt Windows files.  I have tried everything and I can't get Windows Updates to work and Jay you can to a Win 7 repair in the form of an upgrade.  I tried doing that and that didn't work either. I guess I will have to do a clean install again.

 

I hope this isn't too late and you have now re-installed Windows, but if not, have a look here rich, see if this helps, it says for Vista but the same should apply in W7=
 
http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/fix-for-error-windows-resource-protection-could-not-start-the-repair-service-when-running-sfc-in-vista/
 
Nev.

 

Thanks Nev, I have tried all those instructions and it didn't work.  I am off work for 5 days for the holidays, I will have to do a new install as I simply can't fix it, I have tried everything.  I must have some corrupted files, for some reason, yet I can't figure out how.

 

I sent a post to the Microsoft Help Forums and surprisingly enough, they got back to me right away.  Basically they gave me the same advice that you kind folks did.  I followed all the instructions with no luck.  I loaded my Win7 Ultimate disk, tried to do an upgrade and that failed as well.  I really don't want to do a clean install, but, I have no other recourse as I simply can't fix this problem. As I said above, I do regular computer maintenance every weekend, so, for the life of me I can't understand how I would have gotten any corrupt files. I don't want to run my machine too long without windows updates.  Plus, it keeps telling me that I have NEVER checked for updates and that there is no updates installed???? which is a crock, all current updates were installed before this problem came about.   :argue:

 

Have you looked in System restore and are there any restore points back far enough to before this happened?
Just might get you out of trouble if updates have worked in the past.
 
Edit to add, Woops, just seen you have already looked at this but try expanding the restore callendar and see if it does go a good way back and try one of the earliest ones.
 
Nev.

 

I'm still curious Rich...  I thought that you were now doing image backups.  Things like this are exactly what an image is for.  Mayhaps I misunderstood and you were just doing file backups.

 

Thanks allheart, I will give that a go, probably this coming weekend.  I will try anything at this point as I don't really want to do another clean install.  I have never tried something like this before, so, it should prove to be interesting.  Thanks again. :nod: PS: yes it said Windows Resource Protection could not start the repair service

 

I would like to thank all you fine members for your advice about this problem. Try as I may, I could not fix it. I just finished a reformat and it was a bloody pain in the arse. I am up and running again, only have a few more programs to install and I will be done. Meanwhile, 3 hours later.

 

Hi Rich. Sometimes the registry gets corrupted and it's not possible to repair.
Reformat is really the only fix as you have done.
Every time you install a program or uninstall a program it leaves in some cases thousands of traces on the registry.
Evidently it got corrupted somehow.
An example if you uninstall Microsoft Office it leaves near 60,000 traces on the registry.
Great all is working OK now, Rich.