PC not completing Windows Updates

[rljmb23]

My PC isn't updating the auto updates through the Windows Update service. These updates consistently fail, and I have not successfully downloaded an update since Oct of '09, and have not consistently downloaded an update since Sept '09. Also from Sept '08 till Sept '09 my updates were about 50-50 (meaning I have been successful on about 50%).

I have been getting this error code 80071A91, 80200011, 80244018, 80242016, and a host of other errors. I have researched some and have been able to repair some errors, but Updates are still not succeeding.

Recently I have found some info on error 80071A91:

Do two things over all:

First:

1. Bring up an elevated command prompt

2. Execute the following commands sequentially:

a. fsutil resource setautoreset true c:\

b. cd /d %windir%\system32\config\txr

c. attrib -r -s -h *

d. del *

Second:

Start an elevated cmd.exe

Cd %windir%\System32\SMI\Store\Machine

Attrib

[exile360]

Greetings

1. Bring up an elevated command prompt

The proper way to do this in Windows Vista would simply be the following:

• Click on the Start button and type cmd
  
• When it shows cmd under Programs, right-click on it and choose Run as administrator
  
• Then click Continue at the User Account Control prompt.
  

That would have saved you a ton of time and trouble with doing all the modifications that you did.

As for the Windows Update issue, please try the following to see if it corrects it:

Please download the Windows Update Reset Tool from here and save it to your desktop.

• Double click the MicrosoftFixit50202 to begin
  
• Follow the onscreen instructions and run it in Agressive Mode
  
• Reboot your computer if asked to do so
  
• Let me know in your next reply if the issue is corrected
  

By the way, purchasing a new PC is most likely unnecessary. At worst you may need to reinstall your operating system which can be accomplished using either the Recovery Discs included with your computer, and if there were none, then you can use the recovery options available when you first start up your PC. These are generally accessible by pressing a key such as F11 early in the startup sequence before Windows begins loading, but the key used can vary by manufacturer. You can find out which key it is by visiting the manufacturer's website or by reading the onscreen messages that appear when you first start up your computer.

[rljmb23]

Thank you for responding so fast, wasn't expecting an answer until morning or later!

BTW I did do the short way you explained (start type cmd ctrl+shift+enter), I just copied and pasted the info from the sites I was getting help from.

I have tried the FixItTool before, I do not think I used it in the aggressive mode, so I will do that nad get back to you.

Thanks again!

[exile360]

You're welcome

I look forward to hearing back from you, hopefully with good results.

[rljmb23]

Not sure it worked. . .

I ran the fit it tool and restarted. I then ran Windows Update and it acted as if I had never used it (showing the last time I used it as never, and recent updates never)

Windows Updates gave me instructions to download the update software, which I attempted and it came back with this:

Errors Found:

Code 80071A91 Windows Update encountered an unknown error

It then gave me a link to get help with this error and the information is general and not specific to my error.

If there is any info that you can give me I would greatly appreciate it, I am going to run the Fix it tool again in the meantime.

[rljmb23]

Also my computer runs extremely slow for the most part. I am unsure if that is due to memory or if there are other issues. I ran regcure and it exposed a ton of errors, they were fixed but I still seem to have the same problems with the computer running slowly.

[exile360]

The Windows Update fix I had you run resets Windows Update completely so it will seem like the first time you've ever run it so that's quite normal. Please install the version of the latest Windows Update Agent appropriate for your system:

• Windows Update Agent for 32 bit systems
  
• Windows Update Agent for 64 bit systems
  

If you're unsure which type of system you have then click on the Start button and right-click Computer and select Properties. It will tell you if you're running a 32 bit version of Windows or 64 bit.

Once that's done, try Windows Update again and see how it goes.

As for RegCure, I'm not a big fan of that particular software or really, any registry cleaners. They can be downright dangerous if they accidentally remove something they should not, which they all too often do .

Aside from that, since you mentioned that there seem to be other issues, please do the following:

Create an Autoruns Log:

• Please download Sysinternals Autoruns from here.
  
• Save Autoruns.exe to your desktop and double-click it to run it.
  
• Once it starts, please press the Esc key on your keyboard.
  
• Now that scanning is stopped, click on the Options button at the top of the program and select Verify Code Signatures
  
• Once that's done press the F5 key on your keyboard, this will start the scan again, this time let it finish.
  
• When it's finished, please click on the File button at the top of the program and select Save and save the Autoruns.arn file to your desktop and close Autoruns.
  
• Right click on the Autoruns.arn file on your desktop and hover your mouse over Send To and select Compressed (zipped) Folder
  
• Attach the Autoruns.zip folder you just created to your next reply
  

In your next post please let me know how everything went and post your Autoruns.zip file so I can take a look.

Thanks

[rljmb23]

Sorry its been a couple of days on this, I had a busy weekend.

I downloaded the agent, and it goes through everything up to where I install, and it says since I already have Windows Updates there is no need to install, and the only option it gives me is finish or cancel. I clicked finish then ran Windows Update and I still get the same error message 80071A91.

I downloaded autoruns and have attached the file.

When looking through it myself I saw some suspect files (at least to me) so I will be awaiting your reply!

AutoRuns.zip

[exile360]

Aside from a few Windows Live OneCare entries that are left over, I don't see anything that looks too suspicious. I did however find a possible cause, as well as a possible solution. That particular error indicates that certain files may have become corrupt from doing a System Restore. If these files are corrupt, the following should correct it. For reference, the info about the error and the info on the fix can be found here

Note: This file will automatically restart your computer. Make sure that you save anything you were working on before running the bat file.

• Please copy and paste the following text exactly as written into notepad (not wordpad or any other text editor):
  

  @echo off
  cd /d %SystemRoot%\System32\SMI\Store\Machine 
  attrib -s -h * 
  del *.blf 
  del *.regtrans-ms 
  shutdown /r /t 05
  del /f /q %0

  Once you've done that click on File and select Save As...
  

• In the Save dialogue box click on the drop down menu next to Save as type and select All Files
  
• Name the file Update Fix.bat (the .bat extension is very important)
  
• Save the file to your desktop and right click on it and select Run as administrator then click Continue at the User Account Control prompt.
  
• Once your PC restarts, try Windows Update again and let me know how it goes.
  

Thanks

[rljmb23]

I'm getting the same errors.

I am going to do the Microsoft Fixit and see if there are any different results.

[rljmb23]

Same result, 80071A91.

Good news, I can remember the error code without looking at it now

[noknojon]

I found this update fix (similar to exile360) - Relates to Vista updates - Or blocked updates -

I spent hours on this, also with MS support, but no joy. Finally I found the procedure described below which fixed the problem. Since I am not a developer please do not shoot me if it doesn't work for you or even if it caused more problems. I would be interesting to see if it works for you also

Here goes:

First:

1. Bring up an elevated (Administrator) command prompt

2. Execute the following commands sequentially:

a. fsutil resource setautoreset true c:\

b. cd /d %windir%\system32\config\txr

c. attrib -r -s -h *

d. del *

Second:

Start an elevated (Administrator) cmd.exe

Type: Cd %windir%\System32\SMI\Store\Machine

Type: Attrib

[rljmb23]

noknojon,

Thanks. I have seen this and have tried it before but I was unable to run it as an administrator, however this time I was.

I got through the first part of the command ok. I was unsure if after I was done witht he first part if I was suppose to restart, or just close the command window. I closed it.

Then when I went into the 2nd part of the command it allowed me to do everything, but at the end of the command this is what I got:

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6000]

Copyright © 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Windows\system32>Cd %windir%\System32\SMI\Store\Machine

C:\Windows\System32\SMI\Store\Machine>attrib -a -h -s *.TM*

C:\Windows\System32\SMI\Store\Machine>Del *.TM*

C:\Windows\System32\SMI\Store\Machine\schema.dat{45a7fc40-e417-11dd-a5a9-d3e37fd

09206}.TM.blf

The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.

C:\Windows\System32\SMI\Store\Machine\schema.dat{45a7fc40-e417-11dd-a5a9-d3e37fd

09206}.TMContainer00000000000000000001.regtrans-ms

The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.

C:\Windows\System32\SMI\Store\Machine\schema.dat{45a7fc40-e417-11dd-a5a9-d3e37fd

09206}.TMContainer00000000000000000002.regtrans-ms

The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.

C:\Windows\System32\SMI\Store\Machine>

Apparently this is being used by another process? Is the other process something that should be going? Is there a way to fix this from here?

Looking forward to hearing any answers!

[exile360]

Please create the batch file I had you create in this step once more and reboot your PC in Safe Mode and run the batch file from there. Then restart your PC into normal mode and see if that fixed it.