Windows Update is killing me!

[Alx16v]

Something is dead wrong with my Vista Premium.
Whenever I open the Windows Update panel, an empty window appears for an
instance, and then Windows Explorer crashes and restarts. On top of that,
Windows Update crashes on occasion by itself for a couple of times and then
settles down.

I did check the disk for errors, ran the scanners, manually installed most
relevant updates I could find including the System Update Readiness Tool,
also renaming the software distribution folder and resetting ie7 -all in vain.

Any idea what I'm missing? Or how I could find what is going on? The PC is
really fine otherwise.

 

[Eduardo Cerejo]

Something is dead wrong with my Vista Premium.
Whenever I open the Windows Update panel, an empty window appears for an
instance, and then Windows Explorer crashes and restarts. On top of that,
Windows Update crashes on occasion by itself for a couple of times and then
settles down.

I did check the disk for errors, ran the scanners, manually installed most
relevant updates I could find including the System Update Readiness Tool,
also renaming the software distribution folder and resetting ie7 -all in vain.

Any idea what I'm missing? Or how I could find what is going on? The PC is
really fine otherwise.

Have you tried doing a system restore to a date when your computer was
working right?

 

[What?]

He would have to do a system restore back to the time he still had XP! lol\

It's just another suck-a$$ stupid remark from the NG clown called
vishhiita prime.

 

[Just.some.guy]

It's just another suck-a$$ stupid remark from the NG clown called
vishhiita prime.

Maybe...but that *was* kinda funny!

 

[Grey]

Many viruses and other malware will cause that.

Suggest you try looking for same first and then if that is not the problem,
scanning for stuffed Windows system files.

Vista Premium isn't the culprit. It is just YOUR Vista Premium.

 

[Alx16v]

Thanks for the replies.
I don't think its a new kind of undetectable malware; more probably a
misconfiguration that can't sort itself out. Which is a shame because I run a
relatively clean machine with mainstream apps on a supposedly superior
operating system that is marketed as easy to live with.
The question still stands though. How would I go about identifying /
debugging the source of the APPCRASH?

 

[MowGreen [MVP]]

Have you tried the System File Checker ?:

Some Windows Vista functions may not work, or Windows Vista may stop
responding
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833

Worth a shot.
If no joy, look at security software that may be causing the issue.
Toolbars/popup/cookie blockers/download managers/AV/3rd party firewall.

Have you looked at the WindowsUpdate.log, located in %windir%, for any
clues [eg. error codes] ?

How to read the Windowsupdate.log file
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/902093

MowGreen [MVP 2003-2008]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============

 

[Grey]

Amazing. You wont believe me, an anonymous person, but you will believe
other anonymous people because I provide a link? Doesn't make sense.
Nevertheless, Google it. Here is something simple I found for you:

http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=...=&as_occt=any&cr=&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&safe=images