Windows (Vista) can't check for updates

Since June 17 2008 my laptop (using Vista) has been displaying the message:
"Windows Can't Check for Updates". It is giving an error code 80070002. I
have clicked on the "Get Help" link for this code and followed the suggestion
(which involves starting a new SoftwareDistribution directory) but this has
not resolved the problem.

I have also tried disabling the McAfee firewall and installing the Windows
system update readiness tool - neither of which worked.

Following another suggestion, I have also downloaded
WindowsUpdateAgent30-x86, although when I try to install it the installation
fails - giving the same error code 80070002.

This is driving me nuts. Anybody had the same problem and found a solution?

Tip: Temporarily disable real-time protection by your anti-virus and/or
anti-spyware applications (e.g., CounterSpy, Spysweeper, Spybot, AVG
Anti-Spyware) and/or any third-party firewall (e.g., ZA) before attempting
to install the update(s). If you disable a third-party firewall, do NOT
connect to the internet without having the Windows Firewall enabled!

Start a free Windows Update support incident request:
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/de...spx?gprid=6527

Support for Windows Update:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/wusupport

For home users, no-charge support is available by calling 1-866-PCSAFETY in
the United States and in Canada or by contacting your local Microsoft
subsidiary. There is no-charge for support calls that are associated with
security updates.

For more information about how to contact your local Microsoft subsidiary
for security update support issues, visit the International Support Web
site: http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx

For enterprise customers, support for security updates is available through
your usual support contacts.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.net


SidPenguin wrote:
> Since June 17 2008 my laptop (using Vista) has been displaying the
> message:
> "Windows Can't Check for Updates". It is giving an error code 80070002.
> I
> have clicked on the "Get Help" link for this code and followed the
> suggestion (which involves starting a new SoftwareDistribution directory)
> but this has not resolved the problem.
>
> I have also tried disabling the McAfee firewall and installing the Windows
> system update readiness tool - neither of which worked.
>
> Following another suggestion, I have also downloaded
> WindowsUpdateAgent30-x86, although when I try to install it the
> installation
> fails - giving the same error code 80070002.
>
> This is driving me nuts. Anybody had the same problem and found a
> solution?

I have the same problem, and the "Tip" from PA Bear did not help.

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> Tip: Temporarily disable real-time protection by your anti-virus and/or
> anti-spyware applications (e.g., CounterSpy, Spysweeper, Spybot, AVG
> Anti-Spyware) and/or any third-party firewall (e.g., ZA) before attempting
> to install the update(s). If you disable a third-party firewall, do NOT
> connect to the internet without having the Windows Firewall enabled!
>
> Start a free Windows Update support incident request:
> https://support.microsoft.com/oas/de...spx?gprid=6527
>
> Support for Windows Update:
> http://support.microsoft.com/gp/wusupport
>
> For home users, no-charge support is available by calling 1-866-PCSAFETY in
> the United States and in Canada or by contacting your local Microsoft
> subsidiary. There is no-charge for support calls that are associated with
> security updates.
>
> For more information about how to contact your local Microsoft subsidiary
> for security update support issues, visit the International Support Web
> site: http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx
>
> For enterprise customers, support for security updates is available through
> your usual support contacts.
> --
> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
> AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.net
>
>
> SidPenguin wrote:
> > Since June 17 2008 my laptop (using Vista) has been displaying the
> > message:
> > "Windows Can't Check for Updates". It is giving an error code 80070002.
> > I
> > have clicked on the "Get Help" link for this code and followed the
> > suggestion (which involves starting a new SoftwareDistribution directory)
> > but this has not resolved the problem.
> >
> > I have also tried disabling the McAfee firewall and installing the Windows
> > system update readiness tool - neither of which worked.
> >
> > Following another suggestion, I have also downloaded
> > WindowsUpdateAgent30-x86, although when I try to install it the
> > installation
> > fails - giving the same error code 80070002.
> >
> > This is driving me nuts. Anybody had the same problem and found a
> > solution?
>
>