Posted on 08/06/2016 2:48:30 PM PDT by ducttape45
I am posting this thread in hopes maybe someone out there may have a better solution to the problem I am about to describe.
I am working on a laptop for a friend. It's older (Acer Aspire 5520), but it actually runs pretty well. The system was designed for Windows Vista and I had to run a restore on the system because it got infected. I took the system back to factory condition and here's where things get difficult.
As we all know with the advent of Windows 10 and the draconian lengths Microsoft is going to in order to forcibly install it on millions of computers, updates services for all of the older operating systems is hit and miss at best, downright maddening at worst. At least with Windows 7, after jumping through a few hoops Windows Update will eventually work. However with Vista jumping through those same hoops doesn't work. I've tried just letting the Windows Update session do it's thing but after over 15 hours of letting it run it stays stuck on "Checking for Updates......."
What I've resorted to doing is scouring the Internet for a list of all the updates for Vista that Microsoft put out so far (after SP 2), comparing that list with all of the updates I've installed on my Windows 7 machine, then accessing the Microsoft Update Catalog and downloading whatever hits I get, using those KB codes, and downloading the updates I find for Vista.
Afterwards I tried installing those updates in succession but Windows won't let you do that without restarting after every single one. I found a batch file online that tries to install the updates in succession but again, no success.
I then hit upon a method, quite by accident, where I bring up the Task Manager, then go to the Services section. I order the list so Windows Update Service is near the top. I then start the batch file and every time Windows Update Service starts, I stop it. I do this through the entire installation process. So if I have 30 updates to install, I stop the service 30 times when each of the installs starts.
It's weird, but it works. I wish I could find a way to make the Windows Update service stay off but it starts running when each new update starts.
My query is this. Is anyone out knowledgeable enough with Windows Vista and the crap Microsoft is putting us through to keep our older OS's updated to know if there is a better method? All of the websites I find online have fixes that no longer work, and Microsoft has ended the MrFixit program that used to be able to fix problems like this.
With Windows 7, if I empty the SoftwareDistribution folder in the Windows directory that usually does the trick when Windows Update acts up. That same method does not work with Vista. So here I sit, manually programming in what will probably be well over 200 updates all because Microsoft wants to make our lives more difficult because we won't buy into Windows 10. And before anyone chastises me about fixing a Vista computer, hey, it's not mine and I'm doing a friend a favor, ok? Chill, no wisecracks.
Has anyone out there heard of this problem, and would be willing to share your fix if you have one. Thank you.
Yeah, that’s a good idea.
I’ve been making backup ISO’s of the OS’s as soon as I have everything done and all programs on it. It does require some external hard space to do that but it saves so much time if you have to do a restore with everything already done up to that point the backup ISO was made.
CGato
Hi ducttape45,
A few days ago we were discussing something similar (except on Win-7). It seems that when a machine gets too far behind in patching and with so many patching wanting to install in a specific order Windows Update can get confused and not respnd properly.
You may want to try what fellow FReeper gattaca wrote here: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3455677/posts?page=64#64
I can’t say for sure if it will work on Vista like it works on 7 but it’s worth a try.
Good luck!
~rockrr~
Thanks for the head's up on that. I'll check it out next time I install Windows 7.
#NEVERTEN
I have Vista on one of my machines. Took awhile to get use to it. XP Pro on everything else. And Malwarebytes on the look out.
I have an Acer Aspire that came with Vista. I upgraded to Windows 7 three years ago with an activation key I bought on eBay for $25. I recently upgraded it to 10 from the Windows 7 install. Windows 7 has a driver for the GMA 500 video card. WIndows 10 does not, but the Windows 7 driver works in Windows 10.
You can buy Windows 7 keys now for as cheap as $7.99.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=windows+7+activation+key&_sop=15
You can download a Windows 7 ISO from Microsoft for free.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7
In other words, for $8 you can upgrade to Windows 7, which has far fewer issues by your own assessment.
*Sigh*
*SMH*
Windows 10 IS “Windows 9.” They skipped the numeric designation due to programming/scripting issues with wildcarding the 9 since Windows 9* would also results in Windows 95 and Windows 98.
Windows 10 is fine if people would just get over the changes to the Start Menu. That’s the only grouse I’ve heard that’s legitimately different from the original.
Bummer - sorry about that. I was hoping that would get you going.
I am a PC addict, with about a dozen PCs that I keep running, for various reasons. I was a Microsoft DOS fan until they introduced Windows 3.1. (I never tired Windows 3.0). It was the worst thing I’d ever seen. I was a Windows hater until Windows 7 came along. It was quite acceptable. Windows 10 is even a little bit better. Just roll with the punches.
Well, if you consider the massive amount of built in spyware to be a feature instead of a virus. And the fact you have to download the calculator from a third party vendor (I guess they couldn't figure out how to stick spyware into their classic calculator). And download a DVD player from a third party vendor.
I could have put up with the rest of it, but the spyware was the killer for me.
I had this problem the other day. If you have replaced the actual hard drive, you may need to install a legacy version of intel rapid storage technology driver. I did the whole banana; renaming software distribution folder stopped and started all the WU services you name it.
The intel rst did the trick. BTW I manage our WSUS at work for about 1K clients. WSUS is very temperamental so I wouldnt recommend it unless you are using AD w group policy.
Also, the trick with Win 10 is to opt out of all the “services” at the very beginning and do not sign in with an email account or microsoft acct. Just make a regular local account. Especially if you will not be doing your own computer repairs.
I also skip Cortana and don’t go with the serving suggestion, i.e. embedded viewers for default programs.
I have that problem times 2.
I question your statement above. One of my PCs is a Lenovo laptop which got updated by stealth (I left it in sleep mode overnight.)
Turns out that this Windows 7 model from Lenovo is incompatible with Windows 10; Period. I don't have further info, perhaps a BIOS update?I was able to revert it to Windows 7, but haven't been able to restore software previously on it. Windows kindly removed it permanently.
The other is more problematic. It is my newest PC, a Lenovo i5 desktop, Win8/8.1/10 attempt. This was a deliberate attempt on my part willingly to upgrade to Win10. Before I realized that all my (relatively recent) and expensive purchased software is incompatible with Windows 10) Originally a Windows 7 Pro machine.
I am waiting for a class action suit to join.
Well, you can't say that any more. Aside from other issues discussed elsewhere, the dynamically morphing file system in Win10 drives me nuts.
Whatever happed to the simple file tree that everyone understood for decades? Never changed in functions. Never changed location. I can't use the Windows 10 file system.
Given that this is all true, you would be doing your friend a HUGH service by dumping Vista and going to 7.1. I had Vista on one of my old lappies, and it is a worthless POS in every respect.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/13853/windows-lifecycle-fact-sheet
If Windows Update is broken in Vista, try the solution here:
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-update-not-working
After you clear out the SoftwareDistribution folder and start Windows Update again, let it run its "Checking for updates..." for a very long time, at least eight hours, perhaps much longer. Eventually the list of updates will probably appear.
I have a Acer 5515 that I bought used about 5 years ago. It started with Vista Basic 32bit locked in. I had to go into the bios to get it to allow me to switch it to Windows 7-64bit.
I run Windows 10 64bit on it now. It works great. I did have to add 2 gig of memory to it to make it work as well as it does, but, memory is cheap.
Personally, I’d upgrade it as far as you can.
On another point, I have a second hard disc for it that I pop into it and run Fedora on it. It’s time to upgrade that drive.
If you don’t like 10, then go to 7 and hope your friend will be happy.
You can get a new computer for 200-300 bucks. Your time is worth more than this.
...a fully updated Vista 64 in my opinion is a GREAT version of Windows, and my favorite version at present, although at some point failing security and driver updates will kill it. Not yet though, it is great right now.
Those who reflexively malign Vista have not tried it fully patched on stable modern hardware. It is a solid, stable, fast OS that all who pine for WinXP should try. I am running Vista 64 Ultimate on a nice slightly overclocked I7 right now. It is my "fun" computer. I own a Win 7 Ultimate full version disk set that I got for the future when I have to upgrade it (you have to use the exact same version to upgrade), but Vista 64 is the system I would rather run, so I am not doing that upgrade that until I am forced to.
Summary: Vista 64 fully updated = GOOD.
So, how to get VISTA fully updated?
FIRST, only do "Windows Update" and do NOT do "Microsoft Update" because Microsoft Update takes a LOT longer to check your computer for updates. Only change to Microsoft Update after Window is fully updated.
SECOND, you want to get it up to "service pack 2" (SP2) and then do whatever else there is after that. So ONLY do service pack 2 (SP2) update at first, and as a result you will not need a lot of the other updates. If SP2 has a prerequisite (I forget) then ONLY do that first (such as service pack 1 (SP1)) and it will save a lot of time.
THIRD, there is no doubt that Microsoft has changed how its Windows Update works: it has made it SUCK. On purpose. Punishment. For not submitting to Windows 10. Mostly it will work but it is very slow.
Moreover, one of the things I note is that Microsoft for all its liberalism [HYPOCRITICALLY, do ya think?] has decided that "illegal aliens" in its ecosystem must be punished. It checks IDs or you cannot fully access basic public services like Windows Update. In fact, it badly checks IDs, slowly checks IDs, even calls us illegal when we are legal, and DENIES us apparently second class citizens "the vote," only giving us bare minimum updates, really slowly, and not the other updates.
What I have found that helps is to be sure to have a photo-ID for Windows (unlike what Bill Gates thinks is OK for voting, nothing), meaning be sure Windows KNOWS that Windows is "activated." It forgets you much more often (now that their policy is to harass users of older OSs), thinking that your system or hardware has changed, etc. Go to StartMenu / ControlPanel / System and scroll to the bottom for activation status, and be sure that it indicates that your windows system is "activated" before you try to update, and it will work better. If not activated, waiting on that screen while connected to the internet can help, or clicking the link to activate can help, and sometimes you actually have to CALL Microsoft and they will activate it over the phone if you provide certain details like Product ID which are also on that page.
Other than that, it just seems like you have to wait a long time for updates.
I do not fully understands the thing you were doing with stopping updates with the task manager, but I will experiment with that if I face this type of thing in the near future.
Godspeed on this!
W
I’m genuinely curious... what do you mean by “dynamically morphing file system?”
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