Linux on a fresh HD. Vista in a Virtual Box.
I’m pretty sure Vista wasn’t eligible for the free upgrade MS is trying to force on you. Only 7 & 8/8.1 were.
I had the same problem, pls read this thread:
I couldn’t get the screen to my Win 7 HP desktop to come on, so my tech support (daughter) pointed out that it needed a power cord. So I’ll say it:
Are you logged on?
You might need to reinstall vista. Did your machine come with vista cds/dvd? Or did you make recovery disks when you got the machine? If your hard disk is OK, your files are recoverable, but you may need to find a way to reinstall vista and all your applications.
As usual, other people do Microsoft’s job better than Microsoft.
There even used to be a ‘Windows Update DVD’ site that simply collected all the MS updates and placed them on a single disc - with regular updates. Microsoft inexplicably made them stop. However, when you realize that Microsoft has joined the dark side and uses Update to push things that aren’t essential, aren’t wanted and/or are from the marketing department then you see why they want to maintain control.
However, I’ve found another site with an excellent utility that performs essentially the same job.
Visit
http://download.wsusoffline.net/
And download this version:
http://download.wsusoffline.net/wsusoffline95.zip
Unzip and run their program (executable) UpdateGenerator.
This will allow you to pick and choose updates to retrieve - the updates will download and install in a DOS/CMD window.
I’ve used this site and utility many times for various versions of Windows. I picked the 9.5 version somewhat at random but had to go back to 2014-era release to find a Vista-capable one.
You can go two routes: use the utility to download all the updates you can find or use it to merely get over the temporary hump you are facing.
The utility can be used multiple times if you wish to update incrementally.
As usual, there’s a bit of a learning curve but the interface is rather simple.
Spare yourself and do what I did......I ditched Windows entirely....did it cold turkey 2 months ago....went completely to Apple/Mac...phone, iPad, laptop, desk tops...for both personal and my business.....best thing I ever did and my life is so much better.
No kidding.
Can you do one of those system restore to a previous date?
pink
Seriously, if your husband is a great computer guy and all you do is read email and surf the web, then have him install some kind of Linux (probably Ubuntu or one the variants, but there’s lots to choose from). If you absolutely need to run some piece of Windows software spend a lot of time looking for an alternative. Then if you can’t find one, install and run it on WINE (your husband should know what this means). If that is impossible (which would only happen if you have some odd piece of software) then have him install Virtual Box and install Windows 7 or even 10 in a virtual machine.
I’ve been having some of the same problems for several days also. Windows update shows 5 important updates, but won’t download them. I’ve tried the 3.5 & 5.7 mb updates individually, but they still won’t download.
I’m running Windows 7 and GWX Control Panel to prevent Windows 10 from installing.
It appears Microsoft is intentionally making it more difficult to remain Windows 10 free.
Ping for windows ping list for help?
I am on Vista 64 right now.
I love Vista 64, with full updates it is my favorite OS, and I have 10, 8, 7, two Macs, and Linux boxes — it is a rock solid 64 bit more secure version of WinXP essentially. I am going to hate giving it up for the dumbed down versions 8 and up.
This Vistya 64 box was doing the same thing yours is. Wait forever for updates, nothing happens. Wow, I tried everything to fix it.
Basically I agree with freeper Minnesota_Bound in post 25-26 —> By shutting down WindowsUpdate, deleting the pending update files, restarting WindowsUpdate, and then (unfortunately) setting Windows Update to AUTOMATIC (which I normally do not do), and then being patient for a few days, my system fixed itself.
I could not get it to work until I set it to automatic updates. No amount of work on your end is enough: Microsoft’s update web site will not cooperate with you unless you please it!
It is like Microsoft wants to train you to leave auto updates on all the time just like Win 10. Who would have thought?
I think I could go back to manual updates now but I have not had time to mess with it to know for sure. However I will be very careful to try to only update a little at a time so that I can do system restore if any updates again afflict WindowsUpdate.
Best wishes on it all.
I have a full set of Windows 7 ultimate disks that I want to update to (the handwriting is on the wall for Vista) but I have lost those disks (hopefully temporarily) while moving. I do not want to have to re-build everything on this box so I want to do an in-place upgrade. You should look into Windows 7 disks that match your Vista version, and if the update thing will not work, upgrade to 7 an d that will probably fix it. Be sure to “back up” first though!
I still have a laptop with Vista on it and it still soldiers on configuring routers and doing other mundane tasks with it's packed suite of utilities
A further option might be an upgrade to Windows 7. You can buy it on the web for less than $50 and it is very solid and reliable. Good Luck.
Microsoft supports Windows Vista Service Pack 2 until April 2017. If you've been adamant about not updating your OS, it's likely that you've missed major updates that might have fixed issues. You can try to download SP2 directly from Microsoft Download. Otherwise, your machine is probably inoperable and you won't receive support direct from Microsoft.
” It runs Vista “
I found your problem. Vista was the WORST OS ever.
Wow! FReepers are the best! Thank you all for good suggestions, and I think you even helped some others with computer trouble.
Truly, I’m not sure what DH did, but I’m running Firefox with no problems. I think he said “Don’t open Chrome”, but will ask him later and report back. He told me this morning what he’d done but that was before coffee. :)
Please carry on, your help and advice is an invaluable service.