maybe it is hardware
you tried running with the bare minimum hardware
Yeah, I have removed one stick of RAM, GPU, unplugged dvd drive and the hdd.
The problem remains.
maybe it is hardware
you tried running with the bare minimum hardware
At an elevated command prompt try:
Slmgr.vbs /ipk <insert key>
More info here:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff793433.aspx
Is Windows activated? You can check by looking at System Information.
Have you tried deselecting all the updates in the list and just running them one at a time to see if its one particular pending update that is causing the failure?
I had a 2008 Server box once that had a similar problem, simply wouldn't update no matter what I tried. Luckily it had a 'check online for updates' option that did run ok. Never solved the original problem, had several identical boxes that worked fine.
If you've reinstalled multiple times and problem persists, I'd try the installing one at a time option then, if no joy, contact Microsoft as they will give you support.
Will I still get support despite it being an OEM licence?
And all this is after a reinstall? Sounds like something else is amiss tbh
I'll toss an idea in the ring. Type "services.msc" without the quotes into the start/run bar and hit enter, when the Services window launches, find the service called Background Intelligent Transfer. Stop this service by right clicking and selecting Stop. Next, find the "Windows Update" service and stop that too.
Navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution and delete everything inside the SoftwareDistribution folder.
Go back to the Services window and start BITS and WU, reboot machine
And all this is after a reinstall? Sounds like something else is amiss tbh
I'll toss an idea in the ring. Type "services.msc" without the quotes into the start/run bar and hit enter, when the Services window launches, find the service called Background Intelligent Transfer. Stop this service by right clicking and selecting Stop. Next, find the "Windows Update" service and stop that too.
Navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution and delete everything inside the SoftwareDistribution folder.
Go back to the Services window and start BITS and WU, reboot machine
Sorry buddy, but I have been told by someone else that this is not a "good" fix for update problems. Whilst it may work temporarily, it supposedly can bring more problems in the future. Thanks for the help anyway.
I installed windows 7 (legit and paid for software!)
Are you sure its legit? You could download the Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River and it should accept your key.
Yeah I have done a few checks, just to make sure but I paid for the software not too long ago myself.