Windows 7 won't update

Big Chris · 14 Jun 2015 at 18:30

Just reinstalled Win7 Ultimate x64 on my media PC from a pre-SP1 DVD I've used successfully many times previously.

It found the first batch of updates which installed successfully, then it found SP1 which it installed successfully, but since then when searching for updates it just searches and searches but never stops. I've left it searching for hours now following a number of reboots but it refuses to find anything - or even stop and tell me there are no updates (which there should be many of).

Any ideas?

hegemon · 14 Jun 2015 at 19:21

Sounds like the windows update database is corrupt, an easy fix that will do no harm even if it isn't:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/971058

bledd · 14 Jun 2015 at 19:35

Install using an sp1 disc

Big Chris · 14 Jun 2015 at 19:45

hegemon said:
Sounds like the windows update database is corrupt, an easy fix that will do no harm even if it isn't:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/971058

Good shout, I'm running the Fix It tool however it's part-way through Detecting Problems and is now stuck on 'Checking for updates online' ! Been about 15mins now.

bledd. said:
Install using an sp1 disc

I don't have one, I've used this DVD many times previously though with no issues.

Big Chris · 14 Jun 2015 at 20:24

I ran the Fix It tool again after a reboot and this time it completed, saying it had fixed 3 issues. However I'm now trying Windows Update again and it's no different

Been searching for new updates for half an hour now.

May just kick off the rebuild process again from the beginning... *sigh*

MagicBoy · 14 Jun 2015 at 20:28

How much RAM does it have?

Big Chris · 14 Jun 2015 at 20:30

2GB - using about 75-80% while running the update check.

MagicBoy · 14 Jun 2015 at 20:36

It's a common problem with Win 7 x64 nowadays on 2GB - had the same problem with a 2GB machine for a family member. Upgraded the machine to 4GB and the problem went away. Also affects the few remaining laptops at work with 2GB even though they're managed with an Enterprise tool. We've started pro-actively upgrading them to 4GB.

The windows update service steals all the RAM, it starts paging to disk and can take hours to complete.

Big Chris · 14 Jun 2015 at 20:38

I see... so the options are:

1) upgrade the RAM
2) install 32bit Win7 (since it's only a Media PC)
3) leave it for hours and it'll eventually complete, but I might have the same issue again?

MagicBoy · 14 Jun 2015 at 20:45

Yep to all three.

32-bit (x86) Windows 7 SP1 appears to have a much lower memory footprint for the windows update service, we've had less trouble reported with those machines at work. It also helps to avoid shutting down and restarting windows.

Big Chris · 14 Jun 2015 at 20:48

Might just go with x86 then, I only use the PC to play video and audio files so no real benfit to x64 in which case.

Thanks for the info