Windows could not search for for new updates 0x80070081

[Khan@discussions.microsoft.com Khublai Khan]

Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 x64 - Installed updates 22nd July (The Microsoft
Office Suite Service Pack 2 and KB951847) since then I get this error:

"Windows could not search for for new updates" (Error 0x80070081)

I have tried restore to 18th July - but I get the same error.

When I go to "Installed Updates" via "Program and Features" (with the
intention to remove these updates) it says "There are no updates installed on
this computer".

Googling this issue is not much help.

I have noticed that these same two updates were successfully installed on
the 19th July and again on the 22nd.

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

What are you doing when you get the error and how are you doing it?

[Khublai Khan]

Thank you for your reply,

When I turn my PC on I get a notification icon for windows update - a large
message bubble appears which states "Windows can't search for updates" - when
double click it I end up at "Control Panel>Windows Update" - now when I click
the "check for updates" button I get the error message as shown in the
subject of this thread.

I hope this is what you wanted to know, sorry if it is not. I can provide
further feedback as required.

Thanks in advance

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

I'm afraid the lone reference I can find to that error doesn't tell us much:

0x80070081 ERROR_CHILD_NOT_COMPLETE
The %1 application cannot be run in Win32 mode

In no certain order...

Is Automatic Updates enabled?

Are you certain that you're running Vista (x64) SP1 and not SP2, and that
you didn't attempt to install SP2 (or any other updates) manually?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a(nother) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on this
machine (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
it)?

Is the computer still under Warranty or Service Contract?

Are you dual-booting or have you attempted to perform a Repair Install?
--
~PA Bear

[Khublai Khan]

Hi,

In answer to your questions:

Q) Is Automatic Updates enabled?
A)Yes - the setting is "Check for updates but let me choose whether to
download and install them"

Q) Are you certain that you're running Vista (x64) SP1 and not SP2, and that

you didn't attempt to install SP2 (or any other updates) manually?

A) Its definately SP1 and x64 - As shown under "Control Panel > System"

Q) What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current?
A) Avast free anti-virus - definitions up to date - I have disabled this and
tried to check for updates but I get the same result.

Q) What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
A) None

Q) What third-party firewall (if any)?
A) None

Q) Has a(nother) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on this

machine (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
it)?

A) None

Q) Is the computer still under Warranty or Service Contract?
A) No afraid not

Q) Are you dual-booting or have you attempted to perform a Repair Install?
A) No dual boot, I have not attempted repair install (would not know how
to), I thought it would be wise to seek advice on the matter first ;)

Thank you for your help and advice

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

I'm afraid all we're left with is for your to...

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

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. When you call, clearly state that your problem is related
to installing 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.

Good luck.

[Khublai Khan]

Just an update in regard to this issue, I started a support incident and
followed their instructions (this was running some program on my PC which
collected info and sent it back to support).

Unfortunately, they were unable to ascertain what the problem was and
suggested I use this site for help from the MVP's.

Ahh well - thanks for the help anyway guys!

[Robert Aldwinckle]

"Khublai Khan" <Khubl...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:B4EA0EDB-4FC0-4664...@microsoft.com...

> Just an update in regard to this issue, I started a support incident and
> followed their instructions (this was running some program on my PC which
> collected info and sent it back to support).
>

> Unfortunately, they were unable to ascertain what the problem was and
> suggested I use this site for help from the MVP's.

So, now that you have done that you can go back to them
and request that they escalate it. ; )

BTW this must be either a Vista only or a X64 only thing...

<cmd_output OS="XPsp3">
E:\>set /a c = 0x81
129
E:\>net helpmsg %c%
129 is not a valid Windows network message number.
</cmd_output>

E.g. what do you see if you enter the command (in a cmd window):

net helpmsg 129

In any case, you could search all files which the update attempt changed
(in particular I suspect, CBS.log) for any instances of your code
in either its hex representation 81 or its decimal representation 129
looking for context.

Otherwise what I would do is activate verbose logging for WU.
(Ref. Kb903093 assuming those instructions apply on your OS.)
and Run... ProcMon to supplement whatever diagnostics you
are getting.

Good luck

Robert Aldwinckle
---

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Re-open the Support Incident and ask for a Level 2 technician or supervisor.
Tell them an MVP told you to do this.

Otherwise...

1. Try this FixIt: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058

2. If still no joy...

Backup your personal data, then do a format & clean install of Windows.
Please note that a Repair Install (AKA in-place upgrade) will NOT fix this!

After the clean install, you'll have the equivalent of a "new computer" so
take care of everything on the following page before otherwise connecting
the machine to the internet or a network and before using a USB key that
isn't brand-new or hasn't been freshly formatted:

5 steps to help protect your new computer before you go online
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/advanced/xppc.mspx

[Khublai Khan]

Well, Well, Well

Resetting Windows Update components using the link provided by "PA Bear"
seems to have done the trick. I chose to download the automated "Fix It" tool
using the "non-aggressive" option in the first instance and all seems to have
worked fine! I must say I am surprised as I had lost hope in recovering from
this error and was readying myself for a format and re-installation.

I now have 9 (319.5 MB of various) Updates ready for installation, some of
which were "published" as long ago as 24/02/09. My usual reaction to
available updates is to select all and install - but I thought on this
occasion it would be a good idea to ask for any further advice before I
resume my normal behaviour??

Thank you for all the advice and help - much appreciated

Khublai Khan

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

YW & glad to hear the reset worked for you.

Assuming all nine (9) updates are critical security updates, get them
installed ASAP.

Khublai Khan wrote:
> Well, Well, Well
>
> Resetting Windows Update components using the link provided by "PA Bear"
> seems to have done the trick. I chose to download the automated "Fix It"
> tool using the "non-aggressive" option in the first instance and all seems
> to have worked fine! I must say I am surprised as I had lost hope in
> recovering from this error and was readying myself for a format and
> re-installation.
>
> I now have 9 (319.5 MB of various) Updates ready for installation, some of
> which were "published" as long ago as 24/02/09. My usual reaction to
> available updates is to select all and install - but I thought on this
> occasion it would be a good idea to ask for any further advice before I
> resume my normal behaviour??
>
> Thank you for all the advice and help - much appreciated
>