Check for updates returns error code: C004F076

This concerns Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit.

Attempt to check for updates produces the following response:
------------------------------------------------------------------
Windows could not search for new updates
An error occurred while checking (...etc)

Error found:
Code C004F076 Windows Update encountered an unknown error.
------------------------------------------------------------------

Internet access is up and running, windows firewall configuration does not
affect this issue as it has been tested with firewall on and off.

Windows BITS and WU services are running, re-started them and re-ran the
"update check" and nothing gives.

Any ideas?

PS. Why is it so damn hard to find out what the error code means, could not
find a single thing anywhere to tell me what the code refers to, not at all
helpful nor friendly.

ED wrote:
> This concerns Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit.
>
> Attempt to check for updates produces the following response:
> ------------------------------------------------------------------
> Windows could not search for new updates
> An error occurred while checking (...etc)
>
> Error found:
> Code C004F076 Windows Update encountered an unknown error.
> ------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Internet access is up and running, windows firewall configuration does not
> affect this issue as it has been tested with firewall on and off.
>
> Windows BITS and WU services are running, re-started them and re-ran the
> "update check" and nothing gives.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> PS. Why is it so damn hard to find out what the error code means, could not
> find a single thing anywhere to tell me what the code refers to, not at all
> helpful nor friendly.
>
>


ED,

What gave you the impression that Microsoft cares if the typical Home
User can find information about esoteric error codes ?
The C004F076 yields no hits on Google's web nor group search other then
your post, so consider yourself the first to encounter it.
Congratulations. <w>

The closest error codes can be viewed here but the specific one your
system threw is not on the list:
http://blogs.msdn.com/joshpoley/page...ility-itf.aspx

The error appears to be related to the Software Licensing Service,
which, naturally, is not a Service in Win7.
Check to see if either the Software Protection or SPP Notification
services have been Disabled in the Services console
Start orb > type in services.msc

The Default settings for them are
Software Protection - Automatic (delayed start)
SPP Notification - Manual

If they're already set to their Default values, please try another
attempt at updating. When it fails, close the Windows Update window.

Click the Start orb and type in windowsupdate.log
in the search field.
Under Programs, click on the windowsupdate.log
Copy & paste at least the last 50 or lines into your reply.
Please include the entry that shows the Version of the Windows Update
Client that is installed.

EX:
2010-01-24 10:29:22:739 940 b7c Setup Checking for agent SelfUpdate
2010-01-24 10:29:22:739 940 b7c Setup Client version: Core:
7.4.7600.226 Aux: 7.4.7600.226


MowGreen
================
* -343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
================

banthecheck.com
"Security updates should *never* have *non-security content* prechecked

Is this a sudden, new problem?

Did you upgrade to Win7 or is it a brand-new computer?

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(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
it)?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
www.banthecheck.com


ED wrote:
> This concerns Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit.
>
> Attempt to check for updates produces the following response:
> ------------------------------------------------------------------
> Windows could not search for new updates
> An error occurred while checking (...etc)
>
> Error found:
> Code C004F076 Windows Update encountered an unknown error.
> ------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Internet access is up and running, windows firewall configuration does not
> affect this issue as it has been tested with firewall on and off.
>
> Windows BITS and WU services are running, re-started them and re-ran the
> "update check" and nothing gives.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> PS. Why is it so damn hard to find out what the error code means, could
> not
> find a single thing anywhere to tell me what the code refers to, not at
> all
> helpful nor friendly.

> The Default settings for them are
> Software Protection - Automatic (delayed start)
> SPP Notification - Manual
>
> If they're already set to their Default values, please try another
> attempt at updating. When it fails, close the Windows Update window.
>
> Click the Start orb and type in windowsupdate.log
> in the search field.
> Under Programs, click on the windowsupdate.log
> Copy & paste at least the last 50 or lines into your reply.
> Please include the entry that shows the Version of the Windows Update
> Client that is installed.
>
> EX:
> 2010-01-24 10:29:22:739 940 b7c Setup Checking for agent SelfUpdate
> 2010-01-24 10:29:22:739 940 b7c Setup Client version: Core:
> 7.4.7600.226 Aux: 7.4.7600.226
>

2010-01-24 22:06:58:548 744 fb8 Agent *************
2010-01-24 22:06:58:548 744 fb8 Agent ** START ** Agent: Finding updates
[CallerId = Microsoft Security Essentials]
2010-01-24 22:06:58:548 744 fb8 Agent *********
2010-01-24 22:06:58:548 744 fb8 Agent * Online = Yes; Ignore download
priority = No
2010-01-24 22:06:58:548 744 fb8 Agent * Criteria = "(IsInstalled = 0 and
IsHidden = 0 and CategoryIDs contains'6cf036b9-b546-4694-885a-938b93216b66'
and CategoryIDs contains '0FA1201D-4330-4FA8-8AE9-B877473B6441') OR
(IsInstalled = 0 and IsHidden = 0 and CategoryIDs
contains'6cf036b9-b546-4694-885a-938b93216b66' and CategoryIDs contains
'E6CF1350-C01B-414D-A61F-263D14D133B4') OR (IsInstalled = 0 and IsHidden = 0
and CategoryIDs contains'6cf036b9-b546-4694-885a-938b93216b66' and
CategoryIDs contains '28BC880E-0592-4CBF-8F95-C79B17911D5F') OR (IsInstalled
= 0 and IsHidden = 0 and CategoryIDs
contains'6cf036b9-b546-4694-885a-938b93216b66' and CategoryIDs contains
'B54E7D24-7ADD-428F-8B75-90A396FA584F') OR (IsInstalled = 0 and IsHidden = 0
and CategoryIDs contains'6cf036b9-b546-4694-885a-938b93216b66' and
CategoryIDs contains 'CD5FFD1E-E932-4E3A-BF74-18BF0B1BBD83') OR (IsInstalled
= 0 and IsHidden = 0 and CategoryIDs
contains'6cf036b9-b546-4694-885a-938b93216b66' and CategoryIDs contains
'68C5B0A3-D1A6-4553-AE49-01D3A7827828')"
2010-01-24 22:06:58:548 744 fb8 Agent * ServiceID =
{7971F918-A847-4430-9279-4A52D1EFE18D} Third party service
2010-01-24 22:06:58:548 744 fb8 Agent * Search Scope = {Machine}
2010-01-24 22:06:58:584 744 fb8 Misc Validating signature for
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\WuRedir_prerelease \9482F4B4-E343-43B6-B170-9A65BC822C77\win7wuredir.cab:
2010-01-24 22:06:58:586 744 fb8 Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2010-01-24 22:06:58:743 744 fb8 Misc Validating signature for
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\WuRedir_prerelease \9482F4B4-E343-43B6-B170-9A65BC822C77\win7wuredir.cab:
2010-01-24 22:06:58:744 744 fb8 Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2010-01-24 22:06:58:747 744 fb8 Agent Checking for updated auth cab for
service 7971f918-a847-4430-9279-4a52d1efe18d at
http://download.windowsupdate.com/v9...dir/muauth.cab
2010-01-24 22:06:58:747 744 fb8 Misc Validating signature for
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\AuthCabs\authcab.c ab:
2010-01-24 22:06:58:749 744 fb8 Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2010-01-24 22:06:58:782 744 fb8 Misc Validating signature for
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\AuthCabs\authcab.c ab:
2010-01-24 22:06:58:784 744 fb8 Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2010-01-24 22:06:58:854 744 fb8 Misc Validating signature for
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\WuRedir_prerelease \7971F918-A847-4430-9279-4A52D1EFE18D\muv4muredir.cab:
2010-01-24 22:06:58:856 744 fb8 Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2010-01-24 22:06:58:894 744 fb8 Misc Validating signature for
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\WuRedir_prerelease \7971F918-A847-4430-9279-4A52D1EFE18D\muv4muredir.cab:
2010-01-24 22:06:58:895 744 fb8 Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2010-01-24 22:06:58:897 744 fb8 PT WARNING: Cached cookie has expired or
new PID is available
2010-01-24 22:06:58:902 744 fb8 PT WARNING: PTError: 0xc004f076
2010-01-24 22:06:58:902 744 fb8 PT WARNING: Failed to get PId: 0xc004f076
2010-01-24 22:06:58:902 744 fb8 PT WARNING: PopulateAuthCookies failed:
0xc004f076
2010-01-24 22:06:58:902 744 fb8 PT WARNING: RefreshCookie failed: 0xc004f076
2010-01-24 22:06:58:902 744 fb8 PT WARNING: RefreshPTState failed: 0xc004f076
2010-01-24 22:06:58:902 744 fb8 PT WARNING: StartCategoryScan failed :
0xc004f076
2010-01-24 22:06:58:904 744 fb8 Agent * WARNING: Exit code = 0xC004F076
2010-01-24 22:06:58:904 744 fb8 Agent *********
2010-01-24 22:06:58:904 744 fb8 Agent ** END ** Agent: Finding updates
[CallerId = Microsoft Security Essentials]
2010-01-24 22:06:58:904 744 fb8 Agent *************
2010-01-24 22:06:58:904 744 fb8 Agent WARNING: WU client failed Searching
for update with error 0xc004f076
2010-01-24 22:07:03:904 744 fb8 Report REPORT EVENT:
{8B449671-331E-4CE8-870D-392E232C5663} 2010-01-24
22:06:58:904+0100 1 148 101 {00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000} 0 c004f076 Microsoft
Security Essentials Failure Software Synchronization Windows Update Client
failed to detect with error 0xc004f076.
2010-01-24 22:07:03:909 744 fb8 Report CWERReporter::HandleEvents - WER
report upload completed with status 0x8
2010-01-24 22:07:03:909 744 fb8 Report WER Report sent: 7.3.7100.0
0xc004f076 00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000 Scan 101 Unmanaged
2010-01-24 22:07:03:909 744 fb8 Report CWERReporter finishing event
handling. (00000000)
2010-01-24 22:09:40:103 744 e48 AU Getting featured update notifications.
fIncludeDismissed = true
2010-01-24 22:09:40:103 744 e48 AU No featured updates available.
2010-01-24 22:09:41:523 744 e48 AU Triggering AU detection through
DetectNow API
2010-01-24 22:09:41:523 744 e48 AU Triggering Online detection (interactive)
2010-01-24 22:09:41:523 744 9fc AU #############
2010-01-24 22:09:41:523 744 9fc AU ## START ## AU: Search for updates
2010-01-24 22:09:41:523 744 9fc AU #########
2010-01-24 22:09:41:585 744 9fc AU <<## SUBMITTED ## AU: Search for updates
[CallId = {3E3E1E44-47BA-45D6-AE39-35695BF03D48}]
2010-01-24 22:09:41:585 744 fb8 Agent *************
2010-01-24 22:09:41:585 744 fb8 Agent ** START ** Agent: Finding updates
[CallerId = AutomaticUpdates]
2010-01-24 22:09:41:585 744 fb8 Agent *********
2010-01-24 22:09:41:585 744 fb8 Agent * Online = Yes; Ignore download
priority = No
2010-01-24 22:09:41:585 744 fb8 Agent * Criteria = "IsInstalled=0 and
DeploymentAction='Installation' or IsPresent=1 and
DeploymentAction='Uninstallation' or IsInstalled=1 and
DeploymentAction='Installation' and RebootRequired=1 or IsInstalled=0 and
DeploymentAction='Uninstallation' and RebootRequired=1"
2010-01-24 22:09:41:585 744 fb8 Agent * ServiceID =
{7971F918-A847-4430-9279-4A52D1EFE18D} Third party service
2010-01-24 22:09:41:585 744 fb8 Agent * Search Scope = {Machine}
2010-01-24 22:09:41:585 744 fb8 Misc Validating signature for
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\WuRedir_prerelease \9482F4B4-E343-43B6-B170-9A65BC822C77\win7wuredir.cab:
2010-01-24 22:09:41:585 744 fb8 Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2010-01-24 22:09:41:694 744 fb8 Misc Validating signature for
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\WuRedir_prerelease \9482F4B4-E343-43B6-B170-9A65BC822C77\win7wuredir.cab:
2010-01-24 22:09:41:710 744 fb8 Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2010-01-24 22:09:41:710 744 fb8 Agent Checking for updated auth cab for
service 7971f918-a847-4430-9279-4a52d1efe18d at
http://download.windowsupdate.com/v9...dir/muauth.cab
2010-01-24 22:09:41:710 744 fb8 Misc Validating signature for
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\AuthCabs\authcab.c ab:
2010-01-24 22:09:41:710 744 fb8 Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2010-01-24 22:09:41:757 744 fb8 Misc Validating signature for
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\AuthCabs\authcab.c ab:
2010-01-24 22:09:41:757 744 fb8 Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2010-01-24 22:09:41:757 744 fb8 Setup Checking for agent SelfUpdate

2010-01-24 22:09:41:757 744 fb8 Setup Client version: Core: 7.3.7100.0
Aux: 7.3.7100.0

2010-01-24 22:09:41:757 744 fb8 Misc Validating signature for
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\WuRedir_prerelease \9482F4B4-E343-43B6-B170-9A65BC822C77\win7wuredir.cab:
2010-01-24 22:09:41:757 744 fb8 Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2010-01-24 22:09:41:788 744 fb8 Misc Validating signature for
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\WuRedir_prerelease \9482F4B4-E343-43B6-B170-9A65BC822C77\win7wuredir.cab:
2010-01-24 22:09:41:803 744 fb8 Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2010-01-24 22:09:41:803 744 fb8 Misc Validating signature for
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\SelfUpdate\wuident .cab:
2010-01-24 22:09:41:803 744 fb8 Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2010-01-24 22:09:42:131 744 fb8 Misc Validating signature for
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\SelfUpdate\wuident .cab:
2010-01-24 22:09:42:131 744 fb8 Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2010-01-24 22:09:42:131 744 fb8 Setup Skipping SelfUpdate check based on
the /SKIP directive in wuident
2010-01-24 22:09:42:131 744 fb8 Setup SelfUpdate check completed.
SelfUpdate is NOT required.
2010-01-24 22:09:42:256 744 fb8 Misc Validating signature for
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\WuRedir_prerelease \7971F918-A847-4430-9279-4A52D1EFE18D\muv4muredir.cab:
2010-01-24 22:09:42:256 744 fb8 Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2010-01-24 22:09:42:287 744 fb8 Misc Validating signature for
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\WuRedir_prerelease \7971F918-A847-4430-9279-4A52D1EFE18D\muv4muredir.cab:
2010-01-24 22:09:42:287 744 fb8 Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2010-01-24 22:09:42:303 744 fb8 PT +++++++++++ PT: Synchronizing server
updates +++++++++++
2010-01-24 22:09:42:303 744 fb8 PT + ServiceId =
{7971F918-A847-4430-9279-4A52D1EFE18D}, Server URL =
https://www.update.microsoft.com/v6/...ce/client.asmx
2010-01-24 22:09:42:303 744 fb8 PT WARNING: Cached cookie has expired or
new PID is available
2010-01-24 22:09:42:303 744 fb8 PT WARNING: PTError: 0xc004f076
2010-01-24 22:09:42:303 744 fb8 PT WARNING: Failed to get PId: 0xc004f076
2010-01-24 22:09:42:303 744 fb8 PT WARNING: PopulateAuthCookies failed:
0xc004f076
2010-01-24 22:09:42:303 744 fb8 PT WARNING: RefreshCookie failed: 0xc004f076
2010-01-24 22:09:42:303 744 fb8 PT WARNING: RefreshPTState failed: 0xc004f076
2010-01-24 22:09:42:303 744 fb8 PT WARNING: Sync of Updates: 0xc004f076
2010-01-24 22:09:42:303 744 fb8 PT WARNING: SyncServerUpdatesInternal
failed: 0xc004f076
2010-01-24 22:09:42:303 744 fb8 Agent * WARNING: Failed to synchronize,
error = 0xC004F076
2010-01-24 22:09:42:303 744 fb8 Agent * WARNING: Exit code = 0xC004F076
2010-01-24 22:09:42:303 744 fb8 Agent *********
2010-01-24 22:09:42:303 744 fb8 Agent ** END ** Agent: Finding updates
[CallerId = AutomaticUpdates]
2010-01-24 22:09:42:303 744 fb8 Agent *************
2010-01-24 22:09:42:303 744 fb8 Agent WARNING: WU client failed Searching
for update with error 0xc004f076
2010-01-24 22:09:42:303 744 a48 AU >>## RESUMED ## AU: Search for updates
[CallId = {3E3E1E44-47BA-45D6-AE39-35695BF03D48}]
2010-01-24 22:09:42:303 744 a48 AU # WARNING: Search callback failed,
result = 0xC004F076
2010-01-24 22:09:42:303 744 a48 AU # WARNING: Failed to find updates with
error code C004F076
2010-01-24 22:09:42:303 744 a48 AU #########
2010-01-24 22:09:42:303 744 a48 AU ## END ## AU: Search for updates
[CallId = {3E3E1E44-47BA-45D6-AE39-35695BF03D48}]
2010-01-24 22:09:42:303 744 a48 AU #############
2010-01-24 22:09:42:303 744 a48 AU Successfully wrote event for AU health
state:0
2010-01-24 22:09:42:303 744 a48 AU AU setting next detection timeout to
2010-01-25 02:09:42
2010-01-24 22:09:42:303 744 a48 AU Setting AU scheduled install time to
2010-01-25 02:00:00
2010-01-24 22:09:42:303 744 a48 AU Successfully wrote event for AU health
state:0
2010-01-24 22:09:42:303 744 a48 AU Successfully wrote event for AU health
state:0
2010-01-24 22:09:42:318 744 e48 AU Getting featured update notifications.
fIncludeDismissed = true
2010-01-24 22:09:42:318 744 e48 AU No featured updates available.
2010-01-24 22:09:47:310 744 fb8 Report REPORT EVENT:
{5326A38C-4D61-469E-B9A5-0059CDCF04D9} 2010-01-24
22:09:42:303+0100 1 148 101 {00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000} 0 c004f076 AutomaticUpdates Failure Software
Synchronization Windows Update Client failed to detect with error 0xc004f076.
2010-01-24 22:09:47:310 744 fb8 Report CWERReporter::HandleEvents - WER
report upload completed with status 0x8
2010-01-24 22:09:47:310 744 fb8 Report WER Report sent: 7.3.7100.0
0xc004f076 00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000 Scan 101 Unmanaged
2010-01-24 22:09:47:310 744 fb8 Report CWERReporter finishing event
handling. (00000000)

Thanks for reply, looking forward to learning your insights.

> Is this a sudden, new problem?

About a couple of weeks or so ago updates were not being downloaded though
all I got as feedback was an issue with connecting to the windows update
service and to try again so... as it was between the monthly cycle of 'patch
tuesday' I chose to forget about it till the next update Tuesday had passed
and/or any out-of-loop security updates were announced and I was logged into
my Win7.

> Did you upgrade to Win7 or is it a brand-new computer?

No upgrade, fresh install albeit a while ago and have been able to, since
this install, run, download and install updates., I've been able to download
and install the latest Microsoft security essentials AV defs though.

> 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)?

All Microsoft stuff as per earlier comment and the firewall on the router
has not been re-configured i.e. I was able to run, download and install
updates with same router firewall config.

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

Absolutely not, if I was going to go 3rd party it would be Kaspersky or
Sophos however I put my bets on Microsoft's own tool being 'better informed'
of the risks and threats to Windows.

> banthecheck.com
> "Security updates should *never* have *non-security content* prechecked

Amen! :-)

PS. Been googling like mad around this thing and not had any joy... from
checking about force installing WU agent through to subinacl hacks but
nothing gives so I'm hoping you'll fare better than I.

What anti-virus application was installed before you installed MSE (which
isn't updating either now)?

Open the MSE UI and click on Help | About: What are the first four file
versions displayed here (e.g., Microsoft Security Essentials; Antimalware
Client; Engine; AV defs)?

Have updates KB972207 and/or KB978207 been installed?


ED wrote:
>> Is this a sudden, new problem?
>
> About a couple of weeks or so ago updates were not being downloaded though
> all I got as feedback was an issue with connecting to the windows update
> service and to try again so... as it was between the monthly cycle of
> 'patch
> tuesday' I chose to forget about it till the next update Tuesday had
> passed
> and/or any out-of-loop security updates were announced and I was logged
> into
> my Win7.
>
>> Did you upgrade to Win7 or is it a brand-new computer?
>
> No upgrade, fresh install albeit a while ago and have been able to, since
> this install, run, download and install updates., I've been able to
> download
> and install the latest Microsoft security essentials AV defs though.
>
>> 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)?
>
> All Microsoft stuff as per earlier comment and the firewall on the router
> has not been re-configured i.e. I was able to run, download and install
> updates with same router firewall config.
>
>> Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
>> computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you
>> bought
>> it)?
>
> Absolutely not, if I was going to go 3rd party it would be Kaspersky or
> Sophos however I put my bets on Microsoft's own tool being 'better
> informed'
> of the risks and threats to Windows.

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> What anti-virus application was installed before you installed MSE (which
> isn't updating either now)?

No other AV was installed post Win7 install, ever.
Actually, MSE IS updating... even if your interpretation of the log appears
otherwise MSE thinks it downloaded updates and installed them i.e AV defs
(24/1/2010 @ 11:31 - 1.73.87.0)

> Open the MSE UI and click on Help | About: What are the first four file
> versions displayed here (e.g., Microsoft Security Essentials; Antimalware
> Client; Engine; AV defs)?

Microsoft Security Essentials Version: 1.0.1611.0
Antimalware Client Version: 2.0.6212.0
Engine Version: 1.1.5405.0
Antivirus definitions: 1.73.87.0
Antispyware definitions: 1.73.87.0

> Have updates KB972207 and/or KB978207 been installed?
>

No, those updates have not yet been installed.

Curious to know why KB972207 is relevant (FIX: The value of the Size
property of the Smo.Server(<serverName>).Databases collection is incorrect
after you install Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1). No SQLServer
installed.

Also curious re: KB978207 as DEP is on by default with Win7 unless I'm
mistaken and... I don't use IE, I use Firefox.

Any idea what the error code 0xc004f076 means?

ED wrote:
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
>
>> What anti-virus application was installed before you installed MSE (which
>> isn't updating either now)?
>
> No other AV was installed post Win7 install, ever.
> Actually, MSE IS updating... even if your interpretation of the log
> appears
> otherwise MSE thinks it downloaded updates and installed them i.e AV defs
> (24/1/2010 @ 11:31 - 1.73.87.0)
>
>> Open the MSE UI and click on Help | About: What are the first four file
>> versions displayed here (e.g., Microsoft Security Essentials; Antimalware
>> Client; Engine; AV defs)?
>
> Microsoft Security Essentials Version: 1.0.1611.0
> Antimalware Client Version: 2.0.6212.0
> Engine Version: 1.1.5405.0
> Antivirus definitions: 1.73.87.0
> Antispyware definitions: 1.73.87.0
>
>> Have updates [KB972270] and/or KB978207 been installed?
>
> No, those updates have not yet been installed.
>
> Curious to know why KB972207 is relevant (FIX: The value of the Size
> property of the Smo.Server(<serverName>).Databases collection is incorrect
> after you install Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1). No SQLServer
> installed.

Sorry, that should have been KB972270:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/972270

> Also curious re: KB978207 as DEP is on by default with Win7 unless I'm
> mistaken and... I don't use IE, I use Firefox.

KB978207 is the latest Cumulative Security Update for IE & was released on
21 Jan-10. IE is part & parcel of your OS and needs to be kept
fully-patched at all times, even if you use an alternate browser.

> Any idea what the error code 0xc004f076 means?

Neither Mow nor I have been able to find any reference to that error number
anywhere, sorry.

KB972270 & KB978207 should have been installed by now. If that is not the
case, open a free support incident:

For home users, no-charge support is available by calling 1-866-PCSAFETY
(and/or 1-866-234-6020) 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 a Security Update and cite the update's KB number
(e.g., KB999999).

Or you can...

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

Consumer Security Support home page also offers support options
https://consumersecuritysupport.microsoft.com/

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.

64 bit editions of Vista and Windows 7 have some very 'interesting'
updating issues that usually can only be resolved by an "in-place
upgrade" (aka Repair Installation) or a format/reinstall.

I'll assume that the services I mentioned in the previous post were set
to their Default values, correct ?

> 2010-01-24 22:09:47:310 744 fb8 Report WER Report sent: 7.3.7100.0
> 0xc004f076 00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000 Scan 101 Unmanaged

The Windows Update Agent (WUA)installed is the one that came with Win7
RTM. For some reason, it's not being updated and thus no updates are
searched for/offered/downloaded/installed/etc.
In most cases this issue is related to the installed security software.

Notice the difference in the below entry from the WU.log on my Win7 box
and the one from your system, Ed

> 2010-01-24 10:29:19:791 940 b7c Misc Validating signature for
> C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\WuRedir\9482F4B4-E343-43B6-B170-9A65BC822C77\muv4wuredir.cab

From your system:

> 2010-01-24 22:09:41:585 744 fb8 Misc Validating signature for
> C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\WuRedir_prerelease \9482F4B4-E343-43B6-B170-9A65BC822C77\win7wuredir.cab

See where it states " WuRedir_prerelease " ? Not sure why there's a
'prerelease' entry present in the log from your system, so let's see if
we can resolve that.

Download the latest release of the WUA for Windows x64 and save it to
your User Account's Downloads subfolder:
http://download.windowsupdate.com/wi...gent30-x64.exe

Open the Services console and stop the following services if they are
showing as Started. Also, ensure that their Startup type is set to their
Default values:

Background Intelligent Transfer Service - Manual
Windows Update - Automatic (Delayed Start)

Ensure that these services have *not* been Disabled and are set to
Manual for Startup type:

Windows Installer
Windows Modules Installer
WinHTTP Web Proxy-Auto Discovery

Using Windows Explorer, navigate to
C:\Windows\Software Distribution

Delete *each* subfolder of Software Distribution; do NOT delete the
Software Distribution folder.

Navigate to your User Account's Downloads subfolder and *right* click
windowsupdateagent30-x64.exe
Choose 'Run as administrator' and follow the UAC prompts in order to
allow it to run Elevated.
Reboot afterwards and see if the system can now search for updates.


Microsoft claims that the WUA is successfully updated automatically
98.5% of the time. If you believe that statistic you'll also believe
that I'm going to quarterback the Colts in the Super Bowl.



MowGreen
================
* -343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
================

banthecheck.com
"Security updates should *never* have *non-security content* prechecked



ED wrote:
>> banthecheck.com
>> "Security updates should *never* have *non-security content* prechecked
>
> Amen! :-)
>
> PS. Been googling like mad around this thing and not had any joy... from
> checking about force installing WU agent through to subinacl hacks but
> nothing gives so I'm hoping you'll fare better than I.