Error 0x80072efd on Windows Update on Vista Home Premium

When I run Windows Update in a Microsoft Vista machine I get the error
0x80072efd. I have tried all the standard tech bulletins you have
recommended and the only one that seems to do anything was the suggestion to
delete the file C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution. This solved the problem of
windows forever looking for an update but not the error 0x80072efd. I am not
running a firewall, even Windows firewall is disabled. All virus
protection/spyware is off. I an not going through a proxy and am connected
straight to my broadband provider via a cable modem. I have no problem
connecting with the internet for anything else. Also there are no other
programs running in foreground. I even shutdown Windows SideBar. Below is
the log file from Bootup to failure. I note two strange things. The entry
at 19:54:58:381 stating that SelfUpdate is in an error state and WinHTTP
saying SendRequestUsingProxy failed since the Proxy List Used is <null> and
the initialization states there is no proxy. Any ideas?

Windows Update Log
==================
2007-05-13 19:52:01:157 1148 f1c AU AU initiates service shutdown
2007-05-13 19:52:01:172 1148 f1c AU ########### AU: Uninitializing
Automatic Updates ###########
2007-05-13 19:52:01:516 1148 f1c Service *********
2007-05-13 19:52:01:516 1148 f1c Service ** END ** Service: Service exit
[Exit code = 0x240001]
2007-05-13 19:52:01:516 1148 f1c Service *************
2007-05-13 19:54:58:303 1164 adc Misc =========== Logging initialized
(build: 6.0.6000.16386, tz: -0400) ===========
2007-05-13 19:54:58:318 1164 adc Misc = Process:
C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe
2007-05-13 19:54:58:318 1164 adc Misc = Module:
c:\windows\system32\wuaueng.dll
2007-05-13 19:54:58:303 1164 adc Service *************
2007-05-13 19:54:58:318 1164 adc Service ** START ** Service: Service startup
2007-05-13 19:54:58:318 1164 adc Service *********
2007-05-13 19:54:58:334 1164 adc Agent * WU client version 6.0.6000.16386
2007-05-13 19:54:58:334 1164 adc Agent * Base directory:
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution
2007-05-13 19:54:58:334 1164 adc Agent * Access type: No proxy
2007-05-13 19:54:58:334 1164 adc Agent * Network state: Connected
2007-05-13 19:54:58:381 1164 adc Setup WARNING: SelfUpdate is in an error
state
2007-05-13 19:54:58:584 1164 dec Agent *********** Agent: Initializing
Windows Update Agent ***********
2007-05-13 19:54:58:584 1164 adc Report *********** Report: Initializing
static reporting data ***********
2007-05-13 19:54:58:584 1164 dec Agent *********** Agent: Initializing
global settings cache ***********
2007-05-13 19:54:58:584 1164 adc Report * OS Version = 6.0.6000.0.0.66304
2007-05-13 19:54:58:584 1164 dec Agent * WSUS server: <NULL>
2007-05-13 19:54:58:584 1164 adc Report * OS Product Type = 0x00000003
2007-05-13 19:54:58:584 1164 dec Agent * WSUS status server: <NULL>
2007-05-13 19:54:58:584 1164 dec Agent * Target group: (Unassigned
Computers)
2007-05-13 19:54:58:584 1164 dec Agent * Windows Update access disabled: No
2007-05-13 19:54:58:584 1164 dec DnldMgr Download manager restoring 0
downloads
2007-05-13 19:54:58:584 1164 dec AU ########### AU: Initializing Automatic
Updates ###########
2007-05-13 19:54:58:584 1164 dec AU # AU disabled through User preference
2007-05-13 19:54:58:599 1164 dec AU AU finished delayed initialization
2007-05-13 19:54:58:693 1164 adc Report * Computer Brand = Hewlett-Packard
2007-05-13 19:54:58:693 1164 adc Report * Computer Model = HP Pavilion
dv6000 (RP285UA#ABA)
2007-05-13 19:54:58:708 1164 adc Report * Bios Revision = F.13
2007-05-13 19:54:58:708 1164 adc Report * Bios Name = Ver 1.00PARTTBLv
2007-05-13 19:54:58:708 1164 adc Report * Bios Release Date =
2007-01-02T00:00:00
2007-05-13 19:54:58:708 1164 adc Report * Locale ID = 1033
2007-05-13 19:55:02:343 1164 d94 AU Triggering AU detection through
DetectNow API
2007-05-13 19:55:02:343 1164 d94 AU Triggering Online detection (interactive)
2007-05-13 19:55:02:359 1164 adc AU #############
2007-05-13 19:55:02:359 1164 adc AU ## START ## AU: Search for updates
2007-05-13 19:55:02:359 1164 adc AU #########
2007-05-13 19:55:02:374 1164 adc AU <<## SUBMITTED ## AU: Search for updates
[CallId = {BDEC070E-BC5C-468F-82CD-0185B626F59B}]
2007-05-13 19:55:02:374 1164 8b8 Agent *************
2007-05-13 19:55:02:374 1164 8b8 Agent ** START ** Agent: Finding updates
[CallerId = AutomaticUpdates]
2007-05-13 19:55:02:374 1164 8b8 Agent *********
2007-05-13 19:55:02:390 1164 8b8 Setup Checking for agent SelfUpdate
2007-05-13 19:55:02:390 1164 8b8 Setup Client version: Core: 6.0.6000.16386
Aux: 6.0.6000.16386
2007-05-13 19:55:05:151 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: Send failed with hr = 80072efd.
2007-05-13 19:55:05:151 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: SendRequest failed with hr =
80072efd. Proxy List used: <(null)> Bypass List used : <(null)> Auth Schemes
used : <>
2007-05-13 19:55:05:151 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: WinHttp:
SendRequestUsingProxy failed for
<http://download.windowsupdate.com/vista/windowsupdate/redir/vistawuredir.cab>. error 0x80072efd
2007-05-13 19:55:05:151 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: WinHttp: DoFileDownload
MakeRequest failed. error 0x80072efd
2007-05-13 19:55:07:663 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: Send failed with hr = 80072efd.
2007-05-13 19:55:07:663 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: SendRequest failed with hr =
80072efd. Proxy List used: <(null)> Bypass List used : <(null)> Auth Schemes
used : <>
2007-05-13 19:55:07:663 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: WinHttp:
SendRequestUsingProxy failed for
<http://download.windowsupdate.com/vista/windowsupdate/redir/vistawuredir.cab>. error 0x80072efd
2007-05-13 19:55:07:663 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: WinHttp: DoFileDownload
MakeRequest failed. error 0x80072efd
2007-05-13 19:55:10:174 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: Send failed with hr = 80072efd.
2007-05-13 19:55:10:174 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: SendRequest failed with hr =
80072efd. Proxy List used: <(null)> Bypass List used : <(null)> Auth Schemes
used : <>
2007-05-13 19:55:10:174 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: WinHttp:
SendRequestUsingProxy failed for
<http://download.windowsupdate.com/vista/windowsupdate/redir/vistawuredir.cab>. error 0x80072efd
2007-05-13 19:55:10:174 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: WinHttp: DoFileDownload
MakeRequest failed. error 0x80072efd
2007-05-13 19:55:12:686 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: Send failed with hr = 80072efd.
2007-05-13 19:55:12:686 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: SendRequest failed with hr =
80072efd. Proxy List used: <(null)> Bypass List used : <(null)> Auth Schemes
used : <>
2007-05-13 19:55:12:686 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: WinHttp:
SendRequestUsingProxy failed for
<http://download.windowsupdate.com/vista/windowsupdate/redir/vistawuredir.cab>. error 0x80072efd
2007-05-13 19:55:12:686 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: WinHttp: DoFileDownload
MakeRequest failed. error 0x80072efd
2007-05-13 19:55:12:686 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: DownloadFileInternal failed
for
http://download.windowsupdate.com/vi...tawuredir.cab:
error 0x80072efd
2007-05-13 19:55:15:619 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: Send failed with hr = 80072efd.
2007-05-13 19:55:15:619 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: SendRequest failed with hr =
80072efd. Proxy List used: <(null)> Bypass List used : <(null)> Auth Schemes
used : <>
2007-05-13 19:55:15:619 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: WinHttp:
SendRequestUsingProxy failed for
<http://download.microsoft.com/vista/windowsupdate/redir/vistawuredir.cab>.
error 0x80072efd
2007-05-13 19:55:15:619 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: WinHttp: DoFileDownload
MakeRequest failed. error 0x80072efd
2007-05-13 19:55:18:505 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: Send failed with hr = 80072efd.
2007-05-13 19:55:18:505 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: SendRequest failed with hr =
80072efd. Proxy List used: <(null)> Bypass List used : <(null)> Auth Schemes
used : <>
2007-05-13 19:55:18:505 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: WinHttp:
SendRequestUsingProxy failed for
<http://download.microsoft.com/vista/windowsupdate/redir/vistawuredir.cab>.
error 0x80072efd
2007-05-13 19:55:18:505 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: WinHttp: DoFileDownload
MakeRequest failed. error 0x80072efd
2007-05-13 19:55:21:360 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: Send failed with hr = 80072efd.
2007-05-13 19:55:21:360 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: SendRequest failed with hr =
80072efd. Proxy List used: <(null)> Bypass List used : <(null)> Auth Schemes
used : <>
2007-05-13 19:55:21:360 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: WinHttp:
SendRequestUsingProxy failed for
<http://download.microsoft.com/vista/windowsupdate/redir/vistawuredir.cab>.
error 0x80072efd
2007-05-13 19:55:21:360 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: WinHttp: DoFileDownload
MakeRequest failed. error 0x80072efd
2007-05-13 19:55:24:043 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: Send failed with hr = 80072efd.
2007-05-13 19:55:24:043 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: SendRequest failed with hr =
80072efd. Proxy List used: <(null)> Bypass List used : <(null)> Auth Schemes
used : <>
2007-05-13 19:55:24:043 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: WinHttp:
SendRequestUsingProxy failed for
<http://download.microsoft.com/vista/windowsupdate/redir/vistawuredir.cab>.
error 0x80072efd
2007-05-13 19:55:24:043 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: WinHttp: DoFileDownload
MakeRequest failed. error 0x80072efd
2007-05-13 19:55:24:043 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: DownloadFileInternal failed
for http://download.microsoft.com/vista/...tawuredir.cab:
error 0x80072efd
2007-05-13 19:55:26:430 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: Send failed with hr = 80072efd.
2007-05-13 19:55:26:430 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: SendRequest failed with hr =
80072efd. Proxy List used: <(null)> Bypass List used : <(null)> Auth Schemes
used : <>
2007-05-13 19:55:26:430 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: WinHttp:
SendRequestUsingProxy failed for
<http://update.microsoft.com/vista/windowsupdate/redir/vistawuredir.cab>.
error 0x80072efd
2007-05-13 19:55:26:430 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: WinHttp: DoFileDownload
MakeRequest failed. error 0x80072efd
2007-05-13 19:55:28:816 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: Send failed with hr = 80072efd.
2007-05-13 19:55:28:816 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: SendRequest failed with hr =
80072efd. Proxy List used: <(null)> Bypass List used : <(null)> Auth Schemes
used : <>
2007-05-13 19:55:28:816 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: WinHttp:
SendRequestUsingProxy failed for
<http://update.microsoft.com/vista/windowsupdate/redir/vistawuredir.cab>.
error 0x80072efd
2007-05-13 19:55:28:816 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: WinHttp: DoFileDownload
MakeRequest failed. error 0x80072efd
2007-05-13 19:55:31:188 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: Send failed with hr = 80072efd.
2007-05-13 19:55:31:188 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: SendRequest failed with hr =
80072efd. Proxy List used: <(null)> Bypass List used : <(null)> Auth Schemes
used : <>
2007-05-13 19:55:31:188 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: WinHttp:
SendRequestUsingProxy failed for
<http://update.microsoft.com/vista/windowsupdate/redir/vistawuredir.cab>.
error 0x80072efd
2007-05-13 19:55:31:188 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: WinHttp: DoFileDownload
MakeRequest failed. error 0x80072efd
2007-05-13 19:55:33:590 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: Send failed with hr = 80072efd.
2007-05-13 19:55:33:590 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: SendRequest failed with hr =
80072efd. Proxy List used: <(null)> Bypass List used : <(null)> Auth Schemes
used : <>
2007-05-13 19:55:33:590 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: WinHttp:
SendRequestUsingProxy failed for
<http://update.microsoft.com/vista/windowsupdate/redir/vistawuredir.cab>.
error 0x80072efd
2007-05-13 19:55:33:590 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: WinHttp: DoFileDownload
MakeRequest failed. error 0x80072efd
2007-05-13 19:55:33:590 1164 8b8 Misc WARNING: DownloadFileInternal failed
for http://update.microsoft.com/vista/wi...tawuredir.cab:
error 0x80072efd
2007-05-13 19:55:33:590 1164 8b8 Setup WARNING: SelfUpdate check failed to
download package information, error = 0x80072EFD
2007-05-13 19:55:33:590 1164 8b8 Setup FATAL: SelfUpdate check failed, err =
0x80072EFD
2007-05-13 19:55:33:590 1164 8b8 Agent * WARNING: Skipping scan,
self-update check returned 0x80072EFD
2007-05-13 19:55:33:606 1164 8b8 Agent * WARNING: Exit code = 0x80072EFD
2007-05-13 19:55:33:621 1164 8b8 Agent *********
2007-05-13 19:55:33:621 1164 8b8 Agent ** END ** Agent: Finding updates
[CallerId = AutomaticUpdates]
2007-05-13 19:55:33:621 1164 8b8 Agent *************
2007-05-13 19:55:33:621 1164 8b8 Agent WARNING: WU client failed Searching
for update with error 0x80072efd
2007-05-13 19:55:33:621 1164 93c AU >>## RESUMED ## AU: Search for updates
[CallId = {BDEC070E-BC5C-468F-82CD-0185B626F59B}]
2007-05-13 19:55:33:621 1164 93c AU # WARNING: Search callback failed,
result = 0x80072EFD
2007-05-13 19:55:33:621 1164 93c AU # WARNING: Failed to find updates with
error code 80072EFD
2007-05-13 19:55:33:621 1164 93c AU #########
2007-05-13 19:55:33:621 1164 93c AU ## END ## AU: Search for updates
[CallId = {BDEC070E-BC5C-468F-82CD-0185B626F59B}]
2007-05-13 19:55:33:621 1164 93c AU #############
2007-05-13 19:55:38:598 1164 93c Report REPORT EVENT:
{14873348-6157-43F5-A67D-09B3F1A38455} 2007-05-13
19:55:33:590-0400 1 148 101 {D67661EB-2423-451D-BF5D-13199E37DF28} 1 80072efd SelfUpdate Failure Software
Synchronization Windows Update Client failed to detect with error 0x80072efd.