Windows Update Error 8000FFFF on Vista

I have a new Dell Inspiron laptop with Vista Home Premium. When I try to
search for updates, it says "Windows could not search for updates" and gives
error code 8000FFFF. Any thoughts?

Hello Shaun,


I suggest to make a full recovery of the computer.

http://www.microsoft.com/communities...xp=&sloc=en-us
-
http://www.microsoft.com/communities...xp=&sloc=en-us
-

Good luck
--



"Shaun" wrote:

> I have a new Dell Inspiron laptop with Vista Home Premium. When I try to
> search for updates, it says "Windows could not search for updates" and gives
> error code 8000FFFF. Any thoughts?

Comment:
A Third party program could be affecting the WU Service (anti-spwyare programs,
Internet/web accelerators, Firewall/Anti-Virus programs)

--
====================================
TaurArian [MS-MVP] 2005-2008 - Australia
====================================
How to make a good post: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
Defending your machine: http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://taurarian.mvps.org/index.htm

Emails will not be acknowledged - please post to the newsgroup so all may benefit.


"Shaun" <> wrote in message
news:273EA2F1-B377-4A36-B93F-...
|I have a new Dell Inspiron laptop with Vista Home Premium. When I try to
| search for updates, it says "Windows could not search for updates" and gives
| error code 8000FFFF. Any thoughts?

I'm having the same problem on my Vista Ultimate laptop. Disabling the AV
didn't work and the only firewall I'm using is the Windows Firewall. I
didn't have this problem when I last updated in May, before deploying to the
Middle East. Is anyone at Microsoft working on a solution?

"TaurArian [MS-MVP]" wrote:

> Comment:
> A Third party program could be affecting the WU Service (anti-spwyare programs,
> Internet/web accelerators, Firewall/Anti-Virus programs)
>
> --
> ====================================
> TaurArian [MS-MVP] 2005-2008 - Australia
> ====================================
> How to make a good post: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> Defending your machine: http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
> http://taurarian.mvps.org/index.htm
>
> Emails will not be acknowledged - please post to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
>
>
> "Shaun" <> wrote in message
> news:273EA2F1-B377-4A36-B93F-...
> |I have a new Dell Inspiron laptop with Vista Home Premium. When I try to
> | search for updates, it says "Windows could not search for updates" and gives
> | error code 8000FFFF. Any thoughts?
>
>
>

I am having the same problem as you Shaun and the same type of laptop. Last
night the laptop updated and closed and all was working ok. This morning I
am being told that "Windows could not search for updates". I would
appreciate any help with this also.

Many thanks.


"Shaun" wrote:

> I have a new Dell Inspiron laptop with Vista Home Premium. When I try to
> search for updates, it says "Windows could not search for updates" and gives
> error code 8000FFFF. Any thoughts?

I too am having this problem
Rhkent


"LynnMc" wrote:

> I am having the same problem as you Shaun and the same type of laptop. Last
> night the laptop updated and closed and all was working ok. This morning I
> am being told that "Windows could not search for updates". I would
> appreciate any help with this also.
>
> Many thanks.
>
>
> "Shaun" wrote:
>
> > I have a new Dell Inspiron laptop with Vista Home Premium. When I try to
> > search for updates, it says "Windows could not search for updates" and gives
> > error code 8000FFFF. Any thoughts?

A full recovery to factory settings is the only way You need to backup
everything then shutdown restart and press F8 and follow the instructions. Re
establish an internet connection and then update will work again - it did for
me - all three months worth!

"Shaun" wrote:

> I have a new Dell Inspiron laptop with Vista Home Premium. When I try to
> search for updates, it says "Windows could not search for updates" and gives
> error code 8000FFFF. Any thoughts?

"Shaun" wrote:

> I have a new Dell Inspiron laptop with Vista Home Premium. When I try to
> search for updates, it says "Windows could not search for updates" and gives
> error code 8000FFFF. Any thoughts?

Some steps you can try and I am sure it will resolve the issue.

1.From admin command prompt type net stop wuauserv and net stop cryptsvc and
then delete the softwaredistribution and catroot2 folder under c:\windows and
c:\windows\system32 respectively.

2.Look for these files under c:\windows\winsxs
Pending.xml and Pending.grl
Take the ownership of these files and delete them.
Along with this also check if you have these values undre registry

• PendingXmldentifier
• NextQueueEntryIndex
• AdvancedInstallersNeedResolving

in the location HKLM/Components

If present delete them as well.

Restart the computer and try updating again.

If issue still remains try these

1.Install WindowsUpdateAgent30-x86.exe
from
http://download.windowsupdate.com/v7...gent30-x86.exe
save to the desktop, and run from an elevated command prompt, adding
/wuforce to the end of the command


2.Uninstall any antivirus or firewall software.

3.try running sfc scan in the WinRE ( sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C:\
/offwindir=C:\windows )

All the Best!!

I had the exact same problem as "lynnmc" had and man it's annoying

"Rhkent" wrote:

> I too am having this problem
> Rhkent
>
>
> "LynnMc" wrote:
>
> > I am having the same problem as you Shaun and the same type of laptop. Last
> > night the laptop updated and closed and all was working ok. This morning I
> > am being told that "Windows could not search for updates". I would
> > appreciate any help with this also.
> >
> > Many thanks.
> >
> >
> > "Shaun" wrote:
> >
> > > I have a new Dell Inspiron laptop with Vista Home Premium. When I try to
> > > search for updates, it says "Windows could not search for updates" and gives
> > > error code 8000FFFF. Any thoughts?

Third party program could be affecting the WU Service (anti-spwyare programs, Internet/web
accelerators, Firewall/Anti-Virus programs).
If not, then suggest you rename the SoftwareDistribution folder to whatever you like.
How to rename the SoftwareDistribution folder in Vista -
1. Stop the Windows Update service (make sure you are logged on as an Administrator)

Start button || Control Panel ||System and Maintenance ||Administrative Tools
Double-click Services
(Provide the Administrator password or confirmation if prompted to do so.)
Right-click the Windows Update service and click Stop.

2. Click Start, type %windir% in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.

Locate and rename the SoftwareDistribution folder.

3. Start the Windows Update service

Start button || Control Panel ||System and Maintenance ||Administrative Tools
Double-click Services
(Provide the Administrator password or confirmation if prompted to do so.)
Right-click the Windows Update service and click Start.

This procedure will erase your history on the Windows Update Site. Not important.


--
====================================
TaurArian [MS-MVP] 2005-2008 - Australia
====================================
How to make a good post: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
Defending your machine: http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://taurarian.mvps.org/index.htm

Emails will not be acknowledged - please post to the newsgroup so all may benefit.


"davmcn" <> wrote in message
news37FBC6B-EAD4-4FE1-ACD1-...
|I had the exact same problem as "lynnmc" had and man it's annoying
|
| "Rhkent" wrote:
|
| > I too am having this problem
| > Rhkent
| >
| >
| > "LynnMc" wrote:
| >
| > > I am having the same problem as you Shaun and the same type of laptop. Last
| > > night the laptop updated and closed and all was working ok. This morning I
| > > am being told that "Windows could not search for updates". I would
| > > appreciate any help with this also.
| > >
| > > Many thanks.
| > >
| > >
| > > "Shaun" wrote:
| > >
| > > > I have a new Dell Inspiron laptop with Vista Home Premium. When I try to
| > > > search for updates, it says "Windows could not search for updates" and gives
| > > > error code 8000FFFF. Any thoughts?