Windows XP help - "Checking for Updates" ... forever

PCbanter (http://www.pcbanter.net/index.php)

- Windows 10 Help Forum (http://www.pcbanter.net/forumdisplay.php?f=52)

- - "Checking for Updates" ... forever (http://www.pcbanter.net/showthread.php?t=1100079)

"Checking for Updates" ... forever

I dug out an old, little-used netbook that my wife had used for a course
and no longer uses. I want to hook it to my wi-fi weather station to put
it on Weather Underground's network.

The machine hadn't been used in two years. It runs something the Windows 7
"Starter Edition" - which was ok last time we used it. Since it hadn't
been updated in two years, I clicked to check for updates.

Two and a half hours later, it's still checking. Any idea where the
problem lies?

"Checking for Updates" ... forever

"Jason" wrote in message
...
I dug out an old, little-used netbook that my wife had used for a course
and no longer uses. I want to hook it to my wi-fi weather station to put
it on Weather Underground's network.

The machine hadn't been used in two years. It runs something the Windows 7
"Starter Edition" - which was ok last time we used it. Since it hadn't
been updated in two years, I clicked to check for updates.

Two and a half hours later, it's still checking. Any idea where the
problem lies?

This appears relevant to your problem:

Windows Update on Windows 7 is fast again
Nov 6, 2016 1:44 PM PT
http://www.computerworld.com/article...ast-again.html

"Checking for Updates" ... forever

On Fri, 30 Dec 2016 18:34:32 -0800 "Norm X" wrote
in article

This appears relevant to your problem:

Windows Update on Windows 7 is fast again
Nov 6, 2016 1:44 PM PT
http://www.computerworld.com/article...ast-again.html

Thanks, Norm. I'll check it out.

"Checking for Updates" ... forever

On Fri, 30 Dec 2016 21:41:10 -0500 "Jonathan N. Little"
wrote in article
Running 14.04LTS works just fine.

I'm glad that works for you. Not an option for what I want to do with this
"lo-spec" (yes!) machine...

"Checking for Updates" ... forever

On Fri, 30 Dec 2016 21:24:17 -0500, Jason wrote:

I dug out an old, little-used netbook that my wife had used for a course
and no longer uses. I want to hook it to my wi-fi weather station to put
it on Weather Underground's network.

The machine hadn't been used in two years. It runs something the Windows 7
"Starter Edition" - which was ok last time we used it. Since it hadn't
been updated in two years, I clicked to check for updates.

Two and a half hours later, it's still checking. Any idea where the
problem lies?

For the fix, see this thread in the Windows 7 newsgroup
http://alt.windows7.general.narkive.com/a91aGj0c

The Windows 7 newsgroup has several other discussion threads about this.
See the Windows 7 newsgroup "alt.windows7.general".

--
Kind regards
Ralph
🦊

"Checking for Updates" ... forever

Jason wrote:
On Fri, 30 Dec 2016 21:41:10 -0500 "Jonathan N. Little"
wrote in article
Running 14.04LTS works just fine.

I'm glad that works for you. Not an option for what I want to do with this
"lo-spec" (yes!) machine...

Really?

http://www.weewx.com/

--
Take care,

Jonathan
-------------------
LITTLE WORKS STUDIO
http://www.LittleWorksStudio.com

"Checking for Updates" ... forever

Jason wrote:
I dug out an old, little-used netbook that my wife had used for a course
and no longer uses. I want to hook it to my wi-fi weather station to put
it on Weather Underground's network.

The machine hadn't been used in two years. It runs something the Windows 7
"Starter Edition" - which was ok last time we used it. Since it hadn't
been updated in two years, I clicked to check for updates.

Two and a half hours later, it's still checking. Any idea where the
problem lies?

A while back, these were enough (at the time) to make it work again.

Servicing Stack

http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/...aspx?q=3020369

July 2016 update rollup for Windows 7 SP1

http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/...aspx?q=3172605

Microsoft issued the temporary improvement, because Windows Update
was preventing GWX installation of Windows 10 and preventing them
from achieving their targets for adoption of Windows 10. So doing that
in July was strategic to GWX (not done to help customers).

*No* Microsoft update addresses the key issue, which is a lack of
scalability in the logic in wuauserv, for figuring out which patches
need to be installed. Everything Microsoft done is a temporary bandaid.

After you've installed those two, you'll need the December 2016 one.
Because after each Patch Tuesday, Windows Update will go slow again,
until it is fed an update that prunes the supersedence tree in the
Windows Update manifest file.

December 2016 Security Monthly Quality Rollup

http://www.catalog.update.microsoft....aspx?q=3207752

It's a judgment call, as to whether it's worth it to continue
patching Windows OSes with this stuff. On the one hand, the updates
might contain security materials. Or they contain materials related
to the Microsoft plan for world conquest (they won't install Windows 10,
but they may do something to your copy of Windows 7 that you don't want).

*******

To install those:

1a) Temporarily switch Windows Update to "do not check for updates"
Reboot.

OR

1b) Disconnect the network cable.
Reboot. (This prevents wuauserv from going nuts, before the
patches are installed.)

Double-click 3020369, 3172605, 3207752 MSU files to install them.
Only take the advice to reboot, after the third one is installed.

Once the system is up, you check Windows Update history tab and
if all is well, plug in the network cable and carry on. As for Windows
Update, I wouldn't leave that enabled on a netbook, especially if you
were planning some canned machine function that needs all the CPU it
can get. When the next Patch Tuesday rolls around in January, it'll
be slow again. Disabling Windows Update prevents that slowness.

Paul

"Checking for Updates" ... forever

Paul wrote:
Jason wrote:
I dug out an old, little-used netbook that my wife had used for a
course and no longer uses. I want to hook it to my wi-fi weather
station to put it on Weather Underground's network.
The machine hadn't been used in two years. It runs something the
Windows 7 "Starter Edition" - which was ok last time we used it. Since
it hadn't been updated in two years, I clicked to check for updates.

Two and a half hours later, it's still checking. Any idea where the
problem lies?

A while back, these were enough (at the time) to make it work again.

Servicing Stack

http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/...aspx?q=3020369

July 2016 update rollup for Windows 7 SP1
http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/...aspx?q=3172605

After you've installed those two, you'll need the December 2016 one.
December 2016 Security Monthly Quality Rollup
http://www.catalog.update.microsoft....aspx?q=3207752

Double-click 3020369, 3172605, 3207752 MSU files to install them.
Only take the advice to reboot, after the third one is installed.

Once the system is up, you check Windows Update history tab and
if all is well, plug in the network cable and carry on. As for Windows
Update, I wouldn't leave that enabled on a netbook, especially if you
were planning some canned machine function that needs all the CPU it
can get. When the next Patch Tuesday rolls around in January, it'll
be slow again. Disabling Windows Update prevents that slowness.

Paul
Hi, Paul
- This Win7 stuff never gets easierg

The July 2016 Rollup requires the April 2015 Service Stack
The September 2016 Servicing Stack replaces the April 2015 Servicing Stack

For best results the order would be (note: links below provide location
to obtain downloadable installer):
KB3020369 April 2015 Servicing Stack
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3020369
KB3172605 July 2016 Update Rollup (re-released Sept.13, 2016)
http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/...px?q=KB3172605
KB3177467 September 2016 Servicing Stack (released Sept. 20, 2016)
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3177467
KB3207752 December Security Monthly Quality Rollup
http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/...aspx?q=3207752

There are two other possibly important pieces of information
a. Due to a low level issue on some OEM systems using older than
currently available OEM drivers - it may be necessary to install the
August 2016 Update Rollup to avoid installation failure(Manual or via
Windows Update) of the December Security Monthly Rollup. ***A few of
these older OEM provided drivers have corrupted permissions impacting
the Windows installer***
August 2016 Rollup https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3179573
b. Avoid installing the December .NET Update Rollup(manually or via
WU) until the entire machine is updated exclusive of the December .NET
Rollup - (i.e. uncheck or hide it until last).
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3205402

--
....winston
msft mvp

"Checking for Updates" ... forever

WIndows 10?

Jason wrote:
I dug out an old, little-used netbook that my wife had used for a course
and no longer uses. I want to hook it to my wi-fi weather station to put
it on Weather Underground's network.

The machine hadn't been used in two years. It runs something the Windows 7
"Starter Edition" - which was ok last time we used it. Since it hadn't
been updated in two years, I clicked to check for updates.

Two and a half hours later, it's still checking. Any idea where the
problem lies?

--
Quote of the Week: "I got this aunt... Carpenter ant." --Girl and Crow
Note: A fixed width font (Courier, Monospace, etc.) is required to see this signature correctly.
/\___/\ Ant(Dude) @ http://antfarm.home.dhs.org (Personal Web Site)
/ /\ /\ \ Ant's Quality Foraged Links: http://aqfl.net
| |o o| |
\ _ / Please nuke ANT if replying by e-mail privately. If credit-
( ) ing, then please kindly use Ant nickname and AQFL URL/link.

"Checking for Updates" ... forever

On Fri, 30 Dec 2016 23:58:51 -0500 "Jonathan N. Little"
wrote in article
Really?

Really. My weather station is not on the list :-(

"Checking for Updates" ... forever

Jason wrote:
On Fri, 30 Dec 2016 23:58:51 -0500 "Jonathan N. Little"
wrote in article
Really?

Really. My weather station is not on the list :-(

Sorry, the list is long, but you did not mention what you had...

--
Take care,

Jonathan
-------------------
LITTLE WORKS STUDIO
http://www.LittleWorksStudio.com

"Checking for Updates" ... forever

On Sat, 31 Dec 2016 02:24:17 -0000, Jason wrote:

I dug out an old, little-used netbook that my wife had used for a course
and no longer uses. I want to hook it to my wi-fi weather station to put
it on Weather Underground's network.

The machine hadn't been used in two years. It runs something the Windows 7
"Starter Edition" - which was ok last time we used it. Since it hadn't
been updated in two years, I clicked to check for updates.

Two and a half hours later, it's still checking. Any idea where the
problem lies?

When running update on an old PC, I leave the task manager open and make sure it's either using the disk, the CPU, or the internet connection to a decent amount. If it stops, I reboot it and tell it to get updates again.

--
I used to work in a fire hydrant factory. You couldn't park anywhere near the place. -- Steven Wright

"Checking for Updates" ... forever

Jason wrote:

On Fri, 30 Dec 2016 23:58:51 -0500 "Jonathan N. Little"
wrote in article
Really?

Really. My weather station is not on the list :-(

Nor is mine but it works perfectly. Many weather stations are the same
but are sold under a different make or model. If your station looks
similar to one on the list it will probably work.

"Checking for Updates" ... forever

"Jason" wrote in message
...

I dug out an old, little-used netbook that my wife had used for a course
and no longer uses. I want to hook it to my wi-fi weather station to put
it on Weather Underground's network.

The machine hadn't been used in two years. It runs something the Windows 7
"Starter Edition" - which was ok last time we used it. Since it hadn't
been updated in two years, I clicked to check for updates.

Two and a half hours later, it's still checking. Any idea where the
problem lies?

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++

Get the Microsoft repair tool for error 8007000e.

I had the same issue and that's the fix that worked.