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