Vista - System Restore applet fails to open / Windows Updates download but fail to install

A friend's Vista SP1 PC is failing to install Windows Updates and also some
other updates such as those for Itunes. The symptom is that the updates get
downloaded but the installation phase never finishes (he's left it for 12
hours!). In the case of the Windows Updates, there are several updates that
try to install themselves as the PC is shutdown or even restarted, but the
message "Installing 1 of 6" never advances: the only recourse is to switch
the PC off.

As I was looking at the PC, I noticed one thing which may have a bearing on
this and may even be the cause: the System Restore applet
(\windows\system32\rstrui.exe) fails to run. It displays an initial User
Account Control window but the "Restore System Files and Settings - choose a
restore point" window never appears. No error message is displayed and there
are no entries in any of the Event Log logs.

It occurred to me that if System Restore is buggered, this might prevent any
updates working if the first thing they try to do is to create a restore
point before installation begins.

I can't find any reference to System Restore failing to open its initial
Window - I've looked on support.microsoft.com and done a general Google
search for "Vista System Restore fails". All the info seems to describe
possible problems if you get slightly further and select a restore point
which then fails to install properly.

Has anyone got any suggestions?

"Mortimer" <me@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:%233uuxq2CKHA.3800@xxxxxxI have the same problem! System Restore fails to find any System Restore
Points and is unable to generate any new ones.
So all MS updates hang and others which are based on "making a system
restore point"
do as well. MS has not been overly responsive to my requests for help.

I am using Windows XP Enterprise SP2 and at this point am rather disgusted.
Ed Feustel



I am

Mortimer wrote:
What is the virus/malware status of your friend's computer? Be sure the
computer is clean:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...moving_Malware

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

"Malke" <malke@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:%23Z%23Iji4CKHA.5092@xxxxxxNow that's a good point. I'll install and run Spybot.

Someone on another group has suggested disabling System Restore from the
Control Panel, deleting the System Volume Information folder (may need to
take ownership of the folder in order to delete its contents) and then
turning System Restore back on.

Mortimer wrote:
To do a thorough malware removal process, please read the information at the
above link. Installing Spybot isn't one of the steps.

Certainly you can disable/enable System Restore, but I would wait to do it
until after you know the computer is clean. Getting back to an infected
computer can be better than not getting back to a computer at all
(sometimes).

You might also want to take a look here in case one of these items is
applicable to your friend's machine:

Problems caused by Symantec - http://bertk.mvps.org/html/symantecdoc1.html

System Restore - Error Messages in Vista -
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/eerrormsgsv.html

Missing Restore Points/Shadow Copies in Windows Vista -
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/missingrpv.html

System Restore forum on AumHa.net - http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=54

"Create" button grayed out in the System Protection dialog in Windows Vista
- http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/216/1/

Can't use System Restore with Gateway Computer (Jill Zoeller, MS) - Go to
System in Control Panel and open the System Protection tab. Do you see a
drive called "Missing"? Selecting C:\ and deselecting "Missing" will allow
the system to take restore points normally. Note that you will not have any
restore points to restore to until a new restore point is made.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

"Malke" <malke@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:uXRgO%236CKHA.4376@xxxxxx

Thanks for all those suggestions and the pointer to elephantboycomputers
page which seems very comprehensive.

The PC is definitely sick: when I went into System Protection, it hung at
"Searching" in the list of "Automatic restore points / Create restore points
on selected disks" - it never displayed the list of drives and restore
points on each. It also hung when I tried to go into Safe Mode after
displaying its list of pathnames. Nasty!

Anyway, I've got a lot more things to try as a result of your information -
thanks: that'll keep me busy!

Mortimer wrote:
You're welcome. And you might want your friend to just take the machine to a
local tech instead. ;-)

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

"Mortimer" <me@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:#3uuxq2CKHA.3800@xxxxxxWithout trying to add to the confusion I would like to ask about proper
handling and execution of the WU's.
Most times it creates new restore points and one must wait until it 'fully
executes'. Therefore it is advisable to download/install the updates
singularly instead of all at once.
That is not to say that the machine is not infected, only to consider
another aspect for the cause of malfunction.

Harry.