I've tried installing the latest updates, Vista SP1, and even the WU client update. I get the same error every time. What is the cause of this? Is there a fix aside from using HP Recovery?

Did you install these important updates before trying to install SP1?
KB935509, KB938371, et KB937287

Originally Posted by sidney1st

Did you install these important updates before trying to install SP1?
KB935509, KB938371, et KB937287

Only one of those updates is displayed in Windows Update. Even if they did appear, WU isn't working. I keep getting that error.

whenever i try to download updates, the Update center responds with "ERROR WindowsUpdate_8024402C".

does anyone know how i can get updates again??!

With regards to KB935509, KB938371, et KB937287, those updates are a prerequisite for Windows Vista Service Pack 1.
With regards to ERROR WindowsUpdate_8024402C, if you tried already, as i suppose, all Microsoft recommandations, try this trick: (i tried it on a friend's Laptop and it worked, but please don't blame me if it doesn't for you)

Go in your connection propeties (wireless or whatever)
Select Internet Protocol version 4, click Properties and down the bottom change it from "Obtain DNS server addresses automatically" to "Use the following DNS" and set the Preferred DNS to 4.2.2.2, and the Alternate to 4.2.2.3
Click OK to all the windows and try running Windows Update again.

sidney1st,

Hold on......

Why would changing DNS entries to these servers make any difference at all?

A name servers job in, most cases, is to translate hostnames to IP addresses. Regardless of the DNS used, there is only one set of data accurate for any hostname lookup and the only place that information is permanently stored is on the DNS authoritative for that domain. If the selected DNS is not authoritative for a domain, it either queries the authoritative name server or redirects your host's resolver to the authoritative name server. I am skipping DNS caching because it doesn't change what I am saying here.

In this case, all five of Microsoft's DNS are NS[1-5].MSFT.NET. None of which have an IP address of 4.2.2.2 or 4.2.2.3. I don't know what hostnames are used in the Windows Update process, but I doubt seriously that any of the authoritative domain name servers for those hostnames have an IP address of 4.2.2.2 or 4.2.2.3 since those are Verizon servers.

Anyway, please explain why changing the DNS to 4.2.2.2 and 4.2.2.3 will make a difference.

S-

4.2.2.2 is a public DNS (nothing to see with any ISP)
Your ISP could be forcing you through a broken proxy, therefore no chance to get updates from WU.
When i gave this "possible" solution to some people, some of them told me that Microsoft, itself gave this solution as a possible one.
Now, it is up to you just to try it or use a DNS from your ISP which is working fine. (you may leave blank the secondary)

Originally Posted by sidney1st

4.2.2.2 is a public DNS (nothing to see with any ISP)
Your ISP could be forcing you through a broken proxy, therefore no chance to get updates from WU.
When i gave this "possible" solution to some people, some of them told me that Microsoft, itself gave this solution as a possible one.
Now, it is up to you just to try it or use a DNS from your ISP which is working fine. (you may leave blank the secondary)

It would be extremely unlikely that a "broken" DNS Proxy would be the problem. Why? Because a broken DNS proxy would cause all kinds of DNS failures and you wouldn't even get where this error is generated since you wouldn't be talking to the server that had the update and generated the error.

S-

Hello dividedbyzero and Welcome to VistaX64!

Download the standalone Update from Microsoft as it includes all and every update available. Download details: Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Five Language Standalone (KB936330)

It does not use Windows Update so you should not have any problem installing the standalone version.

dmex

Originally Posted by dividedbyzero

Only one of those updates is displayed in Windows Update. Even if they did appear, WU isn't working. I keep getting that error.

Run command prompt as administrator and type:
fsutil resource setautoreset true C:\
Reboot
Pls let us informed