Vista - Windows Updates, and now other updates fail consistently

I have had a problem with updates failing for a couple months. I have worked with both HP and Microsoft's Vista support teams to no avail. i have tried five or six different methods at the request of the HP and MS support teams to overcome this problem.

i consistently get messages that "Host Proces for Windows Services stopped working and was closed" and that windows will notify me if a solution is available.

the updates generate an error WindowsUpdate_800706BA.

Windows Update does not work, Windows Media Center updates do not work, and now the HP Printer updates no longer work. I'm kind of hanging open here without any of the security patches, OS fixes, and other updates.

any new suggestions would be welcomed!! My MS support guys just stopped responding to my replies about three weeks ago. i fear i'm at the end of his script!!

the mobiledog

It's a time out error, network related.

What Internet connection are you using?

thanks for the quick reply.

my internet connection is a pretty solid 10/1 cable modem connection. it occasionally is unavailable but not for the frequency and regularity which i have tried manually force and push the updates.

where do you get the definition of the error codes?

Try to run a sfc /scannow.

And if that doesn't work, a CHKDSK -> That fixed my problem once, bad sector detected and afterwards I could install updates again.

per advice i have recieved, i have performed a chkdsk, uninstalled SP1, and reinstalled SP1.

this appears to have not changed anything. i still get small Microsoft Windows error screens with the message "Host Process for Windows Services stopped working and was closed"
"A problem caused the application to stop working correctly. Windows will notify you if a solution is available".

is anyone aware of a way i can manually download and install the updates myself? at least i won't be running months behind on security updates. i can live without updates ot my Media Center's TV guide and printer updates.

thanks for any guidance you can provide.

All updates are available through Microsoft downloads - just not the KBxxxx number and search for it at Microsoft.

i found the updates and downloaded them. they fail with the same error number, something about a failed remote procedure call.

does that open any new ideas for someone following this? thanks for listening...

Unfortunately there is only one solution if all else failed. Get a new hard drive and start from scratch.

Isn't there some sort of a system log that can tell me what process if failing on such a frequent basis? the remote procedure call failures must point toward something?

it is very disappointing that in 2008 I am receiving the same fix to a Microsoft problem i did back in 1985... reformat your hard drive and reinstall. hopefully you are kidding??!!

dog

Look for a option in your BIOS called HPET and disable it..If its not there then thats not the problem...However a RPC error is serious and basically means some program or some system tool your using has corrupted the windows kernel tables requiring you to reinstall...This is the same procedure for all operating systems not just Vista because there are some things you just cant fix.

On the reinstall issue, make sure you update before installing drivers and only install drivers for missing devices and your graphics card --Nothing Else-- If Windows has a driver already (minus graphics) dont update it unless your having issues...afterwards check for updated versions of all the programs your using and make sure they are Vista compatible or you might cause the RPC error again and have to format again...I also highly recommend you DONT DISABLE UAC, It helps protect all the core-components from modifications and will keep Vista running very smooth after installing all the programs and also prevents drive-by-downloads and stops hundreds of programs trying to alter the windows core and will also prevent this error and others from ever happening again

Steven