Solved Windows Update Error/Locked Out

I am getting the 80070424 error and have followed through all the advice. I think I have found the reason which relates to the XP SP2 and the instructions are

The Automatic Updates feature is turned off in the Security Center. Additionally, you cannot turn on the Automatic Updates feature.
When you try to install updates from the Microsoft Windows Update Web site, you may receive an error message that resembles the following: 0x80070424


The Automatic Updates service may be missing in the Services snap-in.
In the registry, one or both of the following registry subkeys are missing: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wuauserv
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\Root\LEGACY_WUAUSERV

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THis is true in my case and I checked my other machine which is working and at least the first exists.

The cure was

1. Click Start, click Run, type explorer, and then click OK.

1. Locate the following folder:
2. %windir%\inf
3. Note The %windir% placeholder represents the path of the WINDOWS system folder. Typically, C:\WINDOWS is the path of the WINDOWS system folder.
   
   The inf folder is a hidden folder. To view the inf folder, follow these steps:<LI type=a>On the Tools menu, click Folder Options, and then click the View tab. <LI type=a>In the Advanced settings list, click Show hidden files and folders under Hidden files and folders.
4. Click Apply, and then click OK.
5. Double-click the inf folder, right-click au, and then click Install.

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However I cannot find any au file. Anyone one what the same is for Vista??
I tried grabbing the registry entries from my other PC but that did not work and obviously files are missing.

A bit more info. I checked on the services and all the ones that should be there are there and set correctly except Windows Update Service. No sign.

Further note that this is a new Dell Studio Laptop so I do not have a vista DVD with it. I do have one from my PC however. How do I reinstall this service?

Okay I think I may have a virus. I have tried copying the wuauserv key from my good PC and importing it to my laptop. It is there but as soon as I reboot I find that it has gone again.
I found a entry in the Run key that said Dual Head something but was pointing to the Appdata/temp folder and had a name called stdhost.exe. Killed off the two tasks and removed this. Currently using the Malicious Software tool to see if anything else.
If it is a virus I will be peeved as I have McAfee installed on the PC and up to date and it just finished a full scan this morning and found nothing. Might ask for a refund as it will be the first virus I ever got.

Once the scans finish will reimport the key again and try again.

Twas indeed a virus deleting my Windows Update service faster than I could restore it. Not sure where it came from or how it managed to get past McAfee but I am not impressed with that virus/firewall software and will not be renewing it ever again.

After I removed the virus and imported the reg file I saved from my good PC of the service details it all fired into life after a reboot.

This goes to show how sneaky a virus can be. Well done on getting it sorted out.