 | | Help! Windows Vista just won't install updates | | Dear CNET members,
Happy Friday! This week we received a lot of helpful answers to Neal's question on why his Vista updates won't download and install on his system. These types of problems generally are quite difficult to troubleshoot because of so many possible culprits: the system being infected with malware, conflicting security programs, and the possibility of a corrupt operating system. Many folks did offer up suggestions and a few even gave their own personal experience of what they did to help solve this similar issue. I won't go into details about our members' answers for Neal, as I will leave the reading to you. But I did round up a few of the many suggestions and ideas on troubleshooting for you.
Several members recommended that since it's a secondhand laptop, it may be a good idea to start fresh by reinstalling Vista (we just hope that you have the disc or the recovery partition is still available on your machine). This way it eliminates any possible issues the previous owner had.
You may even try running the Windows updates in safe mode, which runs the OS without the interference of other loaded programs that could be blocking some of the updates. A couple of folks even recommended calling Microsoft support directly. Depending on your degree of technical troubleshooting and thrill-seeking ability, support may be the best option for you. But for the brave and technically savvy who want a challenge, I've listed a few of the many members' answers in the Q&A section. So read them all for clues and possible solutions to get your updates downloading and installing soon.
Thank you all for offering your time to help another member out! Take care and have a great weekend!
(FYI members: We have a new How-to forum for your perusal, so if you have any technical how-to questions ranging from consumer electronics to computer help, get in there and ask, answer, and discuss!)
Cheers!
- Lee
Got suggestions? Send me an e-mail: messageboards@cnet.com | | | 
Lee Koo
CNET Community manager |  | | Last week's question | | | Help! Windows Vista just won't install updates
 I recently purchased a used laptop with Windows Vista. Over the last several months, I've gotten updates from Windows. The problem is installing the updates. When I try to install, the updates fail. I have tried several things, including following stuff on Microsoft's Web site. They talk a lot about it being a malware problem or other security problem, but trying all kinds of malware removers, including Malware-bytes and even Windows Defender has not fixed the problem. Typically I have about 19-20 updates that will not install. I tried selecting them individually but it does not work. And every once in a while an update will install but I don't know why. I am very frustrated and concerned about security! I run several free security software programs: Avast, Threatfire, Ad-Aware, Super Anti-Spyware, IObit Security 360, and Glary Utilities with Online Armor Firewall. Am I running too many security programs? Could that be the problem? Can someone please help me? Thank you for your consideration. A solution that will work will be greatly appreciated!! A former XP User, too poor to buy Windows 7.
-- Submitted by: Neal C. | | | |  Community quick poll
Weigh in on this week poll topic! | Windows users, how often do you defrag your hard drive?
(Please click on button to vote)
 Once a week (Why so often?)
Once a month
A few times a month.
Once a year.
When I feel like it needs it. (How do you determine that?)
Never. (Why not?)
What's defragging, is that even a word?
Vote and discuss it here! |  |
|
| |
| The e-mail address for this newsletter is kanggonzales@gmail.com. Click here to manage your newsletters, including this one.
If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please unsubscribe.
Privacy statement
CNET Networks takes your privacy seriously. Because we gather certain types of information about our users, we want you to clearly understand the terms and conditions surrounding the collection and use of this information. We encourage you to review our privacy policy (updated). | |
 | Copyright 2011 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved.
CBS Interactive, 235 Second Street, San Francisco, CA 94105, U.S.A.
| |
Featured member solutions
"
