When I run Windows Update the process fails with the message:
"..can't check for update as the service is not running.."

The above is not an exact quote.

The failure message also guesses the problem might be resolved by rebooting. That does not fix the problem.

Seems I should know how to get the Win UD service running, but I haven't a clue.

Thanks,

DA

I just updated Avira, 101 Megabytes, wow for a anti-virus software application. Windows Office may be smaller than that, it used to be for sure. Makes one wonder how much resource, other than storage, the new anti-virus uses...subject of other threads no doubt.

Please download MiniToolBox http://download.bleepingcomputer.com/farbar/MiniToolBox.exe and run it. see link below

Checkmark following boxes:
List last 10 Event Viewer log

Click Go and post the result.

Click the toolbox link, a window pops up, save the file to the desktop, then run it an post the result.

Again the problem is on a 7-Starter netbook.

When get more time today I'll also try the recommendations from ZEP516, assuming I am capable enough with posting results. Is there such a feature here on GardenWebComputer?

Just copy and paste and you should be good to go Jerry.

I set Avira and Defender off to do "Deep scans" about a hour ago, they are both still working. Hope running them in parallel doesn't make for an argument : (

I had to look for Windows Defender, it too had been shut down,and it seems it wants to stay that way, i.e., not have an icon on my desktop. Windows Defender and Avira have been able to update, it is just Windows Update that is in trouble. I run both Windows Defender and Avira Free on a Windows 7 64 bit, and they seem to get along okay there.

If you need malwarebytes let us know.

So, what was done?
1) I went to auto update with install manual a couple of days ago. That resulted in Windows Update recognizing the need to update but it was unable to download.
2) Ran deep scan Windows Defender and Avira (in parallel) and that took many hours..it had completed this morning and neither indicated any problems, with Avira listing 1 "warning" only.
3) Ran Windows Update and it indicated 66 @ 209 MB
I clicked on install and the progress window reported "download" which lasted too short a time to download 209 MB at my DSL speed, the progress then indicated installing step-by-step and completed after about 30 minutes. During the early steps in the install I took note of my WiFi bit counter and noted only administrative communications indicating auto update had downloaded the updates during the night. I guess that's how update works when the manual approval is set.

Ravencajun, sorry about Malwarbytes I recall reading your recommendation and, unfortunately, as I didn't have Malwarebytes on that netbook I translated to running what was installed: Avira and Defender..seems that help or fixed the problem I will get a copy of Malwarbytes on that machine, assume it is easy to find and download.

Question on Windows Defender: I have had the WD Icon on my desktop, in fact all my desktops (XP, 7, and 7 Starter) but I am unable to place it here. The netbook in fact didn't have it on the desktop, but it had a copy, and I am able to copy the Icon to the tool bar (bottom) but not to the desktop, strange to my mind. Is defender running from startup? or is it a passive program that has to be ran manually?

Thanks for the help, as it now stands the Netbook is up-to-date on 7 Starter.

Thanks I have now run a deep scan with Malwarebytes on the Netbook and on an XP Gateway Notebook. No malware was found, and the subject notebook continues to operate with MS Update, albeit now with it set to automatically seek updates, with my approval for installation.

I had changed the Netbook to automatic update check before starting this thread, so I conclude that has nothing to do with the fix result.