Check to make sure you didn't leave a CD/DVD in one of the drives which might cause the CMOS pattern error.  And then rerun the PC Checkup.

You can try this for the update issue:

Method 1: Register the Wups2.dll file in Windows

To register the Wups2.dll file in Windows, follow these steps:

1. Stop the Automatic Updates service. To do this, follow these steps:
   1. Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK.
   2. At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:
      net stop wuauserv
2. Register the Wups2.dll file. To do this, follow these steps:
   1. At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:
      regsvr32 %windir%\system32\wups2.dll
      Note For a computer that is running Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, type the following command, and then press ENTER:
      regsvr32 %windir%\syswow64\wups2.dll
   2. Click OK on each verification message that you receive.
3. Start the Automatic Updates service. To do this, type the following command at the command prompt, and then press ENTER:
   net start wuauserv
4. Exit the command prompt. To do this type exit, and then press ENTER.

Microsoft offers free tech support for issues with update installation.  You can call, email or chat with them. Start here.

Ron

Thanks.  No CD's in the drives. The test reads CMOS failed pattens test; Pattern read write fail. Write/Read failed a address 35H  wrote 40H read 00H. Every time it fails it's at address 35H, different read/ write.   I tried the command prompt, it comes up that I'm not authorized, but I am signed on as administrator. I tried reloading Vista from the CD and that fails, code 0X80070017. I  Ran checksur.exe, no help. File Checker (SFC.exe) tool with the sfc /scannow command.  no help.

I saw reports on the net saying a blank CD in the drive can cause that CMOS error. Since you don't have a CD in the drive, it sounds like the CMOS chip which stores BIOS settings has failed. None of the things you're planning will fix a hardware issue. :emotion-6:

You never mentioned if this is a desktop or laptop. If it's a desktop, you could unplug the system from the wall. Press/hold the power button for ~15 sec. Then open the case and remove the battery from the motherboard. Press/hold the power button again for ~30 sec and reinstall the battery - right side up! If that doesn't fix it then the only solution is to replace the motherboard.

Ron

It's a decktop. I was guessing that it was a hardware problem. I'll try the battery power down  trick.  Thanks for your help.  Ron

Hello ronmauer, This seems to be  a common problem. Below is a possible fix. Some say it has worked and others say it has not.

It might be worth a try.

So here is the solution that worked:

1. Open the start menu.

2. Type “cmd” into the search and right click on “cmd.exe” and choose “Run as Administrator”

3. Type in “takeown /f C:\Windows\winsxs\pending.xml”

4. Type in “cacls C:\Windows\winsxs\pending.xml /G < USERNAME >:F” Note: Your user name will display when you execute step three. (Don’t enter the “< " or ">“)

5. Type in “del C:\Windows\winsxs\pending.xml”

6. Reboot

7. Downloaded & install the Windows update Agent.

32-bit Users Download it Here:
http://download.windowsupdate.com/v7/windowsupdate/redist/standalone/WindowsUpdateAgent30-x86.exe

64-bit Users Get it Here:
http://download.windowsupdate.com/v7/windowsupdate/redist/standalone/WindowsUpdateAgent30-x64.exe

8. Start Windows update

Hope this works for you.

I saw reports on the net saying a blank CD in the drive can cause that CMOS error. Since you don't have a CD in the drive, it sounds like the CMOS chip which stores BIOS settings has failed. None of the things you're planning will fix a hardware issue. :emotion-6:   You never mentioned if this is a desktop or laptop. If it's a desktop, you could unplug the system from the wall. Press/hold the power button for ~15 sec. Then open the case and remove the battery from the motherboard. Press/hold the power button again for ~30 sec and reinstall the battery - right side up! If that doesn't fix it then the only solution is to replace the motherboard.   Ron

:^/ If the CMOS settings are suspect, then before replacing the motherboard, I'd suggest replacing the CMOS battery.  Much less expensive, and it's proven to do the trick for me with a couple of old laptops I've fixed and given away.....

Hello ronmauer, You may have to enter safe mode, locate the files you mention, and right click and run as Administrator.

You might try to rename the "pending.xml.bad" and remove the "bad".

Vista does not like to re-install over itself as Windows XP does.

If this is an OS issue, removing the battery want resolve it.

Hope this helps.

Hi  Hanspuppa    I have tried many ways to delete or rename that file, safe mode doesn't help. It doesn't give me the option to run as administrator on right click or rename the file.  Microsoft has Vista locked up good to keep from files getting changed, but doesn't give many options to repair damaged files. Removing the battery was a suggestion to repair the "CMOS Test Pattern Fails  problem".  I suppose I should call Microsoft, as I read that they are suppose to help with the update problems but I haven't had too good of results with most tech support.  Thanks for your help.  Ron

I had outstanding tech support from Microsoft when updating XP failed on my system on 2 separate ocassions  One problem took about 2 weeks of daily emails for MS to resolve, but the tech was persistent and found a solution that didn't require me to reformat/reinstall. :emotion-5:. And in the second instance, the tech emailed me about a month later to make sure the problem hadn't recurred.

Can't promise you'll have a similar experience, but I was impressed, for once, with MS . I suggest email rather than phone.

Start here.

Ron

I had outstanding tech support from Microsoft when updating XP failed on my system on 2 separate ocassions  One problem took about 2 weeks of daily emails for MS to resolve, but the tech was persistent and found a solution that didn't require me to reformat/reinstall. :emotion-5:. And in the second instance, the tech emailed me about a month later to make sure the problem hadn't recurred. Can't promise you'll have a similar experience, but I was impressed, for once, with MS . I suggest email rather than phone.   Start here.   Ron

I had outstanding tech support from Microsoft when updating XP failed on my system on 2 separate ocassions  One problem took about 2 weeks of daily emails for MS to resolve, but the tech was persistent and found a solution that didn't require me to reformat/reinstall. :emotion-5:. And in the second instance, the tech emailed me about a month later to make sure the problem hadn't recurred. Can't promise you'll have a similar experience, but I was impressed, for once, with MS . I suggest email rather than phone.   Start here.   Ron

Thanks, I'll try that.    Ron

I contacted Microsoft and had excellent help with my problem of not updating. I ended up repairing corrupt files by doing an "in-place upgrade". Directions I had to follow. Hope this helps someone.  It still fails the Dell CMOS pattern test sometimes but it seems to work OK so I am ignoring that.    Ron

Turn off Windows features before performing an In-place Upgrade

================================================

1. Click Start, and click Control Panel.

2. Click Classic View on the left pane, and double click Program and Features.

3. Click "Turn Windows features on or off on the left" pane.

4. In the Windows Features dialog box, uncheck all of the check boxes, and then click OK. 

If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

 Now, let's perform the following steps to repair the corrupted files:

 In-place Upgrade  ============= 

1. Insert the Windows Vista DVD in the computer's DVD drive.

2. Click Start and choose Computer.

3. Please find the "setup.exe" file in the DVD-ROM and double click it.

4. Click Install now.

5. When we are prompted to input the product key, please click Next without inputting any key. The setup wizard will prompt and ask if you agree to install Windows Vista without the key. Please choose to confirm.

6. When you reach the "Which type of installation do you want" screen, click Upgrade to upgrade the system files of Windows Vista.

 Note: While performing the In-place Upgrade, the system will restart automatically (several times) to merge the files and programs. Please leave the computer alone and do not configure it until In-place Upgrade is completed. The system will start Windows Vista once it is upgraded.

 When the In-place Upgrade finishes please check the original issue again.

Please install SP1 after In-place Upgrade.