Error with Windows Update

Question

I just received my Inspirion 1420 and I am unable to use Windows Update.   My OS is Vista Home Premium and came preinstalled with McAfee.  I disabled McAfee and it still would not work.  I am getting the following error message.  I have no problems connecting to the internet.   *  Windows could not search for new updates.       Error(s) found:       Code 8000FFFF   Any help will be appreciated.   Thanks,   Coop

S.C · Answer

Try this: http://www.tabletquestions.com/windows-vista/128617-windows-update-error-code-8000ffff.html  If it doesn't help, type your error in google and you may find some help also.

coop94 · Answer

Thanks S.C.,   Unfortunatley, I found that post earlier and it did not work.    I'm hoping someone will have a solution before I have to call.

coop94 · Answer

Thanks, I guess that's my next step. Got my laptop Tuesday. Didn't expect to have problems this soon.

S.C · Answer

Hmm. You can try on Dell Chat. They can remotely access your computer if your computer is still under warranty.

coop94 · Answer

Thanks Roger1955, Unfortunately that did not work either.

Roger1955 · Answer

Hi, this has happen to me on 3 occasions, from my searches I found how to correct this problem:

Go to safe mode, Click on Computer, search for Windows folder, find Software distribution folder, right click and rename it by adding .old, will look like this Software Distribution.old. Restart and do your updates.

Roger1955

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XPS 410
Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 @ 1.86 ghz
3 GB DDR2 SDRAM / Evga Geforce 7600GT
2x250 GB WD Sata II HDD'S 7200 rpm(Raid 1 Array)
19 in E197FPB Flat Panel Display
13 and 1 media card reader
Sony CRX 3105S 48xCombo CDRWDVD Sata
TSST Corp TS-H553A 16xDVD+-RW/DL Sata
IEEE 1394 PCI Express Firewire Port
Avast 4.7.1 Home
Windows Vista Home Premium

inspiron_wvhpe · Answer

Here is an article on the update error. http://ask-leo.com/what_is_error_8000ffff_when_i_try_to_install_a_windows_vista_update.html   Inspiron 1501MK36 AMD Turion2 GB RAMATI 200MSeries

Mary G · Answer

What do you mean by 'use Windows Update?' It is not like XP where you go to the site and have it scan your computer. That is not possible in Vista. You have to use the Start Menu to check for Updates. Also--if you have dialup, you must connect to the Internet before trying to Update.

Rebel9 · Answer

'It is not like XP where you go to the site and have it scan your computer. That is not possible in Vista.'   Unfortunately Mary,  that statement is completely inaccurate. This is certainly possible! From Internet Explorer, Tools>Windows Update>Check for Updates.   Perhaps you're not using Vista?

Roger1955 · Answer

I was going to jump in also and say that statement is false, along with a few other statements made in the past........but oh well!:smileyvery-happy:

We are not perfect!!!!!

Roger1955

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XPS 410
Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 @ 1.86 ghz
3 GB DDR2 SDRAM / Evga Geforce 7600GT
2x250 GB WD Sata II HDD'S 7200 rpm(Raid 1 Array)
19 in E197FPB Flat Panel Display
13 and 1 media card reader
Sony CRX 3105S 48xCombo CDRWDVD Sata
TSST Corp TS-H553A 16xDVD+-RW/DL Sata
IEEE 1394 PCI Express Firewire Port
Avast 4.7.1 Anti-Virus, ZoneAlarm Firewall, Spyware Doctor
Windows Vista Home Premium

Windows General

Error with Windows Update

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