Windows Update Error Code 80070490

Question

I noticed that this particular error was posted by someone else in the XPS Desktop forum, but hasn't been answered by anyone yet.  I bought two Inspiron 1501 laptops last year, both running Vista.  Neither has ever been able to run Windows Automatic Updates, it always returns the error 80070490.  A call to Dell support so far has been completely fruitless.  I gave up trying to understand the techie's heavy Indian Accent after about 1/2 hour on the phone and several transfers.  I'm an IT pro myself, and did a lot of research on this myself, but nothing seems to address this issue at all.  It would appear the problem stems from the version of the WU program itself somehow related to the version number.  The solution, apparently is to uninstall WU and install the 3.x version in its place, but following the step-by-step instructions on that from MS, long and complicated as it was, did not work for me, or the other person they tried to help.  BTW, a call directly to MS told me that my O/S is OEM and Dell has to fix it, sheesh.  Apparently the only known solution is to 'upgrade' from Basic to Premium (Home) but there appears to be no 'Upgrade' disc from Dell with either laptop shipped to me that it seems to call for.  Surely SOMEONE has to have a solution to this problem, short of having to go out and purchase an upgrade just to get by the windows update bug itself.   Any and all help greatly appreciated.

Nechasin · Answer

Problem solved.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/958044

The biggest issue that you will run into is Vista Service Pack 1 Issues. If you have SP1 installed, and your installation disk does not have SP1 installed, then this solution will not work. Microsoft will tell you to get a new installation disk from Dell and Dell will tell you to get a new installation disk from Microsoft.

Windows General

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