System: Dimension E520

OS: Vista Ultimate 32bit

Summary: R158600 Intel Matrix Storage Manager driver update kills MS Windows Update (WU)

I am (re-)installing Vista on a new HDD as the old disk is starting to fail. The Vista installation works fine, and Windows Update fetches everything required; however, part-way through loading the DELL drivers, Windows Update (WU) stops working.

After a lengthy discussion with a WU expert on Microsoft Answers, the result was inconclusive. We could not get WU restarted, despite running every check and tool he could think of. He suggested starting again.

So, I have repeated the installation from scratch, this time loading Comodo AV BEFORE getting any Windows updates (to protect against malware), and then checking Windows Update was still working between each driver installation.

The BIOS and firmware updates were applied on a previous installation (this is the fourth hard drive!). The drivers for SigmaTel Audio, Chipset, ATI Video, and LAN Adapter all installed fine, with Windows Update continuing to work. However, once the R158600 Intel Matrix Storage Manager driver update was loaded, Windows Update stopped working.

So...

Is there a known DELL fix for this problem?

If not, do I actually NEED the MSM update when I have no intention of using my hard disk in a RAID array?

(Note: Windows Update ceased working on the previous HDD installation -- probably at the same point during installation -- but I did not notice, and ignored it when I did. During the subsequent two years I did not encounter any related malware (thankfully). This time round I would like WU to be working from Day One...!)