Posted on 08/06/2016 2:48:30 PM PDT by ducttape45
I am posting this thread in hopes maybe someone out there may have a better solution to the problem I am about to describe.
I am working on a laptop for a friend. It's older (Acer Aspire 5520), but it actually runs pretty well. The system was designed for Windows Vista and I had to run a restore on the system because it got infected. I took the system back to factory condition and here's where things get difficult.
As we all know with the advent of Windows 10 and the draconian lengths Microsoft is going to in order to forcibly install it on millions of computers, updates services for all of the older operating systems is hit and miss at best, downright maddening at worst. At least with Windows 7, after jumping through a few hoops Windows Update will eventually work. However with Vista jumping through those same hoops doesn't work. I've tried just letting the Windows Update session do it's thing but after over 15 hours of letting it run it stays stuck on "Checking for Updates......."
What I've resorted to doing is scouring the Internet for a list of all the updates for Vista that Microsoft put out so far (after SP 2), comparing that list with all of the updates I've installed on my Windows 7 machine, then accessing the Microsoft Update Catalog and downloading whatever hits I get, using those KB codes, and downloading the updates I find for Vista.
Afterwards I tried installing those updates in succession but Windows won't let you do that without restarting after every single one. I found a batch file online that tries to install the updates in succession but again, no success.
I then hit upon a method, quite by accident, where I bring up the Task Manager, then go to the Services section. I order the list so Windows Update Service is near the top. I then start the batch file and every time Windows Update Service starts, I stop it. I do this through the entire installation process. So if I have 30 updates to install, I stop the service 30 times when each of the installs starts.
It's weird, but it works. I wish I could find a way to make the Windows Update service stay off but it starts running when each new update starts.
My query is this. Is anyone out knowledgeable enough with Windows Vista and the crap Microsoft is putting us through to keep our older OS's updated to know if there is a better method? All of the websites I find online have fixes that no longer work, and Microsoft has ended the MrFixit program that used to be able to fix problems like this.
With Windows 7, if I empty the SoftwareDistribution folder in the Windows directory that usually does the trick when Windows Update acts up. That same method does not work with Vista. So here I sit, manually programming in what will probably be well over 200 updates all because Microsoft wants to make our lives more difficult because we won't buy into Windows 10. And before anyone chastises me about fixing a Vista computer, hey, it's not mine and I'm doing a friend a favor, ok? Chill, no wisecracks.
Has anyone out there heard of this problem, and would be willing to share your fix if you have one. Thank you.
No. it means CRITICAL issues will be patched. But non-criticals ? zip.
It’s actually an application. Then again, the surviving numbers of XP and Vista in the wild are rather low...
Thanks for the kind words.
The DOS versions I liked the most were 3.3 and 6.2, though I remember DOS as far back as 1.1.
Reminds me of a song "Those were the days my friend, we thought they'd never end......"
What is this "Intel RST" you mentioned? I don't know that I'm familiar with that.
I did as you said and opted out of all of the services at the beginning, but I've told there are other places, after the installation, that a person should visit in the Settings and continue opting out of services one doesn't want or need. I'm still researching that.
Cortana is a major nuisance that Microsoft foisted upon us. I've found that it can't be completely turned off, just "disabled" in some way. Have you heard that?
Also, this laptop doesn't belong to me. It belongs to a female coworker who is not tech savvy and doesn't want anything but the original software on it. Hence my drive to keep it at Vista. Thankfully Windows Update started working this morning so hopefully I'll be able to get it done today.
Thanks.
If it was my laptop, I would indeed upgrade the memory and upgrade it to Windows 7, but that's not my call. I'm putting Vista back on it, update Java, Flashplayer, install Microsoft Works, and afterwards call it good.
It’s for a friend/coworker. For a friend I’ll do whatever it takes to give what they want, and in this case, she wants the laptop back in its original condition. That I’m gonna do but give her a few extra things along with it; Microsoft Works, Adobe Reader, Flashplayer, Shockwave, Windows Live Email, and maybe a few other things.
Hi! I’m on Vista right now. Love it. Very few problems since Jan 2009.
Not true. My Vista is still supported, albeit occasionally.
The trick I was trying with Task Manager and running a batch file to install the updates didn't work quite as well as I thought. I resorted to finally installing updates one as a time, manually, though I still had to turn off WU in the task manager before I could install the next update.
Something must have fixed the problem because the laptop is finally running WU this morning. I had to let it run during the evening but it finally gave me a list of updates this morning and it's loading them as I type this out.
Best thing is what you’re now doing. Let it update itself. Let them take care of their machine: Windows defender, service packs, etc.
After that, run superantispyware.com, spybot search and destroy, Ccleaner (piriform.com), and others if you ask. That will get you running properly. Best of luck! BTW, all free.
However, it might be better for your friend to pay for the pro versions, because people never run their programs voluntarily. They neglect maintanance.
(Like my family. :) Daddy has to do it!) Better to be updated and protected in real time and automatically.
You’re welcome! :)
When all is settled, don’t forget to defrag!
This info will cost you a 10 dollar donation to FR.com!
You’re welcome! :)
OK if I understand you correctly, you’re trying to get Windows Update to stop coming on automagically all the time? If not sorry...
Try running services.msc from the Run button. Look through the list and turn Windows update to OFF. It should usually have 3 settings, auto, manual so it comes on only when needed and off.
You can also check at the Black Viper site for optimal settings.
I’ve used his settings for XP for years, usually works very well, and frees up some system resources, due to less than necessary services running all the time.
Security vulnerabilities and critical operational patches are really all that matters in a near-end-of-life OS. What are you expecting? Feature upgrades?
I’m amused at people who grouse about Microsoft for having a “bloated” operating system yet bemoan their newer operating systems for being “featureless.” A la carte operating system provisioning is becoming more popular, not less. We all have it with our phones. Why should our desktop operating environments be burdened with unnecessary features if they don’t have to be?
Sounds good! I was happy with Vista myself. Didn’t have a lick of problems with using it.
All in all, the Acer 5500 series was a great run of computers.
Sorry, but vulnerabilities at the “high” and “medium” level are every bit as exploitable as “critical” vulnerabilities.
MS only patches Crits on Vista.
As for “ala carte”, Windows has had that for years. You merely uninstall unwanted features. Well, you COULD, until Windows 10 Anniversary Update. That will reinstall what you remove. . .
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