So yesterday when I was playing with my Vista Media Center, I was playing around with WebGuide and I was getting long delays when browsing through the folders. I know there was a network transfer bug in Vista that caused it to be slow and since all the files I was sharing were located off box, I decided to see if there was a new patch to fix this. That’s when I noticed that my system hasn’t done a Windows Update since December 5th, 2007. So after clicking on check for new updates, I get this error code: 80070490
Looked simple enough. I thought if I search online for this number along with windows update, I’d get a simple solution on how to fix it. Boy was I wrong.
First, I tried the Windows Update help file. It showed me a different bunch of error codes, but none that match mine.
So the next thing was the search engine. There were a bunch of hits, but none with a simple solution. According to FAQShop.com, 80070490 means Permission denied / [Problem initializing or using session variables] or Element not found. Not really sure what to do about that.
There were no official solutions. People have contacted Microsoft Support, but the only fix is to “upgrade” your Vista. I’ll elaborate later. The 2 most helpful sites I found in regards to this issue were actually threads:
I believe they both originate from the microsoft.public.windowsupdate newsgroup, but there’s several additional replies in the Google one. I also like the formatting of the Google one better as they hide the replies.
Here are the several solutions suggested:
I recently encountered this problem as well, and what the technician told me to do was enter the services menu, and reset the following services in this order: BITS (Background Intelligent Transfer Service) – Cryptographic Services – Windows Update)
then restart your system. that worked for me once but it only worked until i restarted my computer again. any other more permanent ideas would be greatly appreciated, and i hope that these suggestions help somebody.
I wasn’t exactly sure what “reset” meant, so I restarted the following 3 services in order:
- Background Intelligent Transfer Service
- Cryptographic Services
- Windows Update
I then restarted my computer. Windows Update still didn’t work and still returned the dreaded 80070490 error code.
The problem was eventually resolved by Microsoft Support via their free service for update issues – thanks for that advice, PA Bear. In spite of trying various ‘fixes’ with guidance from Microsoft, I ultimately had to ‘upgrade’ (not reinstall) Windows using the original Windows Vista disk. This process takes much longer than a typical install – so long in fact that at one stage I thought the system had frozen and that I’d have to do a complete reinstall. Fortunately ‘upgrade’ eventually completed the various tasks and all original data, other installed software and setting were preserved, so ‘upgrading’ was the better option – for me at least.
I hope this helps. Good luck.
This is actually the solution that has worked for most people that encountered this error and is in fact the current solution provided by Microsoft Support. What you do is stick in your original Vista DVD, perform what you would do with new install, and when the option comes up to for Upgrade or Advance/Custom, select Upgrade. I’m not exactly sure what it means to Upgrade when I already have Vista Ultimate installed, but what the heck, I just followed directions. They note that it does take several hours to complete. Of course that depends on how fast your machine is.
Anyway, I’m already somewhat pissed. What the heck is this error and why am I repairing my Vista install when I haven’t done anything to it in the past month. But worse of all, half way through the repair, it says my system isn’t compatible to install this version of Vista and tells me to run the compatibility tool. It then reboots and restores the previous configuration. I tried this like 3x, each time waiting an hour or so before it hits this error.
I finally gave up with this Upgrade solution.
– MY SOLUTION –
An idea hit me. Since the last successful Windows Update was on December 5th, 2007, what if I try doing a System Restore to the last point before that date. I hate doing System Restores as it smudges up tons of settings and breaks applications you’ve installed after that date. Anyway, I do a System Restore to November 30th, 2007 and behold, Windows Update suddenly works again! I had to reinstall WebGuide and a couple other apps, but this error needs to be better documented.
Update: David has provide an extra solution for people who have installed Daemon Tools or Alcohol 120%. Apparently there was a problematic file (sptd.sys – Scsi Pass Through Direct) that causes Windows Upgrade to fail. I’m guessing the file is what allows you to have virtual cd/dvd drives. The solution was to delete the problematic file, upgrade Daemon Tools, or uninstall it altogether. You can read more about the solution in his comments.
Update #2: Patrick provided a very interesting tool to try:
When Googleing for answers I found out that many people had this problem and that it was not easy to fix. But one guy (jhaysITQ) found a Microsoft tool called “System Update Readiness Tool” that fixed 3 systems for him. I tried it and TADA, it worked for me too!
I hope it helps some of you people too!
Check out his original post here: 80070490 Vista Windows Update Failing
Tool info and download here (about 70 – 75 MB): System Update Readiness Tool
Whenever I run into a crazy Vista error I always just ask longhost. I think there’s also a Windows Update – Hot Issues internal mailing list that you can ping on these things.
If you can repro the problem you should really do it because hopefully you can help them debug and fix the issue so no one else has to suffer 🙂
Ah… those are the aliases I should’ve contacted. I sent an email to IDunno, but they never replied. Fortunately (or maybe unfortunately), the error doesn’t repro anymore.
RayAlome also told me he encounter this problem and shutting down the above services along with Windows Defender allowed his friend’s computer to get the newest Windows Update and it worked from that point on.
Since I ran into this page when I googled this problem I figured I post my solution here. I was in contact with support from microsoft and they ofcourse told my to do the Upgrade. i tried but got the same result as in the text above. Tried it atleast 3 times, then I remembered my system is overclocked… I changed it to the normal settings and then it sailed through the upgrade nps and windows update works like a charm again!
Just thought I post it since other ppl may have the same problem.
Interesting. My computer is definitely not overclocked unless Newegg sold me the wrong CPU. Glad to hear it worked out for you.
got this 80070490 but not very good with laptop , is there an easy way for a layman like me to get rid of this and get my updates ????????? please help, b7rmo
So, the bottom line is that none of you geeks know how to fix this other than your rants and rambles. Very sad.
I’m not sure if you read my entry, but I’ve provided several ways to work around this issue, but if you have any “better” idea, we’d like to hear that instead of your “rants and rambles”.
Rants? This was my nice me. All I see is a bunch of back and forth endless “rambles” that fail to offer a solution and an absolute end to this issue. I huffed and puffed and still see no such answer here in all your professional offerings. So, if you would be so kind as to share with me, where I missed the solution to this in your many writtings I would be in your debt.
Best regards, CV Brown
I have the exact same error and have tried every single “workaround solution” on multiple posts. NONE HAVE WORKED, not even the UPGRADE with the DVD! That errored out about 4 hours into it and said “unable to upgrade, restoring previous version”. WHAT THE HECK??? I’m ready to format the drive and go back to WIndows XP. If anyone has another idea, please post it, because I’m at a loss.
Which is exactly what I see you doing now… I don’t care if that was the “nice” you or the “mean” you or even the “stupid” you. I’m just saying you’re coming to MY blog to criticize MY rants/ramblings and then NOT being able to provide any better solution yourself probably makes you deserve the title of scumlord.
I never did mention I had the best solution, but the workarounds mentioned above have been tried and tested by others:
pchelpmeplease, have you tried the “System Restore” option yet? I had also hit the upgrade error, but a System Restore to 2 weeks back got rid of the problem.
Yes, I did try the system restore, but it was unable to restore to an early enough date. I could only restore back 3 days and that did not fix the problem. UGH!!!
pchelpmeplease, unfortunately I’m not aware of any other solutions at the time. My only advice right now would be to try a OS repair/restore (not upgrade).
hi, i have read most of this, I have the same problem, and found you, I am clueless at all this how do I do a System restore? thanks
You can read more about System Restore here: Use System Restore to Undo Changes if Problems Occur
Me too with this head banging prob but my biggest nightmare would be to reinstall Windows Vista when it was pre loaded on lap top at purchase????????????? Tried contacting vendor to see if they could throw us a copy but they only suggest System Restore too. Wouldn’t I loose all personal stuff. Not too bright with these neccesary evils. Thanks.
i had this problem but it was a easy one for me to fix i just went into control panel & checked to see if the was any avialible updates ther on windows vista
& as i thought ther was 2 updates fixed my problem hope it can help some other people also who come across this the same way as i did
Google (magical jelly bean key finder ) To reinstal your original code.
I can confirm a system restore will work for this. No need to upgrade or rebuild the OS.
I think a issue others are hitting into is what to do if they had System Restore disabled? And I don’t really have a good answer for them.
Thats quite easy, there is a update file in /32 that can be deleted. Also manually removing the updates should work. Also a repair install will work too, but much mroe time consuming. Ill find the location of the actual files and report back in.
–My Solution to the Upgrade Error–For anyone having troubles completing the In-Place Upgrade
I have had this exact same issue:
-I got this error code: 80070490
-No other solutions worked (resetting Windows Updates, system restore)
-IN PLACE UPGRADE WOULD NOT COMPLETE. (after several hours of installing, it would fail, saying that my computer is incapable of running Windows Vista and would roll back the instillation.)
After about 10 hours of researching this i came across something that fixed a slightly different problem. So I thought i would give it at try, it’s a long shot, but what the heck.
Quote:
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/forums/en-US/itprovistasetup/thread/a2ed1ff1-3c60-4cfd-ac4e-72f22b180093/
Amate
“I’ve solved the problem. I just deleted sptd.sys from \System32\Drivers\.
This driver was installed by DAEMON Tools. Vista fails to load if you are trying to install it over XP with old DAEMON Tools installed. And Vista Upgrade adviser knows nothing about it. To solve the problem download and install latest DAEMON Tools before upgrading your OS.
OR (if you are already in progress of Vista installation and have this problem) load from your bootable Windows Vista CD and choose to restore. Then choose ‘other options’ and go to console. Then go to \System32\Drivers\ and delete sptd.sys. Now restart. Vista will load fine after it and continue installation.”
1) I did not delete this file, I just uninstalled DAEMON Tools.
2) Attempted the in place upgrade procedure
3) IT WORKED! Installation completed and now i am using my repaired Vista Sp1 with all the latest updates (had to reinstall all of those) without loosing anything.
Side note: I cannot know for sure if this alone is what fixed my problem or if it was a combination of the many things that had tried (ie. running ‘sfc /scannow’ from command prompt did find and fix a few errors)
Hope this works for you!
Wow, that is interesting. I don’t have Daemon Tools installed, but I might have Alcohol 120%.
Hi there, just wanted to show support for this page, where you have taken time out just to help other ppls problems. Can’t believe some jerk came along and tried to criticise and call you guys geeks, He’s obviously in need of a girlfriend. Anywho, uninstalling Daemon Tools did it for me!
Thanks guys
I’ll second that support 🙂
None of these solutions have worked for me – I’m creeping ever so closer to getting a Mac
Well… No solutions have worked for me so far… I have Vista Home Premium 64-bit GENUINE.
I read from a forum that the problem can be solved by uninstalling the Vista SP1 update (if you’ve updated to that) and then doing the “Upgrade” install with your Vista DVD (as mentioned above in the article proper), you’d be able to fix the problem.
I didn’t try this yet, though, because when I go to Programs and Features, and then Uninstall Updates, there is no KB936330 (Vista SP1) update. In fact, there are no updates whatsoever! It states that “no updates are installed in this computer,” when in fact there are (I checked the Update History). I even tried accessing Programs and Features again in safe mode to see if I can uninstall it to no success. I have also tried uninstalling PowerISO (v4.2), which is a Virtual Drive program similar to DAEMON Tools, after reading the above comment to no success as well.
I hope my post gives some helpful insights to others having the same problem. Also, can anyone please tell me why the hell its says no updates are installed, and with it, a solution!? Seriously, I’m so pissed off that I diffuse all my rage by playing Left 4 Dead with my friends and killing them all of with a Hunter…
i don’t have damens tools and tried everything else still get windows can’t dowload updates with an error code 80070490. i have windows vista. only had computer 4 months.
RE: shawna
Has it always had the error code? If not, have you tried restoring Vista to a previous known working state?
Like the rest of you I have also been troubled with this error code. I do not have the ‘Daemon Tools’ installed, so nothing to delete.
When I check my update history is shows the last successful update (KB-957055) on 10 Dec 2008
but since then I have a stream of Windows Defender (KB-915597) definitions successfully downloaded and installed (9 in total, the last being on the 9th of Jan’09) so how can this work and the remainder not?
Why is Microsoft so quiet on this problem as it affecting a lot of computers and suggesting an upgrade is a poor way of making customers pay them more money for their products
RE: hugh
Like I’ve suggested to many others, if you have a restore point you can go back to, that appears to be the easiest fix.
This error has happened more than once with me, and most of the time sys restore fixes it. The error occurred again just now when i updated again and i know what caused it this time and last time. There were 2 updates available for me this time, Junk mail for 64 and Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool. It accepted the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool update then failed the Junk mail update. When i saw it again i decided to look for the answer this time instead of the normal quick fix and forget about it. When i saw Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool had installed correct, then the error happened with junk mail add was simple to see it was once again Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool that did it before and this time. I wont fix it tonight, i have windows 7 d/ling ATM. When that D/L is complete i will move the file to another drive then fix the error again. Without a doubt, was Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool, before and now this time, causing the error.
Vista 64 Ultimate
Interesting that you mention a “failed” update as part of the symptoms.
My updates stopped back in november afer a failed security update to Microsoft Office.
I too have tried all the recommended fixes apart from the repair/upgrade as I have an OEM installation and no disks.
I have done the sfc /scannow procedure a few times, it reports that I have some corruptions that it can’t fix but the log file doesn’t seem to be very revealing about which dlls I ought to replace.
Vista Home Premium
My problem started back on november 25th, dont know what it was after though. Like the guy above me, I’m running vista home premium, and in running sfc /scannow it finds some errors, fixes some and says others couldnt be fixed. I’m going to try the system restore now.
Tried all the solutions with no luck.
I’m running DELL XPS M1330 4GB RAM home Premium.
Somehow my Windows Movie DVD maker stopped working about the same time,it won’t compile. Probably not related but I’m throwing it out there just i case others had similar issues.
I’ve tried everything. I tried to restore but since I didn’t know I wasn’t updating since last year, December 08, my restore dates didn’t go that far back. I deleted Alcohol 120% off my computer; I still couldn’t update anything. I tried to do the subinacl/reinstall windows update agent method to try and fix, but nothing happened. I perused many different ways to try and fix this error, sifting through the many different forums google provided me; no go on any of the fixes for me. I even tried getting a registry cleaner app; dang site got me good–it didn’t work. I spent countless hours with HP chat to fix this but they really didn’t know.
I was close to doing the only thing that worked for people, upgrading vista. I didn’t think that should work out because I thought why should I upgrade to a product where the beginner version (I have Home premium; whatever came with the computer) didn’t work properly anyways I’d figure the upgrade would later result with the same error.
So yesterday I downloaded the new IE 8 thinking I’d still try anything else out before I get (pay for) an upgrade. I don’t know if that is what solved the problem, but today I can say my updates updated. It updated my live mail and other live stuff as well.
I guess you could try that for yourself to try and fix your error. I’m still using Firefox though to surf the net….
Hope doing that would work out for you!
Well shoot. I checked again. A whole bunch of stuff updated and when it was all done I just hit check for update again to make sure I got all the updates, however I still received the 80070490 error. I guess downloading IE 8 didn’t really fix the problem. Weird though, I still managed to update a whole bunch of stuff though.
The search goes on….
Dear oh dear oh dear… I am fighting with the very same problem for months now. Did all the things that have been suggested in various support communities… The only thing that I wasn’t able to do is to perform a “System Upgrade”. When I try, the “Upgrade” option is greyed out and the software says that I can only upgrade to a system that is newer than the installed one. I tried both, the DVD without SP1 and the one with SP1 – same error. I am running Vista Ultimate 32bit SP1. The DVD w/o SP1 is the “Anywhere Upgrade” DVD, the DVD with SP1 is a manually created one – using the Vista Update Integrator.
Can anybody who was able to solve the 80070490-problem by doing the system upgrade help me on how he was able to do that or point out what I might be doing wrong that the option is not available?!?
Greetz,
Tom
HI guys
The only fix is to perform in-place upgrade installation
when you have courrpt system files in winsxs folder (one of the reasons for updates to fail )
the only way to get it fixed by performing in-place upgrade installation
Step 1 : Uninstall anti virus software ( If possiable download uninstall tool of the anti virus it self
)
Step 2 : Open programes and features from control panel “on “Turn Windows features on and off.” Turn off these three things:
Microsoft.NET Framework 3.0
Remote Differential Compression
Windows DFS Replication Service
Step 3 : Identify the version of windows you have type “winver” in “Start Search” or “Run”
verify if Build is 6001 or 6000. ( to check if SP 1 is installed or not ) 6001 mean SP 1 installed .
Step 4: pop in windows vista dvd according to the version of vista if SP 1 is already installed , then you need SP 1 integrated DVD
Step 5 : start the installation and perform upgrade installation .
For those who does not have vista DVD integrated with SP1
Follow these steps to get one .
Download and install Bit torrent , care for the firewall exceptions during installation , allow them .
http://www.bittorrent.com/btusers/download/?
And also install .iso file burner software which would burn the Vista image copy on to a blank DVD from the following link .
http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/W7.htm
Click on the below link to get the torrent file to download the Vista 32 bit SP 1 integrated .iso file
http://torrents.thepiratebay.org/4500903/Windows_Vista_SP1_OEM_DVD(x86)(.iso)(Eng)(32Bit)
Windows Vista Business Edition
Windows Vista Home Basic Edition
Windows Vista Home Premium Edition
Windows Vista Starter Edition
Windows Vista Ultimate Edition
Vista 64 bit ultimate version
http://btjunkie.org/torrent/Vista-ultimate-64bit-sp1-OEM/44326495828f60d47a5879e8839830c665927e5e61de
http://btjunkie.org/torrent/Vista-Ultimate-X64-SP1-ITA-by-NiXo-iso/4432884ade9486c8fb8c76d51de00bf875047ff684f3
Once its completed the downloading 100 % in the bit torrent
Right click on it and click on “Open Containing Folder” you would be able to see the vista SP 1 OEMDVD(x86).iso
Double click on it
You would see this Iso recorder coming up and pop in blank DVD
Make sure the Recording speed is lowest (ex 4x )
Start burning
Good Luck
Regards
This is be one of my last search attempts to solve this problem. I’ve had this problem since last september. Had contact with MS about the problem and after a few advices that didn’t work they recommended me to do an in-place upgrade of Vista (Home Premium OEM SP1 ENG, by the way). My first thought was ‘how difficult can it be to just download the updates?’, but i tried to download them manually and all i got was a message that I didn’t have the ‘right version’ of Windows, whatever that might implicate, I wonder what changed…
Anyway it started to look very bad when I saw a lot of other people with the same problem and no solution. It’s probably deeper than the Windows Update program, because I’m not able to install, Windows Search 4.0, IE8 (most recently) or any other core application of windows anymore. Wrong version? I wouldn’t know how.
I’m quite happy that people let know of their experiences on the problem, even though for me they haven’t worked until now (no restorepoint before september, OEM version of Vista, no applications that are suspicious). Seems a bit hopeless, this problem, I hope MS will take it more seriously instead of making people upgrade/reinstall their system. We need a hotfix!
Now I’m waiting for my Vista backup DVD and do the in-place upgrade tomorrow. Hopefully I’ll be able to update Windows then. Good luck every one else, I’ll keep track of this thread for new developments.
I also got this update error message for a period. Everytime I tried to update manunally,it just said this is not the “right version’ of windows.
Hey guys.. i just fix my error code 80070490. to fix it just put your OS Windows Vista (Operating System). Install it and choose the upgrade one. hope this helps.
I am having the same problem and I have Vista Ultimate. I don’t understand why everybody keeps pointing to “upgrade”. I can’t upgrade, that options is greyed out because I have Vista Ultimate, there is nothing to upgrade to! It’s unbelievable that there isn’t a fix for this after google searching blogs and forums for the past three months. Can someone please help!!?!?!?
How clever. Microsoft puts out Vista with bugs in it so that we can purchase more answers from them. My Windows Vista hasn’t worked smooth since the beginning when I purchased my first laptap with Vista on it a year ago. I am not a techie or a geek, but you think Microsoft has enough money to put out products that at least would work. What would Bill Gates do about error 80070490 ? Does he care about the frustration that we all have gone through? I do thank Krunk for caring about now wanting others to go thru what she did and posting this blog. So far I’ve spent $105 on this error by going through my manufacturers tech dept who couldn’t help me either and that was HP. I wasn’t about to spend more money for tech help from Microsoft, but am finding out they supposedly have free help on updates. Where do we go from here? I just want a laptop that works and isn’t a pain in the butt trying to find answers to errors that I get on it.
Hi all,
Here’s my story AND A FIX for the 80070490 errors I got:
My Dell Inspiron 1521 was having problems with it’s file system (which is apparently a known issue that’s fixed in ServicePack 1), preventing me to boot up completely (halting at a black screen with only a mouse cursor). The only thing I could do to boot was starting in Safe Mode and selecting a previous Restore Point.
Normally this laptop is not on a broadband Internet connection, so I decided to take the laptop home and install ServicePack 1 to fix the file system corruption. But during the installation of SP1 a reboot was required and I got the black screen with the cursor again. When I booted in Safe Mode the SP1 installation continued (phase 3 of 3) and ended succesfully (I thought).
Rebooted in normal mode again Windows Update was not aware of the complete SP1 installation and asked me to install it again. From then on I got the 80070490 error on the SP1 update and a few others, BUT NOT ALL. Some updates would install OK.
When Googleing for answers I found out that many people had this problem and that it was not easy to fix. But one guy (jhaysITQ) found a Microsoft tool called “System Update Readiness Tool” that fixed 3 systems for him. I tried it and TADA, it worked for me too!
I hope it helps some of you people too!
Check out his original post here:
http://www.tech-archive.net/Archive/Windows/microsoft.public.windowsupdate/2009-01/msg01395.html
Tool info and download here (about 70 – 75 MB):
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947821
Has any one tried the System Readiness Tool with this error besides Patrick? And does it work on x32 systems as well? I “upgraded” a few months ago so i can’t try anymore, but i’m dying to know if this is the ultimate fix…
System Restore and the ability to restore the computer back to factory settings has been disabled because of the error message! Argh! I am going to try some of the things you suggested.
Thank goodness I don’t ever save anything to my computer I have had so much crappy luck with Vista!
I wish so bad that Patricks solution (a couple posts up) would work for me but unfortunately every time I try to install the System Update Readiness Tool for Vista 64 it stalls and does not finish. I tried installing from Safe Mode but it says this program is unable to install from Safe Mode. I’ve searched all over for a solution to my 80070490 error. Still no luck.
Same issue as Zac. But trying to install SP2 on a 32 bit machine Everything on web points towards “system readness tool” but this hangs itself during install . Crazy that this problem has been going on for so long with no real fix. I have a Dell system too and know Vista came preinstalled. dont remember seeing a windows disk with it though. guess im off to search my cupboards. grrrr
Uninstalling Daemon Tools and deleting sptd.sys worked for me ,thanks a lot !
Ok after much searching and trying the reinstall/upgrade of windows amongst other fixes to no avail, i decided to download each update and install one at a time and hey presto it worked.
Do a normal windows update, then view history, right click one of the failed updates and select copy details, open up your web browser and go to http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/resultsForCategory.aspx?displaylang=en&categoryId=7&stype=n_dc paste the failed update details into the search box and click search.
The update should appear, double click download and save to an appropriate area, once finished downloading open folder and double click to install, follow on screen instructions to install update. Repeat process until all updates have completed, may need to restart pc after some installs.
This appears to have fixed this pc i have been having issues with and tried all other methods i hope it resolves it for you good luck keep smiling!
Hey guys,
i’ve tried the daemon tools fix (uninstalling it and deleting sptd.sys), and it doesn’t work. Btw if anyone has trouble deleting sptd.sys like i did, all i did was uninstall daemon tools and restart my computer, and it was gone.
i tried the system readiness tool, except when it was installing the update KB947821 (whatever that is) it just stopped near the end of the green bar. I waited for over an hour nothing so i stopped it and can’t start it again (error 0x80240009).
i don’t think my version of vista has system restore… i heard that you have to have vista ultimate for that? i only have vista home premium.
thanks for all your suggestions though i will find a way and i’ll post it up here 🙂