Vista problems with updates?

djmonsta

I have a friends laptop that needs fixing... Anytime I try to do anything with windows updates the window freezes. The rest of windows is fine. When I go to shut down it sits on "configuring update 1 of 1". I've gone into safe mode and deleted the contents of 'softwaredistribution' as i know this deletes any downloaded updates. Computer then works fine until I go to do anything else to do with updates. Ive tried changing settings form install automatically to just download, but when i click ok, again the windows freezes. I'm at a bit of a wits end with this, anyone have any ideas?

Thrax

Have you evaluated the hardware's health? Hard disk? DRAM?

djmonsta

I've run memtest with no problems. The laptop is virus and spyware free (that was the first thing i tested), haven't 'scandisk'ed the hdd yet, need to remove and connect up to my pc to do that and haven't really had the chance yet.. In all honesty the laptop is less than 6 months old so i doubt its any hardware failures, its also a Dell so not some sucky make like E-Machines!!! The problem only occurs when you try and do anything with updates...