Windows Updates not working after Ghost restore

[_neutrino Veteran]

Using Windows 7 Professional x64 we have a standard Ghost image that we use to deploy on new machines. Until recently we have not had any issues however, now Windows updates do not function on these machines.

When trying to run Windows Updates I get the following error.

Windows Update cannot currently check for updates, because the services is not running. You may need to restart your computer.

However, all the required services for Windows update are running.

The only remedy to this i have found (which i would rather solve the problem) is if I open Microsoft office (first time launch) and tell it i would like it to update office. It fixes the problem.

Any ideas?

[Miuku.]

Tried stopping the WU service, deleting everything inside \Windows\SoftwareDistribution\ and then restarting the service and checking for Updates? (It should offer to install an update instantly)

Worked on a friends Win box that was having hiccups regarding updating and dumped the same error.

[mduren2445]

open an command prompt as an administrator and run sfc /scannow and see if it fixes anything. This checks critical files and repairs them. It may ask for a windows disk if it cannot find a file. Good luck