on windows vista x64 pc, checking for update resulting the msg that windows update service not running but it is according to the services.msc. tried some suggection on the web about deleting the window update data folder, reboot, did not help
ran the sfc /scannow that report fixing some files but reboot did not help
ran the microsoft mr fixit for windows update, it repaired some registry settings.. but reported windows update failed.
here is the result from mr Fixit