[computertechie]

Been trying like mad to get the Automatic Updates service started. I've tried the official and very simple how to sort it out bit as shown here:

1. Click Start, click Run, type services.msc, and then click OK.
2. In the right pane, double-click Automatic Updates.
3. Click the Log On tab.
4. In the You can enable or disable this service for the hardware profiles listed below box, click the current hardware profile, and then click Enable.
5. Click Apply, and then click the General tab.
6. Click Start, and then click OK.

Still won't start. If you try and start it manually, you get the following error:

error 1058: the service could not be started because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it

[NICK G]

I guess you tried control panel\system\automatic updates? Just tak'n a shot.

[computertechie]

Yep, tried that

[computertechie]

Turns out it was a virus-related problem. Virtumondo. Eventually got rid of it after many attempts and the service worked again. Virus came back and the service stopped again. Cleared virus for a second time and is currently working...

[computertechie]

Virtumonde. Use VundoFix, ComboFix and SuperAntiSpyware to get rid of it.

[NICK G]

Great!! Don't know where people get all these viruses but I guess it's going to be first thing
asked to try most of the times nowadays. It's crazy.
You can mark this thread closed if you wish.

[computertechie]

Has been a bit of a pain to kill this virus. Trickiest one for a long time. The customer had somehow removed their AV software!

[NICK G]

The customer had somehow removed their AV software!

Yeah, guess that'll do it.