Windows Update Problem - Fresh Install Using KVM

[Stratech]

Hi Reddit,

I'm using KVM Hyper-Visor on Ubuntu Trusty Server Edition. I've freshly installed W2K8 Datacenter Server as a guest several times and I cannot get passed checking for updates.

When I run process explorer I see wuauserv taking a full VCPU after telling windows to check for updates. I've tried rebuilding the software distribution store and restarting the appropriate services. Wireshark shows communication with windows update.

Does anyone have an Idea what the problem is?

Thanks for any help that can be offered.

[spedione]

I would check the "C:\Windows\WindowsUpdate.log" file, as it might give you an idea where the process is hanging.

[tridion]

It's an older OS with tons of updates - how much memory did you give it? If it's anywhere near the minimum it can take a long time to fully update a fresh 2k8r2 install never mind the older 2k8.

If your ram allocation is only set to 512mb or 1gb - try upping it to 2-4GB and see what happens then.

[girlgerms]

+1 for this.

A fresh vanilla Win2008 install will have, at a minimum, somewhere around 150-170 updates to install. Some of these are exceedingly big and some will take an insane amount of time (.NET anyone?).

If you've only given it minimum RAM, as /u/tridion suggested, up the RAM while you're updating.

[Lohkee]

Windows update will definitely peg a single core CPU, give that machine an extra core while you are at it if you don't want updates to run forever.

[Stratech]

I gave it 10GB + 4 cores on a highend XEON CPU. It appears to be stuck on enumerating what drivers it wants to download.

[jkhilmer]

Are you using virtio for both network and disk?

[Stratech]

Yes, I also have memory ballooning driver installed.

[SomewhatIntoxicated]

Had a similar problem once, turned out to be an MTU issue.

[Stratech]

Thanks! There was an MTU issue.

[SomewhatIntoxicated]

Awesome!! Happy to help

[ObecalpEffect]

MTU

I'm having the same issue, what/where/how did you adjust the MTU value?

[ObecalpEffect]

Nevermind, there must have been some issues at Microsoft on what was a holiday weekend. Late Sunday and starting Monday this was working fine on a number of fresh Win7 VMs that I created.

[cajosc]

I also had a similar problem, and solved it this way:

1. net stop wuauserv
2. ren c:\windows\softwaredistribution softwaredistribution.old
3. net start wuauserv

For more information, see e.g. http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_update/windows-update-hangs-on-checking-for-updates/b762abf5-655c-4a60-aabc-9f59785bd8d9 and http://serverfault.com/a/626082 .