Persistant Windows Update Error 80070002

I received a cast off system from my son. It had been on the shelf for about a year, and I am trying to resurrect it.

Interesting and useful information:

OS = Windows Vista Home Premium SP 2 (32 bit)

Browser = IE 8.0.6001.19088

AV = McAfee (Scan disabled) and license expired, but firewall active

Windows Defender (active)

PC Tools Registry Mechanic - expired

Last Installed Update = KB2478660 7/2/2011

Problem: Windows Update returns an error of 80070002 and refuses to load any updates

In an attempt to resolve this I have done the following:

1. Stopped the Windows Update Service

Deleted temporary update files

Restarted Windows Update Service

2. Run the SFC utility "sfc /scannow"

results = "There is a system repair pending which requires a reboot to complete. Restart Windows and run again"

Restarting Windows displays a "Configuring Updates 3 of 3" window that never gets resolved

3. Run the System Update Readiness utility (manually)

results = no errors detected

4. Run the Fixit program

Running gently said that it fixed things, but running it repeatedly kept saying the same thing. Nothing changed - that I could detect.

Running agressively was interesting:

The Configuring Updates ... message moved from the system shutdown environment where it was harmless to the system startup environment where it caused an infinite series of re-boots. I had to revert to an earlier restore point.

to be able to stop the re-boot sequence. Interestingly the "Configuring ... " message stayed on the startup environment. It just no longer forces a system restart.

5. I have tried to manually delete the pending.xml folder, but even logged in as a Administrator, I lack the permissions to delete or modify the file

I would appreciate any suggestions.

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