Question I cannot install anything on this used PC, including Windows updates etc. ?

[JJBuildsComputers]

Hi all, first time posting so excuse me if my formatting is incorrect.

Recently I've run into an issue with a PC I purchased second-hand and advertised as having issues downloading games or watching Youtube. After getting it home, I figured it would be as simple as reinstalling Windows and calling it a day. However, it has proved to be slightly more complex than I thought it would be and I am completely out of my depth.

Issues:
1. When trying to download anything, including Google Chrome, official GeForce drivers etc., download will fail multiple times due to "Network Error". After retrying and successfully downloading Microsoft Edge will block the installer from opening, with an error message similar to "This application could be harmful to your device".
2. Once the installation media is finally downloaded for any application (e.g. Chrome, drivers), the installers will throw a variety of error codes. I have had too many different error codes for the Chrome installer to list, it would seem like a waste of time.
3. Attempting to detect Windows updates will more often than not fail, and once it does work and begin installing it will fail with the error code "0xc8003fa". This is the same error code for every Windows update.

What I have tried, in (relatively) chronological order:
1. Reinstalled Windows from a Windows 10 ISO usb that I created (confirmed not the issue, have used over 20+ times before and after with multiple systems and multiple drives). Formatted the drive to wipe everything then reinstalled, no result.
2. Replaced the SSD with an SSD I have confirmed works in another system and did another fresh install of Windows.
3. Updated the motherboard BIOS to the latest version, then again reinstalled Windows.
4. Granted full permissions to C:\Users\USER\Appdata\Local\Temp and C:\Windows\Temp.
5. Disabled all of Windows Defender. Still nothing.
6. Stripped whole system down to just cpu/mobo/ram/wifi card. Swapped ram for a known working set of RAM. Cleared CMOS. nothing.
7. Disabled Security Device Support in BIOS. Did nothing except make me a little anxious.
8. Disabled "Check apps and files" nothing. Re-enabled "Check apps and files". For whatever reason, this allowed me to install Chrome, however all of my other issues still persist.

Note: Throughout this process have used both a TP-Link WiFi card and onboard Ethernet.
What's irritating is this exact set of issues has had a thread here that was left unresolved because English was clearly not the poster's first language, and so every response ridiculed them and doubted them while from an objective standpoint they seemed quite competent. Thus the issue remains unsolved. Disappointing to say the least.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

System Specs Before Teardown:
CPU: i5 7600k
GPU: GTX 1060 6gb
MOBO: Asus Prime Z270-P
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16gb (2x8gb) @2666MHz
SSD: Samsung Evo 850 250gb

System Specs After Teardown:
CPU: i5 7600k
GPU: n/a
MOBO: Asus Prime Z270-P
RAM: Ballistix 16gb (2x8gb) @ 2400MHz
SSD: Kingston 240gb

 

[Lutfij]

Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

You forgot to mention the make and model of your PSU and it's age. What BIOS version are you on for your motherboard?

1| Recreate the bootable USB installer using Windows Media Creation Tools to rule out a corruption in said installer.
2| Did you install the OS in offline mode, without the internet, installing all relevant drivers with the latest revisions in an elevated command, i.e, Right click installer>Run as Administrator? Yes you will need to download the latest drivers and have them on a pen drive prior to the format/reinstall of the OS.

Note: Throughout this process have used both WiFi from a TPLink wifi card and onboard Ethernet.
Yeah, you shouldn't connect to the internet since the OS will install drivers it thinks is right for the platform which often times can and will lead to instability issues.

CPU: i5 7600k
How are you cooling the processor? Inspect the CPU's socket for any bent or broken pins.

What's irritating is this exact set of issues has had a thread here that was left unresolved because English was clearly not the poster's first language, and so every response ridiculed them and doubted them while from an objective standpoint they seemed quite competent. Thus the issue remains unsolved. Disappointing to say the least.
Perhaps you could point us in the direction of the thread you say the OP was ridiculed?

 

[JJBuildsComputers]

Hi there, appreciate the response,

I didn't mention the PSU as I didn't believe it was relevant, I have also ruled out the PSU as an issue by testing the system with another confirmed working PSU.

1| Recreate the bootable USB installer using Windows Media Creation Tools to rule out a corruption in said installer.

I'm absolutely certain the USB is not the issue, as I have used it multiple times to install Windows successfully including as recently as a few hours ago on an entirely separate system.

2| Did you install the OS in offline mode, without the internet, installing all relevant drivers with the latest revisions in an elevated command, i.e, Right click installer>Run as Administrator? Yes you will need to download the latest drivers and have them on a pen drive prior to the format/reinstall of the OS.

OS is always installed offline then WiFi/Ethernet is connected once setup is complete. As for installing the drivers via USB, this goes back to my issue of any installation wizards spitting multiple error codes, including when run as Administrator.

How are you cooling the processor? Inspect the CPU's socket for any bent or broken pins.

The CPU was originally water-cooled by a Corsair 120mm AIO, however after tearing down the PC I have moved it over to a test bench and switched it back to a standard intel cooler, which leaves the CPU sitting at a cool 32 degrees. I have also reseated the CPU and checked for bent pins, as well as (obviously) applying fresh thermal paste.

Perhaps you could point us in the direction of the thread you say the OP was ridiculed?

No problem, the link to that thread is here:

Question - Problem with Windows 10

Windows 10 and 8.1 update not working with error code 0xc80003fa and apps like chrome crashing time to time And i can not install any drivers (graphic cards chipset etc) But when i install windows 7 or windows 8 i have not face any problem My computer component Asus maximus x code 8700K Gtx...

forums.tomshardware.com

Thank you for your support, if there's any more information you'd need before you can help troubleshoot please let me know. Thanks!

 

[KingLoki]

Did you update the bios? Also plug the drive into a different port?

 

[Bob.B]

Hi all, first time posting so excuse me if my formatting is incorrect.

Recently I've run into an issue with a PC I purchased second-hand and advertised as having issues downloading games or watching Youtube. After getting it home, I figured it would be as simple as reinstalling Windows and calling it a day. However, it has proved to be slightly more complex than I thought it would be and I am completely out of my depth.

Issues:
1. When trying to download anything, including Google Chrome, official GeForce drivers etc., download will fail multiple times due to "Network Error". After retrying and successfully downloading Microsoft Edge will block the installer from opening, with an error message similar to "This application could be harmful to your device".
2. Once the installation media is finally downloaded for any application (e.g. Chrome, drivers), the installers will throw a variety of error codes. I have had too many different error codes for the Chrome installer to list, it would seem like a waste of time.
3. Attempting to detect Windows updates will more often than not fail, and once it does work and begin installing it will fail with the error code "0xc8003fa". This is the same error code for every Windows update.

What I have tried, in (relatively) chronological order:
1. Reinstalled Windows from a Windows 10 ISO usb that I created (confirmed not the issue, have used over 20+ times before and after with multiple systems and multiple drives). Formatted the drive to wipe everything then reinstalled, no result.
2. Replaced the SSD with an SSD I have confirmed works in another system and did another fresh install of Windows.
3. Updated the motherboard BIOS to the latest version, then again reinstalled Windows.
4. Granted full permissions to C:\Users\USER\Appdata\Local\Temp and C:\Windows\Temp.
5. Disabled all of Windows Defender. Still nothing.
6. Stripped whole system down to just cpu/mobo/ram/wifi card. Swapped ram for a known working set of RAM. Cleared CMOS. nothing.
7. Disabled Security Device Support in BIOS. Did nothing except make me a little anxious.
8. Disabled "Check apps and files" nothing. Re-enabled "Check apps and files". For whatever reason, this allowed me to install Chrome, however all of my other issues still persist.

Note: Throughout this process have used both a TP-Link WiFi card and onboard Ethernet.
What's irritating is this exact set of issues has had a thread here that was left unresolved because English was clearly not the poster's first language, and so every response ridiculed them and doubted them while from an objective standpoint they seemed quite competent. Thus the issue remains unsolved. Disappointing to say the least.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

System Specs Before Teardown:
CPU: i5 7600k
GPU: GTX 1060 6gb
MOBO: Asus Prime Z270-P
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16gb (2x8gb) @2666MHz
SSD: Samsung Evo 850 250gb

System Specs After Teardown:
CPU: i5 7600k
GPU: n/a
MOBO: Asus Prime Z270-P
RAM: Ballistix 16gb (2x8gb) @ 2400MHz
SSD: Kingston 240gb

Just for yuks.....put a copy of memtest86 on a flash stick.
Boot the stick and let it run.
No errors allowed.

 

[JJBuildsComputers]

Did you update the bios? Also plug the drive into a different port?

As stated in the original post, BIOS has been updated to the latest version. I've tested the different drives in two separate SATA ports with different SATA cables, no difference.

 

[JJBuildsComputers]

Just for yuks.....put a copy of memtest86 on a flash stick.
Boot the stick and let it run.
No errors allowed.

I'll give that a go later tonight and let you know

 

[johnbl]

you might reset the router or just power cycle it, then attempt to update the network driver on your windows machine.
if you are using wireless network connection and your router is far from the windows machine. set windows to run in high performance mode or go into windows control panel, device manager find the wireless device, select it and tell windows not to let it sleep. just guessing your are getting a poor wireless signal. also update the wireless driver for cases where the driver is corrupting the packets. (note, routers can also corrupt network packets)
certain pirate license activation software will block windows updates since they can remove the fake activation and expose the problem of not being activated.

what is the distance from the machine to the router.
does the network work for the first 5 minutes after a power is turned on? if yes, turn of bios and windows sleep functions or move machine closer to the router
default windows drive wireless driver might need to be updated.
wireless signal strength depends on distance, the signal is 1/r^2 function where r is the distance to the router.
many wireless cards lower the power to the wireless device when they go into reduced power mode. This can create situations where the machine can see the router but can not send signals without issues back to the router.
and generate network errors.