I am running Vista with 4Gb of RAM at 2.8Ghz (Dual Core). I have two problems which appear to be related.

The first is that my computer stalls many times and I get the message "Host Process for Windows Services stopped working and was closed". It never tells me what applications have stopped or have the problem. No visible programs close when this happens.

The other problem I have is that Windows Updates don't install. No download progress is shown, but it takes time and then goes to "preparing to install" then "Some updates were not installed".

I don't know if this is an indication of some rogue program, but it also says "Canceled: 23 updates" (note the spelling of cancelled).

I get error codes 800706BA and another one, but there don't appear to be any fixes for them (or the ones I find seem to relate to XP and don't make sense).

I've tried to reinstall the update program and I've tried to install updates on Microsoft's website.

I run Norton Internet Security and it keeps telling me I have no problems.

HELP!

When did the problem start? Was it after you installed something or cleaned up the system a bit maybe? Can you put it down to any changes made to the computer or actions that have been carried out? If you can put it down as occurring only after a certain date, then maybe use System Restore to go back to a time before that date.

One thing is certain, if you put 'Host Process for Windows Services stopped working and was closed vista' into a search engine, a great many entries come up for it. Some lead to long discussions in other computer forums. Not an uncommon problem it seems.

Hi TW,

I've had the problem for about 6 months. I tried system restore back then. I've trawled through the Google searches, but all the fixes I find seem to relate to XP.

I don't know that the two problems are related, but they happened about the same time. Of course Microsoft is very 'helpful' with the updates. It solution is this:

Use your Start menu to check for updates

Windows Update is included in Control Panel. In the future, to check for updates (or if this webpage doesn’t open Windows Update automatically):

Click the Start button, click All Programs, and then click Windows Update.

I used to have Vista and got similar messages, though in my case the problem never interfered with Windows Update. I can't tell you what the problem was exactly because I still don't know but one day I decided to go through every piece of hardware and update all the drivers - and where there were driver updates I'd missed, I added them all one by one in date order. Graphics card, sound card, usb ports, pen tablet, printer... you name it, I searched for the drivers and updated them. Everything was fine for several months... then it all crashed, all the time, lol. I don't think the two issues were related but I decided enough was enough and got a new computer!

How would you feel about starting afresh by either formatting and reinstalling the operating system and programs, or using the Recovery Disk that was supplied with the computer?

Thanks flopsy and telly.

I think I'm off to Windows 7 land.

telly,

I probably should have done that, but I have an irrational fear of losing data (I've still got all my hard drives {including those that have crashed}, from 1998, JUST IN CASE)