BleepingComputer.com: wuauclt.exe NTVDM CPU illegal instruction.

This problem is occurring on a Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 computer.

I get a command prompt box and an error box that pops up every 10 seconds or so. The error says:

"C:\Windows\system32\wuauclt.exe The NTVDM CPU has encountered an illegal instruction." Once I close it, it pops up again shortly thereafter.

I have tried to replace/reinstall wuaclt.exe but Vista will not allow it.

I can prevent the error from occurring if I turn off Windows Automatic Update, but I would like to get to the root of the problem.

Thank you for your help!

You can reset the windows update components. See if that helps if not then:

Do you get a particular error number?
Have you tried to install SP2 and failed?
In ALL the threads I read concerning this issue when I googled it the problem ended up being caused by some sort of Malware. If the above link doesn't work, I would persue the malware possibility.

EDIT: Oh yeah, it looks like malware. When I posted I hadn't yet reached THIS thread on the problem from........... here, Bleeping Computer lol.

I would disregard my suggestion to reset the update components and head straight to the malware section.

This post has been edited by DeathStalker: 04 July 2009 - 09:36 PM

Well I ran Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and it did not find anything significant (I removed them all anyway). The problem persisted.

However, I followed your previous advice and reset the windows update components and that did the trick. I have not had an error since I did it. Thank you!

Cool, glad it worked. I would still keep in the back of your mind though the possibility of Malware. If this happens again or you get other weird problems, have it checked for Malware. MBAM (Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware) doesn't see everything.

The problem is back. I have run several different malware detection programs with no results. How would you suggest I proceed?