Windows 7 Updates Failing After Reinstalling Windows

After reinstalling Windows 7 on this HP Pavilion, I am unable to get all the current updates for Windows. Many updates will download and install, then no more. I think it may be hanging up after it downloads the "Windows Update Agent," but I can't be sure. This is consistent after two attempts. The notifications for available updates are not downloaded either. Manual attempts to update will leave it in a perpetual state of "Checking for updates online..."
It did allow me to upgrade IE to version 11 from 8 when I visited the Microsoft site to do so.
I have several screenshots I made during the update attempts and troubleshooting attempts. I'll include a few here for information.
In the screenshots, you'll see that it won't pull updates through other applications such as driver updating, Security Essentials, etc.

 

Try this: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...n/f39a65fa-9d10-42e7-9bc0-7f5096b36d0c?auth=1

If that fails, this contains further potential solutions: http://www.tweaking.com/forums/index.php/topic,4799.msg34782.html#msg34782

 

This Win 7 update problem is becoming farcical. Before I finally gave up on Win 7 I had success using the methods set out HERE, Option 3 in my case. Good luck.

 

WooHoo! The very first option you posted has revealed nearly 250 updates that are now downloading for installation. Thank you. I will follow up with any significant or unexpected results.

 

There was also this method, which involves preventing the Windows Update tool from upgrading itself:

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/index.php?threads/solved-windows-7-clean-install-not-updating.309201/