Code 80070003 when upgrading to Windows 10 from Windows 7 64 bits

When I try to upgrade to Windows 10 using Windows 7 64 bit, I encountered the notorious Code 80070003 error. After extensive web searches, I tried the following but none worked.

Attempt #1: stop the windows update service, delete temp files, and restart service. Doesn't work. Related link: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-update-error-80070003#1TC=windows-7

Attempt #2: Windows Update Troubleshooter - caot fix the issue. It will say "Windows Update error 0x80070057(2016-04-27-T-05_48_15P) Not fixed" and then the issue remains.

Attempt #3: change the recovery partition type from OEM to Recovery - but I only have two Primary partitions (a 100 mb system partition and the main file partition). Related link: http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/54058-windows-8-1-recovery-could-not-find-recovery-environment-3.html#post429799

Attempt #4: use the Media Creation Tool - after downloading, it would say it caot determine whether my computer is compatible, and suggest me to rerun it. And, as you would've guessed, reruing it gives the same result.

Attempt #5: I read online that people suggest me to unplug all USB and secondary drives. So I unhooked all other hard drives except for the main system drive (SSD) and tried to update; still fails.

I felt that I have exhausted all methods I can think of except for a fresh re-install. Could anyone please help?