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Community Newsletter: Q&A: Help! My Windows automatic updates suddenly stopped working
- 9/14/07 11:39 AM
Help! My Windows automatic updates suddenly stopped working
by Lee Koo (ADMIN) - 9/14/07 11:39 AM
Question
I have my Windows XP computer set to update automatically and
thought all was fine until I checked at the end of June. I
found that I had no updates installed since May 10 and
nothing I have done so far has helped. When I go to the site
to check for critical updates I either get no progress with
the scan or else if I get as far as seeing the 11 I need to
download I get no further once I click on the INSTALL button.
Even trying it singly has not helped. Please help!
--Submitted by Clare W.
Answer voted most helpful by our community members
Windows Updates
I have posted this before on C/Net, perhaps you have missed it. Worth a try if you have - so good luck as it came from a Microsoft NewsGroup when I had problems with WU.
Step 1:
Verify that your computer's date and time are accurate and that Internet Explorer language option is not empty.
To check the language setting in Internet Explorer:
1. Click "Tools" and then choose "Internet Options"
2. Click the lanuage button
3. Make sure at least one language is listed in the "Language Options" dialog.
When checking your date (including the year) and time, also check the Internet Time and Time Zone. Double click on the date/time in the notification/system tray area (near the clock) select Internet Time Tab and then select update now. If it's not already checked, check automatically synchronize with an internet Time Server - WinXP.
Step 2:
Also check these settings:
1. Tools>Internet Options> Advanced
2. Scroll down to the Security Settings.
3. Make sure that the two boxes are checked that say "Enable SSL 2" or "Enable SSL 3".
4. Uncheck "Check for server certificate revocation".
Step 3:
Also delete Temporary Internet Files
1. Tools>Internet Options >General
2. Under Temporary Internet files, click Delete Files, Clck OK
Step 4:
1. Tools> Internet Options > Security
Click Trusted sites, click Default level.
Click the sites button and clear the checkbox "Require server verification"
(http:) for all sites in this zone."
Now add the following:
http://*.windowsupdate.microsoft.com
https://*.windowsupdate.microsoft.com
http://download.windowsupdate.com
If required, reboot and try Windows Update again. If still no success, have a look at the following links for more clues.
_________________________________________
Further information:
You have not mentioned error code notifications, but this information is valuable just the same if you ever were to bump into these problems.
Error 0x800A138F
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/0x800a138f.htm
The aim here is to help you solve this 0x800A138F problem and have you updating your Windows XP Professional or Home Edition computer as soon as possible.
http://updatexp.com/0x800A138F
Windows Update has encountered an error and cannot display the requested page.
http://www.petri.co.il/wu_problems_800a138f.htm
0x800A138F
_________________________________________
Make sure you haven't got anything blocking Windows Update like
Nortons,
Zonealarm etc
Also make sure you don't have a Web Accelerator working in the backgound such as
Net Zero
HiSpeed
Speedband etc
Clear out your temporary internet cache
Try a reboot and then try WU again.
Are there any specific error codes that you do see?
At what point does it continue when checking for the latest software, or when checking for updates?
Still no joy, then try Renaming the SoftwareDistribution folder
Click START, Choose Run
In the Run box, type "services.msc. " (without the quotes)
Click OK
Right click the Automatic Updates service,
Click stop.
Stopping the service will take a moment.
Rename the "SoftwareDistribution" folder :
a. Click Start, click Run, type "%systemroot%" (without the quotes" and then click OK.
b. Right click the SoftwareDistribution folder, and then click Rename
c. Type SoftwareDistribution.old, and then press ENTER to rename this folder.
Click START
Choose Run
In the Run box, type "services.msc." without the quotes"
Click OK
Right -click the Automatic Updates service
Click Start.
Starting the service will take a moment.
Reboot if appropriate and try WU again.
Note when you rename the SoftwareDistribution folder - you will loose your history but not important.
_______________________________________________
Your Windows Update problem is exactly the same as I was having sometime ago and by going through the above (supplied from a Microsoft Newsgroup exchange) you should correct your problem and allow you to download and install WU's again.
Good Luck and don't hesitate to post back if you have a further question.
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10149_102-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=262366&messageID=2574665#2574665
--Submitted by CNET member tallin
If you have any additional advice or tips for Clare, let's hear them! Click on the "Reply" link to post. Please be detailed as possible in your answer. Thanks!
Windows Update Problem
by fnlvn2 - 8/31/07 6:28 PM In reply to: Help! My Windows automatic updates suddenly stopped working by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I'm not absolutely certain that I have the solution, but I had a similar problem and was able to resolve the problem by re-registering the windows update program dll's. Here's how:
Run regsvr32 on the following dll's:
wuap.dll
wuaueng.dll
wuaueng1.dll
wucltui.dll
wups.dll
wups2.dll
wuweb.dll
Reboot the system and go to Windows Update and try to install the updates from the site.
Help! My Windows automatic updates suddenly stopped working
by Szypura - 9/8/07 4:05 AM In reply to: Windows Update Problem by fnlvn2My advice.
Also I got a PC supported with Windows XP SP2 but never I adjusted setting any program into automatically updating because I know that it is a best manner to opening a gate for viruses, spies, etc., also never I installed any trays. I think that the updates also of Win XP should be periodically installed from the site to check for critical updates [e.g. once a week].
Caution!!!
If you would like to keep a clean PC, you should act carefully and judiciously; and never you should click without thinking or automatically on the INSTALL button.
WJS
updates cause ie to stop working
by mel may - 9/8/07 12:05 PM In reply to: Help! My Windows automatic updates suddenly stopped working by Szypuraevery time i update my i.e.#7 stoppes working and i have to do a sytem restore.
Odd
by WebAnt - 9/8/07 2:23 PM In reply to: updates cause ie to stop working by mel mayI have never had my Windows Update just up and stop working after an update or anything. I even reinstalled my Windows OS and never had a problem like that. Odd indeed. I guess not all computers are as stable as a Dell Dimension 4550 with Windows XP Home Edition SP-2.
Thank you for your post
by Clarep - 9/8/07 4:21 AM In reply to: Windows Update Problem by fnlvn2tried this but unsuccessful
Automatic Windows Update problem
by gmander - 9/9/07 12:03 AM In reply to: Windows Update Problem by fnlvn2I would certainly recommend that Clare try this solution, as it worked for me. Two qualifications though, this is a command line solution which should be written as follows if you have Window XP:
regsvr32.exe c:\windows\system32\wuweb.dll
and so on for the other .dll files.
If your windows directory is winnt, use that instead.
This solution will fix the automatic windows update, but don't expect the manual windows update to work using this solution. I have never been able to get the manual update to work, and I have followed all the directions from the Microsoft site and cleared the path in my firewall. I note that one of the responses for this thread is the same as the directions on the Micrsoft site.
Windows Update Failure
by jsheehy - 8/31/07 6:29 PM In reply to: Help! My Windows automatic updates suddenly stopped working by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Windows Update Failure
I support over 800 desktops at my 49 customer sites and this is a not uncommon problem, particularly after either a major hardware upgrade or a Windows reinstall. There are 3 probable causes for the problem:
1. The Windows Update Temporary folder is corrupted.
2. Update Agent 3.0 is not installed properly.
3. Installer 3.1 is corrupted.
Here’s how to fix them:
1. Clean up Windows Update temporary folder
1.1. Click Start, Run, type: cmd and press Enter. Please run the following command in the opened window.
Net stop WuAuServ
1.2. Click Start, Run, type: %windir% and press Enter.
1.3. In the opened folder, rename the folder SoftwareDistribution to Sdold.
1.4. Click Start, Run, type: cmd and press Enter. Please run the following command in the opened window.
Net start WuAuServ
2. Reinstall Windows Update Agent 3.0
2.1. Download the file from the following link:
http://download.windowsupdate.com/v7/windowsupdate/redist/standalone/WindowsUpdateAgent30-x86.exe
2.2. Save the file to C: drive Root (C:)
2.3. Click Start, Run, type: "C:WindowsUpdateAgent30-x86.exe /wuforce" (without quotations) and then press Enter to install the Windows Update engine. (There is a space between "C:WindowsUpdateAgent30-x86.exe" and "/wuforce")
Note: If you are using Windows Vista, please save the downloaded file to the D: drive, because the file cannot be launched directly from the C: root directory.
3. Reinstall Windows Installer 3.1 (important)
3.1. Press Start and choose Run.
3.2. Type in "cmd" (without quotation marks) and press OK.
3.3. In the command line, type in the following command and press Enter:
MSIexec /unregister (Note: there is a space before the “/”)
3.4. Then, type in the following command and press Enter:
MSIexec /regserver (Note: there is a space before the “/”)
4. Now, try running updates again. If they still fail, then you’ll need to do a reinstall of Windows Installer:
4.1. Start, click Control Panel, and click Add/Remove Programs to check if Windows Installer 3.1 has been installed.
4.2. If it has, highlight and remove it.
4.3. After that, reinstall Windows Installer 3.1 from the following link.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=889482fc-5f56-4a38-b838-de776fd4138c&DisplayLang=en
This should fix the problem. If it doesn’t, feel free to contact me directly and I’ll try to help you out.
Jim Sheehy
Sequel Data Systems
jsheehy@seqdatsys.com
714 398-8249
wow!
by wikichugoku - 9/7/07 7:21 PM In reply to: Windows Update Failure by jsheehythis is the closest thing that we usually do at work when fixing issues such as this.
apparently, we use automated tools, so reading your materials fascinated me. your instructions, albeit lengthy, are very good. in fact, they're like the manual version of the automations that we usually do. your method for fixing it should suffice.
cheers!
Update Failure
by Ponhook - 9/8/07 5:07 AM In reply to: Windows Update Failure by jsheehyI experienced this problem recently. Contacted Microsoft who promptly replied with possible causes and solution to the problem. I had installed what I can describe as a PC Maintenance Program called "Dustbuster". I uninstalled this and followed Step 1.1. Things returned to normal.
Possibly same problem
by Wadda - 9/8/07 12:16 PM In reply to: Windows Update Failure by jsheehyI am having the same problem with Office 2003 security update. It is sitting on my computer waiting to be installed but constantly comes back installation failed. I have Office 2002. How do I delete the update so it doesn't keep popping up? Is it the same intructions that were added to this solution?
Thank you,
Wadda
Microsoft Update problems
by steelgreg - 9/8/07 12:21 PM In reply to: Windows Update Failure by jsheehyWithout going into all the details I wish to notify you that there are an extensive number of postings regarding the inability to download the update called
Security Update for Microsoft.NET Framework Version 1.1 Service Pack 1 (KB928366)
It has been well documented by many users that there is something wrong with this update. It triggers the 'Updates Ready for Download' notification and it shows up in the scan of updates that are available for download but when you download it, you get 0 Bytes of file but yet it happily installs nothing and even tells you that your computer has been successfully updated.
I even tried to be helpful and notified Microsoft Support that there is an error in this file. This has been going on for several months. They of course said that the problem was on my end but there certainly are a lot of people who have the same problem on their end as indicated by all the posts on the subject.
I suggested to Microsoft that they re-write and re-issue the update file so that it works. ALL OF THE OTHER UPDATE FILES DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL AND APPEAR ON THE COMPUTER AS THEY SHOULD. Therefore, the problem is not in the downloading or installing aspects for update files, the problem is with this file which Microsoft is either too arrogant to re-write and re-issue or too lazy to do so. Your choice.
Maybe a respected organization like CNET can get Microsoft to listen. Until then, we will all be chasing updates that are not there except for the one noted above which is corrupt.
Greg McLean
steelgreg@oh.rr.com
.NET Framework Version 2.0
by jco - 9/9/07 6:06 AM In reply to: Microsoft Update problems by steelgregHello to everyone. MS's .NET Framework, Version 2.0 security update (aka 928365)has been hanging around for a couple months now, either with a group of updates, or on its own.
Attempts at installation always bring the same message: The installation has failed. This never happens with any other updates.
I vaguely remember reading somewhere that people have had various problems after installing this particular update. Strange as it may sound, my five-year-old system (a Dell) seems to be getting better as it ages. Even stranger, perhaps, is that I "listen" to the 'puter, and if it doesn't want something, I let it be.
One more thing: I haven't recently escaped from a mental ward. Promise. Girl Scouts' honor.
Below is how I fixed >>
by tallin - 9/9/07 1:39 PM In reply to: .NET Framework Version 2.0 by jcoIf you are running Windows XP/SP2 and are also running .NET.Framework 1.1. 2.0. 3.0 and have had problems installing two critical Windows Updates namely KB928365 and KB928366 which were released in the July patch Tuesday, here is the fix that was successful for me after one months research from various forums.
Firstly download and install https://psi.secunia.com/ and run a scan which will tell you heaps about your computer.
In my case it showed that two critical updates were missing and gave me the links to fix the problem.
In short I uninstalled (one at a time) firstly .NET Framework 1.1 and ran Windows Uninstall and Cleanup Utility which you can get from the following site:
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Secu...p-Utility.shtml. Then I reinstalled .NET Framework 1.1 went to Microsoft Updates and installed Microsoft .NET Framework Hotfix KB928366 successfully.
Please note that when uninstalling .NET Framework 1.1 by the above method then checking in Add and Remove it did not show as installed.
Secondly I then did the same thing with .NET Framework 2.0 following the links offered in https://psi.secunia.com/ uninstalling 2.0 running the cleanup utility and reinstalling.
Please also note that when I did the above for .NET Framework 2.0 and checked in Add and Remove it was still showing as installed, I clicked REMOVE and it proceeded to install over the existing installation successfully. I then went to Microsoft update and installed Hotfix KB928365 successfully.
In Add and Remove now all show as installed including hotfixes.
If you would like to read the actual thread where all this was achieved here is the link:
http://security-central.us/forums/showthread.php?t=9628
Please also note that some of the above ideas were mine so they do not show in the Security Central thread, but most were the expert work of little eagle
Hope this is clear to all.
kind regards,
Alternative link for utility
by UKposter - 9/18/07 8:59 AM In reply to: Below is how I fixed >> by tallinHi.
I kept getting the message that the utlity was no longer available on the link provided here. I did find what I think is the same utility here: http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Secure-cleaning/Windows-Installer-CleanUp-Utility.shtml
Thanks for the info on sorting out the Net Framework installation problems, I've had the same situation since July and will now try your suggested answer to the problem.
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