Community Newsletter: Q&A: Help! My Windows automatic updates suddenly stopped working
- 9/14/07 11:39 AM
hi,
by gryk_yzyn - 9/28/07 5:13 AM In reply to: Windows XP updates! by VSVermahiry to scan disk for disk error or bad sector and if not try to repair windows
Mannualy u can update your system
by jayesh.bajpai - 9/2/07 12:04 AM In reply to: Help! My Windows automatic updates suddenly stopped working by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I thing you shouold Mannualy update your computer by internet just download what you want and install it so this better for you
update not working?
by anthony fox - 9/2/07 2:46 AM In reply to: Help! My Windows automatic updates suddenly stopped working by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
clare i recently had the same problem it turned out that my pc date was wrong. worth a try. bye.
Troubleshooting Microsoft Window or Microsoft Update
by AceOfJrSpades - 9/2/07 5:03 AM In reply to: Help! My Windows automatic updates suddenly stopped working by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Windows XP
by gramax5 - 9/2/07 5:11 AM In reply to: Help! My Windows automatic updates suddenly stopped working by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi Clare,
I had the same problem as you have and found out that the XP in my computer was owned by someone else that's why it wouldn't update.
I had to purchase a new operating system Home Addition Windows XP and now it's updating.
updates are not downloading
by ksteil - 9/2/07 10:56 AM In reply to: Help! My Windows automatic updates suddenly stopped working by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi, Clare
just a thought, have you changed, upgraded, or re-installed you firewall recently?
When I tried to download something, everything seemed to be proceeding fine, but nothing actually got into my PC. A clearing adjustment to the programs in the firewall did the trick.
just help others & it will also help you
by tahseen_n2o - 9/12/07 4:33 PM In reply to: updates are not downloading by ksteilsometimes when you install illeagle toolbars or don`t use precautions,
firewall or antivirur popups blocking
then your internet explorer(IE) begans to clash & so some time that heppens that you can`t open download or can`t open links or your IE stops responding
so their is a simple way just reinstall internet explorer
n be carefull next time
reply
by bcjxbcjx69 - 9/2/07 11:29 AM In reply to: Help! My Windows automatic updates suddenly stopped working by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
sometimes , the update is already done or there is no update released from microsoft. you can choose to have a custom search for update to see if there is any other updates available. anyway , do not worry if u care get updates because as long as u have it set to automatic , critical updates will be installed
Anti-virus Software Working as Advertised.
by deltoncbaker - 9/2/07 12:28 PM In reply to: Help! My Windows automatic updates suddenly stopped working by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Sometimes,(almost always when we are in a hurry)the Anti-virus pops up and ask stupid questions. Sometimes, it asks if we want to allow some obscure and cryptic file name access to the internet. I am willing to bet your computer did just that and your response was "NO." By doing so your computer can no longer download its Critical Updates. I don't know why we can't force manufacturers to register their Executable file names, so anti-virus software makers can use that data to in a DATA BASE to tell you more information about those cryptic file names that are trying to access the internet?
Soultion for Windows Update
by MatthewWizard - 9/4/07 4:31 PM In reply to: Help! My Windows automatic updates suddenly stopped working by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I recently had problems using windows update. Something was blocking me from downloading the updates. With a little investigation in the system processes I found the one that was locking up my Internet Explorer 7 broswer. It was the Google toolbar. I uninstalled the toolbar using Add remove programs applet in My Computers Control Panel. Now I'm able to update my computer. Hope this helps...
Matt W.
could be a virus
by Mr.RumPig - 9/4/07 4:37 PM In reply to: Help! My Windows automatic updates suddenly stopped working by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I had problems on my computer accessing the critical updates page on the Microsoft update page due to the active X controls and security settings required; but if you're getting as far as to see what updates you need then I suspect this is not your problem. I've never seen one for real but I've heard of some viruses that can prevent Windows update from working properly, so that's the first thought I have. Have you done a virus scan? There's some good free av programs on download.com you can use, my personal favourite is Avast home edition.
Another thing you might want to take a look at is your hosts file which Windows XP uses to match domain names and computer names to ip addresses. You can view and edit this with the text editor. To refer to itself, a computer uses the ip address of 127.0.0.1 (called the loopback address), some viruses exploit this by putting other entries in your hosts file and mapping them to the loopback address, essentially stopping your computer from accessing that site or computer. The only entry in your hosts file with this loopback address should be called localhost. (Ignore anything that starts with a # symbol as these are just examples, your computer ignores any entries starting with #). If there's other entries mapping to 127.0.0.1 you can be pretty sure it's been maliciously modified, so delete these entries and save. There might be more than one hosts file on your machine, (mine has one in C:\WINDOWS\I386 and C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc for example) so might be a good idea to check 'em all. Just do a search and make sure you're searching system folders, hidden files/folders etc. Hope this helps...
Interactive free help - for US and Canada
by twiztwas - 9/5/07 12:58 PM In reply to: Help! My Windows automatic updates suddenly stopped working by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
For those in the US and Canada, the best answer is easy, free, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days week; just call Microsoft at Call 1-866-PCSafety, which is 1-866-727-2338. Do tell Microsoft that the problem is with their updates to avoid charges.
Help in USA and Canada.
by mrlemarquis - 9/8/07 12:33 AM In reply to: Interactive free help - for US and Canada by twiztwasThat may be the case, but here in Europe, the situation is more complicated! I had my first dealings with Microsoft due to problems with installing already downloaded updates. The problem started on Windows Defender, and rapidly passed to normal updates service! After many emails, I finally started a long winded process with Microsoft UK and Microsoft France, both at the same time!
The interesting thing was that both gave different ideas/solutions, for the same problem, getting more and more complicated as time went on!
I followed ALL the suggestions, to no avail, and finally the only remedy was to back up everything and do a clean, new Installation of XP-SP2.
Time consuming and annoying, and the next time I have a similar problem, be assured, I'll try the simpler of the solutions given, and won't bother with Microsoft - just go straight to Installing a new copy - as long as Microsoft let me!!!
Potential winning answers
by Lee Koo (ADMIN) - 9/7/07 4:31 PM
In reply to: Help! My Windows automatic updates suddenly stopped working by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Here are the selected submissions grouped in one post. Read through them and place your votes in the newsletter poll.
Answer:
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: tallin
***********************************************************************
Answer:
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
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10149_102-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=262366&messageID=2574623#2574623
Submitted by jsheehy
***********************************************************************
Answer:
Claire, I have had problems [although not as bad as yours] w/Win, Office & MS Update websites & MS Auto Update. I suggest you might want to try some of the following:
1. Call MS Tech Support - Support for MS/Win/Office Updates/Auto Update problems are FREE!
2. In the past I have found that my Firewall [ZoneAlarmPro] has interfered w/scanning & downloading from MS/Win/Office Update website. In my case it was the the Privacy settings for Cookies & PopUps that caused the problems & I have to turn them off when visiting these website; although, it has not interfered w/Auto Update downloads & installs. Also check to see if permission is granted/authorized in your Firewall to 'use' the MS/Win/Office Update websites & search engines. NOTE: You may also have to be able to process MS WGA engine validation of your MS software; before, you can download some optional updates.
3. You might also try turning off your Anti-Virus to see if it is interfering & check any Anti-Spyware programs to see if they are interfering.
4. Occasionally, I run into an Update that will not download and/or install! In that case, I get the update tile & #, and go looking for it in the FAQ KB files & in MS Download website. However, from experience, MS fails to be consistent in two areas:
a. One many times only the FAQ Search Engine will find KB files by # or Title. Other MS Search Engines will sometimes not find them; especially, when searching by KB#!
b. Particularly in MS Download website [NOTE: this is a separate website from MS/Win/Office Update websites!] the downloads may not be identified to a KB# or Title - in fact it may have a different title all together! MS apparently has no QC for consistency in this area of identifying downloads & FAQs w/same titles & KB#s. Also KB articles will sometimes fail to id links to MS Download website relevant files! or sometimes to the MS/Win/Office Update websites! Also about 10% of the time when I am 'manualing' downloading an update @ MS Download website, I have to contact MS Tech Support to find the manual download update link vice the MS/Win/Office Auto Update one! Because, there was no links in relevant FAQs and/or I can not find download file by KB # or Title! The manual update links are also the one's that IT Dept. use that want to do their own update installations; rather, than use auto update for their machines!
I use it; because, I can use my Download Mgr on these files to speed up the download & resume them if the download connection is broken [I have a slow dailup internet connection - BroadBand is currently not available @ my house location] that is subj to frequent interruptions!] [Note: MS is only just installing RESUME on their MS/Win/Office Update websites!]. Plus, I know where [e.g. "My Download" folder] all the files downloaded by my Download Mgr [DAC - Download Accellerator] are filed for future or repeated use & to update my other 2 PCs [they have identical OS & Office sfw configs.] w/o having to download them all over again!
I hope this helps you w/your problem. BWH
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10149_102-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=262366&messageID=2574824#2574824
Submitted by bwh48
***********************************************************************
Answer:
Make sure you have not been thrown off by Genuine Advantage
Microsoft Genuine Advantage is another ploy to stop piracy of the fames OSs of Microsoft. Your Windows Xp may be denied updates because of any of the following:
1.Windows Xp AutoUpdate Subscription
2.The serial key on your CD sleeve may need to be re-entered for Genuine Advantage to recognize your copy as genuine.
Make sure the system properties do not show any problem with your copy of Windows Xp.
Also try accessing the Windows Update through control panel and capture the error it returns with, if any.
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10149_102-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=262366&messageID=2574738#2574738
Submitted by spacecrew
Not clear
by tallin - 9/7/07 11:21 AM In reply to: Potential winning answers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Lee Koo,
Not understanding your last post - can you be more clear please.
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