Community Newsletter: Q&A forum: Help! My Windows automatic updates suddenly stopped working

I thing you shouold Mannualy update your computer by internet just download what you want and install it so this better for you

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/818018/

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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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.

Heres 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 youll 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 doesnt, feel free to contact me directly and Ill 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

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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

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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

It's just a placeholder, like an old painting you may hang on the wall until the new family photograph you intend to hang in that spot arrives. Lee created the post containing 'dummy text' with the intent of returning later and editing the post, replacing the 'dummy text' with the actual content to be posted.

John

You didn't mention any error messages you may have gotten. It's possible that Microsoft detected a bootleg OS or a crash code and blocked everything. You should still be able to get security updates.
Solution, by a license online from Microsoft and skip formatting and installing a new OS.

Time to switch to Vista Ultimate!!

this is ONE COOL program. it's what we use at work to fix a lot of stuff...

you might wanna tinker around with that small tool...

the "Policies" button is especially useful if you notice not being able to right-click your desktop and choose Properties. or, if you happen not to show the "Control Panel" icon after hitting the start button.

if you hit the "hammer" icon, it will also show you other stuff that it can fix. just tinker around with that tool... it's sure to remedy most MS stupidities. have fun!

Right Click "My Computer"
Left (select) MANAGE
At the bottom, double click "Services"
About 5 from the top you see "Automatic Updates"
Double click Automatic Updates
Is the Startup Type set to Automatic ??
Is the Service Status "Started"?

If the service has been disabled, or isn't running, you won't get
any updates.

You can also get here through the control panel
Administrative Tools
Services
then Automatic Updates

If the automatic update fails on your OS then its an issue with the MDAC corruption. Download a tool called Component Checker from http://support.microsoft.com and verify your MDAC is good. If you have lower version of MDAC then download and install the latest version of MDAC. This should resolve your issue.

Regards
Praveen

You probably picked up a bug through email or web browsing. Run your spyware like Ad-Aware ( http://www.lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_free.php ) from your registry then defrag. I don't claim to be a guru, but many times things go queer is due to bugs or infil-traitors.

Hi Clare
I haven't trolled through all the replies, so someone may have already mentioned this. I have found that Internet Explorer 7 (IE7) causes many problems similar to what you have described. I found several PCs that had IE7 on them and were using Microsoft Update (as opposed the the Windows Update - the diff being that the Microsoft Update does Office as well as Windows) took over an hour to even find any updates, let alone download and apply them. In every case, once I had uninstalled the pesky IE7 and re-installed the Microsoft Update (done by going to the Windows Update site and choosing the "upgrade" to Microsoft Update), everything worked as it should. Note: once done, you will need to ensure that you remove IE7 from the critical updates or you'll get it back again before you know it! You can do without IE7 anyway, as IE6 is fine for the sites you need IE for, and you can just use Firefox the rest of the time.
I hope some of that will be of use to you.
Cheers
Peter
P.S. Note also that every quarter MS changes something about the installed auto updates activeX control and you must go to the MS update site to manually get the revised version. Not doing this will screw up your updates somewhat until you do do it... nice one MS: way to make our lives needlessly "busy"...