Windows Update won't update!

I am unable to access Windows Update. Can you tell me what to do to restore it? I get a blank page with the little word 'done' in the bottom left hand corner. I had to go to a web page called Windows Download to get the update Windows Media 9 which I hoped would help to get the following:-
Another think I cannot get is the miniature TV screen, QVCukLive when I go to QVCUK.com. Everything else seems to work OK, except for the occasional 'There is an error on the page at line? - Do you still want to continue' etc.
Bottom left hand corner still has little yellow triangle with exclamation mark and 'Done, but with errors on the page'
I did try the scf /scannow advice but it told me there was a missing dll file and then refused saying that the disk was not the same as the one which installed Windows XP - But I've checked and it IS the same! The professional confirmed that he had used MY disc. He didn't have one of his own.
Any more advice gratefully received. I'm not very technical and need it spelling out for a simple mind!! Thanks very much.
Pauline.

 

Windows update troubleshooter:

http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/troubleshoot/

Make sure you've disabled or turned off anything in the background that may be interferring with this:
Virus programs
Firewall
popup stopper
Check for correct security settings

etc. etc. etc.

Any errors of interest or pattern/frequent showing up in your event viewer:

http://www.wown.com/j_helmig/wxpevent.htm

=========
Are you sure you gave this enough time? Sometimes MS can move at a snails pace. I also frequently get the "Done" que on the Status Bar with a blank screen facing back at me. Yep, it's done all right! Done reading the script that informs activex/java what it needs to open, use, load and get to fill the page in. I wait a minute or two and then I get the status bar readouts of the page scripts "to-dos" as it finally begins to download and fill in the html page.

Sometimes this happens in a blink and other days I will close out and choose to come back some other time, when the traffic to the site has not zapped the servers bandwidth (?either MS.coms or my own?).

================
Random occasional, script errors are common it's when they are frequent and occur everywhere that a deeper look needs to be taken.

===What have you been able to update?=======

Have you installed XP sp1?

IE sp1?

Updated Directx?

I will have to dig up that url for corporate downloads or some viable alternative for "microsoft active downloads ". There's a link here at help-net somewhere but I'll have to find that also.

It's quite possible that any one of the above major updates may replace that missing XP file.

================
Do you know what this missing *.dll is named?

I will get back to you on the XP SFC /scannow problem.....

If you have installed the XP service pack this may be the difference between needing original cd files or the updated patched ones. If patched the newer files should be in a folder on the harddrive in (I think) \drivers cache\i386 folder. Don't hold me to that because I don't know if this is default regardless of version; home, professional, corp. or OEM.

This may need a registry redirect tweak or something but we need to discover why this is happening and fix it. You will need that CD accepted as your original install source, because I can guarantee your going to need it in the future just as you apparently need it now.

I need to do a study-up. There may well be some "past posts" in the Archives that cover this but I haven't been there yet. I'm working at a leisurely pace, just trying to get this ball a rollin' since you've been sitting here for a while.

I shall now go poke around

As a side Note* Why did you have this in a shop or taken to a tech? Why isn't this tech being held responsible for your CD refusal or at least offering explanations as to possible causes?

 

Thank you Goddez 1 - so very much for your lengthy reply to my problem.
I will try to answer each point.
I run McAfee Firewall, Virus online, and Spamkiller 4.
I have checked for correct security settings and all other websites work.
I have given enough time and know what you mean about MS websites taking time to download.
I am on ADSL. continuous telephone connection.
I have updated to SP1 months ago.
I was able to update to Windows Media 9 and Windows Messenger update to latest by going to a website I found called Windows Downloads.
I don't know about DirectX ....How do I do it?
When I run sfc scannow I get the window that it is verifying Windows file Protection - Then another window that says its the wrong CD - but it isn't! I've put in the number and everything.
The blue line crept along with periodic secondary window saying For Windows to run properly Files must be copied to the DLL cache. And Retry, etc. lot of times. It kept saying it was the wrong CD.
Yesterday I did get to the blue page which asked me if I wanted to download XP, Upgrade XP . There were four things. I went to the fourth one and got the answer that three of my hardware/programs were not compatible. The Adaptec CD-R Filter Driver, Logitech Key Commander and the programme 'Easy CD Creator 5. They were not compatible with this version of Windows XP and will be disabled during upgrade. Consequently I went no further as they are working and I thought I'd better leave them alone.
Whether this is relevant to me not being able to access Windows Update or not I don't know.
I feel I'd like to run a programme to correct the installation.
Something like 'Repair'!!
Did I mention that I can't get the QVC Live TV window - which I used to be able to do.
I run McAfee Quick Clean regularly, Defrag Regularly and Scan for Addware and Viruses and am quite, quite Clean. I do run Registry First Aid but only use the automatic 'fix it.'
Is it something to do with Javascript do you think? I really don't know what I'm talking about.
from Pauline - with appreciation for your attention.

 

Pauline Miles--Windows Update cannot run unless ActiveX controls are Enabled (or at Prompt--in which case you will be asked if you wish to allow them to run). Easiest way to accomplish this may be to put the Windows Update URL into your Trusted Sites. Uncheck the box "Require server verification... ".
Or use the MS PowerTweaks tool mentioned about 60% of the way down in this article
http://www.infinisource.com/techfiles/surf-safe.html
In view of the other problems you have this may not be the solution, but it does not hurt to try.
Internet Explorer Critical Download site
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/critical/default.asp

 

You could try this also

Copy and paste this into the Internet Explorer address bar

%windir%\windows update.log

and hit Enter.
Scroll down to the current date and look for the error being reported.
Copy and paste those back here (Only) the last 20 lines of the log file.


As for WMP try updating from within its options.

Regards
Lonny

 

I did try the scf /scannow advice but it told me there was a missing dll file and then refused saying that the disk was not the same as the one which installed Windows XP

This is maybe not a good sign. What brand of PC are you running and do you have a normal XP Install CD or a 'recovery CD' of some sort?

 

A few references with a few ideas for sfc /scannow problemgoogle has a ton more)

http://www.experts-exchange.com/Operating_Systems/WinXP/Q_20691721.html

http://www.experts-exchange.com/Operating_Systems/WinXP/Q_20916025.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;291594

===Here's something I've done myself===

Alternative to having to refer to the XP cd in a rom drive is to copy it a folder on the harddrive and change the install source path in the registry. Reads are faster and you aren't plagued by a problematic fussy cdrom read/write mishap.

I'd make a folder on the harddrive and call it "XPholder ".

Put the Xp cd in the cdrom and explore or open it to the i386 folder. (use the shift key during insert to avoid autorun or exit out of the install screen should it popup)

Copy the \i386 folder to the XPholder folder

Now you need to open your registry and change the install source path so that it points to this folder rather than the cdrom.

From the taskbar startbutton

click on the startbutton

Scroll to the run line and type in regedit

Scroll to the hkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup

On the right is a string value named SourcePath

You need to double click on this key (named "SourcePath ") and delete the (existing path value)words out and put the new path in.

Example if using "xpholder" folder with i386 folder in it and it is on the c:\drive

c:\xpholder\

NOTE*In actuality I had the space so I copied the whole xp cd here.

 

Pauline

Those entries in the windows update log are fine, O was hoping to see an error number and a "failed" that would then have been easy to look up.

Continue with the other's here in this thread.
They now lots more then I do

Meanwhile would you explain exactly what happens and when at windows updates ?
You go there after a pause , usually there will then be a scan for updates, clicking it then its will proceed to 33% and seam to freeze , after a bit 66& wait then finally it comes back with any updates if available, if there are there will then will be a ULA agreement (popup) click yes then the download begins.
after the download then an installation windows should be shown ?



In you other thread you mention a "Internet Explorer - yellow "error" triangle " " thats a script error , are you getting them at windows update ?


See what the others have to say about this first please >
You could download and install Windows Script 5.6
Download details Windows Script 5.6 for Win-2000 and XP:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c717d943-7e4b-4622-86eb-95a22b832caa&DisplayLang=en

copy and past into IE's addressbar
javascript:navigator.userAgent
Hit enter or go
and copy paste that back here for us please

 

download scripten.exe

I get the message that 'This is not a valid Win32 application'???
Also, as regards what happens when I click Windows Update. I just get a blank screen with yellow triangle in bottom left hand corner and the words 'error on the page'. Yellow trangle is there on every webpage. With regard to all Ann's instructions about the Registry Editor. I am too unsure of my knowledge to try. Yes, I'm chicken. Thanks all the same. P.

 

Any popup stopper such as google or similar?

Use what ever option allows you to override the popup stop when clicking on the links from within microsoft update.

=======
Can't hurt the registry editing this hkey. You can export the key to your desktop before the edit and if and when you choose to, double click on the export to restore the old hkey value should you feel the need.

Or set a "restore point" before the edit. You can always go back to that restore point.

You can't do many things you may need to such as an xp repair or something as simple as a file extract, with your current cd problem.

Editing the registry is really not as spooky or as risky as it may have been in older windows versions. Treated with respect and using the proper level of precautions, reversing most, if not all, of what you do is quite easy.

Oh well... You have to do what's right for you and if your not ready to venture into this area perhaps that's for the best.

 

From what's been said it sounds like you have already got the updates, IE sp1 and for wmp ?

But try this go to windows update and when you see the triangle
double click it , then write down all that information here for us, it may provide a clue

do this to

copy and past into IE's addressbar
java script:navigator.userAgent
Hit enter or go
and copy paste that back here for us please

 

Please reply here rather than use personal message's
========
Internet Explorer

Problems with this webpage might prevent it from being displayed properly or functioning properly. In the future you can display this message by double clicking the warning icon displayed in the status bar.

*Always display this message when a page contains errors.
*Show details

Details:-
Line 2
Char 1
Error V is undefined
Code 0
Url http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
======
Jim has suggested adding windows update to the trusted zone of internet explorer you said you have but did you untick the box to
require server verifaction ?
try adding all these
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
http://v4.windowsupdate
https://a248.e.akamai.net
=====
also try this
Start Internet Explorer
On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
Click the Connection tab.
Click LAN Settings, and then click to clear the Automatically detect settings check box.
Click to clear the Use automatic configuration script check box, click OK two times, and then quit Internet Explorer.
Restart Internet Explorer, and then install the update on the Microsoft Windows Update Web page.
========

and these suggestions also
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;193385&Product=wupd

Good luck

 

On all three of my machines this AM Windows Update goes as far as saying " Checking for latest Version of Software " and just sits there.

A couple of times it did not even go that far.

I tired some of the links provided by Lonny Jones and it just locks up.

BillyBob

 

Just tried the Windows Update @ 11:00 AM PDT and worked OK for me. Windows 98SE and IE 5.5.

 

Windows won't update

Thanks to Goddez and to Lonny Jones.
I've done all Lonny's suggestions and no difference. O think I may have something seriously wrong with my Errors on the Internet pages and will try some of Goddez suggestions when I am rested and have a length of time to quietly follow the instructions. I appreciate everyones' attempts to help me. It's nice to know there are friends out there.
Sorry I replied on the personal line to Lonny. Got a bit mixed up. Pauline.