Windows Update connection problem

When running Windows Update a 'Thank you' page shows and no update occurs. This has gone on for three weeks now. I've visited the 'Windows Update Troubleshooter' site but found no listing for Win 98. A fix for Win XP calls for a registry change which I tried. I had ZoneAlarm firewall running, and I uninstalled it with no luck. I reinstalled IE 6.0 with no luck. I hate the thought of reinstalling Win 98. Help!

 

Thanks for the reply, Arie. I did install the latest version of IE 6.0 available from Microsoft as of two weeks ago. The package included SP1 and other items. I have a suspicion that I've lost something in the registry that identifies my OS to Windows Update. However, I tried using the oldest registry backup from my backup HD with no luck. I'm really at my wit's end!

 

bigboy29--Long shot--Put the Windows Update URL into IE tools|Internet Options|Trusted Sites. (Uncheck the box "Require Server Verification... ") Apply|OK.

 

No luck

Thanks for your reply. I listed the WinUpdate URL in the trusted sites section of IE 6 with no results. I even reinstalled IE 6 via the Control Panel, checked to see if the trusted sites list was intact, but no luck yet.

 

I am not sure if you read the page Arie has supplied, but does the below apply to you?

This may occur if you access the Internet through a firewall or proxy that does not allow the Windows Update Web site to receive the correct HTTP user-agent request header ( "HTTP_USER_AGENT ") for Internet Explorer. Windows Update uses the operating system information that the navigator.userAgent property returns to determine if you are running a supported operating system. Some firewalls or proxy servers may send user-agent information that is incorrect or difficult to interpret.

In other words, if you are using some type of software to protect your privacy it may stopping you.

 

Still no luck

So far, I have tried everything suggested by all. I uninstalled (not just turned off) AdAware and ZoneAlarm, then booted to a minimal Windows config. Still get the "Thanks" page. I checked the registry for components and it shows IE 6.0. I have reinstalled IE 6 twice and installed the latest security fix (Q889293). Now what?

 

bigboy29--For Windows Update security related problems, MS offers a free telephone support 1-866PCSAFETY.
There is also an option to send a report online from
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/d...d=815&enval=815&ln=en-us&tp=wm&as=1&tzone=420
Do not know if this will work for Win98.
And you can see all recent Security Updates at this site and download manually
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/current.aspx
This site will tell you whether the update applies to Win98.
If you have qfecheck.exe on your PC, you should be able to see which updates you already have. You may have to run it from a Start|Run or even MS-DOS prompt. (I cannot remember in Win98.)

 

Welchjim:
Thanks for the info. I am waiting for a reply from MS Support right now.
As far as direct downloading from http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/current.aspx, that doesn't work for Win 98. Must go thru Win Update.

 

Still no luck

Just a note to update this thread. I have been working with MS Customer Service (outsourced to China via Canada by MS) and have just about done so much uninstall/reinstall that I am ready to euthanize this OS. Can't understand why such difficulty with a handshake protocol. Anyway, MS is sending me (free of charge) a new Win98SE disk to play with. Still hoping...

 

I just went to Windows Update from 98 SE.

After scan it says " No Critical Updates Available at this time "

" However, Windows Update has found other updates for your Computer. "

That is as far as it goes. The litte Red bar at the bottom of the screen just sits at about halfway.

It has been doing that for WEEKS.

I just checked the 2nd 98 SE machine and it found 4 Critical updates.

Which I will get tomorrow as it is time for our Tuesday evening Golf game.

BillyBob