Wanted - the secrets of how to get MS Windows Updates

I have just tried to Update my Windows ME for the first time. I selected the items to update, removed the ones that had to be updated on their own then pressed 'Install Now' and a dialogue box headed 'Windows Update- Web Page D' came on screen. It said, "Windows Update is downloading the updates to be installed on your computer. Please wait. Windows Me System Restore Update ". It had three windows headed Download progress, Install programs and Cancel. After 30 minutes without any sign of life or movement I eventually pressed Cancel and it had the temerity to ask me 'if I was sure?'. could someone please answer that proverbial and incessant question which always seem to be on my lips these days.... what might I have done wrong this time? An acquaintance suggested downloading BITS2.0 but this appears to be applicable to Windows XP.

Kind regards,
Pat

 

Pat, my only suggestion is to try the Catalog update site. Here you'll find your updates and download the setup files for them and then install on your own. http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/catalog/en/default.asp

When I was running ME, I was able to update "normally ", but I stopped doing it that way early on when the Catalog site became available sometime in 2002. I stopped not because it didn't work, but because I wanted to save the setup files. I do XP updates this way and avoid using AU other than to tell me what updates there are.

An acquaintance suggested downloading BITS2.0 but this appears to be applicable to Windows XP.
You're right, for XP.

Regards - Charles

 

Forgot to ask:

Is the Restore folder full by any chance? When you bring SR up, how far back do the restore points go?

What you might try if it appears that SR is at it's max is to to get rid of half of them by move the slider back to 5% of drive space - reboot, and moving the slider to max, then trying the updates again.

Regards - Charles

 

Thankyou Charlesvar for your reply. How do I check if the 'Restore folder' is full or up to its quota? It is 7th Feb.. I went into 'Restore' and it indicated two bold dates 1st and 4th Feb. but no warning to say it is full!
Kind regards,
Pat

 

Hi Pat,

I went into 'Restore' and it indicated two bold dates 1st and 4th Feb. but no warning to say it is full!
It's not full according that.

To check what the allocated size is: System > Files System and see whether SR is set to the default max size which I think is 10%.

On the chance that its corrupt or not working properly, move the slider down to 0 - that'll empty the restore folder (it's a "Hidden" system file called _Restore). Reboot and go back and move the slider back up to either the full 10% or to something less than that.

Then give one of the updates a go and see what happens.

Regards - Charles

 

Er...er, where do I find System>File System Charlesvar?
Pat

 

Hi Pat,

Sorry, it's been a while: Control Panel > System > Properties tab > File System.

Regards - Charles

 

Thankyou Charlesvar. That obviously solved it because it is downloading fine now. I do assume that if only the word "Remove" follows the download it is both telling you it has been installed to your computer and is simply an invitation to remove it it if you so feel so inclined to?

Kind regards,
Pat

 

That message sounds like it downloaded but didn't update yet. How do you have the AU options set up? Sounds like you have it setup to notify that it's downloaded and to allow you to choose when to update.

Check to see if the update installed. If Critical, there should be Add/Remove entries for it, or make a pass against the Update site and see if it offers those updates again.

Regards - Charles

 

You were quite correct in everything you said Charles. Yesterday I both checked the 22 Critical Updates downloaded and then were installed. Unfortunately on re-booting I got the blue screen with error 06:0000:00000017. It took me an hour before I finally managed to boot into Safe Mode. I noticed all the Updates in Add/Remove and had to make a decision whether to remove them all or do a Restore. I did a Restore to yesterday and it re-booted okay. I then noticed the Updates had all disappeared. I don't think I will bother with any more Updates, the tension is too great! Meanwhile before I sink slowly beneath the quagmire I must thankyou for all your help Charles.......

Kind regards,
Pat

 

Hi Pat,

I wouldn't give up - if I were doing the updates, I would do them the way I outlined in my first post in this thread, one at a time and "manually ", which is the way I did them on WinME and continue to do them on XP.

Anyway, I'm sorry that this didn't work out.

Regards - Charles

 

Thankyou Charles. I took your advice and did them one at a time and that has proved to be much more successful!

Kind regards,
Pat

 

Hi Pat,

Gratified at the successful outcome and thanks for letting me know.

Regards - Charles