Resolved Looking for security updates for new install

I have come across computers with Windows XP SP3 and IE8 but only Windows Update installed. WU works fine but lately, after Windows XP "end of support ", upgrading to Microsoft Update aborts with an error message. I found out that it happened just about when the information bar should ask for download confirmation. Some kind of malfunction of the information bar but I don't understand exactly why it happens. (Microsoft fat fingers?) Anyway, I temporarily turned the information bar off, went back to Windows Update and was able to upgrade it to Microsoft Update. Afterwards, I turned the informationbar back on.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/internet-explorer-information-bar-faq#1TC=windows-7

It states "Windows 7" but it came with the same IE8 ... ... and I only changed the "turn off the Information bar for file downloads "!

Maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree ... ... but it's a quick test.

 

I checked one of those computers and today ... ... it was not possible to access Microsoft Update with the error code 0x80248015. Automatic Update is set to "notify but not download" and it will be interesting to see if it comes up with the Malicious Software Removal Tool and possibly updates to Office 2007.

 

Try running the Microsoft FixIt to reset Windows Update components, How do I reset Windows Update components?

Also you have the Automatic Updates setting set to Automatically install updates correct? Internet Explorer 8 and Windows XP Service Pack 3 are both installed I assume?

 

No the Update Agent that I had you download was safe and for good measure I scanned all the files using Virus Total and all the files came up clean.

Its possible that certain dll files just didn't register properly when you installed Windows XP.

Do you have a Windows XP SP3 CD available?

If you don't then create one using this method, Slipstreaming Windows XP Service Pack 3 and Create Bootable CD.

Once you have a working Windows XP SP3 CD then lets use this method to repair your system:

1. Download the portable version of Windows Repair (All In One) from here, Windows Repair (All In One). (Make sure you have your computer running in a clean boot state BEFORE running repairs. If you need assistance with performing a clean boot then follow the instructions here, How to perform a clean boot in Windows)

2. Download the portable zipped folder to your desktop.

3. Extract the contents of the zipped folder, and then right click on the Repair_Windows.exe file and select run as administrator.

4. After the program opens, click on the Step 3 tab and click the Do It button to have the program run Check Disk on the file system. Screenshot.

5. After the computer finishes running Check Disk, start the program again and proceed to Step 4.

6. Click on the Step 4 tab and click on the Do It button to allow the program to run the System File Checker to find and fix any corrupt Windows files. Screenshot.

7. After SFC finishes, proceed to the Step 5 tab.

8. On the Step 5 tab go ahead and create a new system restore point before starting the repair by clicking on the Create button under the System Restore area. Screenshot.

9. Once that is done click on the Start Repairs tab.

10. On the Start Repairs tab click on the Start button and select Run when prompted. Screenshot.

11. The Windows Repairs window will open. Now ensure that ONLY the checkboxes in the program are checked as indicated below:

Reset Registry Permissions
Reset File Permissions
Reset Service Permissions
Register System Files
Repair WMI
Repair Windows Firewall
Repair Internet Explorer
Repair MDAV/MS Jet
Repair Hosts Files
Remove Policies Set By Infections
Repair Start Menu Icons Removed by Infections
Repair Icons
Repair Winsock & DNS Cache
Remove Temp Files
Repair Proxy Settings
Repair Windows Updates
Set Windows Services to Default Startup
Restore Important Windows Services
Repair MSI (Windows Installer)

12. Then when those checkboxes are selected, click on the checkbox that says Restart System when Finished.

13. Now click on the Start button to start the repair process.

14. The process could take some time so please be patient.

15. After the repair process finishes, the computer will be rebooted.

16. See if there is any difference after performing the above steps.

 

Ok I have another method to try.

Download and install Mozilla Firefox.

Then install this add-on for Firefox, Enhanced IE Tab which will allow you to access the Windows Update website using Firefox.

See if using Firefox will allow the Windows Update website to display properly.

 

Can you take a screenshot of the complete error message in Windows Update please and post it in your next reply? Thanks.

 

The screenshot shows that you are using Windows Update and have not upgraded to Microsoft Update but it doesn't work at all? Have you attempted an upgrade to Microsoft Update?

I have a computer next to me with only WU and it works fine. It runs and it finds the "new" KB890830. When I try to upgrade to MU, after a few steps it shows a similar error message to yours but with a different error code:

0x80248015

The work-around, in my previous post, to get MU installed does not work this time.

I am 90% certain that the problem is not in your box but down to "Microsoft Fat Fingers ". I would sit on my hands and wait rather than hunt for gremlins!

By the way, checking out the "new" KB890830 it says that it is still the february release that is available ... ... the march release is delayed a couple of weeks.

 

Okey but it's still strange that one of my old computers have started acting up and my CMOS battery is fine, no date/time problems. Microsoft Update has worked fine for years but now, a manual check aborts but the updates show up by Automatic Update.

Regard this as "rhetorical ", I don't want to prolong your agony ... ... and I am sitting on my hands!

 

Well its good that you found out it was your CMOS battery causing the date/time to be off.

Did you notice that the date/time wasn't correct when you first installed Windows XP?