Resolved Can't access Windows updates

December patch day updates didn't help any?

 

You may like to try my tutorial though old it is specific to Windows XP.

Note, only start from Method 2

kind regards,

 

Thank you for all the suggestions. I finally got through them all. I was able to get the guaranteed validation tool installed, by installing it in safe mode, but I am still unable to do normal Windows updates. It allows me to choose express mode, but then I just get a continuous searching sign, with nothing coming up. Obviously, the December update didn't help, as it couldn't be done. I followed all the recommendations by tallin, but none of those showed any change. I also notice in task manager that svchost.exe is taking 98-99% of the CPU, and the CPU always shows 100% usage, so everything is very slow. I can't even populate the list in add or remove programs. Any suggestions on what to do from here?

 

Barry, How long is it since you have had your computer cleared for Malware and Virus Removal. I would be interested to see that result after Broni takes a look.

kind regards,

 

This is a fresh install, but I did run all of Broni's programs just to be sure.

 

Oh! then I am sorry I am all out of ideas....except to post to Broni for a personal check on your system. You never know he may come up with the right fix for you.

best regards,

 

Thank you for your input. I can download the updates individually, and my son is also in Melbourne (though on the other side of the world from you -- Florida), so he doesn't use this computer much. It is more an exercise for my own understanding of computers than a particular need, especially since there will only be an additional 4 updates. I'll see if anyone else might have some suggestions.

 

I thought I had the problem fixed, but I am experiencing the same problem on a new install as well. The only way I can get updates installed is to let the scan tool do its thing for an hour or two. XP is soon to be retired, so I am not going to try and fix this problem. I guess I'll take the HD out of the old machine and put it in my Win 7 setup.

 

I guess it is nice to know I have company and am not the only one to have this problem. I do find it strange that after all these years with XP (including the multiple fresh installs) I never encountered this problem before. Maybe it is just Microsoft's way of convincing people to upgrade to a new operating system. I let the automatic updates scan over night, and it was gone in the morning, but no updates were done. I'll run the manual update and let it run. Maybe that will give me the result you got. Thanks for the feedback.

 

It's possible. Then again, it could be nature of the beast - meaning that old software is past its prime.

I should have clarified my previous post. I actually went to the update site and let the scan tool do its thing instead of relying on the popup tool in the system tray.

 

Christmas day here so I have no time to read right through your thread Barry, however thought of Microsoft Fixit tool for Windows Updates.

Have you tried it I wonder?

best wishes, and Happy Christmas from Australia

 

That is what I did, and it did work, though hours later. I found the .net update to not work, though, so I'm running it again. I read about uninstalling all .net files and then doing a fresh install of.net 4, so I'll do that.

 

Hi Guys, Just found this at MS:http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946928/en-gb
How to get the latest WU Downloader.
You need to scroll down the page and download the appropriate version. ie. 32bit or 64bit. Neil.

 

The fixit tool only fixed 1 of the 4 problems, and it wouldn't let me send the information to Microsoft to come up with a personal solution.
Neil, your WU Downloader is an older version, not the newest one, so the computer wouldn't allow an older version to be installed.
I've uninstalled all my .net files and am now reinstalling a full install of .net 4. I'll see if that allows WU to work properly.

 

Did you use this link in the 1st paragraph: How to update the Windows Update Agent to the latest version. Neil.

 

Barry, I've just tried to use WU in my XP Pro Sp3 comp, and the 1st screen said it was checking to see if I was set receive Updates followed by the screen giving me the choice of Express or Custom.
I had another screen show up Welcome and a big red circle with NEW! in it.
I clicked on the Startnow button and another screen opened with Welcome (Review the License Agreement) and I clicked on Continue button.
The next screen - another Welcome and a check in the box for Automatic Updates: on. So I clicked on the Check for Updates Button.
Next screen I did the Custom search and it found about 14 Updates that had not been installed automatically.
For some reason I think this was like setting it all up again from scratch and Belarc Advisor now tells me that all IS up to date.
I had been blithely assuming that Auto Update in Windows was working OK, but BelArc Advisor said there a number of Updates missing.
I'm beginning to think that somehow WU got switched off and doing an original sign up has set it all going again. I hope my explanation of what I experienced may be of help to you. Neil.
P.S. My XP Home SP3 comp has been working on Auto Update quite OK.

 

I have been very busy lately, so haven't kept up on this. Let me fill you in on what I've discovered. I find that by manually updating all the missing KB files, Windows Update works faster, but it still doesn't correctly download the files or automatically update the computer. I discovered that my mother's computer does the exact same thing. Apparently, it isn't uncommon, but no one has discovered what the glitch is. I guess there is no reason to put forth much effort on it, as there are only two more updates that will come from Microsoft (nothing came through this month). My computer seems to update properly, though I have a bit of problem with the Genuine Windows Validation on optional updates, which won't run on my computer. I guess it is time to just close this thread. I appreciate all the help everyone has offered. Even if there isn't a solution, I feel I've advanced on the learning curve. When I have some time, I'll start a new thread about problems with my son's backup drive, but that will have to wait for now. I'll also have to buy Windows 7 and see how that runs on my computer.

 

Barry, I fixed my XP machine from maxing out svchost.exe by installing a fix for Internet Explorer. Read SpywareDr's #18 post, in the link below, and see if one of the posted downloads will work for you.

http://www.windowsbbs.com/pc-hardware/106804-why-pc-slow-finding-fast-way-2.html#post618648

 

James, thanks for the reminder. I had done that with my computer, but forgot to do it with my son's. That helps a lot.

 

Keep us informed.