Problems Accessing Windows Update

Hi,
Since Windows XP SP2 came out we cannot view the list of updates available on the Windows Update site. We get an error message (Ox8DDD0018) that we need to set the Updates option on Automatic.
We tried the other two options:
"Download updates for me, but let me choose when to install them" and "Notify me but don't automatically download or install them" but we still cannot get access to the updates.

We are waiting for awhile before we install Win XP SP2.

Is there any way to pick or chose the updates anymore.In the past, some updates were for programs that we did not have installed so we didn't download and install them.

Thanks

 

What firewall are you running? After I installed SP2, Sygate no longer let Windows Update work...just copletely close your software firewall, download updates, install em, and then restart firewall.

 

jslow--Not clear whether youi have or have not yet installed SP2.
Anyway, perhaps some help here
http://www.updatexp.com/0x8ddd0018.html
If that does not work, put the Windows Update site's URL into your Trusted Sites (uncheck the box "Require Server Verification... "|OK.

 

Jslow,

Diito on Pete's warning on the firewall.

Try accessing the catalog site, see if that works. I think this is because of the v5 version of the MS site and your not updated to it. Accesing the catalog site might trigger the v5 update offer. One way to verify this is: when your on the site, does the url begin with http://v4... ?

http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp?corporate=true

Regards - Charles

 

Welshjim,
If I put the Windows Update Site URL in the Trusted Zone of Zone Alarm, won't this take me right back to the Update site and error message?

Charlesvar,
When I go to Windows Update Site the URL starts with http://v5
Also if I click on link in your post, I get the same error message as before.

Thanks

 

Hi jslow,

If you took either Jim's suggestion of putting the site into IE's trusted zone or Pete's suggestion of turning your firewall off and turning ICF on, that would eliminate the problem being caused either by Browser settings or the firewall.

I get the same message from the MS update site if I don't have the Automatic Update Service running as an automatic startup. This is a new requirment since v5. Look in your services and see if it's running.

Regards - Charles

 

Hi Charles,
If Iset the updates to Automatic, won't this allow automatic downloading and installation of updates without user's OK?
I currently have this on manual in Services.

Thanks

 

I currently have this on manual in Services.

Ok, that's the problem.

If Iset the updates to Automatic, won't this allow automatic downloading and installation of updates without user's OK?

No, that's controlled thru the Control Panel setting the way you tried before "Download updates for me, but let me choose when to install them" and "Notify me but don't automatically download or install them "

If you shut AU down in the Control Panel setting - you get no updates even if the Service is running, so what you can do is shut it off or set it however you want and go to the update site manually via all programs on the start menu and scan and this also allows access to the Catalog site for downloading and install later by you.

Regards - Charles

 

jslow--I am just about to sign off, but perhaps this comment will help.
The URL for Windows Updates Catalog
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/catalog/en/default.asp
is a v4 URL as you can see. This has nothing to do with your Windows Update site being a v5. It just means you will see all available update, without any tailoring for your PC.

 

Hi Charles & Jim,
Thanks for the replies.

I changed Automatic Updates in Services from Manual To Automatic and this solved the problem.

Thanks again.