Windows Update Problem

In one of my computers with Windows XP Home, Sp 3, the taskbar shows a Windows update shield. This shield opens up a small window which says the computer is not protected and to click on it to repair the problem. Clicking on it opens a Security Center window which says that Automatic Updates is "OFFâ€. If I try to turn it on, a message says that it can’t and that I need to go to System Properties-Updates and turn it on. In Automatic Updates, Automatic (recommended) is selected. If I select "apply" and then "OK" the problem should go away, but it doesn’t.

If I go to Control Panel-Add or Remove Programs and look for the updates, I see that the last one was in April, so there have been no updates since then.

I use Avast! Antivirus. I use Avast! On my other computers with no problems, so I don’t suspect an antivirus conflict.

Can anyone suggest a solution to this problem?

Thank you.

 

Is the date and time correct on this PC?

 

Time and date are correct. One thing I have noticed is that the red shield icon is present on the taskbar all the time even though it is not showing a warning.

 

FYI ...

Microsoft has unlimited no-charge e-mail support for updates starting on this page:
(https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?LN=en-us&x=16&y=8&gprid=6527&st=1&wfxredirect=1)

If you don't live in the U.S., start here:
(http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx?rdpath=1&gprid=6527)

 

Try going into IE/Tools/Windows Update and see what happens.

 

I saw that same problem in a friends computer and it turned out to be a virus even though an AV program was on the system...just sayin'

 

Do you know which program they used to get rid of it?

 

The problem was fixed by Broni in the Malware section... just go step by step as directed.

 

Additionally, I fully buy into the philosophy promoted by this forum to make sure that the computer is "clean" and free of any viruses or malware before undertaking any other software fixes or solutions .. It just makes sense to me from an analytical standpoint and is an accalade to those who administer and moderate this site.

 

Lots of posts by Broni in the Malware section. Which thread?

 

The particular computer is on my wife’s desk, so it’s a little difficult to get the time I need.

I am attaching a page or so of the Windows Update Log. Looks like a lot of "fatalsâ€.

Windowsupdate.com says it cannot connect. www.windowsupdate.com says I may not be able to access the website because Windows XP may not be to the latest service pack, but if I check the service pack in Control Panel-System it says the service pack is 3. I suspect this may be because XP is no longer supported. If I go to updates.microsoft.com and check on the "express" box to check it out I get a message that it can’t find the page. If I go to updates.microsoft.com on a "good" computer it goes through the check ok.

 

Thanks.

Was the error log helpful?

I'm downloading the malware files to a thumb drive and am testing them on a spare computer to get familiar with them so as to require minimum time on my wife's computer.

 

Windows update has a tool named Windows update repair tool; You can download it from here http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058; be carefull on the language ;if it does not give you the right language change language before downloading ; the toll in principle will repair Windows update ; if it still dose not ,I fear your problem is very serious ; I got it several times and was forced into complete reinstall of the OS Best wishes OLIVIER GEBUHRER

 

Olivier,

Thanks for the info. I downloaded the 97108 file. I haven't run the file, yet. If it does reset the update function and the problem is with malware, then the malware would probably still be there and undo the update fix????

Maybe I should try to find the malware first (if that is the problem) and then run the update fix???

 

Try the Malware section first. That way you can see if you are really clean and go from there.