Windows Update Problem

Every so often, maybe once a week or so, when I open Internet Explorer, I get the following in the address:

http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp

And the screen reads:

Checking for the latest version of the Windows Update software.

Depending on your connection speed, this might take a minute.

Now, the problem is that I am not deliberately asking for any updates, and I don't know why this pops up on my computer screen. Automatically, without input from me.

Nothing happens, for a minute, or 5 minutes, or an hour, and I have the feeling that if I left it like that for 3 weeks, nothing would happen.

Meanwhile, the machine is frozen, and the only way to get out of this is to restart via the Start Menu. I can move the mouse cursor, but clicking on anything other than the Start menu does absolutely nothing.

My question: Why is it doing this?

 

I'm guessing your running Win98. It sounds like you downloaded "Windows Critical Update Notification 4.0 ". Go to tools, windows update. Let it scan for updates. When done, click on(left side of page) Windows 98 and Windows 98SE. Then scroll down to "Windows Critical Update Notification 4.0 ". If you downloaded it, you should be able to remove it.

 

Yes, I am using Win98SE. Did what you said, and it brought up the identical screen that I described in the first message, with the same results. IOW, it locked up the computer. I can't click on anything on that page, because the computer locks up.

As far as I know, I have never downloaded the file you mentioned. Also, there is nothing in the Control Panel regarding any such, nor is there anything on my Menus relating to this.

Just for the heckofit, click on the link in my first message and get back to me on what happens. Thanks in advance.

 

That page sometimes takes a long time to scan for updates. It first will show 0%, then 33%,66%. Then review. (especially if you are on dialup) While it scans, you can't click on anything.

BTW, you won't find that file in the control panel or programs.

 

[Quoting aleekat]
That page sometimes takes a long time to scan for updates. It first will show 0%, then 33%,66%. Then review. (especially if you are on dialup) While it scans, you can't click on anything.
[Unquote]

Like I said in the first message, it doesn't EVER do anything. I am on a cable modem, BTW.

 

Sometimes Windows Update site is busy. Just try back at a later time. If the Windows Update site freezes or locks up, hit Ctrl + Alt + Del and End Task on it.

Go to Internet Options under the Advanced tab and remove the check mark next to "Automatically check for Internet Explorer updates. "

Or, do as aleekat suggested. Remove "Windows Critical Update Notification 4.0 "

ski123

 

SKI:Sometimes Windows Update site is busy. Just try back at a later time. If the Windows Update site freezes or locks up, hit Ctrl + Alt + Del and End Task on it.

Yes, that works, but it doesn't solve my problem, or answer my original question.

This has happened many times, maybe once a month, or maybe even more often, and EVERY time, it locks up, so that pretty well eliminates the possibility of the site being busy. Besides, there is no drive activity light on my computer, so it is, apparently, not looking for any files to check and update.

SKI:Go to Internet Options under the Advanced tab and remove the check mark next to "Automatically check for Internet Explorer updates. "

I thought it was a Windows update, not Internet Explorer update.

SKI: Or, do as aleekat suggested. Remove "Windows Critical Update Notification 4.0 "

Can you tell me how to do that?

 

Take a look here. It explains how it works, and how to remove it. When you looked in the control panel, did you look in "add/remove programs "?

 

It is not in the "Add/Remove Programs ".

I have now done this:

Quoting SKI:
Go to Internet Options under the Advanced tab and remove the check mark next to "Automatically check for Internet Explorer updates. "
Unquote

I have also found something in my Windows Folder, using the My Computer search, which seems to have a filename that seems to correlate with the Update program, and I have renamed the thing. Hopefully that will work, or Ski's idea will work.

I'll just have to wait and see.

Still haven't figured out why it is doing this, or why the gnome in my computer wants to update me. My computer has been working perfectly since getting a new motherboard, oh, about 8 months ago, more or less, so I don't want to UPDATE ANYTHING; On the principle that if it's working, don't try to fix it.

Thanks, all, for the help. It was muchly appreciated.

 

so I don't want to UPDATE ANYTHING; On the principle that if it's working, don't try to fix it.

Please keep your virus definitions up to date.

 

Steve,

Can you get to this site:
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/troubleshoot/

If so, look around there. Maybe, you'll see something that applies to your problem.

If not, you need to install / reinstall the Windows Update controls.
Download the controls from http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/cab/x86/ansi/iuctl.cab and
save them to your desktop. Extract the .cab file following the steps below:

1. Go to the desktop and right click the iuctl.cab file.
2. Click "Extract to. "
3. Point to a known location (like the desktop) and click "OK. "
4. Go to the location you selected and right click on the iuctl.inf file.
5. Click "Install. "

ski123

 

Steve

try opening Task Scheduler and have a look at what's listed

icon in system tray or if it's not there
Start>Programs>Accessories>SystemTools>ScheduledTasks

good place to look if you are having "gnome control" trouble

Good Luck, Hugh