Windows Update Will Not Update

[E-Double]

On a Windows XP Home, sp3 machine the Windows Updates will not update or
complete. It looks like it has been a problem for quite a while as there are
about 43 critical updates that need to be applied. The Automatic Updates
looks like it tries to install the updates when rebooting, but they
apparently fail. When manually running Windows or Microsoft Updates the
Critical Updates appear to download fine and begin to install, and once in a
while one will install, but then the process will fail and kick the user out
of the Update process (without trying the remaining updates).

We tried to delete and recreate the Windows\Software Distribution folder as
well as manually try to reinstall Service Pack 3 from the redistributable
file (ie download the 315 MB WinXP, sp file and install it from the local
drive). That process also failed and kicks the user out of the process after
the Inventory process. Some generic Update Failed To Install message appears.

When looking at the Windows Updates History there does not appear to be any
failed updates in there, only previously successful updates and a single
incomplete update. Not sure what else to try at this point.

TIA for any help or suggestions on this one.

e.

 

[Michael]

On a Windows XP Home, sp3 machine the Windows Updates will not update or
complete. It looks like it has been a problem for quite a while as there
are
about 43 critical updates that need to be applied. The Automatic Updates
looks like it tries to install the updates when rebooting, but they
apparently fail. When manually running Windows or Microsoft Updates the
Critical Updates appear to download fine and begin to install, and once in
a
while one will install, but then the process will fail and kick the user
out
of the Update process (without trying the remaining updates).

We tried to delete and recreate the Windows\Software Distribution folder
as
well as manually try to reinstall Service Pack 3 from the redistributable
file (ie download the 315 MB WinXP, sp file and install it from the local
drive). That process also failed and kicks the user out of the process
after
the Inventory process. Some generic Update Failed To Install message
appears.

When looking at the Windows Updates History there does not appear to be
any
failed updates in there, only previously successful updates and a single
incomplete update. Not sure what else to try at this point.

TIA for any help or suggestions on this one.

Post some of the error codes you're getting, or you can wait for the
resident mind reader to return from India.

 

[ruic]

There is a file in the Windows directory called windowsupdate.log take a
look at that file a more descriptive message will be recorded there.

 

[E-Double]

I was not expecting you to read my mind - we are not getting any error codes.
The update process just stops. As mentioned, when I look into the Windows
Updates history there are no errors in there either - just the historical
ones that installed okay over the years and one recent incomplete one. No
failures.

e.

 

[E-Double]

Thanks ruic, I will check that. I was not aware of that file being there as
I was only checking the Windows Updates History - which did not reveal any
specific error codes (nor were any revealed during the upgrade process). The
upgrade process just seems to terminate abrubtly.


e.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

[crosspost to Windows Update newsgroup]

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
it)?

=============
How to troubleshoot Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and Windows Server
Update Services installation issues:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/906602

1. See the "Need more help? Tell us what problem you are having" section of
http://support.microsoft.com/ph/6527

2. You cannot install some updates or programs
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798

3a. Check your WindowsUpdate.log (%windir%\WindowsUpdate.log) for errors
associated with the download/install.

How to read the WindowsUpdate.log file
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/902093

3b. Compare errors to those listed here:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/blogs/mowgreen/index.php?showentry=1122
and/or go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com > click on Help and Support
link in left pane > Solve problems on your own.
================
How do I reset the Windows Update settings?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058
================
Windows Update-specific newsgroup:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windowsupdate
===========================

Start a free Windows Update support incident request:
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=6527

 

[E-Double]

Hi, Thanks for the reply. I will check on all of those links. I am not sure
if Symantec or McAffe were ever installed - McAffe may have came as a demo as
you said. Originally when the WinUpdates were failing they had AVG Free on
there. We have since uninstalled AVG and it still failed - so we put Avast
Free on there. Malwarebytes (and Defender) are/were on there as well. The
spyware and virus scans seem to come-up clean. We also tried a Windows Error
Check on the disk, and as mentioned tried re-installing WinXP, sp3 from the
local drive.

e.

[crosspost to Windows Update newsgroup]

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
it)?

=============
How to troubleshoot Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and Windows Server
Update Services installation issues:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/906602

1. See the "Need more help? Tell us what problem you are having" section of
http://support.microsoft.com/ph/6527

2. You cannot install some updates or programs
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798

3a. Check your WindowsUpdate.log (%windir%\WindowsUpdate.log) for errors
associated with the download/install.

How to read the WindowsUpdate.log file
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/902093

3b. Compare errors to those listed here:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/blogs/mowgreen/index.php?showentry=1122
and/or go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com > click on Help and Support
link in left pane > Solve problems on your own.
================
How do I reset the Windows Update settings?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058
================
Windows Update-specific newsgroup:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windowsupdate
===========================

Start a free Windows Update support incident request:
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=6527
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002

On a Windows XP Home, sp3 machine the Windows Updates will not update or
complete. It looks like it has been a problem for quite a while as there
are about 43 critical updates that need to be applied. The Automatic
Updates looks like it tries to install the updates when rebooting, but
they
apparently fail. When manually running Windows or Microsoft Updates the
Critical Updates appear to download fine and begin to install, and once in
a
while one will install, but then the process will fail and kick the user
out
of the Update process (without trying the remaining updates).

We tried to delete and recreate the Windows\Software Distribution folder
as
well as manually try to reinstall Service Pack 3 from the redistributable
file (ie download the 315 MB WinXP, sp file and install it from the local
drive). That process also failed and kicks the user out of the process
after the Inventory process. Some generic Update Failed To Install
message
appears.

When looking at the Windows Updates History there does not appear to be
any
failed updates in there, only previously successful updates and a single
incomplete update. Not sure what else to try at this point.

TIA for any help or suggestions on this one.

e.

.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Originally when the WinUpdates were failing they had AVG

Free on there. We have since uninstalled AVG and it still failed - so we
put Avast Free on there.

Who is "they"? Are you being paid to work on this computer?

See...

Can I install Microsoft Security Essentials [or any other
anti-virus/anti-spyware application] to clean up my already-infected
computer?
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/msescan/thread/87058857-d181-4019-a723-efd9a49d9275

That being said...

Open IE to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com, select the CUSTOM option &
scan. Now click on the Update History link in the left-hand menu: What are
the KB numbers and install dates for the last three (3) update which
/successfully/ installed (e.g., KB987654 on 12 Dec-09)?

Hi, Thanks for the reply. I will check on all of those links. I am not
sure if Symantec or McAffe were ever installed - McAffe may have came as a
demo as you said. Originally when the WinUpdates were failing they had
AVG
Free on there. We have since uninstalled AVG and it still failed - so we
put Avast Free on there. Malwarebytes (and Defender) are/were on there as
well. The spyware and virus scans seem to come-up clean. We also tried a
Windows Error Check on the disk, and as mentioned tried re-installing
WinXP, sp3 from the local drive.

[crosspost to Windows Update newsgroup]

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than
Defender)? What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you
bought
it)?

=============
How to troubleshoot Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and Windows Server
Update Services installation issues:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/906602

1. See the "Need more help? Tell us what problem you are having" section
of
http://support.microsoft.com/ph/6527

2. You cannot install some updates or programs
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798

3a. Check your WindowsUpdate.log (%windir%\WindowsUpdate.log) for errors
associated with the download/install.

How to read the WindowsUpdate.log file
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/902093

3b. Compare errors to those listed here:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/blogs/mowgreen/index.php?showentry=1122
and/or go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com > click on Help and
Support
link in left pane > Solve problems on your own.
================
How do I reset the Windows Update settings?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058
================
Windows Update-specific newsgroup:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windowsupdate
===========================

Start a free Windows Update support incident request:
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=6527
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002

On a Windows XP Home, sp3 machine the Windows Updates will not update or
complete. It looks like it has been a problem for quite a while as
there
are about 43 critical updates that need to be applied. The Automatic
Updates looks like it tries to install the updates when rebooting, but
they
apparently fail. When manually running Windows or Microsoft Updates the
Critical Updates appear to download fine and begin to install, and once
in
a
while one will install, but then the process will fail and kick the user
out
of the Update process (without trying the remaining updates).

We tried to delete and recreate the Windows\Software Distribution folder
as
well as manually try to reinstall Service Pack 3 from the
redistributable
file (ie download the 315 MB WinXP, sp file and install it from the
local
drive). That process also failed and kicks the user out of the process
after the Inventory process. Some generic Update Failed To Install
message
appears.

When looking at the Windows Updates History there does not appear to be
any
failed updates in there, only previously successful updates and a single
incomplete update. Not sure what else to try at this point.

TIA for any help or suggestions on this one.

e.

.

 

[E-Double]

These suggestions worked great and fixed my problems - thanks ! I did the
crypto dll unreg and re-reg processes and also a few of the KB articles
including the link to the MS Fix It - Windows Updates Reset util and all is
well now. Thanks again, much appreciated !

e.

[crosspost to Windows Update newsgroup]

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
it)?

=============
How to troubleshoot Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and Windows Server
Update Services installation issues:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/906602

1. See the "Need more help? Tell us what problem you are having" section of
http://support.microsoft.com/ph/6527

2. You cannot install some updates or programs
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798

3a. Check your WindowsUpdate.log (%windir%\WindowsUpdate.log) for errors
associated with the download/install.

How to read the WindowsUpdate.log file
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/902093

3b. Compare errors to those listed here:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/blogs/mowgreen/index.php?showentry=1122
and/or go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com > click on Help and Support
link in left pane > Solve problems on your own.
================
How do I reset the Windows Update settings?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058
================
Windows Update-specific newsgroup:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windowsupdate
===========================

Start a free Windows Update support incident request:
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=6527
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002

On a Windows XP Home, sp3 machine the Windows Updates will not update or
complete. It looks like it has been a problem for quite a while as there
are about 43 critical updates that need to be applied. The Automatic
Updates looks like it tries to install the updates when rebooting, but
they
apparently fail. When manually running Windows or Microsoft Updates the
Critical Updates appear to download fine and begin to install, and once in
a
while one will install, but then the process will fail and kick the user
out
of the Update process (without trying the remaining updates).

We tried to delete and recreate the Windows\Software Distribution folder
as
well as manually try to reinstall Service Pack 3 from the redistributable
file (ie download the 315 MB WinXP, sp file and install it from the local
drive). That process also failed and kicks the user out of the process
after the Inventory process. Some generic Update Failed To Install
message
appears.

When looking at the Windows Updates History there does not appear to be
any
failed updates in there, only previously successful updates and a single
incomplete update. Not sure what else to try at this point.

TIA for any help or suggestions on this one.

e.

.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

You're welcome & thanks very much for your feedback.

These suggestions worked great and fixed my problems - thanks ! I did
the
crypto dll unreg and re-reg processes and also a few of the KB articles
including the link to the MS Fix It - Windows Updates Reset util and all
is
well now. Thanks again, much appreciated !

e.

[crosspost to Windows Update newsgroup]

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than
Defender)? What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you
bought
it)?

=============
How to troubleshoot Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and Windows Server
Update Services installation issues:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/906602

1. See the "Need more help? Tell us what problem you are having" section
of
http://support.microsoft.com/ph/6527

2. You cannot install some updates or programs
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798

3a. Check your WindowsUpdate.log (%windir%\WindowsUpdate.log) for errors
associated with the download/install.

How to read the WindowsUpdate.log file
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/902093

3b. Compare errors to those listed here:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/blogs/mowgreen/index.php?showentry=1122
and/or go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com > click on Help and
Support
link in left pane > Solve problems on your own.
================
How do I reset the Windows Update settings?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058
================
Windows Update-specific newsgroup:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windowsupdate
===========================

Start a free Windows Update support incident request:
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=6527
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002

On a Windows XP Home, sp3 machine the Windows Updates will not update or
complete. It looks like it has been a problem for quite a while as
there
are about 43 critical updates that need to be applied. The Automatic
Updates looks like it tries to install the updates when rebooting, but
they
apparently fail. When manually running Windows or Microsoft Updates the
Critical Updates appear to download fine and begin to install, and once
in
a
while one will install, but then the process will fail and kick the user
out
of the Update process (without trying the remaining updates).

We tried to delete and recreate the Windows\Software Distribution folder
as
well as manually try to reinstall Service Pack 3 from the
redistributable
file (ie download the 315 MB WinXP, sp file and install it from the
local
drive). That process also failed and kicks the user out of the process
after the Inventory process. Some generic Update Failed To Install
message
appears.

When looking at the Windows Updates History there does not appear to be
any
failed updates in there, only previously successful updates and a single
incomplete update. Not sure what else to try at this point.

TIA for any help or suggestions on this one.

e.

.