Windows update issue...again!

[James314]

ARGGGH!! Everytime I go to update windows, the grey progress installation box comes up and then nothing happens! The whole grey box has no detail inside it whatsoever - it doesnt tell me which updates are in the process of being downloaded or how much more of the d/l is left etc. Eventually a box comes up saying that the downloads have failed! This has just come from nowhere and I cannot see what the problem is, its certainly not my firewall or any security app. blocking it...

please help!

J.

[dsvochak]

Instead of choosing "Express" on the update site, choose "custom". When you get the list of available updates, make a list of the ones you want (KB numbers are sufficient)

Then go to the Microsoft Download center
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/sear ... laylang=en

enter the KB numbers into the search and download the updates to your drive. Once you've got the update files locally, you can apply them by running each.

I use this procedure because I've got 4 XP machines to update and it's a lot easier to have the files locally than to download 4 different times from the Update website

[James314]

Thanks dsvochak, I will do that and then at least I will have the updates. But I still do not understand why updates have suddenly stopped working and I really do not want to have to update this way each time.

[GomJabbar]

First verify that the Automatic Updates service is set to Automatic and Started. Go to Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services, and look for the Automatic Updates service to verify and correct if necessary. Just double-click on the service to make changes.

I have Background Intelligent Transfer Service set to Manual on my ThinkPad, but if you want to have Windows Update to download automatically, I believe this service has to be set to Automatic and Started.

If your copy of Windows does not pass Microsoft's verification check (i.e. you are using an illegal copy), I understand that you will not be able to use Windows Update manually. However you are still supposed to be able to use Automatic Updates. Go to Start > Control Panel > Security Center, to turn on Automatic Updates.

[James314]

I have updates set on manual. The problem is that when I connect to the update site and click on custom and then select the updates I want, the grey box comes up and then nothing happens and then I get a message saying that updates have failed. My copy of windows is legal as it is the copy that came with my tp and I have all services regarding windows updates set on auto.

Thanks for the replies so far!

J.

[GomJabbar]

Things to check.

Make sure you are not connecting through a proxy server. Also make sure that your LAN Settings are not set up through a proxy server. Go to Start > Control Panel > Internet Options > Connections tab > LAN Settings...., and make sure Proxy Server box is unchecked.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.as ... -us;885819

Make sure if you are using a router in connection with a DSL or Cable modem that your connection between the router and the modem is PPPOE. I had this problem once.

Make sure your Internet Connection settings are OK. Go to Start > Control Panel > Internet Options > Security tab.

You can run System File Checker to make sure all your Windows files are intact. Go to Start > Run and type sfc /scannow in box and press the Enter key.

[dsvochak]

James--

I read the previous thread where you had a problem with Windows update and noticed you said:

"I am currently running Windows XP Pro, SP1 with internet explorer version 6"

Is that still the case? Even though Microsoft says update is still working with SP1, I know home users running SP1 who have had problems with the update site.

If you're still running SP1, it might be time to consider jdhurst's advice and update to SP2. If the size of the download is a problem, in the US SP2 is available on CD. Don't know if that's the case in England, but it might be worth checking into.

[James314]

I upgraded to sp2 a few weeks ago (it went very smoothly by the way ) and so that cannot be a factor. Thanks for the suggestion though.

J.