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windows 98 update fails

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10 replies

by dklein

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Does anyone know why windows update fails at 66% whne checking for updates on certain pcs. Running windows 98 se i.e 6. I get to the update page, it scans for updates, gets to 66% and internet explorer fails.

10 replies

by opatzg9

Nope, but you could try removing all programs from memory before you start, turn antivirus packages off, if you have configsafe or other of their ilk, turn them off too and then try just the update. You can clear most programs running in the background with ctrl-alt-del and then end them one at a time, leave explorer up as that is the windows kernel.

by dklein

Closed all apps except explore, ie and systray, same issue. Gets to 66% and ie breaks and restarts.

by sgt_shultz

got lots of defragged free hard disk space?
getting any error messages? worked ok before? what changed?

by dklein

Further research on other parts of tech republic provided clues. At one point mcafee tech support suggested replacing spoolss.dll for windows 98 with the spoolss.dll that came with windows me to prevent printer freeze up and crashes. Updates worked fine until microsoft changed something with their update site. Booted into safe mode, went to windows/system , renamed (me version)spoolss.dll to oldspoolss.dll, copied original (98) spoolss.dll file back into windows system, rebooted system and updates work fine.

Thanks for your help guys.

by zlitocook

Before you try the update, defag, scandisk remove any tmp, cookies and clear your IE chach. If you tried it already remove any folders called Windows update. You might try window washer to clean your system. The update will scan your system for alotof things and most are hard to find. Also go to start,settings, control panel then go to internet options, programs and click on reset and ok. And try it then.

by thamer

See if "Discussions" option enabled in IE as it is mainly the cause for such Windows update failures.

If so,... I suggest that you disable this option then do the Windows Update actions and when they are complete, you can re-enable "Discussions" again.

To Disable your "Discussion" option in Internet Explorer:
-Click View.
-Point to Explorer Bar.
-Click Discuss to remove the check mark and disable this option.

Take care.

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