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Windows Update problem

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by wesley.chin

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For some bizarre reason, one of the computers I support is now unable to access updates. What can be causing this? I have tried accessing updates by manually going to the Microsoft site too. the computer runs Windows XP Pro SP3. Previously, updates went off with no problem.

13 replies

by jfuller05

To get the updates to re-appear and/or to be listed as available again.
Go to Start/Run/CMD and type in:
del /q "%SystemRoot%\System32\Catroot2\Edb.log. Then try again.

Can't download any updates and/or you receive an error message:
Go to Start/Run and type in: regsvr32 wintrust.dll. If that doesn't help: Go to Start/Run and type in CMD. At the command prompt, type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each line:

net stop cryptsvc
ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 oldcatroot2
net start cryptsvc

Let me know if this helps.

by wesley.chin

after typing the first line,response is can not find the file specified

a message of success pops up after the mentioned Run line. But update still is not successful.

After the last mentioned series of commands, update is still not successful

by jfuller05

Go to Internet Explorer/Tools/Internet Options/Connections/Lan Settings and uncheck: Automatically detect settings.

This could work.

by scndtnr

From a command prompt, type "net stop wuauserv" (no quotes). In Windows Explorer, navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution and delete all files/folders in that directory. Back at the command prompt, type "net start wuauserv" (no quotes). Retry Windows Update, and keep an eye on the log file (c:\windows\WindowsUpdate.log) for errors.

by wesley.chin

Typed the lines mentioned at prompt, and cleared the mentioned directory. Update still did not succeed. I have looked at the log file and did not notice anything interesting.

by scndtnr

You could try downloading and installing the latest Windows Update client from MS, but if you're not seeing errors in the log file, it's probably not the client. If you know which updates are missing/failing, you can download them individually from MS and install them; it's possible that a corrupted download/failed install "broke" Windows Update.

A previous poster mentioned scanning the pc for malware; I agree with that recommendation. You could also check if anything's changed with AV/Firewall settings (presuming something is installed (Norton? McAfee? something else?)).

Maybe a dumb question, but where does the pc get updates: MS or from a WSUS server?

by wesley.chin

tried all of the suggestions, still no success. Am not able to access the mentioned link curiously....

by wesley.chin

for other reasons, I did an in-place reinstall, and long story short, ended up having to do a fresh install. Update operates properly now.

by jfuller05

works for the best in the long run.

Thanks for letting us know.

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