Can't install Windows Updates

[Nocturnal]

This is a work box and it has WinXP Home. For the life of me it won't install any updates. It doesn't even say why even in the history. It just isn't there in the history.

Any idea why this is happening? I scanned for virus and spyware and removed most of it. Any other ideas?

 

[mechBgon]

1) Can you remember the names of the spyware and viruses, or maybe look that up in the antivirus software's logs?

2) If you were able to remove "most" of it, what was left, any specifics?

3) Does it need Service Pack 2 (in which case you might try the full SP2 offline installer in Safe Mode), or just post-SP2 stuff?

 

[Zugzwang152]

alternatively, you can copy down the KB numbers from windows update, and do a search for it on support.microsoft.com and get the individual patches.

 

[Nocturnal]

I'm not certain what spyware it was. It was a few viruses. I can manually install the updates but still can't install the updates automatically. Any ideas?

 

[mechBgon]

Shot in the dark: try WinSockFix, Schadenfroh has a link in #2 here: http://www.schadentech.com/Malware/removal.htm You can reach the Windows Update site itself, right?

 

[imported_JFG]

Every time i've had a problem with patches installing via WU I download & save them locally, log in as local admin & they install fine

 

[Bozo]

Have you disabled any services? There are a couple that must be in Automatic for WU to work right.
Automatic Updates is one of them even if you are not using auto update.
Can't think of the others at the moment.

Bozo

 

[Nocturnal]

Where do I find out what services are running?

 

[cubby1223]

Search google with the main error message windowsupdate.com gives you. There's a page that comes up with a dozen or so .dll files to re-register, give that a shot. I did that last week and got it to work, but don't remember the search term.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: Nocturnal
Where do I find out what services are running?

Several ways to get there, one is to go to Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services. The running ones will show Started in the Status column, like in this picture. You can click the Status header bar to stack them with the Started ones on top for easier viewing.

 

[thunderroller]

there may be some virus of spy left

 

[InlineFive]

Try disabling your AntiSpyware.

As an alternative, Microsoft offers free support for Windows Update. They have a quick (five minute) online submission form which I have used before.

 

[BT7990]

try this

might be some info that will help