Re: Windows Update Hangs in Vista

I'm getting the same problem and tried renaming the SoftwareDistribution
folder as suggested below. I got an error saying I needed permission to
continue even with UAC disabled. Instead I found that I could rename the
contained Download directory. That let me choose which updates to
download/install from windows update. I unchecked the Office Excel update
that was hanging and everything else installed fine.

"TaurArian" wrote:

Well if you don't want to start a free incident request, then this is what I normally
recommend for Windows XP, see if you can salvage something in it for Vista - no guarantees
but you may get a clue.

I would try first, installing the WU Agent - see "A new version of the Windows Update
Agent is available"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946928

If that hasn't helped after a reboot -
If you have a Wireless Router:-
In the security tab, make sure you aren't blocking AcitveX.

Possible reasons for the error code:-
1. Internet Explorer temporary files corrupted.
2. Background Intelligent and Event Log service not started
3. SoftwareDistribution folder has become corrupted
4. You may need to re-registered some dlls files
5. You may need to add Windows Update to the Trusted Sites Zone:
6. Spyware.
7. Third party programs running in background.


Suggestion 1:-
Clearing Temporary Internet files, cookies and history in Internet Explorer
Tools>Internet Options>General
You'll see Delete Cookies, Delete files, Delete History
NB: "Delete all offline content", will delete all files needed to browse the websites
offline.
Reboot and try Windows Update again.

Suggestion 2:-
1: Check that the Background Intelligent Transfer Service to is set to Automatic and
verify the Status is Started.
Click Start, Choose Run, and in the Run box, type services.msc, Click OK
Locate the Background Intelligent Transfer Service service, and right-click to select it.
Select Properties, and in the Startup Type list, select Automatic. Verify the service
Status is Started. Click OK.

2. Check that the Set Event Log service is set to Automatic and verify that the Status is
Started
Click Start, Choose Run, and in the Run box, type services.msc, Click OK.
Locate the Event Log service, and right-click to select it.
Select Properties., and in the Startup type list, select Automatic. Verify the Service
status is Started. Click OK.

3. Register qmgr.dll and qmgrprxy.dll
Click Start, Choose Run and in the Run box, type regsvr32 qmgr.dll, Click OK.
Click Start, Choose Run and in the Run box, type regsvr32 qmgrprxy.dll, Click OK.

Suggestion 3:-
It is possible that the contents of the SoftwareDistribution folder have become corrupted,
so try renaming the SoftwareDistribution folder
Click Start, Choose Run.
In the Run box, type services.msc.
Click OK.
Right-click the Automatic Updates service.
Click Stop.
Stopping the service will take a moment.

Rename the "SoftwareDistribution" folder:
a. Click Start, click Run, type: %systemroot%
Click OK.
b. Right-click the SoftwareDistribution folder, and then click Rename.
c. Type SoftwareDistribution.old, and then press ENTER to rename this folder.

Click Start. Choose Run.
In the Run box, type services.msc.
Click OK.
Right-click the Automatic Updates service.
Click Start.
Starting the service will take a moment.

Please note that your update history is contained in the "datastore" folder and when you
rename the Software Distribution folder, the history is lost but it's not important. You
can if need be, copy the contents back from the renamed softwareDistribution.old folder.
Losing the history of Windows Updates is not important.

Note for Vista you must reboot otherwise the folder isn't recreated properly.

Suggestion 4:-
Certain files may have become unregistered, and you will need to register them again:-
Click Start, Choose Run and in the Run box, type regsvr32 wuaueng1.dll, Click OK.

Do the same for the other files:-
wucltui.dll
wuaueng.dll
wuapi.dll
jscript.dll
MSXML.DLL
MSXML2.DLL
MSXML3.DLL

Suggestion 5:-

Add Windows Update to the Trusted Sites Zone:
Please note that Security settings in Internet Explorer must be set to Medium or lower for
ActiveX files to correctly pass to your computer.
Only the Web sites listed in Internet Explorer's Trusted Sites Zone will be affected by
the lowering of Security settings. Your current security settings for all other Web sites
will remain as they are currently configured.

Open Internet Explorer, click Tools, and then click Internet Options, Click Security.
Click Trusted Sites Zone. Click Sites.
Clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone check box.
Use the Add button next to the Add this Web site to the zone box to add the following
sites:
http://*.update.microsoft.com
https://*.update.microsoft.com
http://download.windowsupdate.com

Suggestion 6:-
The below links assist you in checking your system for parasites:-
http://aumha.org/a/noads.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
Please note that some malware may kill the internet connection when it is removed, the
program on the link below will enable you to regain the internet connection.
http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm

Spyware Programs links:-
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx (Windows Defender)
www.lavasoftusa.com Ad-Aware
www.security.kolla.de Spybot

Malware Removal
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

THE PARASITE FIGHT - Finding, Removing & Protecting Yourself From Scumware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm

Richard Harper's Guide to Cleaning Pests
http://rgharper.mvps.org/cleanit.htm

Suggestion 7:-
Make sure you haven't got anything blocking Windows Update like Nortons, Zonealarm etc
Also make sure you don't have a Web Accelerator working in the background such as
NetZerio, HiSpeed, Speedband etc.

--
====================================
TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2008 - Australia
====================================
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
http://taurarian.mvps.org/index.htm
Emails will not be acknowledged - please post to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
Computer Maintenance: Acronis / Diskeeper / Paragon / Raxco



"musicnyc" <musicnyc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:42C33919-80F8-416E-AAF0-B8140EABCAB4@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
| That did not work. I disabled antivirus and the windows update still hangs.
| By the way, submitting support requests has never worked for me. I always
| get "An unknown application error occurred. Please try again in a few
| minutes."
|
| "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
|
| > Tip: Temporarily disable real-time protection by your anti-virus and/or
| > anti-spyware applications (e.g., CounterSpy, Spysweeper, Spybot, AVG
| > Anti-Spyware) and/or any third-party firewall (e.g., ZA) before attempting
| > to install the update(s). If you disable a third-party firewall, do NOT
| > connect to the internet without having the Windows Firewall enabled!
| > =========================
| > Start a free Windows Update support incident request:
| > https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=6527
| >
| > Support for Windows Update:
| > http://support.microsoft.com/gp/wusupport
| >
| > For home users, no-charge support is available by calling 1-866-PCSAFETY in
| > the United States and in Canada or by contacting your local Microsoft
| > subsidiary. There is no-charge for support calls that are associated with
| > security updates. When you call, clearly state that your problem is related
| > to a Security Update and cite the update's KB number (e.g., KB123456).
| >
| > If your problem relates to a Cumulative Security Update for IE, call the
| > above number and ask to be transferred to the Consumer IE7 queue (which is
| > 47830).
| >
| > For more information about how to contact your local Microsoft subsidiary
| > for security update support issues, visit the International Support Web
| > site: http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx
| >
| > For enterprise customers, support for security updates is available through
| > your usual support contacts.
| > --
| > ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
| > MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
| > AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.net
| >
| > musicnyc wrote:
| > > Windows Update never finishes while "Checking for Updates' and has not
| > > installed an update since May. Any ideas?
| >
| >



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