Re: Code 8000FFFF

Remember that I said there's a chance that the problem's being caused by hijackware, not that it IS being caused by hijackware.

1. Please state your full Windows version (e.g., Vista SP1; Vista x64 SP2).

2a. What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)? What third-party firewall (if any)?

2b. Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on this machine (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought it)?

3. Have you seen my colleague TaurArian's reply? Repost:

===================
Two possibilities : A Third party program is affecting the WU Service
(anti-spwyare programs, Internet/web accelerators, Firewall/Anti-Virus
programs) or the downloaded file is corrupt.

Also see:

You receive error code 8000FFFF when you click "Check for Updates" in the
Windows Update Control Panel item on a Windows Vista-based computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946414

Perhaps you could rename the SoftwareDistribution folder to whatever you
like. This will take care of any corrupted downloaded files.

How to rename the SoftwareDistribution folder in Vista -
1. Stop the Windows Update service (make sure you are logged on as an
Administrator)

Start button || Control Panel ||System and Maintenance ||Administrative
Tools
Double-click Services
(Provide the Administrator password or confirmation if prompted to do so.)
Right-click the Windows Update service and click Stop.

2. Click Start, type %windir% in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.

Locate and rename the SoftwareDistribution folder.

3. Start the Windows Update service

Start button || Control Panel ||System and Maintenance ||Administrative
Tools
Double-click Services
(Provide the Administrator password or confirmation if prompted to do so.)
Right-click the Windows Update service and click Start.

This procedure will erase your history on the Windows Update Site. Not
important.
=======================
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
www.banthecheck.com


maryse wrote:
Thanks but I have been very diligent about keeping my machine up to date
with windows updates and have had (since day one) an antivirus subscription
that I have never let lapse.

I did, however, download, install and run MRST you listed below and it said
there were no infections. I will try some of your other suggestions. I do
not want to format and reinstall Vista as I am scared of the amount of work
that will entail both before and after a reinstall.

Maryse

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

There is a very good chance that you are seeing the effects of a hijackware
infection!

NB: If you had no anti-virus application installed or the subscription had
expired *when the machine first got infected* and/or your subscription has
since expired and/or the machine's not been kept fully-patched at Windows
Update, don't waste your time with any of the below: Format & reinstall
Windows. A Repair Install will NOT help!

1. See if you can download/run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

NB: Run the FULL scan, not the QUICK scan! You may need to download the
MSRT on a non-infected machine, then transfer MRT.EXE to the infected
machine and rename it to SCAN.EXE before running it.

2. [WinXP ONLY!! =>] Run the Windows Live Safety Center's 'Protection' scan
(only!) in Safe Mode with Networking, if need be:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm

3. Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting the requested
logs in an appropriate forum, not here.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=4075
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

**Chances are you will need to seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0,
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5,
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup,
http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or other appropriate forums as well.**

If these procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting
this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.

maryse wrote:
I have just started receiving this error code. Am running Vista Home
Premium. I have tried this page
http://blogs.technet.com/kailash/archive/2007/09/20/windows-vista-autoupdate-error-8000ffff.aspx
but it did not help. Does anyone have advice as to how to get the update
to
work again? I am at my wits end and have spent countless unproductive
hours
trying to rectify this situation.

.

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