Auto update and Windows Update stopped working after failed update

Using xp with SP2 installed.
Similar problems? noted from other users, after auto update notified
that updates available (latest batch on Feb 9, 05 which included .NET service
pack) , Started download and installation process with Windows Update but
apparently this process failed at some point. Message was displayed that
files would be downloaded and installed at shutdown but this did not happen.
Now, Update will not work manually or automatically, cannot access Auto
Update settings menu, system shutdown hangs. the update "shield" icon
initially was frozen with 51% complete and now has vanished.
System Restore gives error that system cannot be restored to previous point.
Any suggestions.?

Please Please let me know if you get this working. I upgraded 4 computers,
both Athlons worked fine, and my Centrino laptop. My 2.4 Pent 4 has been on
the outs since SP 2. I finally got the CD to update the SP 2 and it works
somewhat. Things don't always load the same way, or just disapear from the
task bar. It works, but will not take an update and hasn't for 6 plus
months. System restore is not an option cause it will never restore. It
will not work in safe mode either for updating. From reading this board, 3
out of 4 was good! Thanks for any info, Lyle

"kencat" wrote:

> Using xp with SP2 installed.
> Similar problems? noted from other users, after auto update notified
> that updates available (latest batch on Feb 9, 05 which included .NET service
> pack) , Started download and installation process with Windows Update but
> apparently this process failed at some point. Message was displayed that
> files would be downloaded and installed at shutdown but this did not happen.
> Now, Update will not work manually or automatically, cannot access Auto
> Update settings menu, system shutdown hangs. the update "shield" icon
> initially was frozen with 51% complete and now has vanished.
> System Restore gives error that system cannot be restored to previous point.
> Any suggestions.?

Same thing has happened to me, mines 34%... I could still scan for updates,
just couldn't download any from the update website. I ended up manually
downloading the updates from the Windows Update Catalog. It still didn't fix
the problem... the automatic update icon still says 34% but the icon itself
seems to come and go.

At least my laptop is up to date now.


"kencat" wrote:

> Using xp with SP2 installed.
> Similar problems? noted from other users, after auto update notified
> that updates available (latest batch on Feb 9, 05 which included .NET service
> pack) , Started download and installation process with Windows Update but
> apparently this process failed at some point. Message was displayed that
> files would be downloaded and installed at shutdown but this did not happen.
> Now, Update will not work manually or automatically, cannot access Auto
> Update settings menu, system shutdown hangs. the update "shield" icon
> initially was frozen with 51% complete and now has vanished.
> System Restore gives error that system cannot be restored to previous point.
> Any suggestions.?

"SCJP_kid" wrote:

> Same thing has happened to me, mines 34%... I could still scan for updates,
> just couldn't download any from the update website. I ended up manually
> downloading the updates from the Windows Update Catalog. It still didn't fix
> the problem... the automatic update icon still says 34% but the icon itself
> seems to come and go.
>
> At least my laptop is up to date now.
>
>
> "kencat" wrote:
>
> > Using xp with SP2 installed.
> > Similar problems? noted from other users, after auto update notified
> > that updates available (latest batch on Feb 9, 05 which included .NET service
> > pack) , Started download and installation process with Windows Update but
> > apparently this process failed at some point. Message was displayed that
> > files would be downloaded and installed at shutdown but this did not happen.
> > Now, Update will not work manually or automatically, cannot access Auto
> > Update settings menu, system shutdown hangs. the update "shield" icon
> > initially was frozen with 51% complete and now has vanished.
> > System Restore gives error that system cannot be restored to previous point.
> > Any suggestions.?

"kencat" wrote (condensed):
> Now, Update will not work manually or automatically, cannot access Auto
> Update settings menu, system shutdown hangs. the update "shield" icon
> initially was frozen with 51% complete and now has vanished.
> Any suggestions.?

There is a simple fix to this problem... After doing about an hour and a
half of research and comming up with NOTHING on the issue, I decided to dive
into it further myself, and finally figured it out... Here's how to fix it!

1. Open the Services window by right clicking on 'my computer' -> manage ->
services & applications
2. Right-Click on 'Automatic Updates' and choose 'stop' (leave the window
open)
3. Open a file browser (my computer) and go to C:\Windows
4. Locate the folder labeled 'SoftwareDistribution' and delete it
5. Go back to the services & applications, right-click on 'Automatic
Updates' and choose 'start'

That should be it!
You can test it by going to the microsoft windows update site
http://v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.com