Check for updates in start menu hangs up - can't connect to MS upd

This started with a problem where Outlook keeps stopping, and I get a message
that I need to install updates. When the start menu checks for updates, it
just hangs up and can't connect. I tried going directly to the update site,
but it still opens the update check in the start menu. I can't exit out, I
have to reboot.

Please help! I have all my appointments in Outlook because I prefer the
calender, but it has become unusable. And I really need those updates for
both Outlook and Vista!

Thanks for your help.

Which version of Outlook is this? Have you tried manually downloading the
update for Microsoft Outlook through the Microsoft Download Center?
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads

As for Windows Vista and Windows Update:
Try this:
The BITS Repair Tool will help you fix a problem caused by the corruption of
BITS state files. The problem stops the host process for Windows Services,
which prevents you from using BITS to transfer files. Use this tool to
resolve the corruption and re-enable BITS transfers. After you install this
item, you may have to restart your computer.

x86:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...DisplayLang=en

x64:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/i...splayLang%3den

If that does not work, try this:
Rename the SoftwareDistribution folder. (Because of possible folder
corruption or other errors.)
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%, and then click OK.
b. Right-click the SoftwareDistribution folder, and then click Rename.
c. Type SoftwareDistribution.old, and then press ENTER to rename this
folder.
Create a new folder called "SoftwareDistribution"
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.
Rerun Windows Update.
--
Andre
Blog: http://adacosta.spaces.live.com
My Vista Quickstart Guide:
http://adacosta.spaces.live.com/blog...3DB!9709.entry
"Brenda" <> wrote in message
news:9165EE42-6356-4300-B001-...
> This started with a problem where Outlook keeps stopping, and I get a
> message
> that I need to install updates. When the start menu checks for updates,
> it
> just hangs up and can't connect. I tried going directly to the update
> site,
> but it still opens the update check in the start menu. I can't exit out,
> I
> have to reboot.
>
> Please help! I have all my appointments in Outlook because I prefer the
> calender, but it has become unusable. And I really need those updates for
> both Outlook and Vista!
>
> Thanks for your help.

Sorry to be a pest.

I got a message that "BITS repair tool is not required" then when I tried
to rename the Software Distribution Folder, I got "Destination folder access
denied - you need permission to perform this action." How do I get
permission? I'm the only user of this computer.

I did try to download the VISTA update, and got hung up with Windows Update
Standalone Installer. It says preparation has completed, but won't close.
And I can't see that anything has actually downloaded.

I was able to install the Office 2003 Service pack, so I'll reboot and see
if that helps on Outlook. I'm mystified about checking for Windows updates,
though. Anything else I can try?

"Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]" wrote:

> Which version of Outlook is this? Have you tried manually downloading the
> update for Microsoft Outlook through the Microsoft Download Center?
> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads
>
> As for Windows Vista and Windows Update:
> Try this:
> The BITS Repair Tool will help you fix a problem caused by the corruption of
> BITS state files. The problem stops the host process for Windows Services,
> which prevents you from using BITS to transfer files. Use this tool to
> resolve the corruption and re-enable BITS transfers. After you install this
> item, you may have to restart your computer.
>
> x86:
> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...DisplayLang=en
>
> x64:
> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/i...splayLang%3den
>
> If that does not work, try this:
> Rename the SoftwareDistribution folder. (Because of possible folder
> corruption or other errors.)
> 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%, and then click OK.
> b. Right-click the SoftwareDistribution folder, and then click Rename.
> c. Type SoftwareDistribution.old, and then press ENTER to rename this
> folder.
> Create a new folder called "SoftwareDistribution"
> 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.
> Rerun Windows Update.
> --
> Andre
> Blog: http://adacosta.spaces.live.com
> My Vista Quickstart Guide:
> http://adacosta.spaces.live.com/blog...3DB!9709.entry
> "Brenda" <> wrote in message
> news:9165EE42-6356-4300-B001-...
> > This started with a problem where Outlook keeps stopping, and I get a
> > message
> > that I need to install updates. When the start menu checks for updates,
> > it
> > just hangs up and can't connect. I tried going directly to the update
> > site,
> > but it still opens the update check in the start menu. I can't exit out,
> > I
> > have to reboot.
> >
> > Please help! I have all my appointments in Outlook because I prefer the
> > calender, but it has become unusable. And I really need those updates for
> > both Outlook and Vista!
> >
> > Thanks for your help.
>
>
>

Go to Start > All Programs > Accessories and right-click
on the Command Prompt and choose "Run as administrator".
Type in: SFC /SCANNOW and press your Enter key.

If that does not work, try repairing your system. Boot from your Windows
Vista DVD, select the System Repair Option > on the setup screen, select
'Repair Computer > Select your installation of Windows > select Startup
Repair option and follow instructions.
--
Andre
Blog: http://adacosta.spaces.live.com
My Vista Quickstart Guide:
http://adacosta.spaces.live.com/blog...3DB!9709.entry


"Brenda" <> wrote in message
news:862A1682-B96E-4557-ADC3-...
> Sorry to be a pest.
>
> I got a message that "BITS repair tool is not required" then when I tried
> to rename the Software Distribution Folder, I got "Destination folder
> access
> denied - you need permission to perform this action." How do I get
> permission? I'm the only user of this computer.
>
> I did try to download the VISTA update, and got hung up with Windows
> Update
> Standalone Installer. It says preparation has completed, but won't close.
> And I can't see that anything has actually downloaded.
>
> I was able to install the Office 2003 Service pack, so I'll reboot and see
> if that helps on Outlook. I'm mystified about checking for Windows
> updates,
> though. Anything else I can try?
>
> "Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]" wrote:
>
>> Which version of Outlook is this? Have you tried manually downloading the
>> update for Microsoft Outlook through the Microsoft Download Center?
>> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads
>>
>> As for Windows Vista and Windows Update:
>> Try this:
>> The BITS Repair Tool will help you fix a problem caused by the corruption
>> of
>> BITS state files. The problem stops the host process for Windows
>> Services,
>> which prevents you from using BITS to transfer files. Use this tool to
>> resolve the corruption and re-enable BITS transfers. After you install
>> this
>> item, you may have to restart your computer.
>>
>> x86:
>> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...DisplayLang=en
>>
>> x64:
>> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/i...splayLang%3den
>>
>> If that does not work, try this:
>> Rename the SoftwareDistribution folder. (Because of possible folder
>> corruption or other errors.)
>> 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%, and then click OK.
>> b. Right-click the SoftwareDistribution folder, and then click Rename.
>> c. Type SoftwareDistribution.old, and then press ENTER to rename this
>> folder.
>> Create a new folder called "SoftwareDistribution"
>> 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.
>> Rerun Windows Update.
>> --
>> Andre
>> Blog: http://adacosta.spaces.live.com
>> My Vista Quickstart Guide:
>> http://adacosta.spaces.live.com/blog...3DB!9709.entry
>> "Brenda" <> wrote in message
>> news:9165EE42-6356-4300-B001-...
>> > This started with a problem where Outlook keeps stopping, and I get a
>> > message
>> > that I need to install updates. When the start menu checks for
>> > updates,
>> > it
>> > just hangs up and can't connect. I tried going directly to the update
>> > site,
>> > but it still opens the update check in the start menu. I can't exit
>> > out,
>> > I
>> > have to reboot.
>> >
>> > Please help! I have all my appointments in Outlook because I prefer
>> > the
>> > calender, but it has become unusable. And I really need those updates
>> > for
>> > both Outlook and Vista!
>> >
>> > Thanks for your help.
>>
>>
>>