Does the Windows Update page install something in the registry?

I am a IBM tech providing support for an account and every since the V5
windows update page came out we have been having problems with several
machines no being able to update. The error codes vary. We can take the
machine off the network and onto a DSL line and run the updates fine. After
that we can then access the windows update page from then on with no problems
on the network.
What does the windows update page install on the computer and where. Does it
install something in the registry, a cookie, an active X control ????? I have
been fighting this for about 2 months. Any information is greatly
appreciated.

IBM-Tech,
What kind of firewall / anti-virus is running on your network? I've had this
problem since V5 came to my computer in mid-august. I have tried many work
arounds from this newsgroup with no luck. I am on XP using cable internet.
Now you have me wondering, I am going to try dial-up tonight to see if it
makes any difference. It'll be slow but maybe fix the problem. Do you
actually apply an update on DSL to fix the problem or do you just run windows
update to get a list of available updates and that alone fixes the problem?
Thanks


"IBM-Tech" wrote:

> I am a IBM tech providing support for an account and every since the V5
> windows update page came out we have been having problems with several
> machines no being able to update. The error codes vary. We can take the
> machine off the network and onto a DSL line and run the updates fine. After
> that we can then access the windows update page from then on with no problems
> on the network.
> What does the windows update page install on the computer and where. Does it
> install something in the registry, a cookie, an active X control ????? I have
> been fighting this for about 2 months. Any information is greatly
> appreciated.

To answer your questions below when a new client visits the V5 site the
first thing the site does is verifies that the client has the latest
binaries. This is done by running an active X control which if the internet
security is set to not allow Active X controls this would be the cause.
Also if you are behind a firewall please ensure that you allow

http://*.windowsupdate.com

thanks

--
Zeb Mullen
Microsoft Corporation
Windows Update Services

======================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
======================

"IBM-Tech" <IBM-> wrote in message
news5F13DB4-B7EB-4147-A47E-...
>I am a IBM tech providing support for an account and every since the V5
> windows update page came out we have been having problems with several
> machines no being able to update. The error codes vary. We can take the
> machine off the network and onto a DSL line and run the updates fine.
> After
> that we can then access the windows update page from then on with no
> problems
> on the network.
> What does the windows update page install on the computer and where. Does
> it
> install something in the registry, a cookie, an active X control ????? I
> have
> been fighting this for about 2 months. Any information is greatly
> appreciated.

Actually Joe,
I have not had the problem with Windows 2000 machines. Of course this
company has a firewall and proxy. I have worked with the network team in
order to add all of the needed sites into the proxy server. I can access the
site and download the FIRST visit "install" that comes up on the right side
of the browser. After that I try to run the express or custom install and it
may or may not show me any updates. It depends on if I get an error right
then and there. If I dont get an error and choose to install the updates, It
usually just freezes in the download box. I have to close the download box
and try to research the error message. Which the resolutions usually never
work especially disabling the BITS servce one. Let me know if the dial-up
works.

"Joe" wrote:

> IBM-Tech,
> What kind of firewall / anti-virus is running on your network? I've had this
> problem since V5 came to my computer in mid-august. I have tried many work
> arounds from this newsgroup with no luck. I am on XP using cable internet.
> Now you have me wondering, I am going to try dial-up tonight to see if it
> makes any difference. It'll be slow but maybe fix the problem. Do you
> actually apply an update on DSL to fix the problem or do you just run windows
> update to get a list of available updates and that alone fixes the problem?
> Thanks
>
>
> "IBM-Tech" wrote:
>
> > I am a IBM tech providing support for an account and every since the V5
> > windows update page came out we have been having problems with several
> > machines no being able to update. The error codes vary. We can take the
> > machine off the network and onto a DSL line and run the updates fine. After
> > that we can then access the windows update page from then on with no problems
> > on the network.
> > What does the windows update page install on the computer and where. Does it
> > install something in the registry, a cookie, an active X control ????? I have
> > been fighting this for about 2 months. Any information is greatly
> > appreciated.

Zeb,
We have our user poilicy to "enable" active X controls in Internet Security
and Local Intranet. I have gotten the Network team to add all of the needed
sites for windows update into the proxy server. We have actually monitored a
PC that tried to do updates and was unable to using the programs here for
monitoring firewall and router activity. I physically saw it pass through the
router and firewall and return back through without being blocked. So I would
have to rule that out.
We gets me is that if I take it off the network and connect it to DSL it
works and then connect it back onto the network and it works. Here is the
test I did:
I went to the V5 windows update page on DSL and picked "custom install",
only picked 1 update to install out of 7. Installed the updated, rebooted and
put the machine back onto the network and was able to go to the site and
download the other 6 remaining updates. That tells me that SOMETHING gets
loaded somewhere the first time you "download" updates. Kinda like a cookie.
Now how would you explain that?

"Zeb Mullen [MSFT]" wrote:

> To answer your questions below when a new client visits the V5 site the
> first thing the site does is verifies that the client has the latest
> binaries. This is done by running an active X control which if the internet
> security is set to not allow Active X controls this would be the cause.
> Also if you are behind a firewall please ensure that you allow
>
> http://*.windowsupdate.com
>
> thanks
>
> --
> Zeb Mullen
> Microsoft Corporation
> Windows Update Services
>
> ======================
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
> ======================
>
> "IBM-Tech" <IBM-> wrote in message
> news5F13DB4-B7EB-4147-A47E-...
> >I am a IBM tech providing support for an account and every since the V5
> > windows update page came out we have been having problems with several
> > machines no being able to update. The error codes vary. We can take the
> > machine off the network and onto a DSL line and run the updates fine.
> > After
> > that we can then access the windows update page from then on with no
> > problems
> > on the network.
> > What does the windows update page install on the computer and where. Does
> > it
> > install something in the registry, a cookie, an active X control ????? I
> > have
> > been fighting this for about 2 months. Any information is greatly
> > appreciated.
>
>
>

IBM-Tech,
Looks like you may be onto something here. Unforunately for me, the dial-up
did not work either. It just sits there on the Installing Updates window with
no progress. I even disabled NIS. Just curious, what update did you install
using DSL? Maybe I'll try doing that one manually to see if that helps. I
hope your findings can help Microsoft figure out what this seemingly
widespread problem is.
-Joe

"IBM-Tech" wrote:

> Zeb,
> We have our user poilicy to "enable" active X controls in Internet Security
> and Local Intranet. I have gotten the Network team to add all of the needed
> sites for windows update into the proxy server. We have actually monitored a
> PC that tried to do updates and was unable to using the programs here for
> monitoring firewall and router activity. I physically saw it pass through the
> router and firewall and return back through without being blocked. So I would
> have to rule that out.
> We gets me is that if I take it off the network and connect it to DSL it
> works and then connect it back onto the network and it works. Here is the
> test I did:
> I went to the V5 windows update page on DSL and picked "custom install",
> only picked 1 update to install out of 7. Installed the updated, rebooted and
> put the machine back onto the network and was able to go to the site and
> download the other 6 remaining updates. That tells me that SOMETHING gets
> loaded somewhere the first time you "download" updates. Kinda like a cookie.
> Now how would you explain that?
>
> "Zeb Mullen [MSFT]" wrote:
>
> > To answer your questions below when a new client visits the V5 site the
> > first thing the site does is verifies that the client has the latest
> > binaries. This is done by running an active X control which if the internet
> > security is set to not allow Active X controls this would be the cause.
> > Also if you are behind a firewall please ensure that you allow
> >
> > http://*.windowsupdate.com
> >
> > thanks
> >
> > --
> > Zeb Mullen
> > Microsoft Corporation
> > Windows Update Services
> >
> > ======================
> > This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
> > ======================
> >
> > "IBM-Tech" <IBM-> wrote in message
> > news5F13DB4-B7EB-4147-A47E-...
> > >I am a IBM tech providing support for an account and every since the V5
> > > windows update page came out we have been having problems with several
> > > machines no being able to update. The error codes vary. We can take the
> > > machine off the network and onto a DSL line and run the updates fine.
> > > After
> > > that we can then access the windows update page from then on with no
> > > problems
> > > on the network.
> > > What does the windows update page install on the computer and where. Does
> > > it
> > > install something in the registry, a cookie, an active X control ????? I
> > > have
> > > been fighting this for about 2 months. Any information is greatly
> > > appreciated.
> >
> >
> >

> The error codes vary.

Details matter. Try citing a specific case.


> What does the windows update page install on the computer and where. Does it
> install something in the registry, a cookie, an active X control ?????

All of the above but mostly in its files I think.

If the problem is with V5 look for information in the
WindowsUpdate.log
and
ReportingEvents.log

For more insight on what the above logs may mean
use FileMon to monitor SoftwareDistribution


If the problem happens with V4 (e.g. not XP?) look for information in
Windows Update.log
(note the space in the filename.)

I'm not positive but I think you can get similar insight about V4
file usage by monitoring CatRoot with FileMon.

(FileMon is freeware from SysInternals.)


HTH

Robert Aldwinckle
---


"IBM-Tech" <IBM-> wrote in message
news5F13DB4-B7EB-4147-A47E-...
>I am a IBM tech providing support for an account and every since the V5
> windows update page came out we have been having problems with several
> machines no being able to update. The error codes vary. We can take the
> machine off the network and onto a DSL line and run the updates fine. After
> that we can then access the windows update page from then on with no problems
> on the network.
> What does the windows update page install on the computer and where. Does it
> install something in the registry, a cookie, an active X control ????? I have
> been fighting this for about 2 months. Any information is greatly
> appreciated.