manual MS Update fails (gen. host proc. fail) but works automatically

New clean install WinXPpro sp2 on a Gateway laptop. Several days ago I was
installing updates and the sp1 for Net Framework 2 failed; I downloaded the
update and installed it manually because I couldn't get any response from
the MS Update site after that. Prior to that I believe the manual update
was working OK, because I had it check for updates to get the net frameworks
installed.

Auto updates since then seem to be working normally and succeeding.
However, if I go to MSUpdate manually (wanted to check for driver or
optional updates) it starts out normally, but while it's checking for what
updates are needed, it stalls and I get a popup that generic host process
has stopped (sorry, I didn't get the exact wording). Sending the error info
to MS doesn't get any 'help' info in response, but it sends OK.

Looking in event viewer for applications, it shows as Faulting application
SVCHOST.EXE, faulting module MSI.DLL, event ID 1000.

Looking in the log for windows update just after that problem, it appeared
that something was working, as there were many entries with that time stamp
for things that did not need updating, and info that there was a scheduled
update tonight. No warnings or indications that something went wrong.

But I never get to the list of optional updates; as I said, it just hangs
while it's checking and never gets there after the general host process
error. Following the links from Event viewer are no help, and I once tried
to use the free support for windows update but it failed after I typed in
all the info...no explanation except "try later".

In Googling this, I find references to Windows installer, and it seems like
msi.dll would be part of that, so could this be something as simple as
reinstalling windows installer, or is that just a symptom? The machine is
working well and I'm too far along in reinstalling applications to start
over with a clean install (this was a Vista machine, but I located drivers
for everything for XP and decided I preferred XP for now).

So any ideas of how I can fix this to be able to use the manual update
feature? Auto is fine, but I don't like having something like this bugging
an otherwise great working machine. I got used to those popup error
messages on Vista machines, but never get them in XP, so this is an oddity.
Thanks for any help.

Gary

Hi Gary, check this kb article out (ignore the title as it relates to clean
installs also etc)
Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from Microsoft
Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP
installation
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144

Post back if no joy and we'll try and assist further.
K

"Gary R." wrote:

> New clean install WinXPpro sp2 on a Gateway laptop. Several days ago I was
> installing updates and the sp1 for Net Framework 2 failed; I downloaded the
> update and installed it manually because I couldn't get any response from
> the MS Update site after that. Prior to that I believe the manual update
> was working OK, because I had it check for updates to get the net frameworks
> installed.
>
> Auto updates since then seem to be working normally and succeeding.
> However, if I go to MSUpdate manually (wanted to check for driver or
> optional updates) it starts out normally, but while it's checking for what
> updates are needed, it stalls and I get a popup that generic host process
> has stopped (sorry, I didn't get the exact wording). Sending the error info
> to MS doesn't get any 'help' info in response, but it sends OK.
>
> Looking in event viewer for applications, it shows as Faulting application
> SVCHOST.EXE, faulting module MSI.DLL, event ID 1000.
>
> Looking in the log for windows update just after that problem, it appeared
> that something was working, as there were many entries with that time stamp
> for things that did not need updating, and info that there was a scheduled
> update tonight. No warnings or indications that something went wrong.
>
> But I never get to the list of optional updates; as I said, it just hangs
> while it's checking and never gets there after the general host process
> error. Following the links from Event viewer are no help, and I once tried
> to use the free support for windows update but it failed after I typed in
> all the info...no explanation except "try later".
>
> In Googling this, I find references to Windows installer, and it seems like
> msi.dll would be part of that, so could this be something as simple as
> reinstalling windows installer, or is that just a symptom? The machine is
> working well and I'm too far along in reinstalling applications to start
> over with a clean install (this was a Vista machine, but I located drivers
> for everything for XP and decided I preferred XP for now).
>
> So any ideas of how I can fix this to be able to use the manual update
> feature? Auto is fine, but I don't like having something like this bugging
> an otherwise great working machine. I got used to those popup error
> messages on Vista machines, but never get them in XP, so this is an oddity.
> Thanks for any help.
>
> Gary
>
>
>

Thanks for the quick reply. I tried the reinstall of the update files
specified in the article as it instructed, and it completed, but the error
message still comes up.

"Generic host porcess for win32 services has encountered a problem and needs
to close etc."
The tech details show:

szappname svchost.exe
szappver 5.1.2600.2180
sz mod name msxml.dll
sz mod ver 8.90.1101.0
offset 00009abf

I noticed something else after both of these occurrences...it seems to
affect network accessibility for that machine. It still accesses the
internet fine, but the other computers can't find it on the network, where
they could immediately before this occurred. (I noticed this when I tried
to move a file after the earlier try at MS update, and couldn't get to the
network. It happened again after the next update try. It can sometimes see
the other machines, but they can't see it until I reboot. When the windows
update is not involved, it is always easily accessible to and from other
machines.

Something additional; there was an update showing in the system tray, so I
initiated it (Capicom KB931906) and it worked fine. Then after I closed the
box that reported a successful update, up popped that 'generic host process'
box. This time it was the msi.dll like the first time, not the msxml3.dll
like the second time. Again, the other computers could not see it on the
network until I rebooted.

I don't know if it's relevant, but your message and the article about the
repair process reminded me of it. As I was installing applications, I ran
into an issue that seemed to be caused by a newly installed app; I got a
couple of blue screens, so I uninstalled the app and did a system restore to
earlier that day. It turned out that the blue screens were caused by a USB
drive I had plugged in with a corrupted file system instead of the
application, but the system restore was at a time when the install of XP was
relatively fresh and updates were installing pretty regularly. It's too
late to undo the system restore now, but I wonder if the system restore
messed something up (?)

Anyway, your help and further suggestions are appreciated.

Gary

"TaurArian" <> wrote in message
news:1C6B987D-AE0D-4326-BCED-...
> Hi Gary, check this kb article out (ignore the title as it relates to
> clean
> installs also etc)
> Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from Microsoft
> Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP
> installation
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
>
> Post back if no joy and we'll try and assist further.
> K
>
> "Gary R." wrote:
>
>> New clean install WinXPpro sp2 on a Gateway laptop. Several days ago I
>> was
>> installing updates and the sp1 for Net Framework 2 failed; I downloaded
>> the
>> update and installed it manually because I couldn't get any response from
>> the MS Update site after that. Prior to that I believe the manual update
>> was working OK, because I had it check for updates to get the net
>> frameworks
>> installed.
>>
>> Auto updates since then seem to be working normally and succeeding.
>> However, if I go to MSUpdate manually (wanted to check for driver or
>> optional updates) it starts out normally, but while it's checking for
>> what
>> updates are needed, it stalls and I get a popup that generic host process
>> has stopped (sorry, I didn't get the exact wording). Sending the error
>> info
>> to MS doesn't get any 'help' info in response, but it sends OK.
>>
>> Looking in event viewer for applications, it shows as Faulting
>> application
>> SVCHOST.EXE, faulting module MSI.DLL, event ID 1000.
>>
>> Looking in the log for windows update just after that problem, it
>> appeared
>> that something was working, as there were many entries with that time
>> stamp
>> for things that did not need updating, and info that there was a
>> scheduled
>> update tonight. No warnings or indications that something went wrong.
>>
>> But I never get to the list of optional updates; as I said, it just hangs
>> while it's checking and never gets there after the general host process
>> error. Following the links from Event viewer are no help, and I once
>> tried
>> to use the free support for windows update but it failed after I typed in
>> all the info...no explanation except "try later".
>>
>> In Googling this, I find references to Windows installer, and it seems
>> like
>> msi.dll would be part of that, so could this be something as simple as
>> reinstalling windows installer, or is that just a symptom? The machine
>> is
>> working well and I'm too far along in reinstalling applications to start
>> over with a clean install (this was a Vista machine, but I located
>> drivers
>> for everything for XP and decided I preferred XP for now).
>>
>> So any ideas of how I can fix this to be able to use the manual update
>> feature? Auto is fine, but I don't like having something like this
>> bugging
>> an otherwise great working machine. I got used to those popup error
>> messages on Vista machines, but never get them in XP, so this is an
>> oddity.
>> Thanks for any help.
>>
>> Gary
>>
>>
>>

Hard one to track. Could be virus/malware related.

Do you have a HP Printer installed
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...name=c00273968
HP All-in-One Products - A 'Generic Host Process For Win32 Services Has
Encountered a Problem and Needs to Close' Error Message Displays

Some additional stuff here:-
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927891
You receive an access violation error and the system may appear to become
unresponsive when you try to install an update from Windows Update or from
Microsoft Update


"Gary R." wrote:

> Thanks for the quick reply. I tried the reinstall of the update files
> specified in the article as it instructed, and it completed, but the error
> message still comes up.
>
> "Generic host porcess for win32 services has encountered a problem and needs
> to close etc."
> The tech details show:
>
> szappname svchost.exe
> szappver 5.1.2600.2180
> sz mod name msxml.dll
> sz mod ver 8.90.1101.0
> offset 00009abf
>
> I noticed something else after both of these occurrences...it seems to
> affect network accessibility for that machine. It still accesses the
> internet fine, but the other computers can't find it on the network, where
> they could immediately before this occurred. (I noticed this when I tried
> to move a file after the earlier try at MS update, and couldn't get to the
> network. It happened again after the next update try. It can sometimes see
> the other machines, but they can't see it until I reboot. When the windows
> update is not involved, it is always easily accessible to and from other
> machines.
>
> Something additional; there was an update showing in the system tray, so I
> initiated it (Capicom KB931906) and it worked fine. Then after I closed the
> box that reported a successful update, up popped that 'generic host process'
> box. This time it was the msi.dll like the first time, not the msxml3.dll
> like the second time. Again, the other computers could not see it on the
> network until I rebooted.
>
> I don't know if it's relevant, but your message and the article about the
> repair process reminded me of it. As I was installing applications, I ran
> into an issue that seemed to be caused by a newly installed app; I got a
> couple of blue screens, so I uninstalled the app and did a system restore to
> earlier that day. It turned out that the blue screens were caused by a USB
> drive I had plugged in with a corrupted file system instead of the
> application, but the system restore was at a time when the install of XP was
> relatively fresh and updates were installing pretty regularly. It's too
> late to undo the system restore now, but I wonder if the system restore
> messed something up (?)
>
> Anyway, your help and further suggestions are appreciated.
>
> Gary
>
> "TaurArian" <> wrote in message
> news:1C6B987D-AE0D-4326-BCED-...
> > Hi Gary, check this kb article out (ignore the title as it relates to
> > clean
> > installs also etc)
> > Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from Microsoft
> > Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP
> > installation
> > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
> >
> > Post back if no joy and we'll try and assist further.
> > K
> >
> > "Gary R." wrote:
> >
> >> New clean install WinXPpro sp2 on a Gateway laptop. Several days ago I
> >> was
> >> installing updates and the sp1 for Net Framework 2 failed; I downloaded
> >> the
> >> update and installed it manually because I couldn't get any response from
> >> the MS Update site after that. Prior to that I believe the manual update
> >> was working OK, because I had it check for updates to get the net
> >> frameworks
> >> installed.
> >>
> >> Auto updates since then seem to be working normally and succeeding.
> >> However, if I go to MSUpdate manually (wanted to check for driver or
> >> optional updates) it starts out normally, but while it's checking for
> >> what
> >> updates are needed, it stalls and I get a popup that generic host process
> >> has stopped (sorry, I didn't get the exact wording). Sending the error
> >> info
> >> to MS doesn't get any 'help' info in response, but it sends OK.
> >>
> >> Looking in event viewer for applications, it shows as Faulting
> >> application
> >> SVCHOST.EXE, faulting module MSI.DLL, event ID 1000.
> >>
> >> Looking in the log for windows update just after that problem, it
> >> appeared
> >> that something was working, as there were many entries with that time
> >> stamp
> >> for things that did not need updating, and info that there was a
> >> scheduled
> >> update tonight. No warnings or indications that something went wrong.
> >>
> >> But I never get to the list of optional updates; as I said, it just hangs
> >> while it's checking and never gets there after the general host process
> >> error. Following the links from Event viewer are no help, and I once
> >> tried
> >> to use the free support for windows update but it failed after I typed in
> >> all the info...no explanation except "try later".
> >>
> >> In Googling this, I find references to Windows installer, and it seems
> >> like
> >> msi.dll would be part of that, so could this be something as simple as
> >> reinstalling windows installer, or is that just a symptom? The machine
> >> is
> >> working well and I'm too far along in reinstalling applications to start
> >> over with a clean install (this was a Vista machine, but I located
> >> drivers
> >> for everything for XP and decided I preferred XP for now).
> >>
> >> So any ideas of how I can fix this to be able to use the manual update
> >> feature? Auto is fine, but I don't like having something like this
> >> bugging
> >> an otherwise great working machine. I got used to those popup error
> >> messages on Vista machines, but never get them in XP, so this is an
> >> oddity.
> >> Thanks for any help.
> >>
> >> Gary
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>

Must be a miracle 8^). While I have an HP printer network-shared, it wasn't
the type specified, so that was out.

However, following the links you provided, I ran through virtually
everything...installing another update, registering dll's, shutting off auto
updates then back on, checkdisk, spyware and trojan searches (clean), every
possible thing I could find regarding updates through your links and Google.
Still got those infernal error messages for updates.

I had resigned myself to reformatting...though it's a lot of work
reinstalling everything, I don't want a machine I can't rely on when it's
the only one (laptop) I may have with me. Did a full disk image with
Acronis (just in case the format/reinstall didn't work either), exported all
docs and settings that I could, and decided to bite the bullet and reformat.
A last-minute look at event viewer looked relatively clean for the last day
or so, so out of curiosity I clicked on MS update. Waited for the familiar
"generic host process" message; and waited; and waited; then up popped the
list of available updates. Ran a couple of them (optional ones) and all
went fine, and all important updates are current.

So go figure. Must have healed itself, or when it realized I was serious
and going to dump the whole mess, decided to quit giving me a hard time.
8^)

Thanks for the suggestions. I don't know which, if any, did the job, but
regardless of that, I got out of a lot of extra work and everything is
working.

Gary

"TaurArian" <> wrote in message
news:468D2204-2EC0-4715-8B61-...
> Hard one to track. Could be virus/malware related.
>
> Do you have a HP Printer installed?
> http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...name=c00273968
> HP All-in-One Products - A 'Generic Host Process For Win32 Services Has
> Encountered a Problem and Needs to Close' Error Message Displays
>
> Some additional stuff here:-
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927891
> You receive an access violation error and the system may appear to become
> unresponsive when you try to install an update from Windows Update or from
> Microsoft Update
>
>
> "Gary R." wrote:
>
>> Thanks for the quick reply. I tried the reinstall of the update files
>> specified in the article as it instructed, and it completed, but the
>> error
>> message still comes up.
>>
>> "Generic host porcess for win32 services has encountered a problem and
>> needs
>> to close etc."
>> The tech details show:
>>
>> szappname svchost.exe
>> szappver 5.1.2600.2180
>> sz mod name msxml.dll
>> sz mod ver 8.90.1101.0
>> offset 00009abf
>>
>> I noticed something else after both of these occurrences...it seems to
>> affect network accessibility for that machine. It still accesses the
>> internet fine, but the other computers can't find it on the network,
>> where
>> they could immediately before this occurred. (I noticed this when I
>> tried
>> to move a file after the earlier try at MS update, and couldn't get to
>> the
>> network. It happened again after the next update try. It can sometimes
>> see
>> the other machines, but they can't see it until I reboot. When the
>> windows
>> update is not involved, it is always easily accessible to and from other
>> machines.
>>
>> Something additional; there was an update showing in the system tray, so
>> I
>> initiated it (Capicom KB931906) and it worked fine. Then after I closed
>> the
>> box that reported a successful update, up popped that 'generic host
>> process'
>> box. This time it was the msi.dll like the first time, not the
>> msxml3.dll
>> like the second time. Again, the other computers could not see it on the
>> network until I rebooted.
>>
>> I don't know if it's relevant, but your message and the article about the
>> repair process reminded me of it. As I was installing applications, I
>> ran
>> into an issue that seemed to be caused by a newly installed app; I got a
>> couple of blue screens, so I uninstalled the app and did a system restore
>> to
>> earlier that day. It turned out that the blue screens were caused by a
>> USB
>> drive I had plugged in with a corrupted file system instead of the
>> application, but the system restore was at a time when the install of XP
>> was
>> relatively fresh and updates were installing pretty regularly. It's too
>> late to undo the system restore now, but I wonder if the system restore
>> messed something up (?)
>>
>> Anyway, your help and further suggestions are appreciated.
>>
>> Gary
>>
>> "TaurArian" <> wrote in message
>> news:1C6B987D-AE0D-4326-BCED-...
>> > Hi Gary, check this kb article out (ignore the title as it relates to
>> > clean
>> > installs also etc)
>> > Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from
>> > Microsoft
>> > Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP
>> > installation
>> > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
>> >
>> > Post back if no joy and we'll try and assist further.
>> > K
>> >
>> > "Gary R." wrote:
>> >
>> >> New clean install WinXPpro sp2 on a Gateway laptop. Several days ago
>> >> I
>> >> was
>> >> installing updates and the sp1 for Net Framework 2 failed; I
>> >> downloaded
>> >> the
>> >> update and installed it manually because I couldn't get any response
>> >> from
>> >> the MS Update site after that. Prior to that I believe the manual
>> >> update
>> >> was working OK, because I had it check for updates to get the net
>> >> frameworks
>> >> installed.
>> >>
>> >> Auto updates since then seem to be working normally and succeeding.
>> >> However, if I go to MSUpdate manually (wanted to check for driver or
>> >> optional updates) it starts out normally, but while it's checking for
>> >> what
>> >> updates are needed, it stalls and I get a popup that generic host
>> >> process
>> >> has stopped (sorry, I didn't get the exact wording). Sending the
>> >> error
>> >> info
>> >> to MS doesn't get any 'help' info in response, but it sends OK.
>> >>
>> >> Looking in event viewer for applications, it shows as Faulting
>> >> application
>> >> SVCHOST.EXE, faulting module MSI.DLL, event ID 1000.
>> >>
>> >> Looking in the log for windows update just after that problem, it
>> >> appeared
>> >> that something was working, as there were many entries with that time
>> >> stamp
>> >> for things that did not need updating, and info that there was a
>> >> scheduled
>> >> update tonight. No warnings or indications that something went wrong.
>> >>
>> >> But I never get to the list of optional updates; as I said, it just
>> >> hangs
>> >> while it's checking and never gets there after the general host
>> >> process
>> >> error. Following the links from Event viewer are no help, and I once
>> >> tried
>> >> to use the free support for windows update but it failed after I typed
>> >> in
>> >> all the info...no explanation except "try later".
>> >>
>> >> In Googling this, I find references to Windows installer, and it seems
>> >> like
>> >> msi.dll would be part of that, so could this be something as simple as
>> >> reinstalling windows installer, or is that just a symptom? The
>> >> machine
>> >> is
>> >> working well and I'm too far along in reinstalling applications to
>> >> start
>> >> over with a clean install (this was a Vista machine, but I located
>> >> drivers
>> >> for everything for XP and decided I preferred XP for now).
>> >>
>> >> So any ideas of how I can fix this to be able to use the manual update
>> >> feature? Auto is fine, but I don't like having something like this
>> >> bugging
>> >> an otherwise great working machine. I got used to those popup error
>> >> messages on Vista machines, but never get them in XP, so this is an
>> >> oddity.
>> >> Thanks for any help.
>> >>
>> >> Gary
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>
>>

Miracle or not, as long as it's fixed. Do another image while everything is
working well".
K

"Gary R." wrote:

> Must be a miracle 8^). While I have an HP printer network-shared, it wasn't
> the type specified, so that was out.
>
> However, following the links you provided, I ran through virtually
> everything...installing another update, registering dll's, shutting off auto
> updates then back on, checkdisk, spyware and trojan searches (clean), every
> possible thing I could find regarding updates through your links and Google.
> Still got those infernal error messages for updates.
>
> I had resigned myself to reformatting...though it's a lot of work
> reinstalling everything, I don't want a machine I can't rely on when it's
> the only one (laptop) I may have with me. Did a full disk image with
> Acronis (just in case the format/reinstall didn't work either), exported all
> docs and settings that I could, and decided to bite the bullet and reformat.
> A last-minute look at event viewer looked relatively clean for the last day
> or so, so out of curiosity I clicked on MS update. Waited for the familiar
> "generic host process" message; and waited; and waited; then up popped the
> list of available updates. Ran a couple of them (optional ones) and all
> went fine, and all important updates are current.
>
> So go figure. Must have healed itself, or when it realized I was serious
> and going to dump the whole mess, decided to quit giving me a hard time.
> 8^)
>
> Thanks for the suggestions. I don't know which, if any, did the job, but
> regardless of that, I got out of a lot of extra work and everything is
> working.
>
> Gary
>
> "TaurArian" <> wrote in message
> news:468D2204-2EC0-4715-8B61-...
> > Hard one to track. Could be virus/malware related.
> >
> > Do you have a HP Printer installed?
> > http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...name=c00273968
> > HP All-in-One Products - A 'Generic Host Process For Win32 Services Has
> > Encountered a Problem and Needs to Close' Error Message Displays
> >
> > Some additional stuff here:-
> > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927891
> > You receive an access violation error and the system may appear to become
> > unresponsive when you try to install an update from Windows Update or from
> > Microsoft Update
> >
> >
> > "Gary R." wrote:
> >
> >> Thanks for the quick reply. I tried the reinstall of the update files
> >> specified in the article as it instructed, and it completed, but the
> >> error
> >> message still comes up.
> >>
> >> "Generic host porcess for win32 services has encountered a problem and
> >> needs
> >> to close etc."
> >> The tech details show:
> >>
> >> szappname svchost.exe
> >> szappver 5.1.2600.2180
> >> sz mod name msxml.dll
> >> sz mod ver 8.90.1101.0
> >> offset 00009abf
> >>
> >> I noticed something else after both of these occurrences...it seems to
> >> affect network accessibility for that machine. It still accesses the
> >> internet fine, but the other computers can't find it on the network,
> >> where
> >> they could immediately before this occurred. (I noticed this when I
> >> tried
> >> to move a file after the earlier try at MS update, and couldn't get to
> >> the
> >> network. It happened again after the next update try. It can sometimes
> >> see
> >> the other machines, but they can't see it until I reboot. When the
> >> windows
> >> update is not involved, it is always easily accessible to and from other
> >> machines.
> >>
> >> Something additional; there was an update showing in the system tray, so
> >> I
> >> initiated it (Capicom KB931906) and it worked fine. Then after I closed
> >> the
> >> box that reported a successful update, up popped that 'generic host
> >> process'
> >> box. This time it was the msi.dll like the first time, not the
> >> msxml3.dll
> >> like the second time. Again, the other computers could not see it on the
> >> network until I rebooted.
> >>
> >> I don't know if it's relevant, but your message and the article about the
> >> repair process reminded me of it. As I was installing applications, I
> >> ran
> >> into an issue that seemed to be caused by a newly installed app; I got a
> >> couple of blue screens, so I uninstalled the app and did a system restore
> >> to
> >> earlier that day. It turned out that the blue screens were caused by a
> >> USB
> >> drive I had plugged in with a corrupted file system instead of the
> >> application, but the system restore was at a time when the install of XP
> >> was
> >> relatively fresh and updates were installing pretty regularly. It's too
> >> late to undo the system restore now, but I wonder if the system restore
> >> messed something up (?)
> >>
> >> Anyway, your help and further suggestions are appreciated.
> >>
> >> Gary
> >>
> >> "TaurArian" <> wrote in message
> >> news:1C6B987D-AE0D-4326-BCED-...
> >> > Hi Gary, check this kb article out (ignore the title as it relates to
> >> > clean
> >> > installs also etc)
> >> > Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from
> >> > Microsoft
> >> > Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP
> >> > installation
> >> > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
> >> >
> >> > Post back if no joy and we'll try and assist further.
> >> > K
> >> >
> >> > "Gary R." wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> New clean install WinXPpro sp2 on a Gateway laptop. Several days ago
> >> >> I
> >> >> was
> >> >> installing updates and the sp1 for Net Framework 2 failed; I
> >> >> downloaded
> >> >> the
> >> >> update and installed it manually because I couldn't get any response
> >> >> from
> >> >> the MS Update site after that. Prior to that I believe the manual
> >> >> update
> >> >> was working OK, because I had it check for updates to get the net
> >> >> frameworks
> >> >> installed.
> >> >>
> >> >> Auto updates since then seem to be working normally and succeeding.
> >> >> However, if I go to MSUpdate manually (wanted to check for driver or
> >> >> optional updates) it starts out normally, but while it's checking for
> >> >> what
> >> >> updates are needed, it stalls and I get a popup that generic host
> >> >> process
> >> >> has stopped (sorry, I didn't get the exact wording). Sending the
> >> >> error
> >> >> info
> >> >> to MS doesn't get any 'help' info in response, but it sends OK.
> >> >>
> >> >> Looking in event viewer for applications, it shows as Faulting
> >> >> application
> >> >> SVCHOST.EXE, faulting module MSI.DLL, event ID 1000.
> >> >>
> >> >> Looking in the log for windows update just after that problem, it
> >> >> appeared
> >> >> that something was working, as there were many entries with that time
> >> >> stamp
> >> >> for things that did not need updating, and info that there was a
> >> >> scheduled
> >> >> update tonight. No warnings or indications that something went wrong.
> >> >>
> >> >> But I never get to the list of optional updates; as I said, it just
> >> >> hangs
> >> >> while it's checking and never gets there after the general host
> >> >> process
> >> >> error. Following the links from Event viewer are no help, and I once
> >> >> tried
> >> >> to use the free support for windows update but it failed after I typed
> >> >> in
> >> >> all the info...no explanation except "try later".
> >> >>
> >> >> In Googling this, I find references to Windows installer, and it seems
> >> >> like
> >> >> msi.dll would be part of that, so could this be something as simple as
> >> >> reinstalling windows installer, or is that just a symptom? The
> >> >> machine
> >> >> is
> >> >> working well and I'm too far along in reinstalling applications to
> >> >> start
> >> >> over with a clean install (this was a Vista machine, but I located
> >> >> drivers
> >> >> for everything for XP and decided I preferred XP for now).
> >> >>
> >> >> So any ideas of how I can fix this to be able to use the manual update
> >> >> feature? Auto is fine, but I don't like having something like this
> >> >> bugging
> >> >> an otherwise great working machine. I got used to those popup error
> >> >> messages on Vista machines, but never get them in XP, so this is an
> >> >> oddity.
> >> >> Thanks for any help.
> >> >>
> >> >> Gary
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>

I thought I'd post a quick update to my windows update issue with generic
host process errors that were elusive to troubleshoot...maybe it will be of
some help elsewhere, but it certainly illustrates how evasive some problems
can be.

Updates were failing for various 'generic host process' errors with various
dll's, and I had done everything from reinstalling files to registering
dll's, etc., and just when it all was working, a day or two later up popped
those errors again.

What led me to the source of the problem was I finally got a couple of blue
screens (XP), and was able to see a pfn_list_corrupt message before it shut
down. A search at MS said I should try the Windows memory tester, which
sounded odd, but I did. It failed miserably.

The memory was added to the laptop when it (new) had Vista to upgrade from 1
GB to 2 for performance reasons. and was the right spec and speed. However,
I then swapped back the original 1-GB chips, and ran the test again, which
went perfectly. So I booted up, and no more errors. Ran updates, they
worked fine. I slipped in the Vista hard drive and booted up, and the
occasional 'services' errors that I'd seen there also disappeared.

It turned out that the memory was seen by the machine as 4-4-4-12 for
timings, and the actual DDR memory spec was 5-5-5-12, and it was failing at
the slightly higher speeds, especially when cached. The laptop's bios was a
typical cheap one which doesn't allow the user to set the timings, it's all
automatically detected. So hopefully the coming replacement 2-GB memory
will be detected properly, otherwise I'll have to get a different brand, or
some that will run at 4-4-4-12.

I'd have never figured either Vista or XP would have run at all with the
error-plagued memory installed, but it mostly ran fine but for the services
errors (and eventually the couple of blue screens which saved the day). I
run Photoshop and other graphics programs, and all ran without problems with
that memory problem.

Anyway, I do troubleshooting and repair a lot for others, but this one was
really a surprise to me, so I thought I'd pass it along in case anyone else
gets to the end of their rope with troubleshooting what they think is a
software issue, but isn't.

Gary

"TaurArian" <> wrote in message
news:A726E543-36A9-4CEF-90E7-...
> Miracle or not, as long as it's fixed. Do another image while everything
> is
> working well".
> K
>
> "Gary R." wrote:
>
>> Must be a miracle 8^). While I have an HP printer network-shared, it
>> wasn't
>> the type specified, so that was out.
>>
>> However, following the links you provided, I ran through virtually
>> everything...installing another update, registering dll's, shutting off
>> auto
>> updates then back on, checkdisk, spyware and trojan searches (clean),
>> every
>> possible thing I could find regarding updates through your links and
>> Google.
>> Still got those infernal error messages for updates.
>>
>> I had resigned myself to reformatting...though it's a lot of work
>> reinstalling everything, I don't want a machine I can't rely on when it's
>> the only one (laptop) I may have with me. Did a full disk image with
>> Acronis (just in case the format/reinstall didn't work either), exported
>> all
>> docs and settings that I could, and decided to bite the bullet and
>> reformat.
>> A last-minute look at event viewer looked relatively clean for the last
>> day
>> or so, so out of curiosity I clicked on MS update. Waited for the
>> familiar
>> "generic host process" message; and waited; and waited; then up popped
>> the
>> list of available updates. Ran a couple of them (optional ones) and all
>> went fine, and all important updates are current.
>>
>> So go figure. Must have healed itself, or when it realized I was serious
>> and going to dump the whole mess, decided to quit giving me a hard time.
>> 8^)
>>
>> Thanks for the suggestions. I don't know which, if any, did the job, but
>> regardless of that, I got out of a lot of extra work and everything is
>> working.
>>
>> Gary
>>
>> "TaurArian" <> wrote in message
>> news:468D2204-2EC0-4715-8B61-...
>> > Hard one to track. Could be virus/malware related.
>> >
>> > Do you have a HP Printer installed?
>> > http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...name=c00273968
>> > HP All-in-One Products - A 'Generic Host Process For Win32 Services
>> > Has
>> > Encountered a Problem and Needs to Close' Error Message Displays
>> >
>> > Some additional stuff here:-
>> > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927891
>> > You receive an access violation error and the system may appear to
>> > become
>> > unresponsive when you try to install an update from Windows Update or
>> > from
>> > Microsoft Update
>> >
>> >
>> > "Gary R." wrote:
>> >
>> >> Thanks for the quick reply. I tried the reinstall of the update files
>> >> specified in the article as it instructed, and it completed, but the
>> >> error
>> >> message still comes up.
>> >>
>> >> "Generic host porcess for win32 services has encountered a problem and
>> >> needs
>> >> to close etc."
>> >> The tech details show:
>> >>
>> >> szappname svchost.exe
>> >> szappver 5.1.2600.2180
>> >> sz mod name msxml.dll
>> >> sz mod ver 8.90.1101.0
>> >> offset 00009abf
>> >>
>> >> I noticed something else after both of these occurrences...it seems to
>> >> affect network accessibility for that machine. It still accesses the
>> >> internet fine, but the other computers can't find it on the network,
>> >> where
>> >> they could immediately before this occurred. (I noticed this when I
>> >> tried
>> >> to move a file after the earlier try at MS update, and couldn't get to
>> >> the
>> >> network. It happened again after the next update try. It can
>> >> sometimes
>> >> see
>> >> the other machines, but they can't see it until I reboot. When the
>> >> windows
>> >> update is not involved, it is always easily accessible to and from
>> >> other
>> >> machines.
>> >>
>> >> Something additional; there was an update showing in the system tray,
>> >> so
>> >> I
>> >> initiated it (Capicom KB931906) and it worked fine. Then after I
>> >> closed
>> >> the
>> >> box that reported a successful update, up popped that 'generic host
>> >> process'
>> >> box. This time it was the msi.dll like the first time, not the
>> >> msxml3.dll
>> >> like the second time. Again, the other computers could not see it on
>> >> the
>> >> network until I rebooted.
>> >>
>> >> I don't know if it's relevant, but your message and the article about
>> >> the
>> >> repair process reminded me of it. As I was installing applications, I
>> >> ran
>> >> into an issue that seemed to be caused by a newly installed app; I got
>> >> a
>> >> couple of blue screens, so I uninstalled the app and did a system
>> >> restore
>> >> to
>> >> earlier that day. It turned out that the blue screens were caused by
>> >> a
>> >> USB
>> >> drive I had plugged in with a corrupted file system instead of the
>> >> application, but the system restore was at a time when the install of
>> >> XP
>> >> was
>> >> relatively fresh and updates were installing pretty regularly. It's
>> >> too
>> >> late to undo the system restore now, but I wonder if the system
>> >> restore
>> >> messed something up (?)
>> >>
>> >> Anyway, your help and further suggestions are appreciated.
>> >>
>> >> Gary
>> >>
>> >> "TaurArian" <> wrote in message
>> >> news:1C6B987D-AE0D-4326-BCED-...
>> >> > Hi Gary, check this kb article out (ignore the title as it relates
>> >> > to
>> >> > clean
>> >> > installs also etc)
>> >> > Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from
>> >> > Microsoft
>> >> > Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP
>> >> > installation
>> >> > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
>> >> >
>> >> > Post back if no joy and we'll try and assist further.
>> >> > K
>> >> >
>> >> > "Gary R." wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> New clean install WinXPpro sp2 on a Gateway laptop. Several days
>> >> >> ago
>> >> >> I
>> >> >> was
>> >> >> installing updates and the sp1 for Net Framework 2 failed; I
>> >> >> downloaded
>> >> >> the
>> >> >> update and installed it manually because I couldn't get any
>> >> >> response
>> >> >> from
>> >> >> the MS Update site after that. Prior to that I believe the manual
>> >> >> update
>> >> >> was working OK, because I had it check for updates to get the net
>> >> >> frameworks
>> >> >> installed.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Auto updates since then seem to be working normally and succeeding.
>> >> >> However, if I go to MSUpdate manually (wanted to check for driver
>> >> >> or
>> >> >> optional updates) it starts out normally, but while it's checking
>> >> >> for
>> >> >> what
>> >> >> updates are needed, it stalls and I get a popup that generic host
>> >> >> process
>> >> >> has stopped (sorry, I didn't get the exact wording). Sending the
>> >> >> error
>> >> >> info
>> >> >> to MS doesn't get any 'help' info in response, but it sends OK.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Looking in event viewer for applications, it shows as Faulting
>> >> >> application
>> >> >> SVCHOST.EXE, faulting module MSI.DLL, event ID 1000.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Looking in the log for windows update just after that problem, it
>> >> >> appeared
>> >> >> that something was working, as there were many entries with that
>> >> >> time
>> >> >> stamp
>> >> >> for things that did not need updating, and info that there was a
>> >> >> scheduled
>> >> >> update tonight. No warnings or indications that something went
>> >> >> wrong.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> But I never get to the list of optional updates; as I said, it just
>> >> >> hangs
>> >> >> while it's checking and never gets there after the general host
>> >> >> process
>> >> >> error. Following the links from Event viewer are no help, and I
>> >> >> once
>> >> >> tried
>> >> >> to use the free support for windows update but it failed after I
>> >> >> typed
>> >> >> in
>> >> >> all the info...no explanation except "try later".
>> >> >>
>> >> >> In Googling this, I find references to Windows installer, and it
>> >> >> seems
>> >> >> like
>> >> >> msi.dll would be part of that, so could this be something as simple
>> >> >> as
>> >> >> reinstalling windows installer, or is that just a symptom? The
>> >> >> machine
>> >> >> is
>> >> >> working well and I'm too far along in reinstalling applications to
>> >> >> start
>> >> >> over with a clean install (this was a Vista machine, but I located
>> >> >> drivers
>> >> >> for everything for XP and decided I preferred XP for now).
>> >> >>
>> >> >> So any ideas of how I can fix this to be able to use the manual
>> >> >> update
>> >> >> feature? Auto is fine, but I don't like having something like this
>> >> >> bugging
>> >> >> an otherwise great working machine. I got used to those popup
>> >> >> error
>> >> >> messages on Vista machines, but never get them in XP, so this is an
>> >> >> oddity.
>> >> >> Thanks for any help.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Gary
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>
>>

Thanks Gary for the feedback, it just may help someone and save them a lot of headaches.
K

--

TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2008 - Update Services
http://taurarian.mvps.org
======================================
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
Computer Maintenance: Acronis / Diskeeper / Paragon / Raxco


"Gary R." <> wrote in message
news:...
|I thought I'd post a quick update to my windows update issue with generic
| host process errors that were elusive to troubleshoot...maybe it will be of
| some help elsewhere, but it certainly illustrates how evasive some problems
| can be.
|
| Updates were failing for various 'generic host process' errors with various
| dll's, and I had done everything from reinstalling files to registering
| dll's, etc., and just when it all was working, a day or two later up popped
| those errors again.
|
| What led me to the source of the problem was I finally got a couple of blue
| screens (XP), and was able to see a pfn_list_corrupt message before it shut
| down. A search at MS said I should try the Windows memory tester, which
| sounded odd, but I did. It failed miserably.
|
| The memory was added to the laptop when it (new) had Vista to upgrade from 1
| GB to 2 for performance reasons. and was the right spec and speed. However,
| I then swapped back the original 1-GB chips, and ran the test again, which
| went perfectly. So I booted up, and no more errors. Ran updates, they
| worked fine. I slipped in the Vista hard drive and booted up, and the
| occasional 'services' errors that I'd seen there also disappeared.
|
| It turned out that the memory was seen by the machine as 4-4-4-12 for
| timings, and the actual DDR memory spec was 5-5-5-12, and it was failing at
| the slightly higher speeds, especially when cached. The laptop's bios was a
| typical cheap one which doesn't allow the user to set the timings, it's all
| automatically detected. So hopefully the coming replacement 2-GB memory
| will be detected properly, otherwise I'll have to get a different brand, or
| some that will run at 4-4-4-12.
|
| I'd have never figured either Vista or XP would have run at all with the
| error-plagued memory installed, but it mostly ran fine but for the services
| errors (and eventually the couple of blue screens which saved the day). I
| run Photoshop and other graphics programs, and all ran without problems with
| that memory problem.
|
| Anyway, I do troubleshooting and repair a lot for others, but this one was
| really a surprise to me, so I thought I'd pass it along in case anyone else
| gets to the end of their rope with troubleshooting what they think is a
| software issue, but isn't.
|
| Gary
|
| "TaurArian" <> wrote in message
| news:A726E543-36A9-4CEF-90E7-...
| > Miracle or not, as long as it's fixed. Do another image while everything
| > is
| > working well".
| > K
| >
| > "Gary R." wrote:
| >
| >> Must be a miracle 8^). While I have an HP printer network-shared, it
| >> wasn't
| >> the type specified, so that was out.
| >>
| >> However, following the links you provided, I ran through virtually
| >> everything...installing another update, registering dll's, shutting off
| >> auto
| >> updates then back on, checkdisk, spyware and trojan searches (clean),
| >> every
| >> possible thing I could find regarding updates through your links and
| >> Google.
| >> Still got those infernal error messages for updates.
| >>
| >> I had resigned myself to reformatting...though it's a lot of work
| >> reinstalling everything, I don't want a machine I can't rely on when it's
| >> the only one (laptop) I may have with me. Did a full disk image with
| >> Acronis (just in case the format/reinstall didn't work either), exported
| >> all
| >> docs and settings that I could, and decided to bite the bullet and
| >> reformat.
| >> A last-minute look at event viewer looked relatively clean for the last
| >> day
| >> or so, so out of curiosity I clicked on MS update. Waited for the
| >> familiar
| >> "generic host process" message; and waited; and waited; then up popped
| >> the
| >> list of available updates. Ran a couple of them (optional ones) and all
| >> went fine, and all important updates are current.
| >>
| >> So go figure. Must have healed itself, or when it realized I was serious
| >> and going to dump the whole mess, decided to quit giving me a hard time.
| >> 8^)
| >>
| >> Thanks for the suggestions. I don't know which, if any, did the job, but
| >> regardless of that, I got out of a lot of extra work and everything is
| >> working.
| >>
| >> Gary
| >>
| >> "TaurArian" <> wrote in message
| >> news:468D2204-2EC0-4715-8B61-...
| >> > Hard one to track. Could be virus/malware related.
| >> >
| >> > Do you have a HP Printer installed?
| >> >
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...name=c00273968
| >> > HP All-in-One Products - A 'Generic Host Process For Win32 Services
| >> > Has
| >> > Encountered a Problem and Needs to Close' Error Message Displays
| >> >
| >> > Some additional stuff here:-
| >> > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927891
| >> > You receive an access violation error and the system may appear to
| >> > become
| >> > unresponsive when you try to install an update from Windows Update or
| >> > from
| >> > Microsoft Update
| >> >
| >> >
| >> > "Gary R." wrote:
| >> >
| >> >> Thanks for the quick reply. I tried the reinstall of the update files
| >> >> specified in the article as it instructed, and it completed, but the
| >> >> error
| >> >> message still comes up.
| >> >>
| >> >> "Generic host porcess for win32 services has encountered a problem and
| >> >> needs
| >> >> to close etc."
| >> >> The tech details show:
| >> >>
| >> >> szappname svchost.exe
| >> >> szappver 5.1.2600.2180
| >> >> sz mod name msxml.dll
| >> >> sz mod ver 8.90.1101.0
| >> >> offset 00009abf
| >> >>
| >> >> I noticed something else after both of these occurrences...it seems to
| >> >> affect network accessibility for that machine. It still accesses the
| >> >> internet fine, but the other computers can't find it on the network,
| >> >> where
| >> >> they could immediately before this occurred. (I noticed this when I
| >> >> tried
| >> >> to move a file after the earlier try at MS update, and couldn't get to
| >> >> the
| >> >> network. It happened again after the next update try. It can
| >> >> sometimes
| >> >> see
| >> >> the other machines, but they can't see it until I reboot. When the
| >> >> windows
| >> >> update is not involved, it is always easily accessible to and from
| >> >> other
| >> >> machines.
| >> >>
| >> >> Something additional; there was an update showing in the system tray,
| >> >> so
| >> >> I
| >> >> initiated it (Capicom KB931906) and it worked fine. Then after I
| >> >> closed
| >> >> the
| >> >> box that reported a successful update, up popped that 'generic host
| >> >> process'
| >> >> box. This time it was the msi.dll like the first time, not the
| >> >> msxml3.dll
| >> >> like the second time. Again, the other computers could not see it on
| >> >> the
| >> >> network until I rebooted.
| >> >>
| >> >> I don't know if it's relevant, but your message and the article about
| >> >> the
| >> >> repair process reminded me of it. As I was installing applications, I
| >> >> ran
| >> >> into an issue that seemed to be caused by a newly installed app; I got
| >> >> a
| >> >> couple of blue screens, so I uninstalled the app and did a system
| >> >> restore
| >> >> to
| >> >> earlier that day. It turned out that the blue screens were caused by
| >> >> a
| >> >> USB
| >> >> drive I had plugged in with a corrupted file system instead of the
| >> >> application, but the system restore was at a time when the install of
| >> >> XP
| >> >> was
| >> >> relatively fresh and updates were installing pretty regularly. It's
| >> >> too
| >> >> late to undo the system restore now, but I wonder if the system
| >> >> restore
| >> >> messed something up (?)
| >> >>
| >> >> Anyway, your help and further suggestions are appreciated.
| >> >>
| >> >> Gary
| >> >>
| >> >> "TaurArian" <> wrote in message
| >> >> news:1C6B987D-AE0D-4326-BCED-...
| >> >> > Hi Gary, check this kb article out (ignore the title as it relates
| >> >> > to
| >> >> > clean
| >> >> > installs also etc)
| >> >> > Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from
| >> >> > Microsoft
| >> >> > Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP
| >> >> > installation
| >> >> > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
| >> >> >
| >> >> > Post back if no joy and we'll try and assist further.
| >> >> > K
| >> >> >
| >> >> > "Gary R." wrote:
| >> >> >
| >> >> >> New clean install WinXPpro sp2 on a Gateway laptop. Several days
| >> >> >> ago
| >> >> >> I
| >> >> >> was
| >> >> >> installing updates and the sp1 for Net Framework 2 failed; I
| >> >> >> downloaded
| >> >> >> the
| >> >> >> update and installed it manually because I couldn't get any
| >> >> >> response
| >> >> >> from
| >> >> >> the MS Update site after that. Prior to that I believe the manual
| >> >> >> update
| >> >> >> was working OK, because I had it check for updates to get the net
| >> >> >> frameworks
| >> >> >> installed.
| >> >> >>
| >> >> >> Auto updates since then seem to be working normally and succeeding.
| >> >> >> However, if I go to MSUpdate manually (wanted to check for driver
| >> >> >> or
| >> >> >> optional updates) it starts out normally, but while it's checking
| >> >> >> for
| >> >> >> what
| >> >> >> updates are needed, it stalls and I get a popup that generic host
| >> >> >> process
| >> >> >> has stopped (sorry, I didn't get the exact wording). Sending the
| >> >> >> error
| >> >> >> info
| >> >> >> to MS doesn't get any 'help' info in response, but it sends OK.
| >> >> >>
| >> >> >> Looking in event viewer for applications, it shows as Faulting
| >> >> >> application
| >> >> >> SVCHOST.EXE, faulting module MSI.DLL, event ID 1000.
| >> >> >>
| >> >> >> Looking in the log for windows update just after that problem, it
| >> >> >> appeared
| >> >> >> that something was working, as there were many entries with that
| >> >> >> time
| >> >> >> stamp
| >> >> >> for things that did not need updating, and info that there was a
| >> >> >> scheduled
| >> >> >> update tonight. No warnings or indications that something went
| >> >> >> wrong.
| >> >> >>
| >> >> >> But I never get to the list of optional updates; as I said, it just
| >> >> >> hangs
| >> >> >> while it's checking and never gets there after the general host
| >> >> >> process
| >> >> >> error. Following the links from Event viewer are no help, and I
| >> >> >> once
| >> >> >> tried
| >> >> >> to use the free support for windows update but it failed after I
| >> >> >> typed
| >> >> >> in
| >> >> >> all the info...no explanation except "try later".
| >> >> >>
| >> >> >> In Googling this, I find references to Windows installer, and it
| >> >> >> seems
| >> >> >> like
| >> >> >> msi.dll would be part of that, so could this be something as simple
| >> >> >> as
| >> >> >> reinstalling windows installer, or is that just a symptom? The
| >> >> >> machine
| >> >> >> is
| >> >> >> working well and I'm too far along in reinstalling applications to
| >> >> >> start
| >> >> >> over with a clean install (this was a Vista machine, but I located
| >> >> >> drivers
| >> >> >> for everything for XP and decided I preferred XP for now).
| >> >> >>
| >> >> >> So any ideas of how I can fix this to be able to use the manual
| >> >> >> update
| >> >> >> feature? Auto is fine, but I don't like having something like this
| >> >> >> bugging
| >> >> >> an otherwise great working machine. I got used to those popup
| >> >> >> error
| >> >> >> messages on Vista machines, but never get them in XP, so this is an
| >> >> >> oddity.
| >> >> >> Thanks for any help.
| >> >> >>
| >> >> >> Gary
| >> >> >>
| >> >> >>
| >> >> >>
| >> >>
| >> >>
| >> >>
| >>
| >>
| >>
|
|