Problems after using Microsoft Update

I'm using Microsoft Update instead of Windows Update. Since changing to MU
when I disable and enable Automatic Updates in my Windows Xp SP2 i get no new
patches, but when i go to the Microsoft Update website there are 7 new
patches ready to download. Is there any way to get back Automatic Updates to
work ??

Set to Automatic, you may not get the updates immediately.
There are to many computers for all to get the updates at the same time.
But as you discovered, if you go to Microsoft Update or Windows Update
manually, you can get the updates immediately.
Wait, it can take time for AU to start getting the updates.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org


"ET" <> wrote in message
news:3EC40270-BED4-49E3-94A8-...
> I'm using Microsoft Update instead of Windows Update. Since changing to MU
> when I disable and enable Automatic Updates in my Windows Xp SP2 i get no
> new
> patches, but when i go to the Microsoft Update website there are 7 new
> patches ready to download. Is there any way to get back Automatic Updates
> to
> work ??

ET,

How do you know that Automatic Update is not functioning ? The updates
*may* have been made available to your system if you had waited for
them. You can check to see if Automatic Updates is running by going to
Start, Run, and typing in
services.msc
Click OK.
Locate Automatic Updates and double click it to check it's state.
BITS ( Background Intelligent Transfer Service ) MUST be set to Manual
or Automatic for Automatic Updates to function.

Every system running Windows can not possibly access either Windows or
Microsoft Update at one time. If at all possible, when the second
Tuesday of July rolls around, wait at least one day to see if AU is
functioning correctly before doing a manual visit to either site.


MowGreen [MVP 2004-2005]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============



ET wrote:

> I'm using Microsoft Update instead of Windows Update. Since changing to MU
> when I disable and enable Automatic Updates in my Windows Xp SP2 i get no new
> patches, but when i go to the Microsoft Update website there are 7 new
> patches ready to download. Is there any way to get back Automatic Updates to
> work ??

I know that AU is not working after changing to MU because at work when I
changed to MU and enabled AU I imidietly got a tray icon saying that new
updates are downloading. But I will do as You say. I will wait for few days
and see what happens. Maybe the 7 new updates will get installed by AU. If
not I will have to visit Microsoft Update.

"MowGreen [MVP]" wrote:

> ET,
>
> How do you know that Automatic Update is not functioning ? The updates
> *may* have been made available to your system if you had waited for
> them. You can check to see if Automatic Updates is running by going to
> Start, Run, and typing in
> services.msc
> Click OK.
> Locate Automatic Updates and double click it to check it's state.
> BITS ( Background Intelligent Transfer Service ) MUST be set to Manual
> or Automatic for Automatic Updates to function.
>
> Every system running Windows can not possibly access either Windows or
> Microsoft Update at one time. If at all possible, when the second
> Tuesday of July rolls around, wait at least one day to see if AU is
> functioning correctly before doing a manual visit to either site.
>
>
> MowGreen [MVP 2004-2005]
> ===============
> *-343-* FDNY
> Never Forgotten
> ===============
>
>
>

ET,
I've read this thread. And want to add my 5c.
I think it's a perception issue (for you) & a timing issue with Automatic
Updates.
Simply by disabling & re-enabling Automatic Updates would not have pushed
along a Automatic Updates run.
AU has a set cycle after you've given it (if you have) a time of day to
begin inquiring about updates.

It's quite likely the schedule is set for way later.
Review how you have the schedule set for AU. Right-Click MY Computer icon .
Select properties & look at Automatic Updates Tab.
Are you set for "Automatic" ? If so, what time of day is it set for?
If not Automatic, it's basically a function of 1) when your pc is booted up,
and 2) the AU determined schedule for the next update run.

And as Jupiter & Mow said, other issues are traffic & network issues, and
simply overhead to handle thousands, and millions of pcs.

So where else can you find if AU made a run? Answer: Look in the
WindowsUpdate.log file in your Windows folder.

Tip: If you are very anxious on getting updates, leave your pc powered up
overnight Tuesday & Wednesday of the 2nd Tuesday of each month.
Fine tune the scheduled download time.

HTH
--
Maurice N
MVP Windows - Shell / User

---