Re: Blank Windows Update page using XP SP2 and IE7

X-post to Windows Update newsgroup.

How to troubleshoot Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and Windows Server
Update Services installation issues:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=906602

1. See the "Need more help? Tell us what problem you are having" section of
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=ph;en-us;6527

2. You cannot install some updates or programs
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;822798

3a. Check Windowsupdate.log (%windir%\Windowsupdate.log) for errors
associated with the download/install.

How to read the Windowsupdate.log file:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=902093

3b. Compare errors to those listed here:
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/archive...date_codes.htm and/or go to
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com > click on Help and Support link in left
pane > Solve problems on your own.

4. Windows Update Checklist:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/updtcl.htm

5. Windows Update-specific newsgroup:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/mi*croso....windowsupdate

Archive of Windows Update newsgroup:
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/....windowsupdate
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org


GLBC wrote:
> Hi - since about March 2007 after I downloaded the last critical updates
> for
> Microsoft, I find that when I try to go to the Microsoft Updates page, a
> screen message at the bottom indicates that it is waiting to open
> http://update.microsoft.com/windowsu....aspx?ln=en-us
> and the screen remains blank.
>
> I have tried the following:
> - downloading a new java runtime engine v6
> - reset IE7 security to 'medium'
> - added https://update.microsoft.com to Trusted sites
> - in Internet tools, deleted temp files, history
> - in Internet tools, manage addons: disabled adobe reader, research and
> windows messenger
> - Under start, accessories, system tools - IE 7 has no add ons
> - In Internet tools, advanced security (I think) all items are enabled or
> prompted; the items that are disabled inthis list are scriptlets,
> autoprompt
> for activex, download unsighned activex, init activex ,marked unsafe, auto
> prompt for file downloads, access sources across domains, allow scripting
> of
> IE browser, don't allow prompt for clients, navigating subframes
>
> Early in January, I downloaed the program sto allow my pc to check if it
> can
> be upgraded to Active X, which included installing .NET.
>
> I am using Symantec 2006 Internet protection (with IPS, av, firewall - av
> signatures current April 18, 2007).
>
> I am using XP, SP 2.
>
> Interesting, when I tried to go to the microsoft page to download the
> program to install verify what updates I have installed, I do not get the
> IE
> browser warning bar ... When I click on that page's link to troubleshoot
> this message, I get a page that says 'we do not support Macs - go to
> another
> page'!?
>
> So not sure what has been corrupted or changed ... I spent considerable
> time
> searching the knwoledgebase without finding an exact resolution ...
>
> I am concerned that I can't check what updates or try to download them -
> we
> are in between monthly releases so don't know if I will get prompted (this
> auto install prompt is enabled).
>
> I was using IE7 just fine up until March ...
>
> Any advice would be gratefully accepted.
>
> Thanks!

Thank you PA Bear ... I spent a lot of time looking at the the windows update
log file, saw 'soap failures' and did more digging through your posts and
links, including downloading Windows 5.6 scripting tool ... one hint tipped
me to disable my Norton 2006 firewall, antivirus, etc. and change IE tools,
advanced settings from HTTP 1.1 to HTTP 1.1. proxy - retry - and with the
antivirus/firewall disabled and the HTTP 1.1 proxy it worked. I reenabled
the av, firewall, etc. and the functionality that I had prior to the
downloads appears to be back ... Lesson, do I set of updates at a time (to
Microsoft then restart then to antivirus tools then check).

With thanks to all! I am soooooooooooooo happy!!!!

"PA Bear" wrote:

> X-post to Windows Update newsgroup.
>
> How to troubleshoot Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and Windows Server
> Update Services installation issues:
> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=906602
>
> 1. See the "Need more help? Tell us what problem you are having" section of
> http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=ph;en-us;6527
>
> 2. You cannot install some updates or programs
> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;822798
>
> 3a. Check Windowsupdate.log (%windir%\Windowsupdate.log) for errors
> associated with the download/install.
>
> How to read the Windowsupdate.log file:
> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=902093
>
> 3b. Compare errors to those listed here:
> http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/archive...date_codes.htm and/or go to
> http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com > click on Help and Support link in left
> pane > Solve problems on your own.
>
> 4. Windows Update Checklist:
> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/updtcl.htm
>
> 5. Windows Update-specific newsgroup:
> news://msnews.microsoft.com/miÂ*cros....windowsupdate
>
> Archive of Windows Update newsgroup:
> http://groups-beta.google.com/group/....windowsupdate
> --
> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
> AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org
>
>
> GLBC wrote:
> > Hi - since about March 2007 after I downloaded the last critical updates
> > for
> > Microsoft, I find that when I try to go to the Microsoft Updates page, a
> > screen message at the bottom indicates that it is waiting to open
> > http://update.microsoft.com/windowsu....aspx?ln=en-us
> > and the screen remains blank.
> >
> > I have tried the following:
> > - downloading a new java runtime engine v6
> > - reset IE7 security to 'medium'
> > - added https://update.microsoft.com to Trusted sites
> > - in Internet tools, deleted temp files, history
> > - in Internet tools, manage addons: disabled adobe reader, research and
> > windows messenger
> > - Under start, accessories, system tools - IE 7 has no add ons
> > - In Internet tools, advanced security (I think) all items are enabled or
> > prompted; the items that are disabled inthis list are scriptlets,
> > autoprompt
> > for activex, download unsighned activex, init activex ,marked unsafe, auto
> > prompt for file downloads, access sources across domains, allow scripting
> > of
> > IE browser, don't allow prompt for clients, navigating subframes
> >
> > Early in January, I downloaed the program sto allow my pc to check if it
> > can
> > be upgraded to Active X, which included installing .NET.
> >
> > I am using Symantec 2006 Internet protection (with IPS, av, firewall - av
> > signatures current April 18, 2007).
> >
> > I am using XP, SP 2.
> >
> > Interesting, when I tried to go to the microsoft page to download the
> > program to install verify what updates I have installed, I do not get the
> > IE
> > browser warning bar ... When I click on that page's link to troubleshoot
> > this message, I get a page that says 'we do not support Macs - go to
> > another
> > page'!?
> >
> > So not sure what has been corrupted or changed ... I spent considerable
> > time
> > searching the knwoledgebase without finding an exact resolution ...
> >
> > I am concerned that I can't check what updates or try to download them -
> > we
> > are in between monthly releases so don't know if I will get prompted (this
> > auto install prompt is enabled).
> >
> > I was using IE7 just fine up until March ...
> >
> > Any advice would be gratefully accepted.
> >
> > Thanks!
>
>

YW & thanks for posting back.

Sounds like the Norton fiewall needs to be tweaked: You shouldn't have to
disable it or change your HTTP 1.1 settings to use Windows Update website.

A few notes:

* Anytime you disable the Norton firewall, make certain you enable the
Windows Firewall.

* Make certain Automatic Updates is both enabled and working properly. cf.
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbi=306525

* If you didn't disable Norton AntiVirus when you installed IE7, this may
have led to a "dirty" install and the problems you've been encountering.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear), working offline
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org

GLBC wrote:
> Thank you PA Bear ... I spent a lot of time looking at the the windows
> update log file, saw 'soap failures' and did more digging through your
> posts and links, including downloading Windows 5.6 scripting tool ... one
> hint tipped me to disable my Norton 2006 firewall, antivirus, etc. and
> change IE tools, advanced settings from HTTP 1.1 to HTTP 1.1. proxy -
> retry
> - and with the antivirus/firewall disabled and the HTTP 1.1 proxy it
> worked. I reenabled the av, firewall, etc. and the functionality that I
> had prior to the downloads appears to be back ... Lesson, do I set of
> updates at a time (to Microsoft then restart then to antivirus tools then
> check).
>
> With thanks to all! I am soooooooooooooo happy!!!!
>
> "PA Bear" wrote:
>
>> X-post to Windows Update newsgroup.
>>
>> How to troubleshoot Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and Windows Server
>> Update Services installation issues:
>> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=906602
>>
>> 1. See the "Need more help? Tell us what problem you are having" section
>> of
>> http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=ph;en-us;6527
>>
>> 2. You cannot install some updates or programs
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;822798
>>
>> 3a. Check Windowsupdate.log (%windir%\Windowsupdate.log) for errors
>> associated with the download/install.
>>
>> How to read the Windowsupdate.log file:
>> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=902093
>>
>> 3b. Compare errors to those listed here:
>> http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/archive...date_codes.htm and/or go
>> to
>> http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com > click on Help and Support link in
>> left
>> pane > Solve problems on your own.
>>
>> 4. Windows Update Checklist:
>> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/updtcl.htm
>>
>> 5. Windows Update-specific newsgroup:
>> news://msnews.microsoft.com/miÂ*cros....windowsupdate
>>
>> Archive of Windows Update newsgroup:
>> http://groups-beta.google.com/group/....windowsupdate
>> --
>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
>> MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
>> AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org
>>
>>
>> GLBC wrote:
>>> Hi - since about March 2007 after I downloaded the last critical updates
>>> for
>>> Microsoft, I find that when I try to go to the Microsoft Updates page, a
>>> screen message at the bottom indicates that it is waiting to open
>>> http://update.microsoft.com/windowsu....aspx?ln=en-us
>>> and the screen remains blank.
>>>
>>> I have tried the following:
>>> - downloading a new java runtime engine v6
>>> - reset IE7 security to 'medium'
>>> - added https://update.microsoft.com to Trusted sites
>>> - in Internet tools, deleted temp files, history
>>> - in Internet tools, manage addons: disabled adobe reader, research and
>>> windows messenger
>>> - Under start, accessories, system tools - IE 7 has no add ons
>>> - In Internet tools, advanced security (I think) all items are enabled
>>> or
>>> prompted; the items that are disabled inthis list are scriptlets,
>>> autoprompt
>>> for activex, download unsighned activex, init activex ,marked unsafe,
>>> auto
>>> prompt for file downloads, access sources across domains, allow
>>> scripting
>>> of
>>> IE browser, don't allow prompt for clients, navigating subframes
>>>
>>> Early in January, I downloaed the program sto allow my pc to check if it
>>> can
>>> be upgraded to Active X, which included installing .NET.
>>>
>>> I am using Symantec 2006 Internet protection (with IPS, av, firewall -
>>> av
>>> signatures current April 18, 2007).
>>>
>>> I am using XP, SP 2.
>>>
>>> Interesting, when I tried to go to the microsoft page to download the
>>> program to install verify what updates I have installed, I do not get
>>> the
>>> IE
>>> browser warning bar ... When I click on that page's link to troubleshoot
>>> this message, I get a page that says 'we do not support Macs - go to
>>> another
>>> page'!?
>>>
>>> So not sure what has been corrupted or changed ... I spent considerable
>>> time
>>> searching the knwoledgebase without finding an exact resolution ...
>>>
>>> I am concerned that I can't check what updates or try to download them -
>>> we
>>> are in between monthly releases so don't know if I will get prompted
>>> (this
>>> auto install prompt is enabled).
>>>
>>> I was using IE7 just fine up until March ...
>>>
>>> Any advice would be gratefully accepted.
>>>
>>> Thanks!