Updates stall at "Initializing installation... "

I'm running XP Pro. I had 8 new updates show up yesterday after I installed
the Microsoft Platform SDK. I assume there is no connection between these
events, but I mention it in case. The new updates downloaded OK, but never
installed. I turned off auto updating and rebooted, then tried to do a custom
install. The "Installing Updates" dialog opens, and the status reads
"Initializing installation...", but nothing happens--for hours. I've never
had trouble before. Suggestions?

"Ron Thompson" <> wrote in message
news:88FED3E0-8E27-4F35-99F2-...
> I'm running XP Pro. I had 8 new updates show up yesterday after I
> installed
> the Microsoft Platform SDK. I assume there is no connection between these
> events, but I mention it in case. The new updates downloaded OK, but never
> installed. I turned off auto updating and rebooted, then tried to do a
> custom
> install. The "Installing Updates" dialog opens, and the status reads
> "Initializing installation...", but nothing happens--for hours. I've never
> had trouble before. Suggestions?

Turn off your anti virus' auto scan.

Alias

Thanks, but I tried that. I should have mentioned that I turned off virus
scanning, as well as Norton Internet Security, SpySweeper and anything that
looked remotely like a popup blocker. I also added the update site to my
trusted sites. The updates also hung trying to install during a shutdown. I
also tried the update with a clean boot (all startup items disabled in
MsConfig).

"Alias" wrote:

>
> "Ron Thompson" <> wrote in message
> news:88FED3E0-8E27-4F35-99F2-...
> > I'm running XP Pro. I had 8 new updates show up yesterday after I
> > installed
> > the Microsoft Platform SDK. I assume there is no connection between these
> > events, but I mention it in case. The new updates downloaded OK, but never
> > installed. I turned off auto updating and rebooted, then tried to do a
> > custom
> > install. The "Installing Updates" dialog opens, and the status reads
> > "Initializing installation...", but nothing happens--for hours. I've never
> > had trouble before. Suggestions?
>
> Turn off your anti virus' auto scan.
>
> Alias
>
>
>

Did you clear out your temp files? Run a malware check?

Alias

"Ron Thompson" <> wrote

> Thanks, but I tried that. I should have mentioned that I turned off virus
> scanning, as well as Norton Internet Security, SpySweeper and anything
> that
> looked remotely like a popup blocker. I also added the update site to my
> trusted sites. The updates also hung trying to install during a shutdown.
> I
> also tried the update with a clean boot (all startup items disabled in
> MsConfig).
>
> "Alias" wrote:
>
>>
>> "Ron Thompson" <> wrote in message
>> news:88FED3E0-8E27-4F35-99F2-...
>> > I'm running XP Pro. I had 8 new updates show up yesterday after I
>> > installed
>> > the Microsoft Platform SDK. I assume there is no connection between
>> > these
>> > events, but I mention it in case. The new updates downloaded OK, but
>> > never
>> > installed. I turned off auto updating and rebooted, then tried to do a
>> > custom
>> > install. The "Installing Updates" dialog opens, and the status reads
>> > "Initializing installation...", but nothing happens--for hours. I've
>> > never
>> > had trouble before. Suggestions?
>>
>> Turn off your anti virus' auto scan.
>>
>> Alias
>>
>>
>>

Yes, and yes. Didn't help. I just thought of one more thing that is different
from before on my computer: a couple weeks ago, due to another problem, I
went into NTFS security mode and added my own login (an administrator) and
System to the permissions for my C drive. I gave us both full access on the
entire drive. Then I switched back to simple security with those permissions
still set. I wouldn't think that would mess anything up, but who knows...

Now, I admit, I was getting a little out of my league there. I did notice
that while I was in NTFS mode I could no longer access the properties of any
of the folders on the drive, so maybe that's significant. What do you think?
I'll fiddle with it a bit and see what happens...


"Alias" wrote:

> Did you clear out your temp files? Run a malware check?
>
> Alias
>
> "Ron Thompson" <> wrote
>
> > Thanks, but I tried that. I should have mentioned that I turned off virus
> > scanning, as well as Norton Internet Security, SpySweeper and anything
> > that
> > looked remotely like a popup blocker. I also added the update site to my
> > trusted sites. The updates also hung trying to install during a shutdown.
> > I
> > also tried the update with a clean boot (all startup items disabled in
> > MsConfig).
> >
> > "Alias" wrote:
> >
> >>
> >> "Ron Thompson" <> wrote in message
> >> news:88FED3E0-8E27-4F35-99F2-...
> >> > I'm running XP Pro. I had 8 new updates show up yesterday after I
> >> > installed
> >> > the Microsoft Platform SDK. I assume there is no connection between
> >> > these
> >> > events, but I mention it in case. The new updates downloaded OK, but
> >> > never
> >> > installed. I turned off auto updating and rebooted, then tried to do a
> >> > custom
> >> > install. The "Installing Updates" dialog opens, and the status reads
> >> > "Initializing installation...", but nothing happens--for hours. I've
> >> > never
> >> > had trouble before. Suggestions?
> >>
> >> Turn off your anti virus' auto scan.
> >>
> >> Alias
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>

I had the same problem. I also couldnt get my folder properties to show. I
found a temporary fix.

Press control + alt + delete, click on the processes tab at the top, find
inetinfo.exe, select it, and at the bottom left click end process.

I don't know why, all I know is that it works.

Thanks, Jake. I'll file the answer for future reference. I eventually decided
that it was long since time that I clean up my cluttered disk, so I did a
reinstall and the problem when away.

"Jake" wrote:

> I had the same problem. I also couldnt get my folder properties to show. I
> found a temporary fix.
>
> Press control + alt + delete, click on the processes tab at the top, find
> inetinfo.exe, select it, and at the bottom left click end process.
>
> I don't know why, all I know is that it works.