Windows Update freezes

Windows Update stopped working on my home computer from some days. It has
been about a week now. I would like to know if someone experienced the same
and have a solution.
The OS installed is Wndows Vista Home Premium x64.
The problem is the following:

When it first appeared about a week ago Windows Update noticed me that one
update was available for download. I started the download, but even though
the progress bar was moving, the process didn't go on and the installation %
didn't move from 0. After some time (probably about 15 minutes) I decided to
stop the download using the button in the Update window. Doing that, Update
freezed and the only way I could close it was killing it from the Task
Manager. I then tried to run Update again (without rebooting) and this time
the Update window showed up completely blank (just white) and freezed once
again. At that point I rebooted my computer.
After that Windows Update haven't noticed me of any updates (even though in
the last few days there were some available) and if I try to click on "Check
for updates" the Update freezes just like explained before.

I found a procedure somewhere here and tried it: I stopped the Update and
BITS services (Update service couldn't be stopped while Update was frozen,
had to reboot), then I renamed the %systemroot%/softwaredistribution
directory and started the two services again.
After that procedure Update doesn't freeze anymore, but neither gives me
updates notices and when I "Check for updates" it gives me an error (code
80080005).

Someone has any idea what is wrong in my computer? Nothing unusual happened
before the problem showed up. No particular installations or anything, just
normal routine computer usage.

There is a very good chance that you are seeing the effects of a hijackware
infection!

NB: If you had no anti-virus application installed or the subscription had
expired *when the machine first got infected* and/or your subscription has
since expired and/or the machine's not been kept fully-patched at Windows
Update, don't waste your time with any of the below: Format & reinstall
Windows. A Repair Install will NOT help!

1. See if you can download/run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/ma...e/default.mspx

NB: Run the FULL scan, not the QUICK scan! You may need to download the
MSRT on a non-infected machine, then transfer MRT.EXE to the infected
machine and rename it to SCAN.EXE before running it.

2. [WinXP ONLY!! =>] Run the Windows Live Safety Center's 'Protection' scan
(only!) in Safe Mode with Networking, if need be:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm

3. Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting the requested
logs in an appropriate forum, not here.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=4075
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...moving_Malware

**Seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachi...php?board=10.0,
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup, http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30
or other appropriate forums.**

If these procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting
this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.

=====================
Start a free Windows Update support incident request:
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/de...spx?gprid=6527

Support for Windows Update:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/wusupport

For home users, no-charge support is available by calling 1-866-PCSAFETY in
the United States and in Canada or by contacting your local Microsoft
subsidiary. There is no-charge for support calls that are associated with
security updates.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002


ameron wrote:
> Windows Update stopped working on my home computer from some days. It has
> been about a week now. I would like to know if someone experienced the
> same
> and have a solution.
> The OS installed is Wndows Vista Home Premium x64.
> The problem is the following:
>
> When it first appeared about a week ago Windows Update noticed me that one
> update was available for download. I started the download, but even though
> the progress bar was moving, the process didn't go on and the installation
> %
> didn't move from 0. After some time (probably about 15 minutes) I decided
> to
> stop the download using the button in the Update window. Doing that,
> Update
> freezed and the only way I could close it was killing it from the Task
> Manager. I then tried to run Update again (without rebooting) and this
> time
> the Update window showed up completely blank (just white) and freezed once
> again. At that point I rebooted my computer.
> After that Windows Update haven't noticed me of any updates (even though
> in
> the last few days there were some available) and if I try to click on
> "Check
> for updates" the Update freezes just like explained before.
>
> I found a procedure somewhere here and tried it: I stopped the Update and
> BITS services (Update service couldn't be stopped while Update was frozen,
> had to reboot), then I renamed the %systemroot%/softwaredistribution
> directory and started the two services again.
> After that procedure Update doesn't freeze anymore, but neither gives me
> updates notices and when I "Check for updates" it gives me an error (code
> 80080005).
>
> Someone has any idea what is wrong in my computer? Nothing unusual
> happened
> before the problem showed up. No particular installations or anything,
> just
> normal routine computer usage.