Windows Update will not run - IE window closes

Recently upgraded a fairly old Toshiba Portege laptop to WinXP, then SP2.
Whenever I go to Windows Update and choose either Express or Custom, my
system is checked for whatever updates are needed and then just at the point
where the list of available updates would be displayed, IE closes. No error
messages, no nothing.

Right now I only have the OS installed, but on a prior attempt I had already
installed Office03 and found that running Office Update produced the same
behavior.

Also, it is interesting to note that if I have Automatic Updates on, they
are downloaded in the background and seem to install with no problem. I
can't say they are for sure because if I choose Update History on the Windows
Update page it also causes IE to close.

Help!

TBW wrote:
> Recently upgraded a fairly old Toshiba Portege laptop to WinXP, then SP2.
> Whenever I go to Windows Update and choose either Express or Custom, my
> system is checked for whatever updates are needed and then just at the point
> where the list of available updates would be displayed, IE closes. No error
> messages, no nothing.
>
> Right now I only have the OS installed, but on a prior attempt I had already
> installed Office03 and found that running Office Update produced the same
> behavior.
>
> Also, it is interesting to note that if I have Automatic Updates on, they
> are downloaded in the background and seem to install with no problem. I
> can't say they are for sure because if I choose Update History on the Windows
> Update page it also causes IE to close.
>
> Help!
>
>
You can check if updates have been installed in "remove and install
software" or whatever it's called in the control panel. Just look for
the box to tick with something like: "show windows updates"

I'd be more specific but I'm currently checking my email from Ubuntu/linux

Duncan

TBW,

There are likely several reasons for IE to close, which makes your situation more complicated.
That aside, run Disk Cleanup to delete temporary internet cache files (first, close your I.E. browser).

Need for you to dig into the log file and see what it contains for the last session.
Use Notepad or Wordpad and take a look at (usually C:\Windows or C:\WINNT )
%windir%\Windows Update.log

Scan down to the bottom. Review contents. Copy and paste back in reply "significant portions" for last session.

Let's see what the log file contains.

See what Event Viewer has in it's log. Select Start button/ select Run , then type in

eventvwr.msc<enter>
-- or Go to Control Panel / Performance and Maintenance/Administrative Tools >Event Viewer.

Review the sections and look for Errors or Warnings that match the time the event occurred. Double click---the information "may" give a clue.

Also, Right-Click the My Computer icon on desktop. Select Properties.
Next, select Advanced. Look for a block that says Startup and recovery. Press the settings button.
In System failure section, turn off (un-check) Automatically restart. Apply change.

--
Maurice N
MVP Windows - Shell / User
-----


TBW wrote:
> Recently upgraded a fairly old Toshiba Portege laptop to WinXP, then
> SP2. Whenever I go to Windows Update and choose either Express or
> Custom, my system is checked for whatever updates are needed and then
> just at the point where the list of available updates would be
> displayed, IE closes. No error messages, no nothing.
>
> Right now I only have the OS installed, but on a prior attempt I had
> already installed Office03 and found that running Office Update
> produced the same behavior.
>
> Also, it is interesting to note that if I have Automatic Updates on,
> they are downloaded in the background and seem to install with no
> problem. I can't say they are for sure because if I choose Update
> History on the Windows Update page it also causes IE to close.
>
> Help!

As a general tip, make sure your system is not infected by malware.

Also, this next may be of interest.
Microsoft Security Advisory (906267)
A COM Object (Msdds.dll) Could Cause Internet Explorer to Unexpectedly Exit

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec...ry/906267.mspx

--
Maurice N
MVP Windows - Shell / User
-----