Windows Update stuck in an infinite loop...

Hi,
I noticed that Microsoft Update does't work since this week.
I am usually using AutoUpdate, but I often check Microsoft Update site to
get additional stuff.
When I go to
http://update.microsoft.com/microsof....aspx?ln=en-us , the
"checking for the latest updates for your computer" process goes in an
infinite loop, using Custom or express settings.

Since "review your update history" is still working, I saw :
_____________________________________

Office 2003 Update for Office 2003 (KB887980) Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Microsoft Update website

Windows XP family Critical Update for Office XP on Windows XP Service Pack 2
(KB885884) Thursday, August 18, 2005 Automatic Updates

Windows XP family Microsoft GDI+ Detection Tool (KB873374) Thursday, August
18, 2005 Automatic Updates

Windows XP family Update for Windows XP (KB896344) Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Windows Update website
_____________________________________

Since I've done a manual update on Aug 24, I have done a system restore to
Aug 23, but the update is still stucked in an infinite loop.
I am using Windows XP SP 2, English, it's installation is quite recent (Aug
15), but I didn't installed any program between Aug 23 and today.
Any Idea ? It should be cool if I don't have to reinstall my full windows
(took me 3 days last time including the backups, installs and configuration)

Thanks in advance.


--
The Magic Words are Squeamish Ossifrage

Just some of the services that need to be running:
System Restore
RPC remote procedure call service
Cryptography service

Be sure you have not disabled these XP services.

Forgive the long list, but do review all points.

Make very sure your pc has the correct & current date & local time. Having incorrect time will give the W U servers/programs a hiccup.

You may get to the windows update site, but yet a setting in Internet Explorer browser could be the blocker.
Recheck your Security & Privacy settings AND the ADVANCED settings in I.E.

1. In Internet Explorer> Tools, click Internet Options, and then click Languages....
If this box is empty, add at least one language -- your usual national language.
If you happen to have 2 or more, move English up on this list.

2. Disengage your Discussion Bar in Internet Explorer: Click View on main IE menu.
Point to Explorer Bar. If "Discuss" has a check mark, click Discuss to *remove the check mark* and clear it.
You may note, if the discussion bar is active, it would appear near the bottom of IE window.

3. I. E. Tools >Internet Options > Advanced Tab > (scroll down thru the list)

These are "some" of the items that I do have CHECKed (selected):
Under HTTP 1.1 settings --
Use HTTP 1.1 (ON / Selected)
+ Enable / check to use HTTP 1.1 with proxy servers **** <<----

and under Security :
Clear (un-check) the check box next to "Check for server certificate revocation" . ( *OFF* )

Use SSL 2.0 (ON / selected)
Use SSL 3.0 (ON)

4. Internet Explorer > Tools > Internet Options > Connections Tab
Click on LAN Settings > * Uncheck* the Automatically detect settings.
Make sure _no other_ settings on this screen are enabled.

5. Internet Explorer > main menu /Tools/Internet Options >

Security Tab/ click on green icon Trusted Sites/click Sites button.
Click "Require server verification (https for all sites in this zone" to *clear* the selection.

In the "Add this Web site to the zone:" field, add these entries to list of "Trusted Sites" --

type
http://www.download.windowsupdate.com (click Add)

http://update.microsoft.com

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

http://download.windowsupdate.com

Click OK. Apply changes & close IE. Now, retry Windows Update.

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

John C. wrote:
> Hi,
> I noticed that Microsoft Update does't work since this week.
> I am usually using AutoUpdate, but I often check Microsoft Update
> site to get additional stuff.
> When I go to
> http://update.microsoft.com/microsof....aspx?ln=en-us
> , the "checking for the latest updates for your computer" process
> goes in an infinite loop, using Custom or express settings.
>
> Since "review your update history" is still working, I saw :
> _____________________________________
>
> Office 2003 Update for Office 2003 (KB887980) Wednesday, August 24,
> 2005 Microsoft Update website
>
> Windows XP family Critical Update for Office XP on Windows XP Service
> Pack 2 (KB885884) Thursday, August 18, 2005 Automatic Updates
>
> Windows XP family Microsoft GDI+ Detection Tool (KB873374) Thursday,
> August 18, 2005 Automatic Updates
>
> Windows XP family Update for Windows XP (KB896344) Tuesday, August
> 16, 2005 Windows Update website
> _____________________________________
>
> Since I've done a manual update on Aug 24, I have done a system
> restore to Aug 23, but the update is still stucked in an infinite
> loop. I am using Windows XP SP 2, English, it's installation is quite
> recent (Aug 15), but I didn't installed any program between Aug 23
> and today. Any Idea ? It should be cool if I don't have to reinstall
> my full windows (took me 3 days last time including the backups,
> installs and configuration)
>
> Thanks in advance.

Hi my computer automatically took me to windows update - for a 54mb serive
pack 3for Office XP ( i have dial up so thats a 5-6 hr download ) . It
crashed three times and now the whole windows update site has an error on it
.. Any news from MS ???

"John C." wrote:

> Hi,
> I noticed that Microsoft Update does't work since this week.
> I am usually using AutoUpdate, but I often check Microsoft Update site to
> get additional stuff.
> When I go to
> http://update.microsoft.com/microsof....aspx?ln=en-us , the
> "checking for the latest updates for your computer" process goes in an
> infinite loop, using Custom or express settings.
>
> Since "review your update history" is still working, I saw :
> _____________________________________
>
> Office 2003 Update for Office 2003 (KB887980) Wednesday, August 24, 2005
> Microsoft Update website
>
> Windows XP family Critical Update for Office XP on Windows XP Service Pack 2
> (KB885884) Thursday, August 18, 2005 Automatic Updates
>
> Windows XP family Microsoft GDI+ Detection Tool (KB873374) Thursday, August
> 18, 2005 Automatic Updates
>
> Windows XP family Update for Windows XP (KB896344) Tuesday, August 16, 2005
> Windows Update website
> _____________________________________
>
> Since I've done a manual update on Aug 24, I have done a system restore to
> Aug 23, but the update is still stucked in an infinite loop.
> I am using Windows XP SP 2, English, it's installation is quite recent (Aug
> 15), but I didn't installed any program between Aug 23 and today.
> Any Idea ? It should be cool if I don't have to reinstall my full windows
> (took me 3 days last time including the backups, installs and configuration)
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
>
> --
> The Magic Words are Squeamish Ossifrage

Barry,

Do you have Automatic Updates turned on? If so, to what setting?
What is your version of Windows? Details would help later on.

Describe how far you got into Windows Update process. At what point did this error show up?
If you had any popup-blocker / security app, etc from a 3rd-party that was running during Windows Update visit.

Most helpful would be a snippet from the log for Windows Updates. Look at your log file for Windows Update.

Use Notepad or Wordpad and open & look at the Windows Update log file
C:\Windows\WindowsUpdate.log or C:\WINNT\WindowsUpdate.log

Scroll down all the way for the set of lines for the last session.
Get / copy / paste (ideally, put into a file & attach in reply ) back here the set of lines for the last session.

As a very general tip, reduce / close all your user & startup programs (except for firewall) before visiting Windows Update.

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

Barry H wrote:
> Hi my computer automatically took me to windows update - for a 54mb
> serive pack 3for Office XP ( i have dial up so thats a 5-6 hr
> download ) . It crashed three times and now the whole windows update
> site has an error on it . Any news from MS ???
>

Hi,

Thanks for your very complete answer.
Unfortunately, I have still this infinite loop :/

1. Language was yet set to unique english.
2. There was no check in views
3. Http 1.1 were both yet enable
SSL also
4. Connections settings yet done
5. I hadded the 4 url and unchecked the https checkbox.

I am quite lost now...
I hope I won't have to reinstall windows again. THe probleme with this loop,
is that I am not sure that the auto update process works as well.


JC

--
The Magic Words are Squeamish Ossifrage


"Maurice N ~ MVP" wrote:

> Just some of the services that need to be running:
> System Restore
> RPC remote procedure call service
> Cryptography service
>
> Be sure you have not disabled these XP services.
>
> Forgive the long list, but do review all points.
>
> Make very sure your pc has the correct & current date & local time. Having incorrect time will give the W U servers/programs a hiccup.
>
> You may get to the windows update site, but yet a setting in Internet Explorer browser could be the blocker.
> Recheck your Security & Privacy settings AND the ADVANCED settings in I.E.
>
> 1. In Internet Explorer> Tools, click Internet Options, and then click Languages....
> If this box is empty, add at least one language -- your usual national language.
> If you happen to have 2 or more, move English up on this list.
>
> 2. Disengage your Discussion Bar in Internet Explorer: Click View on main IE menu.
> Point to Explorer Bar. If "Discuss" has a check mark, click Discuss to *remove the check mark* and clear it.
> You may note, if the discussion bar is active, it would appear near the bottom of IE window.
>
> 3. I. E. Tools >Internet Options > Advanced Tab > (scroll down thru the list)
>
> These are "some" of the items that I do have CHECKed (selected):
> Under HTTP 1.1 settings --
> Use HTTP 1.1 (ON / Selected)
> + Enable / check to use HTTP 1.1 with proxy servers **** <<----
>
> and under Security :
> Clear (un-check) the check box next to "Check for server certificate revocation" . ( *OFF* )
>
> Use SSL 2.0 (ON / selected)
> Use SSL 3.0 (ON)
>
> 4. Internet Explorer > Tools > Internet Options > Connections Tab
> Click on LAN Settings > * Uncheck* the Automatically detect settings.
> Make sure _no other_ settings on this screen are enabled.
>
> 5. Internet Explorer > main menu /Tools/Internet Options >
>
> Security Tab/ click on green icon Trusted Sites/click Sites button.
> Click "Require server verification (https for all sites in this zone" to *clear* the selection.
>
> In the "Add this Web site to the zone:" field, add these entries to list of "Trusted Sites" --
>
> type
> http://www.download.windowsupdate.com (click Add)
>
> http://update.microsoft.com
>
> http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
>
> http://download.windowsupdate.com
>
> Click OK. Apply changes & close IE. Now, retry Windows Update.
>
> --
> Maurice N
> MVP Windows - Shell / User
> -----
>
> John C. wrote:
> > Hi,
> > I noticed that Microsoft Update does't work since this week.
> > I am usually using AutoUpdate, but I often check Microsoft Update
> > site to get additional stuff.
> > When I go to
> > http://update.microsoft.com/microsof....aspx?ln=en-us
> > , the "checking for the latest updates for your computer" process
> > goes in an infinite loop, using Custom or express settings.
> >
> > Since "review your update history" is still working, I saw :
> > _____________________________________
> >
> > Office 2003 Update for Office 2003 (KB887980) Wednesday, August 24,
> > 2005 Microsoft Update website
> >
> > Windows XP family Critical Update for Office XP on Windows XP Service
> > Pack 2 (KB885884) Thursday, August 18, 2005 Automatic Updates
> >
> > Windows XP family Microsoft GDI+ Detection Tool (KB873374) Thursday,
> > August 18, 2005 Automatic Updates
> >
> > Windows XP family Update for Windows XP (KB896344) Tuesday, August
> > 16, 2005 Windows Update website
> > _____________________________________
> >
> > Since I've done a manual update on Aug 24, I have done a system
> > restore to Aug 23, but the update is still stucked in an infinite
> > loop. I am using Windows XP SP 2, English, it's installation is quite
> > recent (Aug 15), but I didn't installed any program between Aug 23
> > and today. Any Idea ? It should be cool if I don't have to reinstall
> > my full windows (took me 3 days last time including the backups,
> > installs and configuration)
> >
> > Thanks in advance.
>

Hi,

(Update...)

I fixed this thing ! Well , I applied a very old patch (WinSockXPFix). I
think that I got a problem with the TCP/IP stack, and the fix worked. Hope it
won't open any breach.
Even the MS Baseline Security Analyzer was blocked before the end of its
process.

Glad it works again, I was very close to reinstall my system...

Regards.


--
The Magic Words are Squeamish Ossifrage


"John C." wrote:

> Hi,
>
> Thanks for your very complete answer.
> Unfortunately, I have still this infinite loop :/
>
> 1. Language was yet set to unique english.
> 2. There was no check in views
> 3. Http 1.1 were both yet enable
> SSL also
> 4. Connections settings yet done
> 5. I hadded the 4 url and unchecked the https checkbox.
>
> I am quite lost now...
> I hope I won't have to reinstall windows again. THe probleme with this loop,
> is that I am not sure that the auto update process works as well.
>
>
> JC
>
> --
> The Magic Words are Squeamish Ossifrage
>
>
> "Maurice N ~ MVP" wrote:
>
> > Just some of the services that need to be running:
> > System Restore
> > RPC remote procedure call service
> > Cryptography service
> >
> > Be sure you have not disabled these XP services.
> >
> > Forgive the long list, but do review all points.
> >
> > Make very sure your pc has the correct & current date & local time. Having incorrect time will give the W U servers/programs a hiccup.
> >
> > You may get to the windows update site, but yet a setting in Internet Explorer browser could be the blocker.
> > Recheck your Security & Privacy settings AND the ADVANCED settings in I.E.
> >
> > 1. In Internet Explorer> Tools, click Internet Options, and then click Languages....
> > If this box is empty, add at least one language -- your usual national language.
> > If you happen to have 2 or more, move English up on this list.
> >
> > 2. Disengage your Discussion Bar in Internet Explorer: Click View on main IE menu.
> > Point to Explorer Bar. If "Discuss" has a check mark, click Discuss to *remove the check mark* and clear it.
> > You may note, if the discussion bar is active, it would appear near the bottom of IE window.
> >
> > 3. I. E. Tools >Internet Options > Advanced Tab > (scroll down thru the list)
> >
> > These are "some" of the items that I do have CHECKed (selected):
> > Under HTTP 1.1 settings --
> > Use HTTP 1.1 (ON / Selected)
> > + Enable / check to use HTTP 1.1 with proxy servers **** <<----
> >
> > and under Security :
> > Clear (un-check) the check box next to "Check for server certificate revocation" . ( *OFF* )
> >
> > Use SSL 2.0 (ON / selected)
> > Use SSL 3.0 (ON)
> >
> > 4. Internet Explorer > Tools > Internet Options > Connections Tab
> > Click on LAN Settings > * Uncheck* the Automatically detect settings.
> > Make sure _no other_ settings on this screen are enabled.
> >
> > 5. Internet Explorer > main menu /Tools/Internet Options >
> >
> > Security Tab/ click on green icon Trusted Sites/click Sites button.
> > Click "Require server verification (https for all sites in this zone" to *clear* the selection.
> >
> > In the "Add this Web site to the zone:" field, add these entries to list of "Trusted Sites" --
> >
> > type
> > http://www.download.windowsupdate.com (click Add)
> >
> > http://update.microsoft.com
> >
> > http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
> >
> > http://download.windowsupdate.com
> >
> > Click OK. Apply changes & close IE. Now, retry Windows Update.
> >
> > --
> > Maurice N
> > MVP Windows - Shell / User
> > -----
> >
> > John C. wrote:
> > > Hi,
> > > I noticed that Microsoft Update does't work since this week.
> > > I am usually using AutoUpdate, but I often check Microsoft Update
> > > site to get additional stuff.
> > > When I go to
> > > http://update.microsoft.com/microsof....aspx?ln=en-us
> > > , the "checking for the latest updates for your computer" process
> > > goes in an infinite loop, using Custom or express settings.
> > >
> > > Since "review your update history" is still working, I saw :
> > > _____________________________________
> > >
> > > Office 2003 Update for Office 2003 (KB887980) Wednesday, August 24,
> > > 2005 Microsoft Update website
> > >
> > > Windows XP family Critical Update for Office XP on Windows XP Service
> > > Pack 2 (KB885884) Thursday, August 18, 2005 Automatic Updates
> > >
> > > Windows XP family Microsoft GDI+ Detection Tool (KB873374) Thursday,
> > > August 18, 2005 Automatic Updates
> > >
> > > Windows XP family Update for Windows XP (KB896344) Tuesday, August
> > > 16, 2005 Windows Update website
> > > _____________________________________
> > >
> > > Since I've done a manual update on Aug 24, I have done a system
> > > restore to Aug 23, but the update is still stucked in an infinite
> > > loop. I am using Windows XP SP 2, English, it's installation is quite
> > > recent (Aug 15), but I didn't installed any program between Aug 23
> > > and today. Any Idea ? It should be cool if I don't have to reinstall
> > > my full windows (took me 3 days last time including the backups,
> > > installs and configuration)
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance.
> >

I was stuck in a loop too on ...
http://update.microsoft.com/microsof....aspx?ln=en-us .

I have discovered this was because my antivirus/antispyware programs
disactivated the ActiveX controls which this site runs to validate Genuine
Windows. When I temporarily disabled my antivirus, the validation was able to
run & updates were available to me again.

Henrietta,
Thanks for posting & sharing. Some AV & security programs are a blocking factor, and either need tweaking or temp turning off.
And this has to be re-emphasized.

I only wish to point out that the controls for Windows Update (& Microsoft Update) do more than just validate for WGA.
For example, to help in the process of determining what updates are needed (well after the WGA validation has been done).

Best to you.
--
Maurice N
MVP Windows - Shell / User
-----

"henrietta" wrote
>I was stuck in a loop too on ...
> http://update.microsoft.com/microsof....aspx?ln=en-us ..
>
> I have discovered this was because my antivirus/antispyware programs
> disactivated the ActiveX controls which this site runs to validate Genuine
> Windows. When I temporarily disabled my antivirus, the validation was able to
> run & updates were available to me again.

Good news. Make sure you have some sort of software firewall on, and do use a hardware router if on broadband.
imho, a system reinstall is a measure of last resort.
--
Maurice N
MVP Windows - Shell / User
-----

"John C." wrote
> Hi,
>
> (Update...)
>
> I fixed this thing ! Well , I applied a very old patch (WinSockXPFix). I
> think that I got a problem with the TCP/IP stack, and the fix worked. Hope it
> won't open any breach.
> Even the MS Baseline Security Analyzer was blocked before the end of its
> process.
>
> Glad it works again, I was very close to reinstall my system...
>
> Regards.
>
>
> --
> The Magic Words are Squeamish Ossifrage
>
>
> "John C." wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> Thanks for your very complete answer.
>> Unfortunately, I have still this infinite loop :/
>>
>> 1. Language was yet set to unique english.
>> 2. There was no check in views
>> 3. Http 1.1 were both yet enable
>> SSL also
>> 4. Connections settings yet done
>> 5. I hadded the 4 url and unchecked the https checkbox.
>>
>> I am quite lost now...
>> I hope I won't have to reinstall windows again. THe probleme with this loop,
>> is that I am not sure that the auto update process works as well.
>>
>>
>> JC
>>

I have followed this on my newly installed Windows 2003 server SP1 with the
same error. But my Windowsupdate still loop at "checking for the latest
updates for your computer...."

/Lars


"Maurice N ~ MVP" skrev:

> Just some of the services that need to be running:
> System Restore
> RPC remote procedure call service
> Cryptography service
>
> Be sure you have not disabled these XP services.
>
> Forgive the long list, but do review all points.
>
> Make very sure your pc has the correct & current date & local time. Having incorrect time will give the W U servers/programs a hiccup.
>
> You may get to the windows update site, but yet a setting in Internet Explorer browser could be the blocker.
> Recheck your Security & Privacy settings AND the ADVANCED settings in I.E.
>
> 1. In Internet Explorer> Tools, click Internet Options, and then click Languages....
> If this box is empty, add at least one language -- your usual national language.
> If you happen to have 2 or more, move English up on this list.
>
> 2. Disengage your Discussion Bar in Internet Explorer: Click View on main IE menu.
> Point to Explorer Bar. If "Discuss" has a check mark, click Discuss to *remove the check mark* and clear it.
> You may note, if the discussion bar is active, it would appear near the bottom of IE window.
>
> 3. I. E. Tools >Internet Options > Advanced Tab > (scroll down thru the list)
>
> These are "some" of the items that I do have CHECKed (selected):
> Under HTTP 1.1 settings --
> Use HTTP 1.1 (ON / Selected)
> + Enable / check to use HTTP 1.1 with proxy servers **** <<----
>
> and under Security :
> Clear (un-check) the check box next to "Check for server certificate revocation" . ( *OFF* )
>
> Use SSL 2.0 (ON / selected)
> Use SSL 3.0 (ON)
>
> 4. Internet Explorer > Tools > Internet Options > Connections Tab
> Click on LAN Settings > * Uncheck* the Automatically detect settings.
> Make sure _no other_ settings on this screen are enabled.
>
> 5. Internet Explorer > main menu /Tools/Internet Options >
>
> Security Tab/ click on green icon Trusted Sites/click Sites button.
> Click "Require server verification (https for all sites in this zone" to *clear* the selection.
>
> In the "Add this Web site to the zone:" field, add these entries to list of "Trusted Sites" --
>
> type
> http://www.download.windowsupdate.com (click Add)
>
> http://update.microsoft.com
>
> http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
>
> http://download.windowsupdate.com
>
> Click OK. Apply changes & close IE. Now, retry Windows Update.
>
> --
> Maurice N
> MVP Windows - Shell / User
> -----
>
> John C. wrote:
> > Hi,
> > I noticed that Microsoft Update does't work since this week.
> > I am usually using AutoUpdate, but I often check Microsoft Update
> > site to get additional stuff.
> > When I go to
> > http://update.microsoft.com/microsof....aspx?ln=en-us
> > , the "checking for the latest updates for your computer" process
> > goes in an infinite loop, using Custom or express settings.
> >
> > Since "review your update history" is still working, I saw :
> > _____________________________________
> >
> > Office 2003 Update for Office 2003 (KB887980) Wednesday, August 24,
> > 2005 Microsoft Update website
> >
> > Windows XP family Critical Update for Office XP on Windows XP Service
> > Pack 2 (KB885884) Thursday, August 18, 2005 Automatic Updates
> >
> > Windows XP family Microsoft GDI+ Detection Tool (KB873374) Thursday,
> > August 18, 2005 Automatic Updates
> >
> > Windows XP family Update for Windows XP (KB896344) Tuesday, August
> > 16, 2005 Windows Update website
> > _____________________________________
> >
> > Since I've done a manual update on Aug 24, I have done a system
> > restore to Aug 23, but the update is still stucked in an infinite
> > loop. I am using Windows XP SP 2, English, it's installation is quite
> > recent (Aug 15), but I didn't installed any program between Aug 23
> > and today. Any Idea ? It should be cool if I don't have to reinstall
> > my full windows (took me 3 days last time including the backups,
> > installs and configuration)
> >
> > Thanks in advance.
>