Windows update turned off alert balloon.

I'm having an issue with not being able to turn on the Automatic Updates. An
alert balloon is on all the time telling me that my Automatic updates are not
turned on and if I click on "Turn on Automatic Updates" in the security
center I get the following message "We're sorry. The Security Center could
not chage your Automatic Update setting. To try changing these settings
yourself, go to System n Ctrl Panel. On the Automatic Updates tab, select
Automatic and then click Ok."

The ironic thing is when I did that the "Automatic" option is selected
already. Nothing is grayed out or abnormal. If I click on it and close I
still get the alert balloon.

More searching led me to checking the Services (services.msc) and check the
Automatic Updates and ensure it's enabled and started. It wasn't it was
disabled. I set it to Automatic and clicked Appy, then clicked on Start in
the Automatic Updates Properties. I got an error. "Could not start the
Automatic Updates service on Local Computer. Error 1058: The service cannot
be started, either because it is disabled ro because it has no enabled
devices associated with it."

Additionally, in other searches I've found reference to a Key in the
registery that I don't have "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Policies \
Microsoft \ Windows \ WindowsUpdate \ AU" I don't know why it's not there or
how to get it.

Any advice or assistance on how to resolve this would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Your post is missing one key piece of information: Windows version?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed? What
anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)? What third-party firewall
(if any)?

Has a Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on this machine?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

darlon wrote:
> I'm having an issue with not being able to turn on the Automatic Updates.
> An
> alert balloon is on all the time telling me that my Automatic updates are
> not turned on and if I click on "Turn on Automatic Updates" in the
> security
> center I get the following message "We're sorry. The Security Center
> could not chage your Automatic Update setting. To try changing these
> settings yourself, go to System n Ctrl Panel. On the Automatic Updates
> tab, select Automatic and then click Ok."
>
> The ironic thing is when I did that the "Automatic" option is selected
> already. Nothing is grayed out or abnormal. If I click on it and close I
> still get the alert balloon.
>
> More searching led me to checking the Services (services.msc) and check
> the
> Automatic Updates and ensure it's enabled and started. It wasn't it was
> disabled. I set it to Automatic and clicked Appy, then clicked on Start
> in
> the Automatic Updates Properties. I got an error. "Could not start the
> Automatic Updates service on Local Computer. Error 1058: The service
> cannot be started, either because it is disabled ro because it has no
> enabled devices associated with it."
>
> Additionally, in other searches I've found reference to a Key in the
> registery that I don't have "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Policies \
> Microsoft \ Windows \ WindowsUpdate \ AU" I don't know why it's not there
> or how to get it.
>
> Any advice or assistance on how to resolve this would be greatly
> appreciated.
>
> Thank you

I have a similar problem like Darlon wrote about. Running Win XP SP3 (Spanish
version) and McAfee Security Center and Lavasoft Ad-Aware 2007, the Windows
security problem of no longer being able to update Windows automatically
apparently stated after an infection with "WinSpywareProtect".

Now the computer is clean, but the Windows red-balloon problem continues.
I have tried the following without luck:

1) Re-installing SP3, but after rebooting the balloon is back.
2) Entering the options after entering "services.msc" under START + run, but
it is impossible to change the setting under automatic updates to automatic.

So now I feel short on what to try next. Hope you can help?

Thank you.

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> Your post is missing one key piece of information: Windows version?
>
> What anti-virus application or security suite is installed? What
> anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)? What third-party firewall
> (if any)?
>
> Has a Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on this machine?
> --
> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/
>
> darlon wrote:
> > I'm having an issue with not being able to turn on the Automatic Updates.
> > An
> > alert balloon is on all the time telling me that my Automatic updates are
> > not turned on and if I click on "Turn on Automatic Updates" in the
> > security
> > center I get the following message "We're sorry. The Security Center
> > could not chage your Automatic Update setting. To try changing these
> > settings yourself, go to System n Ctrl Panel. On the Automatic Updates
> > tab, select Automatic and then click Ok."
> >
> > The ironic thing is when I did that the "Automatic" option is selected
> > already. Nothing is grayed out or abnormal. If I click on it and close I
> > still get the alert balloon.
> >
> > More searching led me to checking the Services (services.msc) and check
> > the
> > Automatic Updates and ensure it's enabled and started. It wasn't it was
> > disabled. I set it to Automatic and clicked Appy, then clicked on Start
> > in
> > the Automatic Updates Properties. I got an error. "Could not start the
> > Automatic Updates service on Local Computer. Error 1058: The service
> > cannot be started, either because it is disabled ro because it has no
> > enabled devices associated with it."
> >
> > Additionally, in other searches I've found reference to a Key in the
> > registery that I don't have "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Policies \
> > Microsoft \ Windows \ WindowsUpdate \ AU" I don't know why it's not there
> > or how to get it.
> >
> > Any advice or assistance on how to resolve this would be greatly
> > appreciated.
> >
> > Thank you
>
>

How do you know the computer is clean?

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting your hijackthis log
to an appropriate forum.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_R...:_Introduction
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://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...moving_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v2.0.2
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.exe) is the preferred tool to use.
It will help you to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware with
assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html,
http://forums.subratam.org/index.php?showforum=7,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30, or other appropriate forums for review
by an expert in such matters, not here.**

If the 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.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/


Sune wrote:
> I have a similar problem like Darlon wrote about. Running Win XP SP3
> (Spanish version) and McAfee Security Center and Lavasoft Ad-Aware 2007,
> the Windows security problem of no longer being able to update Windows
> automatically apparently stated after an infection with
> "WinSpywareProtect".
>
> Now the computer is clean, but the Windows red-balloon problem continues.
> I have tried the following without luck:
>
> 1) Re-installing SP3, but after rebooting the balloon is back.
> 2) Entering the options after entering "services.msc" under START + run,
> but
> it is impossible to change the setting under automatic updates to
> automatic.
>
> So now I feel short on what to try next. Hope you can help?
>
> Thank you.
>
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
>
>> Your post is missing one key piece of information: Windows version?
>>
>> What anti-virus application or security suite is installed? What
>> anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)? What third-party
>> firewall
>> (if any)?
>>
>> Has a Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on this machine?
>> --
>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
>> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
>> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
>> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/
>>
>> darlon wrote:
>>> I'm having an issue with not being able to turn on the Automatic
>>> Updates.
>>> An
>>> alert balloon is on all the time telling me that my Automatic updates
>>> are
>>> not turned on and if I click on "Turn on Automatic Updates" in the
>>> security
>>> center I get the following message "We're sorry. The Security Center
>>> could not chage your Automatic Update setting. To try changing these
>>> settings yourself, go to System n Ctrl Panel. On the Automatic Updates
>>> tab, select Automatic and then click Ok."
>>>
>>> The ironic thing is when I did that the "Automatic" option is selected
>>> already. Nothing is grayed out or abnormal. If I click on it and close
>>> I
>>> still get the alert balloon.
>>>
>>> More searching led me to checking the Services (services.msc) and check
>>> the
>>> Automatic Updates and ensure it's enabled and started. It wasn't it was
>>> disabled. I set it to Automatic and clicked Appy, then clicked on Start
>>> in
>>> the Automatic Updates Properties. I got an error. "Could not start the
>>> Automatic Updates service on Local Computer. Error 1058: The service
>>> cannot be started, either because it is disabled ro because it has no
>>> enabled devices associated with it."
>>>
>>> Additionally, in other searches I've found reference to a Key in the
>>> registery that I don't have "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Policies \
>>> Microsoft \ Windows \ WindowsUpdate \ AU" I don't know why it's not
>>> there
>>> or how to get it.
>>>
>>> Any advice or assistance on how to resolve this would be greatly
>>> appreciated.
>>>
>>> Thank you

I am also having te same probem Wndows XP SP2 English/Norton 360/Spysweeper
tried everything no resolve.

"darlon" wrote:

> I'm having an issue with not being able to turn on the Automatic Updates. An
> alert balloon is on all the time telling me that my Automatic updates are not
> turned on and if I click on "Turn on Automatic Updates" in the security
> center I get the following message "We're sorry. The Security Center could
> not chage your Automatic Update setting. To try changing these settings
> yourself, go to System n Ctrl Panel. On the Automatic Updates tab, select
> Automatic and then click Ok."
>
> The ironic thing is when I did that the "Automatic" option is selected
> already. Nothing is grayed out or abnormal. If I click on it and close I
> still get the alert balloon.
>
> More searching led me to checking the Services (services.msc) and check the
> Automatic Updates and ensure it's enabled and started. It wasn't it was
> disabled. I set it to Automatic and clicked Appy, then clicked on Start in
> the Automatic Updates Properties. I got an error. "Could not start the
> Automatic Updates service on Local Computer. Error 1058: The service cannot
> be started, either because it is disabled ro because it has no enabled
> devices associated with it."
>
> Additionally, in other searches I've found reference to a Key in the
> registery that I don't have "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Policies \
> Microsoft \ Windows \ WindowsUpdate \ AU" I don't know why it's not there or
> how to get it.
>
> Any advice or assistance on how to resolve this would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thank you
>

Hi,
same problem here. I did a fresh install of XP Prof SP2 and updated to
SP3. After installing some other MS Tools like Visual Studio 200x with
their updates, and other tools like PowerDVD, Microsoft Office 2007
with their updates and other tools like adone reader etc., it happens
somewhere down the road after another reboot, that the balloon appears
telling that automatic updates are off. I observed that this happens a
couple of seconds after login, it looks like a backround service
decides after doing some time-consuming checks to turn automatic
updates off. I tried all that can be found in the web to turn this
service on again, but no success. I found only partial solutions. The
first is running the following script:

regsvr32 comcat.dll /s
regsvr32 shdoc401.dll /s
regsvr32 shdoc401.dll /i /s
regsvr32 asctrls.ocx /s
regsvr32 oleaut32.dll /s
regsvr32 shdocvw.dll /I /s
regsvr32 shdocvw.dll /s
regsvr32 browseui.dll /s
regsvr32 browseui.dll /I /s
regsvr32 msrating.dll /s
regsvr32 mlang.dll /s
regsvr32 hlink.dll /s
regsvr32 mshtmled.dll /s
regsvr32 urlmon.dll /s
regsvr32 plugin.ocx /s
regsvr32 sendmail.dll /s
regsvr32 scrobj.dll /s
regsvr32 mmefxe.ocx /s
regsvr32 corpol.dll /s
regsvr32 jscript.dll /s
regsvr32 msxml.dll /s
regsvr32 imgutil.dll /s
regsvr32 thumbvw.dll /s
regsvr32 cryptext.dll /s
regsvr32 rsabase.dll /s
regsvr32 inseng.dll /s
regsvr32 iesetup.dll /i /s
regsvr32 cryptdlg.dll /s
regsvr32 actxprxy.dll /s
regsvr32 dispex.dll /s
regsvr32 occache.dll /s
regsvr32 occache.dll /i /s
regsvr32 iepeers.dll /s
regsvr32 urlmon.dll /i /s
regsvr32 cdfview.dll /s
regsvr32 webcheck.dll /s
regsvr32 mobsync.dll /s
regsvr32 pngfilt.dll /s
regsvr32 licmgr10.dll /s
regsvr32 icmfilter.dll /s
regsvr32 hhctrl.ocx /s
regsvr32 inetcfg.dll /s
regsvr32 tdc.ocx /s
regsvr32 MSR2C.DLL /s
regsvr32 msident.dll /s
regsvr32 msieftp.dll /s
regsvr32 xmsconf.ocx /s
regsvr32 ils.dll /s
regsvr32 msoeacct.dll /s
regsvr32 inetcomm.dll /s
regsvr32 msdxm.ocx /s
regsvr32 dxmasf.dll /s
regsvr32 l3codecx.ax /s
regsvr32 acelpdec.ax /s
regsvr32 mpg4ds32.ax /s
regsvr32 voxmsdec.ax /s
regsvr32 danim.dll /s
regsvr32 Daxctle.ocx /s
regsvr32 lmrt.dll /s
regsvr32 datime.dll /s
regsvr32 dxtrans.dll /s
regsvr32 dxtmsft.dll /s
regsvr32 WEBPOST.DLL /s
regsvr32 WPWIZDLL.DLL /s
regsvr32 POSTWPP.DLL /s
regsvr32 CRSWPP.DLL /s
regsvr32 FTPWPP.DLL /s
regsvr32 FPWPP.DLL /s
regsvr32 WUAPI.DLL /s
regsvr32 WUAUENG.DLL /s
regsvr32 ATL.DLL /s
regsvr32 WUCLTUI.DLL /s
regsvr32 WUPS.DLL /s
regsvr32 WUWEB.DLL /s
regsvr32 wshom.ocx /s
regsvr32 wshext.dll /s
regsvr32 vbscript.dll /s
regsvr32 scrrun.dll mstinit.exe /setup /s
regsvr32 msnsspc.dll /SspcCreateSspiReg /s
regsvr32 msapsspc.dll /SspcCreateSspiReg /s
exit

When running this script I was able to run automatic updates. With the
next reboot automatic updates whe disabled again -> not a 'real'
solution!

The second solution for me was to uninstall SP3, then running the
script above again to enable automatic updates under SP2 just to
download more than 100 hotfixes from MS, and when this process has
finished, automatic updates kept enabled and survived reboots.
I would still be interested to find out what was going on here.

Best regards

I know it's a stupid question but where exactly should I run the script?And
how?

"" wrote:

> Hi,
> same problem here. I did a fresh install of XP Prof SP2 and updated to
> SP3. After installing some other MS Tools like Visual Studio 200x with
> their updates, and other tools like PowerDVD, Microsoft Office 2007
> with their updates and other tools like adone reader etc., it happens
> somewhere down the road after another reboot, that the balloon appears
> telling that automatic updates are off. I observed that this happens a
> couple of seconds after login, it looks like a backround service
> decides after doing some time-consuming checks to turn automatic
> updates off. I tried all that can be found in the web to turn this
> service on again, but no success. I found only partial solutions. The
> first is running the following script:
>
> regsvr32 comcat.dll /s
> regsvr32 shdoc401.dll /s
> regsvr32 shdoc401.dll /i /s
> regsvr32 asctrls.ocx /s
> regsvr32 oleaut32.dll /s
> regsvr32 shdocvw.dll /I /s
> regsvr32 shdocvw.dll /s
> regsvr32 browseui.dll /s
> regsvr32 browseui.dll /I /s
> regsvr32 msrating.dll /s
> regsvr32 mlang.dll /s
> regsvr32 hlink.dll /s
> regsvr32 mshtmled.dll /s
> regsvr32 urlmon.dll /s
> regsvr32 plugin.ocx /s
> regsvr32 sendmail.dll /s
> regsvr32 scrobj.dll /s
> regsvr32 mmefxe.ocx /s
> regsvr32 corpol.dll /s
> regsvr32 jscript.dll /s
> regsvr32 msxml.dll /s
> regsvr32 imgutil.dll /s
> regsvr32 thumbvw.dll /s
> regsvr32 cryptext.dll /s
> regsvr32 rsabase.dll /s
> regsvr32 inseng.dll /s
> regsvr32 iesetup.dll /i /s
> regsvr32 cryptdlg.dll /s
> regsvr32 actxprxy.dll /s
> regsvr32 dispex.dll /s
> regsvr32 occache.dll /s
> regsvr32 occache.dll /i /s
> regsvr32 iepeers.dll /s
> regsvr32 urlmon.dll /i /s
> regsvr32 cdfview.dll /s
> regsvr32 webcheck.dll /s
> regsvr32 mobsync.dll /s
> regsvr32 pngfilt.dll /s
> regsvr32 licmgr10.dll /s
> regsvr32 icmfilter.dll /s
> regsvr32 hhctrl.ocx /s
> regsvr32 inetcfg.dll /s
> regsvr32 tdc.ocx /s
> regsvr32 MSR2C.DLL /s
> regsvr32 msident.dll /s
> regsvr32 msieftp.dll /s
> regsvr32 xmsconf.ocx /s
> regsvr32 ils.dll /s
> regsvr32 msoeacct.dll /s
> regsvr32 inetcomm.dll /s
> regsvr32 msdxm.ocx /s
> regsvr32 dxmasf.dll /s
> regsvr32 l3codecx.ax /s
> regsvr32 acelpdec.ax /s
> regsvr32 mpg4ds32.ax /s
> regsvr32 voxmsdec.ax /s
> regsvr32 danim.dll /s
> regsvr32 Daxctle.ocx /s
> regsvr32 lmrt.dll /s
> regsvr32 datime.dll /s
> regsvr32 dxtrans.dll /s
> regsvr32 dxtmsft.dll /s
> regsvr32 WEBPOST.DLL /s
> regsvr32 WPWIZDLL.DLL /s
> regsvr32 POSTWPP.DLL /s
> regsvr32 CRSWPP.DLL /s
> regsvr32 FTPWPP.DLL /s
> regsvr32 FPWPP.DLL /s
> regsvr32 WUAPI.DLL /s
> regsvr32 WUAUENG.DLL /s
> regsvr32 ATL.DLL /s
> regsvr32 WUCLTUI.DLL /s
> regsvr32 WUPS.DLL /s
> regsvr32 WUWEB.DLL /s
> regsvr32 wshom.ocx /s
> regsvr32 wshext.dll /s
> regsvr32 vbscript.dll /s
> regsvr32 scrrun.dll mstinit.exe /setup /s
> regsvr32 msnsspc.dll /SspcCreateSspiReg /s
> regsvr32 msapsspc.dll /SspcCreateSspiReg /s
> exit
>
> When running this script I was able to run automatic updates. With the
> next reboot automatic updates whe disabled again -> not a 'real'
> solution!
>
> The second solution for me was to uninstall SP3, then running the
> script above again to enable automatic updates under SP2 just to
> download more than 100 hotfixes from MS, and when this process has
> finished, automatic updates kept enabled and survived reboots.
> I would still be interested to find out what was going on here.
>
> Best regards
>
>

Sorry about the missing info. I'm running XP Professional SP2 and I have
Norton 360 installed

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> Your post is missing one key piece of information: Windows version?
>
> What anti-virus application or security suite is installed? What
> anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)? What third-party firewall
> (if any)?
>
> Has a Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on this machine?
> --
> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/
>
> darlon wrote:
> > I'm having an issue with not being able to turn on the Automatic Updates.
> > An
> > alert balloon is on all the time telling me that my Automatic updates are
> > not turned on and if I click on "Turn on Automatic Updates" in the
> > security
> > center I get the following message "We're sorry. The Security Center
> > could not chage your Automatic Update setting. To try changing these
> > settings yourself, go to System n Ctrl Panel. On the Automatic Updates
> > tab, select Automatic and then click Ok."
> >
> > The ironic thing is when I did that the "Automatic" option is selected
> > already. Nothing is grayed out or abnormal. If I click on it and close I
> > still get the alert balloon.
> >
> > More searching led me to checking the Services (services.msc) and check
> > the
> > Automatic Updates and ensure it's enabled and started. It wasn't it was
> > disabled. I set it to Automatic and clicked Appy, then clicked on Start
> > in
> > the Automatic Updates Properties. I got an error. "Could not start the
> > Automatic Updates service on Local Computer. Error 1058: The service
> > cannot be started, either because it is disabled ro because it has no
> > enabled devices associated with it."
> >
> > Additionally, in other searches I've found reference to a Key in the
> > registery that I don't have "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Policies \
> > Microsoft \ Windows \ WindowsUpdate \ AU" I don't know why it's not there
> > or how to get it.
> >
> > Any advice or assistance on how to resolve this would be greatly
> > appreciated.
> >
> > Thank you
>
>

I had the same problem, scanned with multiple antispyware programs. It was
caused by Virtumonde and was able to remove it with Spybot Search and
Destroy.
It scanned in Windows and after rebooting it scanned and cleaned it. It was
disabling the Automatic Updates Service.

Hope this helps,
Bruce




"darlon" <> wrote in message
news:B8AA02AC-D01D-43A2-9407-...
> I'm having an issue with not being able to turn on the Automatic Updates.
> An
> alert balloon is on all the time telling me that my Automatic updates are
> not
> turned on and if I click on "Turn on Automatic Updates" in the security
> center I get the following message "We're sorry. The Security Center
> could
> not chage your Automatic Update setting. To try changing these settings
> yourself, go to System n Ctrl Panel. On the Automatic Updates tab, select
> Automatic and then click Ok."
>
> The ironic thing is when I did that the "Automatic" option is selected
> already. Nothing is grayed out or abnormal. If I click on it and close I
> still get the alert balloon.
>
> More searching led me to checking the Services (services.msc) and check
> the
> Automatic Updates and ensure it's enabled and started. It wasn't it was
> disabled. I set it to Automatic and clicked Appy, then clicked on Start
> in
> the Automatic Updates Properties. I got an error. "Could not start the
> Automatic Updates service on Local Computer. Error 1058: The service
> cannot
> be started, either because it is disabled ro because it has no enabled
> devices associated with it."
>
> Additionally, in other searches I've found reference to a Key in the
> registery that I don't have "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Policies \
> Microsoft \ Windows \ WindowsUpdate \ AU" I don't know why it's not there
> or
> how to get it.
>
> Any advice or assistance on how to resolve this would be greatly
> appreciated.
>
> Thank you
>

Hi Diddy,

use notepad or another text editor and copy the list of commands from
above into a new document. Save this document to the desktop, name it
as you like, but the file extension must be of type .bat, e.g.
'activate.bat'. Then start this file by double-click.

Best regards