WU scanning endlessly!

Hi everyone!

I have been trying for a year now to get updates from Microsoft with no
success. I get as far as the rolling green squares supposedly showing that
scanning is taking place but I hear no hard drive action at all and the story
ends there.

I contacted Microsoft and we tried a few things with no success. But then
suddenly they stopped responding!

I use XP SP2 and IE7 but the problem started when using IE6. Disabling the
antivirus and firewall makes no difference either.

Any ideas will be appreciated!

Thanks!
--
Zak

If you have a Wireless Router:-
In the security tab, make sure you aren't blocking AcitveX.

Possible reasons for the error code:-
1. Internet Explorer temporary files corrupted.
2. Background Intelligent and Event Log service not started
3. SoftwareDistribution folder has become corrupted
4. You may need to re-registered some dlls files
5. You may need to add Windows Update to the Trusted Sites Zone:
6. Spyware.
7. Third party programs running in background.
8. ActiveX controls corrupted

Suggestion 1:-
Clearing Temporary Internet files, cookies and history in Internet Explorer
Tools>Internet Options>General
You'll see Delete Cookies, Delete files, Delete History
NB: "Delete all offline content", will delete all files needed to browse the websites
offline.
Reboot and try Windows Update again.

Suggestion 2:-
1: Check that the Background Intelligent Transfer Service to is set to Automatic and
verify the Status is Started.
Click Start, Choose Run, and in the Run box, type services.msc, Click OK
Locate the Background Intelligent Transfer Service service, and right-click to select it.
Select Properties, and in the Startup Type list, select Automatic. Verify the service
Status is Started. Click OK.

2. Check that the Set Event Log service is set to Automatic and verify that the Status is
Started
Click Start, Choose Run, and in the Run box, type services.msc, Click OK.
Locate the Event Log service, and right-click to select it.
Select Properties., and in the Startup type list, select Automatic. Verify the Service
status is Started. Click OK.

3. Register qmgr.dll and qmgrprxy.dll
Click Start, Choose Run and in the Run box, type regsvr32 qmgr.dll, Click OK.
Click Start, Choose Run and in the Run box, type regsvr32 qmgrprxy.dll, Click OK.

Suggestion 3:-
It is possible that the contents of the SoftwareDistribution folder have become corrupted,
so try Renaming the SoftwareDistribution folder
Click Start, Choose Run.
In the Run box, type services.msc.
Click OK.
Right-click the Automatic Updates service.
Click Stop.
Stopping the service will take a moment.

Rename the "SoftwareDistribution" folder:
a. Click Start, click Run, type: %systemroot%
Click OK.
b. Right-click the SoftwareDistribution folder, and then click Rename.
c. Type SoftwareDistribution.old, and then press ENTER to rename this folder.

Click Start. Choose Run.
In the Run box, type services.msc.
Click OK.
Right-click the Automatic Updates service.
Click Start.
Starting the service will take a moment.

Please note that your update history is contained in the "datastore" folder and when you
rename the Software Distribution folder, the history is lost but it's not important. You
can if need be, copy the contents back from the renamed softwareDistribution.old folder.
Losing the history of Windows Updates is not important.

Suggestion 4:-
Certain files may have become unregistered, and you will need to register them again:-
Click Start, Choose Run and in the Run box, type regsvr32 wuaueng1.dll, Click OK.

Do the same for the other files:-
wucltui.dll
wuaueng.dll
wuapi.dll
jscript.dll
MSXML.DLL
MSXML2.DLL
MSXML3.DLL

Suggestion 5:-

Add Windows Update to the Trusted Sites Zone:
Please note that Security settings in Internet Explorer must be set to Medium or lower for
ActiveX files to correctly pass to your computer.
Only the Web sites listed in Internet Explorer's Trusted Sites Zone will be affected by
the lowering of Security settings. Your current security settings for all other Web sites
will remain as they are currently configured.

Open Internet Explorer, click Tools, and then click Internet Options, Click Security.
Click Trusted Sites Zone. Click Sites.
Clear the Require server verification (https for all sites in this zone check box.
Use the Add button next to the Add this Web site to the zone box to add the following
sites:
http://*.windowsupdate.microsoft.com
https://*.windowsupdate.microsoft.com
http://download.windowsupdate.com

Suggestion 6:-
The below links assist you in checking your system for parasites:-
http://aumha.org/a/noads.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
Please note that some malware may kill the internet connection when it is removed, the
program on the link below will enable you to regain the internet connection.
http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm

Spyware Programs links:-
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...e/default.mspx (Windows Defender)
www.lavasoftusa.com Ad-Aware
www.security.kolla.de Spybot

Suggestion 7:-
Make sure you haven't got anything blocking Windows Update like Nortons, Zonealarm etc
Also make sure you don't have a Web Accelerator working in the background such as
NetZerio, HiSpeed, Speedband etc.

Suggestion 8:
If you need to reinstall the ActiveX controls (because they may have become corrupt):-

Follow this article -
The Windows Update Web site and the Microsoft Update Web site do not scan for updates when
you repair a failed installation of Windows XP Service Pack 2 or of Windows XP Service
Pack 1
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/916259


--

====================================
TaurArian [MS-MVP] 2005-2007 - Australia
====================================
How to make a good post: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
Backup and data recovery: http://www.acronis.com.sg/
Enhancing file system performance: http://www.diskeeper.com/defrag.asp


"Zak" <> wrote in message
news:4B89A380-A51E-40F3-BE3C-...
| Hi everyone!
|
| I have been trying for a year now to get updates from Microsoft with no
| success. I get as far as the rolling green squares supposedly showing that
| scanning is taking place but I hear no hard drive action at all and the story
| ends there.
|
| I contacted Microsoft and we tried a few things with no success. But then
| suddenly they stopped responding!
|
| I use XP SP2 and IE7 but the problem started when using IE6. Disabling the
| antivirus and firewall makes no difference either.
|
| Any ideas will be appreciated!
|
| Thanks!
| --
| Zak

See Taurarian's reply.

You refer to Windows Update (WU) but is Microsoft Update your default?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org

Zak wrote:
> Hi everyone!
>
> I have been trying for a year now to get updates from Microsoft with no
> success. I get as far as the rolling green squares supposedly showing that
> scanning is taking place but I hear no hard drive action at all and the
> story ends there.
>
> I contacted Microsoft and we tried a few things with no success. But then
> suddenly they stopped responding!
>
> I use XP SP2 and IE7 but the problem started when using IE6. Disabling the
> antivirus and firewall makes no difference either.
>
> Any ideas will be appreciated!
>
> Thanks!

"Zak" wrote:

> Hi everyone!
>
> I have been trying for a year now to get updates from Microsoft with no
> success. I get as far as the rolling green squares supposedly showing that
> scanning is taking place but I hear no hard drive action at all and the story
> ends there.
>
> I contacted Microsoft and we tried a few things with no success. But then
> suddenly they stopped responding!
>
> I use XP SP2 and IE7 but the problem started when using IE6. Disabling the
> antivirus and firewall makes no difference either.
>
> Any ideas will be appreciated!
>
> Thanks!
> --
> Zak

Is your copy of Windows XP original? If it is not, you will not get updates
from microsoft. If it is, try reinstalling IE7. If that doesn't work, boot
into safe mode and start IE. Go to the update website and patiently wait for
20 min at the most. If that doesn't work, connect your PC directly to the
internet, not through a router, and try.

Thanks for your response TaurArian!

I have tried ALL your suggestions with no success. And no, I don't use a
router. Just a software firewall and antivirus. And I disable them both
before trying WU/MU. ActiveX also seems to work OK.

I'm about to give up trying to deal with this problem. Do you happen to know
if there is anywhere I can go and manually download all updates for, say, the
last twelve months? I got no response to this question from Microsoft either.

Thanks again, I appreciate your taking the time!
--
Zak


"TaurArian [MS-MVP]" wrote:

> If you have a Wireless Router:-
> In the security tab, make sure you aren't blocking AcitveX.
>
> Possible reasons for the error code:-
> 1. Internet Explorer temporary files corrupted.
> 2. Background Intelligent and Event Log service not started
> 3. SoftwareDistribution folder has become corrupted
> 4. You may need to re-registered some dlls files
> 5. You may need to add Windows Update to the Trusted Sites Zone:
> 6. Spyware.
> 7. Third party programs running in background.
> 8. ActiveX controls corrupted
>
> Suggestion 1:-
> Clearing Temporary Internet files, cookies and history in Internet Explorer
> Tools>Internet Options>General
> You'll see Delete Cookies, Delete files, Delete History
> NB: "Delete all offline content", will delete all files needed to browse the websites
> offline.
> Reboot and try Windows Update again.
>
> Suggestion 2:-
> 1: Check that the Background Intelligent Transfer Service to is set to Automatic and
> verify the Status is Started.
> Click Start, Choose Run, and in the Run box, type services.msc, Click OK
> Locate the Background Intelligent Transfer Service service, and right-click to select it.
> Select Properties, and in the Startup Type list, select Automatic. Verify the service
> Status is Started. Click OK.
>
> 2. Check that the Set Event Log service is set to Automatic and verify that the Status is
> Started
> Click Start, Choose Run, and in the Run box, type services.msc, Click OK.
> Locate the Event Log service, and right-click to select it.
> Select Properties., and in the Startup type list, select Automatic. Verify the Service
> status is Started. Click OK.
>
> 3. Register qmgr.dll and qmgrprxy.dll
> Click Start, Choose Run and in the Run box, type regsvr32 qmgr.dll, Click OK.
> Click Start, Choose Run and in the Run box, type regsvr32 qmgrprxy.dll, Click OK.
>
> Suggestion 3:-
> It is possible that the contents of the SoftwareDistribution folder have become corrupted,
> so try Renaming the SoftwareDistribution folder
> Click Start, Choose Run.
> In the Run box, type services.msc.
> Click OK.
> Right-click the Automatic Updates service.
> Click Stop.
> Stopping the service will take a moment.
>
> Rename the "SoftwareDistribution" folder:
> a. Click Start, click Run, type: %systemroot%
> Click OK.
> b. Right-click the SoftwareDistribution folder, and then click Rename.
> c. Type SoftwareDistribution.old, and then press ENTER to rename this folder.
>
> Click Start. Choose Run.
> In the Run box, type services.msc.
> Click OK.
> Right-click the Automatic Updates service.
> Click Start.
> Starting the service will take a moment.
>
> Please note that your update history is contained in the "datastore" folder and when you
> rename the Software Distribution folder, the history is lost but it's not important. You
> can if need be, copy the contents back from the renamed softwareDistribution.old folder.
> Losing the history of Windows Updates is not important.
>
> Suggestion 4:-
> Certain files may have become unregistered, and you will need to register them again:-
> Click Start, Choose Run and in the Run box, type regsvr32 wuaueng1.dll, Click OK.
>
> Do the same for the other files:-
> wucltui.dll
> wuaueng.dll
> wuapi.dll
> jscript.dll
> MSXML.DLL
> MSXML2.DLL
> MSXML3.DLL
>
> Suggestion 5:-
>
> Add Windows Update to the Trusted Sites Zone:
> Please note that Security settings in Internet Explorer must be set to Medium or lower for
> ActiveX files to correctly pass to your computer.
> Only the Web sites listed in Internet Explorer's Trusted Sites Zone will be affected by
> the lowering of Security settings. Your current security settings for all other Web sites
> will remain as they are currently configured.
>
> Open Internet Explorer, click Tools, and then click Internet Options, Click Security.
> Click Trusted Sites Zone. Click Sites.
> Clear the Require server verification (https for all sites in this zone check box.
> Use the Add button next to the Add this Web site to the zone box to add the following
> sites:
> http://*.windowsupdate.microsoft.com
> https://*.windowsupdate.microsoft.com
> http://download.windowsupdate.com
>
> Suggestion 6:-
> The below links assist you in checking your system for parasites:-
> http://aumha.org/a/noads.htm
> http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
> Please note that some malware may kill the internet connection when it is removed, the
> program on the link below will enable you to regain the internet connection.
> http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm
>
> Spyware Programs links:-
> http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...e/default.mspx (Windows Defender)
> www.lavasoftusa.com Ad-Aware
> www.security.kolla.de Spybot
>
> Suggestion 7:-
> Make sure you haven't got anything blocking Windows Update like Nortons, Zonealarm etc
> Also make sure you don't have a Web Accelerator working in the background such as
> NetZerio, HiSpeed, Speedband etc.
>
> Suggestion 8:
> If you need to reinstall the ActiveX controls (because they may have become corrupt):-
>
> Follow this article -
> The Windows Update Web site and the Microsoft Update Web site do not scan for updates when
> you repair a failed installation of Windows XP Service Pack 2 or of Windows XP Service
> Pack 1
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/916259
>
>
> --
>
> ====================================
> TaurArian [MS-MVP] 2005-2007 - Australia
> ====================================
> How to make a good post: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> Backup and data recovery: http://www.acronis.com.sg/
> Enhancing file system performance: http://www.diskeeper.com/defrag.asp
>
>
> "Zak" <> wrote in message
> news:4B89A380-A51E-40F3-BE3C-...
> | Hi everyone!
> |
> | I have been trying for a year now to get updates from Microsoft with no
> | success. I get as far as the rolling green squares supposedly showing that
> | scanning is taking place but I hear no hard drive action at all and the story
> | ends there.
> |
> | I contacted Microsoft and we tried a few things with no success. But then
> | suddenly they stopped responding!
> |
> | I use XP SP2 and IE7 but the problem started when using IE6. Disabling the
> | antivirus and firewall makes no difference either.
> |
> | Any ideas will be appreciated!
> |
> | Thanks!
> | --
> | Zak
>
>
>

Thanks for your response PA Bear!

I'm using MU. When I hit WU in IE7's tools menu it takes me straight to MU.
No choice.
--
Zak


"PA Bear" wrote:

> See Taurarian's reply.
>
> You refer to Windows Update (WU) but is Microsoft Update your default?
> --
> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
> AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org
>
> Zak wrote:
> > Hi everyone!
> >
> > I have been trying for a year now to get updates from Microsoft with no
> > success. I get as far as the rolling green squares supposedly showing that
> > scanning is taking place but I hear no hard drive action at all and the
> > story ends there.
> >
> > I contacted Microsoft and we tried a few things with no success. But then
> > suddenly they stopped responding!
> >
> > I use XP SP2 and IE7 but the problem started when using IE6. Disabling the
> > antivirus and firewall makes no difference either.
> >
> > Any ideas will be appreciated!
> >
> > Thanks!
>
>

Thanks for responding Mahima!

My WinXP is original. I was able to get updates up to about a year ago. Then
I had to go from a broadband connection to dialup for a while. That's when
the problem began.

I tried safe mode with networking but I cannot connect. My DSL modem seems
unhappy with safe mode! It keeps flashing red lights, and I cannot dialup
either. Networking it's just not available in safe mode, it seems. I see no
connections in Network Connections.
--
Zak


"Mahima" wrote:

>
>
> "Zak" wrote:
>
> > Hi everyone!
> >
> > I have been trying for a year now to get updates from Microsoft with no
> > success. I get as far as the rolling green squares supposedly showing that
> > scanning is taking place but I hear no hard drive action at all and the story
> > ends there.
> >
> > I contacted Microsoft and we tried a few things with no success. But then
> > suddenly they stopped responding!
> >
> > I use XP SP2 and IE7 but the problem started when using IE6. Disabling the
> > antivirus and firewall makes no difference either.
> >
> > Any ideas will be appreciated!
> >
> > Thanks!
> > --
> > Zak
>
> Is your copy of Windows XP original? If it is not, you will not get updates
> from microsoft. If it is, try reinstalling IE7. If that doesn't work, boot
> into safe mode and start IE. Go to the update website and patiently wait for
> 20 min at the most. If that doesn't work, connect your PC directly to the
> internet, not through a router, and try.

And there lies your problem

Go to this web page and look maybe half way down it where you will find
instructions on how to change back to Windows Update.. ensure that you do
not click to accept Microsoft update again in the future, and if you need
Office updates, go to Office Online, and again ensure that you do not accept
the option for Microsoft Updates..

http://www.theeldergeek.com/microsoft_update_03.htm

Mike Hall
MS MVP Windows Shell/User
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/

See if resetting your default to Windows Update makes any difference: Go to
Microsoft Update website > Click on Change Settings in left pane > Scroll to
bottom of page > To Stop Using Microsoft Update > Disable Microsoft Update
software and let me use Windows Update only (check).

With Windows Update as your default, you will need to check in at Office
Update to keep your Office applications fully patched:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/do...incatalog.aspx

Is Automatic Updates enabled? Is it working?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear), working offline
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org


Zak wrote:
> Thanks for your response PA Bear!
>
> I'm using MU. When I hit WU in IE7's tools menu it takes me straight to
> MU.
> No choice.
>
>> See Taurarian's reply.
>>
>> You refer to Windows Update (WU) but is Microsoft Update your default?
>> --
>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
>> MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
>> AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org
>>
>> Zak wrote:
>>> Hi everyone!
>>>
>>> I have been trying for a year now to get updates from Microsoft with no
>>> success. I get as far as the rolling green squares supposedly showing
>>> that
>>> scanning is taking place but I hear no hard drive action at all and the
>>> story ends there.
>>>
>>> I contacted Microsoft and we tried a few things with no success. But
>>> then
>>> suddenly they stopped responding!
>>>
>>> I use XP SP2 and IE7 but the problem started when using IE6. Disabling
>>> the
>>> antivirus and firewall makes no difference either.
>>>
>>> Any ideas will be appreciated!
>>>
>>> Thanks!

Thanks Mike!

I uninstalled Microsoft Update and now I'm getting the same endlessly
rolling green squares from Windows Update!

--
Zak


"Mike Hall - MS MVP" wrote:

> And there lies your problem
>
> Go to this web page and look maybe half way down it where you will find
> instructions on how to change back to Windows Update.. ensure that you do
> not click to accept Microsoft update again in the future, and if you need
> Office updates, go to Office Online, and again ensure that you do not accept
> the option for Microsoft Updates..
>
> http://www.theeldergeek.com/microsoft_update_03.htm
>
> Mike Hall
> MS MVP Windows Shell/User
> http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/
>
>
>
>