"Checking for the latest updates for your computer" never finishes

I'm working on a machine running XP Home SP3. When I attempt to do an update
from the Windows Update site, the "Checking for the latest updates for your
computer" process never finishes. I've disabled all firewalls and antivirus
software. I've tried the steps outlined here:

http://www.microsoft.com/communitie...&tid=2e2533fe-495e-442c-af43-a79f780a4336&p=1

but the problem persists. When I attempted to install new versions of BITS
and WinHTTP, I get an error indicating that the service pack I'm running is
newer than the update I'm attempting to install. What else should I try?
Uninstalling SP3? Thanks for the help.

 

Please post the section of the WindowsUpdate.log that shows the
date/time of the unsuccessful visit to WU.
Start > Run > type in

%windir%\windowsupdate.log

Click OK or press Enter.
Scroll all the way to the bottom for the most recent entries.
Copy and paste the section containing entries pertinent to the last
visit to WU.

MowGreen [MVP 2003-2008]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============

 

I also have this same problem and tried your suggestions but also without
success. In addition my fan runs continuously. Any other thoughts?

 

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

Possible reasons :-
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://*.update.microsoft.com
https://*.update.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/security/spyware/software/default.mspx (Windows Defender)
www.lavasoftusa.com Ad-Aware
www.security.kolla.de Spybot

Malware Removal
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

THE PARASITE FIGHT - Finding, Removing & Protecting Yourself From Scumware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm

Richard Harper’s Guide to Cleaning Pests
http://rgharper.mvps.org/cleanit.htm

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 -
Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from Microsoft Update, or by
using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP installation
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
--

TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2008 - Update Services
http://taurarian.mvps.org
======================================
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
Computer Maintenance: Acronis / Diskeeper / Paragon / Raxco



| I'm working on a machine running XP Home SP3. When I attempt to do an update
| from the Windows Update site, the "Checking for the latest updates for your
| computer" process never finishes. I've disabled all firewalls and antivirus
| software. I've tried the steps outlined here:
|
|
http://www.microsoft.com/communitie...&tid=2e2533fe-495e-442c-af43-a79f780a4336&p=1
|
| but the problem persists. When I attempted to install new versions of BITS
| and WinHTTP, I get an error indicating that the service pack I'm running is
| newer than the update I'm attempting to install. What else should I try?
| Uninstalling SP3? Thanks for the help.
|
| --
| Gary Roach
| ADB Services
|
|

 

Thank you TaurArian. Suggestions 1&2 did not work but #3 did. I am
uncertain if it was #3 alone or the cummulative 1-3 but nevertheless I can
now download updates

 

How to *PREVENT* the corruption of data in the SoftwareDistribution
subfolder:

Virus scanning recommendations for computers that are running Windows
Server 2003, Windows 2000, or Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822158

The issue is caused by antivirus software scanning locked files. Exclude
the locked files from being scanned.

MowGreen [MVP 2003-2008]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============

<snurp>