Why doesn't my computer ever finish searching for updates?

I have been running windows update to see what updates I need, well nothing
happens. It searches and searches and searches but it never finds anything to
update. It doesn't say that there is anything to update or that there is
nothing to update?? What is going on?? It use to work, even when you go to
last update it dates back in June when I did one last night, even this
morning. I don't know what to do so that this works corretcly. Someone please
HELP!!!

 

Always state your full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3; Vista SP1) when
posting to this newsgroup, please.

Judging by the ever-increasing number of posts here in the past few months
that are similar to yours, the behavior may be due to a Vundo-ZLOB-SDBot
infection, all protected by a rootkit infection.

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_Removal_and_Prevention:_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/page2.html#Removing_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v2.0.2
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.exe) is the preferred tool to use (in
conjuction with some other utilities). HijackThis will NOT fix anything on
its own, but it will help you to both identify and remove any
hijackware/spyware with assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30,
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html, 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.

==========================================

Start a free Windows Update support incident request:
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=6527

Support for Windows Update:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/wusupport

For home users, no-charge support is available by calling 1-866-PCSAFETY in
the United States and in Canada or by contacting your local Microsoft
subsidiary. There is no-charge for support calls that are associated with
security updates.

 

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 -
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

or use the command: WindowsUpdateAgent30-x86.exe /wuforce


--

TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2009 - Update Services
http://taurarian.mvps.org
======================================
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
Computer Maintenance: Acronis / Diskeeper / Paragon / Raxco