Re: Win XP Updates - Fail to Instal

From: Maurice N (mauricenATemailDOTcom)
Date: 09/22/02 

From: "Maurice N" <mauricenATemailDOTcom>
Date: Sun, 22 Sep 2002 16:43:59 -0500

Stan Taylor wrote:
> Attempting to download Windows XP Updates, all goes well
> until the file is downloaded then it fails to install.
> Running the update from scratch gives an immediate
> download but again it just hangs without installing.
>
> I now have a situation where all downloads available for
> my machine, one critical, four general and one driver all
> hang.
>
> I have successfully downloaded and installed XP Service
> Pack 1, the only advice I can find concerns a particular
> Security Pack failing to install and following the
> advice, hoping it would lead to the location of the
> downloaded files, has not helped.
>
> Any advice will be gratefully received, best regards,
>
> Stan

Hi Stan,
Let's take this in pieces. If you have Service Pack 1 installed & it succeeded, that's great!
Don't be overanxious on any other updates for the time being.
Ie, wait later for any general & certainly wait on any driver.
 
It seems you have an install failure (obvious) but the question is , due to what?
Can you recall what selections you picked?

and if I can suggest, whenever you go to W U, focus first on critical items.
Take small quantities of updates. Don't take a whole truckload at 1 session.
 
Run thru this checklist ; then attach your log in a reply !
Make real sure your pc has the correct & current date - & local time at where you are. (just in case. Having incorrect time
will give the W U servers/programs a hiccup.) (ie, don't have it a day ahead or backdated)

Do some cleanups first. Run Disk Cleanup to delete temporary internet files & cache.

If you are using a firewall, either turn it off or insure
Internet Explorer has access permissions to internet.
Insure your antivirus is not _blocking_ scripts , ActiveX
programs, etc. Maybe turn it off.

If you have Norton Personal Firewall or Sygate Personal Firewall , insure they allow
showing a valid User Agent string.

Insure you have not turned off some key windows services in XP.
Just some of the services that need to be running:
System Restore
RPC remote procedure call service
Cryptography service

plus insure you have plenty of FREE space.

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. Disable your Discussion Bar in Internet Explorer: Click
View. Point to Explorer Bar.

Click Discuss to *remove the check mark* and disable ( clear )
this .

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)

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

*Uncheck* Require server verification. ( * OFF * )

Use SSL 2.0 (ON / selected)
Use SSL 3.0 (ON)
Use TLS 1.0 (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.

Add these 3 entries to list of "Trusted Sites" -- the syntax as
follows -- with the * wildcard:

  *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com <<<- *dot

  *.download.windowsupdate.com <<<- *dot

v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com

Make sure you are not *disabling* any scripting capabilities in I.E.

Recheck ActiveX acceptance. Instead of disable, try using "prompt".

On the SECURITY Tab > Custom level button > recheck all entries
under Settings. Review items that you may have disabled.

Apply changes to I.E. & exit out of it.
- - -

** attach your windows update log. **
%WINDIR%\Windows Update.log

C:\Windows\Windows Update.log or
C:\WINNT\Windows Update.log (for Win XP & WIN2000 )

Having it in ZIP (.zip) format would be good. Or use Notepad
to copy and paste
the entries for _the very last session / date _ (at bottom of file).

Then rename that file to .OLD or delete it. It will be recreated next time.
DO NOT run Windows Update --- because I need to look at your log, and you will
need to do some more maintenance.
--
Maurice N
--------------------------------------------------