RE: Windows and Defender can't check for updates

[Kris Rhodes]

Correction: "lowe left" near the top of that message should read "lower right".

[Rhodes@discussions.microsoft.com Kris Rhodes]

I would appreciate any help anyone could offer.

I am running Windows Vista.

This evening, a popup appeared in the lowe left portion of my desktop that
said "Windows can't check for updates." I am certain this hasn't shown up
before today--one of the three paranoid people in my household would have
noticed--but upon investigating, I see that my Update has not installed an
update since March 7th and hasn't searched for an update since March 13th.

When I click on the icon generating the "Windows can't check for updates"
popup, it takes me to Windows Update, and tells me I have an important update
to install. But when I try to install it, it says "Code 80240016: Windows
Update is currently installing other updates. Please try again in a few
minutes."

As far as I can tell, this is not true. I have been trying to install this
update for a few hours now. Rebooting the machine has no effect.

When I click on "check for updates" in Windows Update, I get "Code 80072EFD:
Windows Update encountered an unknown error."

I have run, tonight, Spybot Search and Destroy as well as Malwarebytes'
Anti-Malware (both fully updated--and it may be important to note that I
_can_ update both of these programs) and neither found anything other than a
few tracking cookies which are now gone.

Please tell me what further information you might need in order to be able
assist me here. And thank you in advance!

[Kris Rhodes]

Addendum:

I forgot to mention, the important update in question is KB951847 --
Microsoft .Net 3.5 SP1.

I also forgot to add--Windows Defender also is unable to check for
definition updates. Code: 0x80072efd, which I guess is the same as one of the
codes given by Windows Update as described in my first post.

[Kris Rhodes]

I just performed the solution given here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/957307

But it did not solve the problem. I detect no change in how the program is
behaving.

-Kris
!

[TaurArian]

Kris Rhodes wrote:
:: Addendum:

Error: 80072EFD = ERROR_INTERNET_CANNOT_CONNECT
Translation: Cannot connect to the Internet server

There's a possibility that either a 3rd party firewall, anti-spyware
program, web accelerator, Internet security/antivirus program and/or a proxy
server is interfering with the Windows Update Services (SVCHOST) accessing
the Internet.

You may encounter temporary connection-related errors when you use Windows
Update or Microsoft Update to install updates
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/836941

How to troubleshoot definition update issues for Windows Defender
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/918355

--

TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2009 - Update Services
http://taurarian.mvps.org
======================================
Disclaimer: The information has been posted "as is" with no warranties
or guarantees and doesn't give any rights.

[Ǝиçεl]

Hello Kris,

This is probably easy to fix.

Start, all programs, accessories.

Right-click command prompt and choose "run as administrator"

In the resulting command prompt window, type

sfc /scannow

and hit enter.

This should correct the problem.
-=-

.: Ǝиçεl :.

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

There is a very good chance that you are seeing the effects of a hijackware
infection!

NB: If you had no anti-virus application installed or the subscription had
expired *when the machine first got infected* and/or your subscription has
since expired and/or the machine's not been kept fully-patched at Windows
Update, don't waste your time with any of the below: Format & reinstall
Windows. A Repair Install will NOT help!

1. See if you can download/run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

NB: Run the FULL scan, not the QUICK scan! You may need to download the
MSRT on a non-infected machine, then transfer MRT.EXE to the infected
machine and rename it to SCAN.EXE before running it.

2. [WinXP ONLY!! =>] Run the Windows Live Safety Center's 'Protection' scan
(only!) in Safe Mode with Networking, if need be:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm

3. Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting the requested
logs in an appropriate forum, not here.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=4075
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://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

**Seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0,
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup, http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30
or other appropriate forums.**

If these 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.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002