"Microsoft Update" Website - error and strange behaviour

[mabu16]

Hi.

Windows XP Pro SP3

When I go to "Microsoft Update"
(http://www.update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=de) via
IE8 I see "Activate Automatic Updates" as if the service is not running. But
it is running. On my laptop it shows "Automatic Updates activated".

When I use one of the search options on the site, I get errorcode
0x8002802B. Found nothing helpful via search engines.

Tried the Update reset (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058/en-us) -
normal at first and then the 2nd option. No change.

Run newest F-Secure virus-scanner via Boot-CD. Nothing found. But I will try
some malware-scanner now.

Other hints, what the problem is?

mabu16

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

0x8002802B = Element Not Found

Is this a sudden, new problem?

> Run newest F-Secure virus-scanner via Boot-CD...

What anti-virus application is *installed* on the WinXP SP3 machine and is
the subscription current?

Sounds like a hijackware infection to me.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
www.banthecheck.com

[Mav]

I too am having the same problem. Also running WinXP PRO SP3.

0x8002802B error code trying to get express or custom update.

[Carlos]

I have exactly the same problem. It hapens after the last update of the
"windows update agent". I've run windows defender, spybot, malwarebytes and
eset anti-virus 4 and enerything is ok, so i think that is microsoft problem.
Win XP SP3 home edition
Thanks

[mabu16]

Hi.

I think the mentioned update also was the last one that worked (I use the
update site not so often but Live Messenger mentioned an update via tool-tip).

I use Avira AntiVir 9 - the newest version. No other spyware or firewall
(just XP-FW).

I opened a call at Microsoft. 24 hours response time mentioned. Let´s see. I
will get the answer in here.

Martin

[MowGreen]

> spybot

The above is the most likely cause of the error. Suggest you disable
Spybot's Immunize and both of the Resident protections, *one at a time*,
to see which one is the possible culprit.

MowGreen
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============

banthecheck.com
"Security updates should *never* have *non-security content* prechecked"

[Carlos]

Hi!
I'm not an expert but i think that the problem is in the Windos update agent
7.4.7600.226. It was just after this update that the problem became. I use
SpyBot for on demand scan only. My real time protection is Windows defender
and EAV4.
Carlos

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Uh-huh...

[MowGreen]

Download the latest release of the Windows Update Agent and *save* it:
http://download.windowsupdate.com/windowsupdate/redist/standalone/7.4.7600.226/windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe

Once the download completes, Clean boot XP:
How to configure Windows XP to start in a "clean boot" state
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353

Use Method 2
Once the system is in a clean boot state, Stop the Automatic Update
service. Check to see if BITS [Background Intelligent Transfer Service]
is has been started. If it has, stop that, too.
Now install windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe and restart afterwards to the
clean boot state.

*** Can the system check for updates while still in the clean boot
state ? ***
If it can, undo the clean boot steps, boot to normal windows mode.

*** Can the system check for updates while in normal windows mode ? ***
If it can, then a *3rd party software* was preventing the proper
installation of the Windows Update Agent.

[mabu16]

Hi.

Microsoft sent me a file named au_check_v78f.EXE.

Support wrote: "The file will repair the update function. Prior to install
deactivate virus scanner, personal firewall (not the Windows Firewall) and
Antispyware/Adware-Software temporarily. If ZoneAlarm is installed, it maybe
has to deinstalled before the update."

I tried it with running AntiVir and after that it worked - even without
reboot !!!! :-))))

I don´t know how to get the file to the other people with this problem.
Maybe it is even not allowed from Microsoft. I used the support link on
Microsoft Update to send my problem to Microsoft.

Hope this help all the others.

Martin

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Or see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058

[mabu16]

This didn´t worked for me (mentioned in my 1st post). The file from Microsoft
is doing some other things. Takes a little bit longer and writes a detailed
logfile.

Martin

[MowGreen]

au_check_v78.exe is the *exact* same file that was previously available
on the Codeplex site, it was then pulled by MS, and replaced with the
Fixit found on:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058

I know why it was pulled and strongly disagreed with that decision as
AUCheck is a *much more* robust solution than the Fixit is.
Unfortunately, I can't discuss why it was pulled as it's an internal MS
matter.

@mabu16
*DID* MS Support state that you can redistribute au_check_v78.exe ?
If they did not give express consent then strongly suggest that you not
redistribute it. Just refer other Users to the same email address you
used to contact MS Support.

MowGreen
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============

banthecheck.com
"Security updates should *never* have *non-security content* prechecked"

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

<grrr>

[Harry Johnston [MVP]]

MowGreen wrote:

> @mabu16
> *DID* MS Support state that you can redistribute au_check_v78.exe ?
> If they did not give express consent then strongly suggest that you not
> redistribute it. Just refer other Users to the same email address you
> used to contact MS Support.

I don't disagree with this advice as regards the copy that mabu16 got from MS
support, but what were the license terms when the file was available on CodePlex?

Harry.

[MowGreen]

IIRC, when it was on Codeplex redistribution was allowed. Modification
was not.
It was pulled, made 'less robust', and then reappeared as a Fixit.
My only concern is that the OP may get into some sort of issue with MS
over it's redistribution.

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

MowGreen wrote:
>> I don't disagree with this advice as regards the copy that mabu16 got
>> from MS support, but what were the license terms when the file was
>> available on CodePlex?
>

> IIRC, when it was on Codeplex redistribution was allowed. Modification
> was not.
> It was pulled, made 'less robust', and then reappeared as a Fixit.
> My only concern is that the OP may get into some sort of issue with MS
> over it's redistribution.

Why? pcbuttsHO1E still gets away with it!

[MowGreen]

PA Bear [MS MVP] wrote:

So did Cheney but we don't all have to be like him, do we ?

[nlavery]

I tried the "MS Fix It" found at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058, but
it did not solve the problem either.

But interestingly this morning I found that that Windows Automatic Update
had 6 new updates for me. At least Update is not completely busted. I
continue to hope that the manual Update function problem can be resolved. I
opened a dialogue with MS support staff and have tried 5-6 things so far
without success.

--
nlavery

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

[Carlos]

Well the same hapened with me!
They also said that if their solution not work i have to reinstal my OS.
I think i'm going to wait for a Microsoft fix for the problem because this
hapen just after the last update of win update agent, before everything was
fine. I remember a similar problem in the begining of IE8 with slow startup
page. Microsoft said that was a problem with spy-bot but after a few weeks
they have resolve the problem with KB969897. As many people in foruns said it
seems that IE8 is a litlle bit problematic specially with XP SP3...
Regards,
Carlos

[nlavery]

I tried the following method posted on a similar thread by 'Gothika' on
10/16/09 to cure the Update problem, AND IT WORKED!! Even after many
frustrating and unsuccessful back and forth email exchanges with MS Support
on this problem. And none of the other solutions that I found worked either,
except for the method described below. Thank goodness for this forum!!

Rather than using the Start/Run box, I opened the cmd box, changed the
directory to C:\windows\system32, and then typed the various dll commands.

Thanks, Gothika!!!!!!

Toby
--
nlavery

The solution that worked for me follows..........

Hi,
With the help of MS support I had to re-register some dll's and that fixed
my issue. You may want to try this as well.
Click START|RUN and enter each dll to register. You'll get a message that
the registration succeeded. (created a .bat file, which made it easier to
register them)

Type --> REGSVR32 MSXML3.DLL

REGSVR32 WUAPI.DLL

REGSVR32 WUAUENG.DLL

REGSVR32 WUAUENG1.DLL

REGSVR32 WUPS2.DLL

REGSVR32 WUCLTUI.DLL

REGSVR32 WUPS.DLL

REGSVR32 WUWEB.DLL

REGSVR32 QMGR.DLL

REGSVR32 QMGRPRXY.DLL

REGSVR32 JSCRIPT.DLL

[Carlos]

It worked to me too.
Now everything is ok!!
Thanks nlavery

[K@discussions.microsoft.com Josh K]

I am having the exact same problem. I've tried the FixIt solution and even
some fixes from contactin MS support, but nothing has worked.

I would really like that au_check file cause it sounds like it may fix my
problem.

Any updates?

[lvanvugt]

Had same issue on Home Server (Windows Server 2003) and indeed this fix help
me out. Thanx nlavery!

b rg
Luc

[Kenneth]

Ha, re-registering the dll's worked for me too!
Nice!
Would have been nicer though if someone didn't break them in the first place
;)

[Surya]

This steps works!!!! I have been having this problem for months and I am glad
I ran into this newsgroup.

[John]

Thank you for the fix!! It has been an issue for us for several weeks, have
tried LOTS of suggestions, thank you for the fix!!!