Cannot access Windows Update screen

[Natwag75]

I am running in Vista
When i click on Windows update all i get is a screen that displays nothing
but a red shield with a white 'X' in it, also a '?' mark top left. But
nothing happens when i click them.

Also, i have the red shield in mt icons tray for the windows security
alerts. When i click on this it brings me to the windows security center,
Automatic updating is switched off. If i click on 'change setting' button and
then choose 'install updates automatically' it says security center can't
change your automatic update settings so i select 'change settings manually'
and a completely blank screen opens.

Any help would be appreciated

[Shenan Stanley]

- Windows Vista what? (Home Basic? Home Premium? Business? Ultimate? --
No Service Packs? Service Pack 1? Service Pack 2?)
- 32-bit or 64-bit?
- What AntiVirus software are you running?
- What AntiSpyware applications have you ran?
- How are your backups? Current?

My suggestion:

Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan (separately) with the
following two applications (freeware versions are the ones to use for this):

SuperAntiSpyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/

MalwareBytes
http://www.malwarebytes.com/

After performing a full scan with one and then the other and removing
whatever they both find completely, you may uninstall these products,
if you wish.

Download and run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

Reboot.

How do I reset Windows Update components?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

[Natwag75]

Thank you, Shenan

I am running Windows Vista Home Premium
Service Pack 2
32-bit operating system
Protected by Norton 360
Ran Anti-spyware Spy Sweeper (found nothing severe)
Dont think back up has been done for some time.

I will perform your suggestions and let you know.

Regards
Nathan

[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 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/tshoot.html
• http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
• http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

**Chances are you will need to seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0,
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5,
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup,
http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php,
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.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002