Windows Update - Internet Explorer cannot display webpage - XP SP3

[paulderdash]

For the last few days I have been unable to perform a manual Microsoft Update
as I always get the 'Internet Explorer cannot display webpage' message as
soon as it tries to connect. I can access other sites and 'Diagnose
Connection Problems' shows there is no connection issue.

I found a one-click fix on the Microsoft Answers site and have done this in
default and aggressive mode with antivirus (NOD32) and firewall (Online
Armor) disabled but it has made no difference.

I thought it might be incompatibility with OpenDNS as I have recently
started using this, but when I disabled it on my router i.e. back to 'Obtain
DNS automatically' instead of the OpenDNS IP addresses, I still get the same
thing. So I don't think it's that as I am otherwise using OpenDNS
successfully ...

Interestingly, on two occasions when I changed the http to
https://update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/v6/default.aspx, it has worked but
I this is surely not how it should work.

Can someone please help? I am copying the last of today's entries in
WindowsUpdate.log in the hope that someone can spot the problem ... I doubt
that it is malware … Malwarebytes etc. show nothing.

2009-07-12 11:45:38:763 8172 300 Misc =========== Logging
initialized (build: 7.2.6001.788, tz: +0200) ===========
2009-07-12 11:45:38:763 8172 300 Misc = Process:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\MsiExec.exe
2009-07-12 11:45:38:763 8172 300 Misc = Module:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuapi.dll
2009-07-12 11:45:38:763 8172 300 COMAPI -------------
2009-07-12 11:45:38:763 8172 300 COMAPI -- START -- COMAPI:
Search [ClientId = <NULL>]
2009-07-12 11:45:38:763 8172 300 COMAPI ---------
2009-07-12 11:45:38:794 1568 1b2c Agent *************
2009-07-12 11:45:38:794 8172 300 COMAPI <<-- SUBMITTED --
COMAPI: Search [ClientId = <NULL>]
2009-07-12 11:45:38:794 1568 1b2c Agent ** START ** Agent:
Finding updates [CallerId = ]
2009-07-12 11:45:38:794 1568 1b2c Agent *********
2009-07-12 11:45:38:794 1568 1b2c Agent * Online = Yes;
Ignore download priority = No
2009-07-12 11:45:38:794 1568 1b2c Agent * Criteria =
"RebootRequired=1"
2009-07-12 11:45:38:794 1568 1b2c Agent * ServiceID =
{00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}
2009-07-12 11:45:38:794 1568 1b2c Agent * Search Scope =
{Machine}
2009-07-12 11:45:38:888 1568 1b2c Misc Validating signature
for
C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\WuRedir\9482F4B4-E343-43B6-B170-9A65BC822C77\muv3wuredir.cab:
2009-07-12 11:45:38:982 1568 1b2c Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2009-07-12 11:45:51:232 1568 1b2c Misc Validating signature
for
C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\WuRedir\9482F4B4-E343-43B6-B170-9A65BC822C77\muv3wuredir.cab:
2009-07-12 11:45:51:232 1568 1b2c Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2009-07-12 11:45:51:357 1568 1b2c Agent Checking for updated
auth cab for service 7971f918-a847-4430-9279-4a52d1efe18d at
http://update.microsoft.com/v8/microsoftupdate/redir/MUAuth.cab
2009-07-12 11:45:51:357 1568 1b2c Misc Validating signature
for C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\AuthCabs\authcab.cab:
2009-07-12 11:45:51:357 1568 1b2c Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2009-07-12 11:45:52:528 1568 1b2c Misc Validating signature
for C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\AuthCabs\authcab.cab:
2009-07-12 11:45:52:528 1568 1b2c Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2009-07-12 11:45:58:669 1568 1b2c Misc Validating signature
for
C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\WuRedir\7971F918-A847-4430-9279-4A52D1EFE18D\muv3muredir.cab:
2009-07-12 11:45:58:700 1568 1b2c Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2009-07-12 11:45:59:497 1568 1b2c Misc Validating signature
for
C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\WuRedir\7971F918-A847-4430-9279-4A52D1EFE18D\muv3muredir.cab:
2009-07-12 11:45:59:513 1568 1b2c Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2009-07-12 11:45:59:528 1568 1b2c PT +++++++++++ PT:
Synchronizing server updates +++++++++++
2009-07-12 11:45:59:528 1568 1b2c PT + ServiceId =
{7971F918-A847-4430-9279-4A52D1EFE18D}, Server URL =
https://update.microsoft.com/v6/ClientWebService/client.asmx
2009-07-12 11:46:00:263 1568 1b2c Agent WARNING: Failed to
evaluate Installed rule, updateId =
{A901C1BD-989C-45C6-8DA0-8DDE8DBB69E0}.103, hr = 8024E001
2009-07-12 11:46:00:435 1568 1b2c Agent WARNING: Failed to
evaluate Installed rule, updateId =
{6D76A2A5-81FE-4829-B268-6EB307E40EF3}.101, hr = 8024E001
2009-07-12 11:46:37:263 1568 1b2c Misc Validating signature
for
C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\WuRedir\7971F918-A847-4430-9279-4A52D1EFE18D\muv3muredir.cab:
2009-07-12 11:46:37:278 1568 1b2c Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2009-07-12 11:46:38:075 1568 1b2c Misc Validating signature
for
C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\WuRedir\7971F918-A847-4430-9279-4A52D1EFE18D\muv3muredir.cab:
2009-07-12 11:46:38:075 1568 1b2c Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2009-07-12 11:46:38:091 1568 1b2c PT +++++++++++ PT:
Synchronizing extended update info +++++++++++
2009-07-12 11:46:38:091 1568 1b2c PT + ServiceId =
{7971F918-A847-4430-9279-4A52D1EFE18D}, Server URL =
https://update.microsoft.com/v6/ClientWebService/client.asmx
2009-07-12 11:46:49:841 1568 1b2c Agent * Found 0 updates
and 55 categories in search; evaluated appl. rules of 1064 out of 1589
deployed entities
2009-07-12 11:46:50:200 1568 1b2c Agent *********
2009-07-12 11:46:50:200 1568 1b2c Agent ** END ** Agent:
Finding updates [CallerId = ]
2009-07-12 11:46:50:200 1568 1b2c Agent *************
2009-07-12 11:46:50:216 8172 15f8 COMAPI >>-- RESUMED --
COMAPI: Search [ClientId = <NULL>]
2009-07-12 11:46:50:216 8172 15f8 COMAPI - Updates found = 0
2009-07-12 11:46:50:216 8172 15f8 COMAPI ---------
2009-07-12 11:46:50:216 8172 15f8 COMAPI -- END -- COMAPI:
Search [ClientId = <NULL>]
2009-07-12 11:46:50:216 8172 15f8 COMAPI -------------
2009-07-12 11:46:51:357 1568 abc AU ########### AU:
Uninitializing Automatic Updates ###########
2009-07-12 11:46:51:372 1568 abc DnldMgr FATAL:
DM:CBitsJob::SetCallbackHandler: SetNotifyInterface failed with 0x80080008.
2009-07-12 11:46:51:482 1568 abc DnldMgr FATAL:
DM:CBitsJob::SetCallbackHandler: SetNotifyInterface failed with 0x80080008.
2009-07-12 11:46:51:482 1568 abc Report REPORT EVENT:
{AF8A593A-8CA4-472B-9562-E383AA093A98} 2009-07-12 11:46:50:200+0200
1 147 101 {00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000} 0 0
Success Software Synchronization Windows Update Client successfully
detected 0 updates.
2009-07-12 11:46:51:544 1568 abc Service *********
2009-07-12 11:46:51:544 1568 abc Service ** END **
Service: Service exit [Exit code = 0x240001]
2009-07-12 11:46:51:544 1568 abc Service *************
2009-07-12 11:48:08:325 1568 1360 Misc =========== Logging
initialized (build: 7.2.6001.788, tz: +0200) ===========
2009-07-12 11:48:08:325 1568 1360 Misc = Process:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
2009-07-12 11:48:08:325 1568 1360 Misc = Module:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuaueng.dll
2009-07-12 11:48:08:325 1568 1360 Service *************
2009-07-12 11:48:08:325 1568 1360 Service ** START **
Service: Service startup
2009-07-12 11:48:08:325 1568 1360 Service *********
2009-07-12 11:48:08:341 1568 1360 Agent * WU client version
7.2.6001.788
2009-07-12 11:48:08:341 1568 1360 Agent * Base directory:
C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution
2009-07-12 11:48:08:341 1568 1360 Agent * Access type: No
proxy
2009-07-12 11:48:08:341 1568 1360 Agent * Network state:
Connected
2009-07-12 11:48:36:747 916 3a4 Misc =========== Logging
initialized (build: 7.2.6001.788, tz: +0200) ===========
2009-07-12 11:48:36:747 916 3a4 Misc = Process:
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
2009-07-12 11:48:36:747 916 3a4 Misc = Module:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuaueng.dll
2009-07-12 11:48:36:747 916 3a4 Shutdwn Install at shutdown:
no updates to install
2009-07-12 11:48:36:747 916 3a4 Shutdwn FATAL:
WUCheckForUpdatesAtShutdown failed, hr=8024A000
2009-07-12 11:48:50:450 1568 1328 Agent *********** Agent:
Initializing Windows Update Agent ***********
2009-07-12 11:48:50:450 1568 1328 Agent *********** Agent:
Initializing global settings cache ***********
2009-07-12 11:48:50:450 1568 1328 Agent * WSUS server: <NULL>
2009-07-12 11:48:50:450 1568 1328 Agent * WSUS status
server: <NULL>
2009-07-12 11:48:50:466 1568 1328 Agent * Target group:
(Unassigned Computers)
2009-07-12 11:48:50:466 1568 1328 Agent * Windows Update
access disabled: No
2009-07-12 11:48:50:966 1568 1360 Report *********** Report:
Initializing static reporting data ***********
2009-07-12 11:48:50:966 1568 1360 Report * OS Version =
5.1.2600.3.0.65792
2009-07-12 11:48:51:075 1568 1360 Report * Computer Brand =
LENOVO
2009-07-12 11:48:51:075 1568 1360 Report * Computer Model =
8918B8G
2009-07-12 11:48:51:075 1568 1360 Report * Bios Revision =
7KETC8WW (2.28 )
2009-07-12 11:48:51:075 1568 1360 Report * Bios Name = Ver
1.00PARTTBL
2009-07-12 11:48:51:075 1568 1360 Report * Bios Release
Date = 2009-05-08T00:00:00
2009-07-12 11:48:51:075 1568 1360 Report * Locale ID = 1033
2009-07-12 11:48:53:294 5064 1f58 Misc =========== Logging
initialized (build: 7.2.6001.788, tz: +0200) ===========
2009-07-12 11:48:53:294 5064 1f58 Misc = Process:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
2009-07-12 11:48:53:294 5064 1f58 Misc = Module:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuaueng.dll
2009-07-12 11:48:53:278 5064 1f58 DtaStor Default service for
AU is {00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}
2009-07-12 11:48:53:341 1568 1360 Agent *********** Agent:
Initializing Windows Update Agent ***********
2009-07-12 11:48:53:403 5064 1f58 DtaStor Default service for
AU is {9482F4B4-E343-43B6-B170-9A65BC822C77}
2009-07-12 11:48:53:419 1568 1328 Misc Validating signature
for
C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\AuthCabs\7971f918-a847-4430-9279-4a52d1efe18d\authcab.cab:
2009-07-12 11:48:53:607 1568 1328 Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2009-07-12 11:48:53:700 5064 1f58 DtaStor Default service for
AU is {9482F4B4-E343-43B6-B170-9A65BC822C77}
2009-07-12 11:48:53:716 5064 1f58 DtaStor Update service
properties: service registered with AU is
{7971F918-A847-4430-9279-4A52D1EFE18D}
2009-07-12 11:48:53:747 1568 1328 DnldMgr Download manager
restoring 0 downloads
2009-07-12 11:48:53:747 1568 1328 AU ########### AU:
Initializing Automatic Updates ###########
2009-07-12 11:48:53:747 1568 1328 AU # Approval type:
Scheduled (User preference)
2009-07-12 11:48:53:763 1568 1328 AU # Scheduled install
day/time: Every day at 3:00
2009-07-12 11:48:53:763 1568 1328 AU # Auto-install minor
updates: Yes (User preference)
2009-07-12 11:48:53:825 1568 1328 AU Setting AU scheduled
install time to 2009-07-13 01:00:00
2009-07-12 11:48:53:825 1568 1328 AU AU finished delayed
initialization
2009-07-12 11:49:02:857 1568 1360 AU ########### AU:
Uninitializing Automatic Updates ###########
2009-07-12 11:49:02:872 1568 1360 Service *********
2009-07-12 11:49:02:872 1568 1360 Service ** END **
Service: Service exit [Exit code = 0x240001]
2009-07-12 11:49:02:872 1568 1360 Service *************
2009-07-12 11:53:45:250 1548 6c8 Misc =========== Logging
initialized (build: 7.2.6001.788, tz: +0200) ===========
2009-07-12 11:53:45:265 1548 6c8 Misc = Process:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
2009-07-12 11:53:45:265 1548 6c8 Misc = Module:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuaueng.dll
2009-07-12 11:53:45:250 1548 6c8 Service *************
2009-07-12 11:53:45:265 1548 6c8 Service ** START **
Service: Service startup
2009-07-12 11:53:45:265 1548 6c8 Service *********
2009-07-12 11:53:45:593 1548 6c8 Agent * WU client version
7.2.6001.788
2009-07-12 11:53:46:000 1548 6c8 Agent * Base directory:
C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution
2009-07-12 11:53:46:406 1548 6c8 Agent * Access type: No
proxy
2009-07-12 11:53:46:406 1548 6c8 Agent * Network state:
Disconnected
2009-07-12 11:54:33:406 1548 6c8 Agent *********** Agent:
Initializing Windows Update Agent ***********
2009-07-12 11:54:33:437 1548 6c8 Agent *********** Agent:
Initializing global settings cache ***********
2009-07-12 11:54:33:437 1548 6c8 Agent * WSUS server: <NULL>
2009-07-12 11:54:33:437 1548 6c8 Agent * WSUS status
server: <NULL>
2009-07-12 11:54:33:437 1548 6c8 Agent * Target group:
(Unassigned Computers)
2009-07-12 11:54:33:437 1548 6c8 Agent * Windows Update
access disabled: No
2009-07-12 11:54:46:640 1548 6c8 DnldMgr Download manager
restoring 0 downloads
2009-07-12 11:54:46:656 1548 6c8 AU ########### AU:
Initializing Automatic Updates ###########
2009-07-12 11:54:46:656 1548 6c8 AU # Approval type:
Scheduled (User preference)
2009-07-12 11:54:46:656 1548 6c8 AU # Scheduled install
day/time: Every day at 3:00
2009-07-12 11:54:46:656 1548 6c8 AU # Auto-install minor
updates: Yes (User preference)
2009-07-12 11:54:46:656 1548 6c8 AU Setting AU scheduled
install time to 2009-07-13 01:00:00
2009-07-12 11:54:46:703 1548 6c8 AU AU finished delayed
initialization
2009-07-12 11:54:48:062 1548 6c8 Report *********** Report:
Initializing static reporting data ***********
2009-07-12 11:54:48:062 1548 6c8 Report * OS Version =
5.1.2600.3.0.65792
2009-07-12 11:54:48:390 1548 6c8 Report * Computer Brand =
LENOVO
2009-07-12 11:54:48:390 1548 6c8 Report * Computer Model =
8918B8G
2009-07-12 11:54:48:390 1548 6c8 Report * Bios Revision =
7KETC8WW (2.28 )
2009-07-12 11:54:48:390 1548 6c8 Report * Bios Name = Ver
1.00PARTTBL
2009-07-12 11:54:48:390 1548 6c8 Report * Bios Release Date
= 2009-05-08T00:00:00
2009-07-12 11:54:48:390 1548 6c8 Report * Locale ID = 1033

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Well, the good news is that your log indicates that your WinXP SP3 computer
is fully patched, at least as far as updates for WinXP and IE are concerned.

Can you update your Office application via Office Update? =>
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/downloads/maincatalog.aspx

NB: Office Update will be retired on 01 Aug-09, at which point you will have
to make Microsoft Update your default update source to be able to keep your
Office and Windows Live applications updated; see
http://blogs.technet.com/office_sustained_engineering/archive/2009/05/20/office-2000-and-office-update-site-to-retire.aspx

If you temporarily disable Online Armor and then enable the Windows
Firewall, can you reach Microsoft Update webpage?

When does your NOD32 subscription expire?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002

<SNIP>

> 2009-07-12 11:46:49:841 1568 1b2c Agent * Found 0 updates
> and 55 categories in search; evaluated appl. rules of 1064 out of 1589
> deployed entities

<SNIP>

[paulderdash]

My apologies for multi-posting. Relatively new to forums - still learning
etiquette!

1) Office Update works fine.
2) Disabling Online Aror/enabiling Windows Firewall - still have the same
issue.
3) My NOD32 subscription ends 18 March 2010.

Looks like this mat be a (hopefully temporary) timeout type issue?

[paulderdash]

Any further suggestion?

"paulderdash" wrote:

> My apologies for multi-posting. Relatively new to forums - still learning
> etiquette!
>
> 1) Office Update works fine.

> 2) Disabling Online Armor/enabling Windows Firewall - I still have the same

> issue.
> 3) My NOD32 subscription ends 18 March 2010.
>

> Looks like this may be a (hopefully temporary) timeout type issue?

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Does http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com (use no other link, please)
currently take you to Windows Update webpage or Microsoft Update webpage?

If the former and the "Upgrade to Microsoft Update" option is available at
lower-right, click on it and see if Microsoft Update webpage eventually
opens.

NB: You may have to (re)install a Microsoft Update-specific ActiveX Control
before being taken to the Microsoft Update webpage.
--
~PA Bear

paulderdash wrote:
> My apologies for multi-posting. Relatively new to forums - still learning
> etiquette!
>
> 1) Office Update works fine.

> 2) Disabling Online [Armor/enabling] Windows Firewall - still have the

> same
> issue.
> 3) My NOD32 subscription ends 18 March 2010.
>

> Looks like this may be a (hopefully temporary) timeout type issue?

[NYCJeremyB]

I'm having the same problem. When I try to do Windows Updates or download
IE8 I get the message that The Page Cannot Be Displayed. I can surf all
other websites. When checking my computer I can see that my last security
update was from October of 2008, which I just removed to see if that would
fix the problem. It didn't. I removed XP Service Pack 3 and other browsers
that I had but that didn't help. I'm running XP Professional in English but
I have some things on my computer in French. I live in Belgium so when I go
to the IE8 download page it suggests the Belgian French version. I've gone
to that page as well as the U.S. page to try to download but I always get the
response that the page cannot be displayed. I get the same error when I try
to do a Windows or Microsoft Update from IE6, after removing IE7, or from the
Start Menu. It's as if my legal version of Windows XP is not recognized or
all of the update sites are blocked by something. I have Norton 360 but I
turn the Firewall and Virus Scanner off each time I try so I don't think that
is the problem.

I also notice the Update Icon in the Taskbar comes up from time to time but
stays on 0% downloaded.

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

To avoid confusion, please begin a new thread about your specific problems.
State your IE version and full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3; Vista SP2)
in your first post. Thank you.

NYCJeremyB wrote:
> I'm having the same problem. When I try to do Windows Updates or download
> IE8 I get the message that The Page Cannot Be Displayed. I can surf all
> other websites. When checking my computer I can see that my last security
> update was from October of 2008, which I just removed to see if that would
> fix the problem. It didn't. I removed XP Service Pack 3 and other
> browsers
> that I had but that didn't help. I'm running XP Professional in English
> but
> I have some things on my computer in French. I live in Belgium so when I
> go
> to the IE8 download page it suggests the Belgian French version. I've
> gone
> to that page as well as the U.S. page to try to download but I always get
> the response that the page cannot be displayed. I get the same error when
> I try to do a Windows or Microsoft Update from IE6, after removing IE7, or
> from the Start Menu. It's as if my legal version of Windows XP is not
> recognized or all of the update sites are blocked by something. I have
> Norton 360 but I turn the Firewall and Virus Scanner off each time I try
> so
> I don't think that is the problem.
>
> I also notice the Update Icon in the Taskbar comes up from time to time
> but
> stays on 0% downloaded.

<SNIP>

[paulderdash]

Hi PA Bear

I was indeed using Microsoft - not Windows - Update, except that it won't
take me there now (using your exact link) because of the 'Internet Explorer
cannot display the webpage' problem!

I have also tried reinstalling IE8 ...

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> Does http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com (use no other link, please)
> currently take you to Windows Update webpage or Microsoft Update webpage?
>
> If the former and the "Upgrade to Microsoft Update" option is available at
> lower-right, click on it and see if Microsoft Update webpage eventually
> opens.
>
> NB: You may have to (re)install a Microsoft Update-specific ActiveX Control
> before being taken to the Microsoft Update webpage.
> --
> ~PA Bear
>
>

<SNIP>

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

[Let me do the snipping, please. THX]

You never mentioned having installed IE8 before in this thread. Did this
problem start after you'd first/originally installed IE8? Did you uninstall
IE8 and find that the behavior persisted in your previous IE version?

Any chance you used System Restore in an attempt to remove IE8 instead of
uninstalling it?

Did you disable NOD32 and Online Armor firewall and then enable the Windows
Firewall prior to installing IE8 the first time around?

paulderdash wrote:
> I was indeed using Microsoft - not Windows - Update, except that it won't
> take me there now (using your exact link) because of the 'Internet
> Explorer
> cannot display the webpage' problem!
>
> I have also tried reinstalling IE8 ...
>

<paste>

PA Bear [MS MVP] wrote:
> Does http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com (use no other link, please)
> currently take you to Windows Update webpage or Microsoft Update webpage?
>
> If the former and the "Upgrade to Microsoft Update" option is available at
> lower-right, click on it and see if Microsoft Update webpage eventually
> opens.
>
> NB: You may have to (re)install a Microsoft Update-specific ActiveX
> Control
> before being taken to the Microsoft Update webpage.
>

> paulderdash wrote:
>> My apologies for multi-posting. Relatively new to forums - still learning
>> etiquette!
>>
>> 1) Office Update works fine.
>> 2) Disabling Online [Armor/enabling] Windows Firewall - still have the
>> same
>> issue.
>> 3) My NOD32 subscription ends 18 March 2010.
>>
>> Looks like this may be a (hopefully temporary) timeout type issue?
>>

>> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

>>> Well, the good news is that your log indicates that your WinXP SP3
>>> computer
>>> is fully patched, at least as far as updates for WinXP and IE are
>>> concerned.
>>>
>>> Can you update your Office application via Office Update? =>
>>> http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/downloads/maincatalog.aspx
>>>

<snip>

[paulderdash]

I have had IE8 installed since it became publicly available and Microsoft
Update has worked perfectly until a few days ago.

As part of my efforts to see if I could get Microsoft Update going again, I
reinstalled IE8 (without specifically uninstalling it first). The reinstall
did do an uninstall. I did not retest with IE7. System Restore was not used.

I do not recall if I disabled NOD32 and Online Armor (which enables Windows
firewall automatically in my OA settings) when I first installed IE8 but I
doubt it. But as I say Microsoft Update did work fine all this time. And why
does it sometimes work when I just change the address to secure https?

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/883614 and/or
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/914226, or possibly even
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058.

[paulderdash]

Robear

Let me say that I had executed the third link downloadable automatic fix
(i.e. not the 'let me fix it myself' option) in default and aggressive mode
before I posted on this forum, but neither iteration solved my problem.

I have now sequentially executed the solutions in the first link, second
link, and third link (last with Online Armor off / Windows Firewall on, NOD32
off) in default mode only. Could try aggressive mode again? It says in this
link as a last step, check if Windows Update components are reset - how do I
check that ... by date/time? After each solution/fix I retried manual
Microsoft Update. Still each time it slowly tries to connect then Connecting
... and immediately the 'cannot display the webpage error'.

During the night (Patch Tuesday) WU worked normally, downloading July MSRT
which is good news.

Retried manual update again now - same story. However, here is extra info -
which I have encountered before - could this be a clue? Again, if I try
manual Microsoft Update with https (instead of http), it works but only after
a Windows Error pop-up 'Line 372 Error: 'null' is null or not an object'. I
select the no debug option and it completes, albeit very slowly.

Is there something corrupted in the registry, I could fix?

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Contact CSS Support, Paul:

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

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.

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

For more information about how to contact your local Microsoft subsidiary
for security update support issues, visit the International Support Web
site: http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx

For enterprise customers, support for security updates is available through
your usual support contacts.

PS: A new version of Windows Update Agent (WUA) will be rolled out soon and
installed automatically (independent of your Automatic Updates settings).
While this updated version might fix your problem, I'd rather you got it
fixed beforehand.

--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)

MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.net

[paulderdash]

I opened an incident (1107162810). Just checked it now. They just closed it
without a reply or suggested solution.

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Thread history:
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsupdate/browse_frm/thread/125d2c97de5fc962

Open a new (another) support incident, preferably via phone (1-866-PCSAFETY)
if you reside in the US or CA, and cite that SRX number (1107162810) to the
agent.

Additional self-help ideas:

1. If you've not done so already, add the following sites to Trusted Sites
zone:

http://*.update.microsoft.com
https://*.update.microsoft.com
http://*.windowsupdate.com

NB: Uncheck the "Require server verification (https:)..." option.

2. Does the behavior persist if you connect directly via the modem,
bypassing the router altogether?

3. Does the behavior persist if you disable (a) NOD32 & (b) Online Armor
firewall, (c) enable the Windows Firewall, (d) uninstall IE8 (cf.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/957700) and (e) reboot twice?

NB: After uninstalling IE8, there will be at least one (1) critical security
update you will need to install (i.e., KB969897).
--
~PA Bear