Error number 0x8DDD0004

[adam]

Hi:

Running WinXp and IE 6.0.2900.5512.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090206-1234. I am having
three issues and will post in appropriate subgroups). The first is Windows
Update has suddenly become inaccessible due to the above error. I have tried:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/914224
I reinstalled the Update Agent
I upgraded to IE7 and remained with the same issue
Ran my viral/malware scans, cleaned temp cache, etc.

"The website has encountered a problem and cannot display the page you are
trying to view. Take the following steps to try solving the problem:
Refresh the page.
In Internet Explorer, delete your Temporary Internet Files by going to the
Tools menu and clicking Internet Options.
Close and then re-open Internet Explorer."

Other new issues: Outlook Express does not allow changing font colors with
right-click of mouse, and the Microsoft Search Companion freezes and only
works in SAFE mode.

Any thoughts?

Thank you.

[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

**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 as well.**

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

[adam]

Hi:

Just wanted to report that I am still troubleshooting with Microsoft my
Windows Update issue, but MS did not feel that my Search Companion issue (the
SEARCH feature only works in Safe mode) qualified for a free support ticket:

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

Adam

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

This is a Windows Update-specific newsgroup: No-charge support is only
available for your Windows Update issues, Adam. However, if you can get
your Windows Update problems fixed with MS Tech Support's help, chances are
your other two problems will be fixed, too.

Again, I suspect all three of your problems are being caused by a hijackware
infection. See my replies in your other two threads:

http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/browse_frm/thread/f5fbe0585ea7dc89

http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6_outlookexpress/browse_frm/thread/6914fde69a3b84e8

--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)

MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002

adam wrote:
> Just wanted to report that I am still troubleshooting with Microsoft my
> Windows Update issue, but MS did not feel that my Search Companion issue
> (the SEARCH feature only works in Safe mode) qualified for a free support
> ticket:
>

> [PA Bear wrote:]

[adam]

Hi:

Well, I FIXED my Windows Update issue! I took advantage of the FREE MS
Support Ticket but we were spinning our wheels. Everything I was asked to try
I had already tried by doing GOOGLE searches. Fair enough. So, I kept reading
old Forum suggestions that worked. I deleted wuweb.inf and wuweb.dll in my
WINNT folder; I reinstalled these two files; I installed wuweb.inf with a
right-click; I uninstalled SP3; reinstalled SP3. Everything works fine now.
Not sure of the connection but this is my solution. Hope this combination of
actions can assist someone else.

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Uh-huh...

[adam]

Come on, give me more than that! Is there a connection between the files that
were re-installed? Do you think SP3 had any corrupted script or file? I spent
8 days working through this and would appreciate your thoughts since you deal
with these issues on a daily basis.

Thank you.