HELP!!! Windows Update Problems

[chicsdiggit]

On my installation of Windows XP Pro, I cannot do more than one Windows Update at a time. If I do, the system will hang indefinately. I am forced to restart.

Since then, I only install one update at a time, and that has (mostly) worked for me. However, when I attempt to install SP2, I get the same system hang. I have tried it twice, both failed atttempts, and I don't want to try atgain until my problem is fixed. (Who knows what a botched install of SP2 does to a system anyway - can't be good)

I also am having some problems, I assume with my graphics card. Diablo 2 and Neverwinter Knights have brought my system crashing down. That's pathetic. If you have any insight on this, please let me know!

My system is:

XP Pro
1 Gig Corsair XMS DDR400
Asus P4SDX Mobo
3.06 ghz P4B
Radeon 9500 Pro
SB Audigy 2
Lite On CD-4/RW
Lite On CD-R
Mitsumi Floppy

 

[montag451]

Can you go into event viewer and tell us what errors are logged?
Include info such as SOURCE, EVENT ID, text

 

[chicsdiggit]

Ok, sorry for getting back to this so late. O/T, I see there are some remote access events in there. What's that all about?

As far as errors are shown, there are a lot. But specifically, Source: Windows Update Agent, Category: Software Sync, Event: 16. The properties state it is unable to connect. I cannot remember if this was the time I tried to install SP2. I am thinking this error occurred during a scheduled attempt to contact WU, but I was not connected online.

There are also 13 Errors, all occuring at the simultaneously, and all from Source: DCOM, Category: None, Event: 10000. The same error occurs 17 times prior to that, in the time span of 13 seconds. After looking at the properties, it is just something to do with my printer, HP Share To Web.

Another error is from Source: Service Control Manager, Category: None, Event: 7006. "The ScRegSetValueExW call failed for Start with the following error:
Access is denied. "

I think this is the error we are looking for. Source: NtServicePack, Category: None, Event: 4356. "Windows XP installation failed, leaving Windows XP partially updated.
The Windows Service Pack installation did not complete. This system is in an unstable state..."

I checked with Windows Help and Support and they have no further information.

 

[SagaLore]

What I would do is download the network version of SP2 to your computer, and then unplug from the Internet. Disable system restore. Go into add/remove programs and uninstall all of the hotfixes, which may require a reboot for every one. Then install SP2. Connect back to the Internet and finish windows update, using windowsupdate.microsoft.com and not the control panel application.

 

[chicsdiggit]

That seems like fairly drastic, but sound advice. Anyone else care to chime in on this? I would rather not have to do something complicated like that to simply update my OS. I really want to figure out what the problem is with my Windows Update so I can fix it, not work around it the problem!

I appreciate all the info you guys provide.

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: chicsdiggit
That seems like fairly drastic, but sound advice. Anyone else care to chime in on this? I would rather not have to do something complicated like that to simply update my OS. I really want to figure out what the problem is with my Windows Update so I can fix it, not work around it the problem!

I appreciate all the info you guys provide.

No drastic advice would be a reformat. The problem with your windows update is that you have a hotfix that never completed and maybe have corrupted a file in the process, while also messing up the update queue itself. The steps I gave you is how to fix it.

edit:
The reason you have to download SP2 to your drive first and unplug the Internet:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=32&threadid=1519109

After you do this, your windows update should work fine on it's own.

 

[chicsdiggit]

Ha ha! Funny thing about the reformat suggestion being drastic. That's for sure! The guy that does tech support for our organization said I reformat and reinstall Win XP. lol Thanks for the advice, I will definately do as you suggest.

Downloading the Network ver. of SP2.
Where do I do that?

Disable system restore.
When I do this, will all my previous restore points be obliterated?

Install SP2.
Just simply click on the .exe file I downloaded in step 1?

Connect back to the Internet and finish windows update, using windowsupdate.microsoft.com and not the control panel application.
What would WU do after I connect back to the internet? And what is there to finish if I already installed SP2? Additional, never fixes?

Thx a lot.

 

[Slikkster]

Yes, all your restore points will be gone. However, what good is a restore point for an unstable and incomplete installation of a service pack? Best to get rid of them and start fresh. So, disable system restore (temporarily).

Get the network download of SP2 here: http://download.microsoft.com/download/...1fdcdf8/WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU.exe

Yes, just doubleclick on the file when it's done, or when the download box comes up, instead of choosing "Save", choose "Run", and it will start to install as soon as it's finished downloading.

Reboot after installing SP2.


Go back to Windows Update. Yes, there will be more critical security updates to download from there.

Sometimes, for whatever reason, the service pack doesn't completely install. So, reinstalling it will overwrite with a good copy.

Once you've gotten SP2 and all the rest of the critical updates installed, you should go back and turn ON System Restore, and "set a restore point".

Now, get to it.

 

[chicsdiggit]

Originally posted by: Slikkster
Yes, all your restore points will be gone. However, what good is a restore point for an unstable and incomplete installation of a service pack? Best to get rid of them and start fresh. So, disable system restore (temporarily).

Get the network download of SP2 here: http://download.microsoft.com/download/...1fdcdf8/WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU.exe

Yes, just doubleclick on the file when it's done, or when the download box comes up, instead of choosing "Save", choose "Run", and it will start to install as soon as it's finished downloading.

Reboot after installing SP2.


Go back to Windows Update. Yes, there will be more critical security updates to download from there.

Sometimes, for whatever reason, the service pack doesn't completely install. So, reinstalling it will overwrite with a good copy.

Once you've gotten SP2 and all the rest of the critical updates installed, you should go back and turn ON System Restore, and "set a restore point".

Now, get to it.

Getting to it. It should take me a couple of days or so to download SP2 on dialup.

 

[chicsdiggit]

Ok guys, thanks for the advice. SP2 is successfully installed and updated. Now I wonder why the Windows Update failed in the first place?