Windows Update scanning forever -- how to fix?

[fbrdphreak]

I just did a Win2K Sp4 install on an old Gateway laptop. I manually installed IE6 SP1 and the Win2K Rollup Patch. I then proceeded to go to WinUpdate, it loaded the requisite files to use WinUpdate, and now whenever I try to scan for updates it just scans and scans, never proceeding.

I deleted the "SoftwareDistribution" folder under WINNT already, no go. I think I fixed this same problem a long time ago, but can't remember how....

Help!?

 

[MrChad]

Any errors in C:\WINDOWS\WindowsUpdate.log?

 

[fbrdphreak]

I'll check that later today (at work🙁), thanks

 

[fbrdphreak]

OK so I finally got to checking it out.

No errors in the WindowsUpdate log. I re-tried downloading updates from home here, the first try didn't work. I tried again, without closing IE, and it re-downloaded those three requisite files (Background Transfer, Genuine Advantage, and something else) and re-installed those for some reason. Rebooted, still no go. Checked the log again, no errors. The last entry from when it is just scanning forever says "AU setting client response for sessionID 0x0 to 'PENDING' "

How can I wipe out existing Automatic Update files/settings and force it to reinstall all? I also might try reinstalling IE6

I really don't want to have to reformat this old ass laptop, takes damn forever.

 

[fbrdphreak]

bump for help!

 

[MrChad]

Try clearing your Temporary Internet Files and make sure your that your date and time are set correctly.

 

[fbrdphreak]

I'll wipe those up and see if that helps. The time/date is set properly, but the laptop's BIOS battery is shot and the time is not maintained when it loses power. i.e. I didn't use it for a few days, so the date was of the last time I had used it. Shouldn't affect it but I'll check that out, thanks.

Any other tips? 🙂