Windows XP will not update? (Fixed)

[mikeymikec]

I have been seeing this a bit lately too. Generally what it do is
1) install SP3
2) install IE 8
3) install IE 8 Cumulative update (download installer)
4) install all .net frameworks.
5) run .net optimizer so it stops the 50% of cpu usage

then it will usually do the windows updates

I tried this using an XP VM that I've experienced the issue with, unfortunately it didn't work for me. I'm going to update the thread that ketchup79 mentioned with what I've tried.

 

[Mem]

You tried the Microsoft fix it solutions? http://support.microsoft.com/mats/windows_update/en-us

 

[mikeymikec]

You tried the Microsoft fix it solutions? http://support.microsoft.com/mats/windows_update/en-us

Yes, though I'm pretty sure that most known fixes for Windows Update problems are rolled into those fixit solutions, things like a forced reinstall of the Windows Update Agent, clearing out of files in SoftwareDistribution, etc.

 

[PliotronX]

Has anyone else had luck with wuauclt on XP?

 

[mikeymikec]

Has anyone else had luck with wuauclt on XP?

I'm not sure what you mean - had luck with it?

 

[PliotronX]

I'm not sure what you mean - had luck with it?

I've read up and down about the detectnow and updatenow switches but it's never done a damn thing when I've tried for XP.

 

[mikeymikec]

I've read up and down about the detectnow and updatenow switches but it's never done a damn thing when I've tried for XP.

All that "wuauclt /detectnow" does is to trigger a Windows Update check. In this situation I've used it to test for the problem, not as any sort of fixing utility.

wuauclt.exe is the windows update client program. 99% of the (Windows Update) work is done by an svchost.exe process.

 

[Manh97latao]

Sorry I cańt help you. Who can speak Vietnamese in forum? Contact me

 

[alkemyst]

OP, what was the fix? I'd like to document this as I am sure sooner or later a friend that wants to stick to XP will call about the same issue.

Can you add it to your OP to help others easier.

 

[PliotronX]

OP, what was the fix? I'd like to document this as I am sure sooner or later a friend that wants to stick to XP will call about the same issue.

Can you add it to your OP to help others easier.

He mentioned the November 2013 disc which I assume is an ISO with all updates to last month and is probably available on less than legal channels but you can achieve the same by using Windows Update Downloader to collect all of the updates, making an image of your disc, loading it into nLite and integrating the updates. It's what I've been doing... pretty smooth sailing.

 

[alkemyst]

He mentioned the November 2013 disc which I assume is an ISO with all updates to last month and is probably available on less than legal channels but you can achieve the same by using Windows Update Downloader to collect all of the updates, making an image of your disc, loading it into nLite and integrating the updates. It's what I've been doing... pretty smooth sailing.

trying to avoid nLite. I don't do this enough.

 

[PliotronX]

trying to avoid nLite. I don't do this enough.

Gotcha, damn. Well if it's any consolation, it would take less time to torrent the ISO, download nLite, the update downloader, download the updates, integrate the updates, and burn than to update a vanilla SP3 install

 

[Ketchup]

I guess it would be way too smart for Microsoft to just compile updates.

Like, when you install .Net framework - why not integrate the previous updates into future downloads. Same for IE, etc. That would make things SO much better, for us and their servers.

 

[stinger608]

Thanks Ketchup!

Also if anyone wants to download all the security updates from November 2013 here is the MS address:

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=41137

This is for all the operating systems from XP up. All updates through November.

Of course it is 2.5gigs but hell that is quicker than sitting and waiting forever.

I installed XP on a rig about 4 or 5 months ago and never had these issues! End of life for XP is near.

Actually the fix WAS downloaded right from Microsoft. It is an ISO image as well.

 

[Chiefcrowe]

Don't they do this for IE already?

as for .NET, I agree, this should be the way it works.

I guess it would be way too smart for Microsoft to just compile updates.

Like, when you install .Net framework - why not integrate the previous updates into future downloads. Same for IE, etc. That would make things SO much better, for us and their servers.

 

[stinger608]

Okay, for others that have the issue of XP updating I am currently in the process of downloading ALL the updates since SP3.

Once I have all of them downloaded I will build a ISO image and host that image on one of my FTP servers.

It is a pretty tedious process to get them all, but it will be worth it. What I might do is create a "unofficial SP4" ISO and host that online. LOL

After I have this all completed I will update the original post with the link address to grab this ISO image for anyone needing it.

 

[nemesismk2]

Okay, for others that have the issue of XP updating I am currently in the process of downloading ALL the updates since SP3.

Once I have all of them downloaded I will build a ISO image and host that image on one of my FTP servers.

It is a pretty tedious process to get them all, but it will be worth it. What I might do is create a "unofficial SP4" ISO and host that online. LOL

After I have this all completed I will update the original post with the link address to grab this ISO image for anyone needing it.

that sounds like a great idea

 

[PliotronX]

Okay, for others that have the issue of XP updating I am currently in the process of downloading ALL the updates since SP3.

Once I have all of them downloaded I will build a ISO image and host that image on one of my FTP servers.

It is a pretty tedious process to get them all, but it will be worth it. What I might do is create a "unofficial SP4" ISO and host that online. LOL

After I have this all completed I will update the original post with the link address to grab this ISO image for anyone needing it.

Unofficial SP4 FTMFW, I sort of built a ghetto one using Windows Update Downloader and a batch script of the updates with the /M and /Z switches. It doesn't grab all of the updates unfortunately, probably about 60%.

Doing a few more fresh XP installs, I have learned something. Keep auto updates set to notify but don't download. I haven't seen the CPU saturation bug this way. Once everything is downloaded and installed, then I set it to auto which will be useless in a few months anyways LOL.