Vista SP2 Windows update "get updates for more products" problem

After I installed the SP2, Windows update is only updating windows, and not
"Microsoft Update." But now, the browser is redirecting to the XP update
site. And when I try to go there, I get an error 0x8DDD0002.

If I run as admin, I get error 0x80070002.

I tried resetting Windows update and the cryptography services and clearing
the appropriate files...nothing. I mean Vista runs well, just can't "get
updates for more products."

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
Windows Vista, but only for Service Pack 2 (SP2). This support for Windows
Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) is valid until November 26, 2009. Availability of
chat or e-mail support differs depending on your geographic location. Go to
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...4&gprid=582034 &
select appropriate category (e.g., Installation).

Was the antivirus software actively monitoring the system when Vista SP2
was applied ?
What *is* the installed AV ?
Was IE 8 installed prior to the application of Vista SP2 ?

How to troubleshoot Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 service pack
installation issues
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947366

I am (and was) running Avira Personal with all the settings maxed out. I had
IE8 before SP2 was installed.

Applying a Service Pack with an antivirus actively monitoring the system
is asking for trouble. In addition, if IE 8 is installed prior to
applying SP2, then you can't restore the previous IE version and IF
something occurs to it's functionality, then all you can do is uninstall
SP2 to revert back to IE 7.

http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...4&gprid=582034

You can contact MS for free support with issues that occur after the
application of Vista SP2 but they are going to ask you to uninstall SP2
first, reboot, uninstall IE 8, reboot, temporarily disable Avira or
uninstall it, reboot, apply Vista SP2, reboot serveral times, install IE
8, reboot twice, and finally, reenable Avira or reinstall it.

I had Avira Personal running when I installed SP2 and had no problems after
it installed.

People survive playing Russian Roulette too... ; }

LOL ... yeppers. The odds are that when an AV is actively monitoring a
system when a Service Pack is being applied, *some thing or things* will
be affected.
Sometimes it takes awhile for such an issue to arise; sometimes it's
apparent during the application of the SP ... sometimes during the first
reboot, etc. And, sometimes the issue arises a couple of weeks after the
application of an SP because a program or application has not been used
yet. Sometimes the OS itself doesn't exhibit an issue immediately;
sometimes it does.

I thought that when windows reboots is when SP2 files get updated during the
stage 1-3 process before the A/V loads. I could be wrong.

All of the files are not updated on the reboot ... some are updated
prior to the reboot. Plus, there are registry keys being updated, too,
and the AV may be 'guarding' them from legitimate changes.
There's also writing to temporary locations that can be hindered by the
AV. Not to mention the services running that may need to be stopped but
can't be because the AV is 'guarding' them, too.

How to troubleshoot Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 service pack
installation issues
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947366

Resolution 3 and 4 on the above page shows -

The application of a Service Pack is akin to an upgrade of the OS. One
may be fortunate and not have any issues druing the installation or
afterwards, but why take an unnecessary risk ?

As always, everytime Microsoft shoves an upgrade at me, it breaks other
Microsoft related things. I don't use any antivirus. All I did was install
SP2 and I can no longer get "updates for other Microsoft products." When I
click that link in Windows Update, IE8 opens and it says to use the Windows
Update control panel, and then the Windows Update control panel comes to the
front.

So basically, I'm going in circles. That's some 1990s style OS action
right there. ;)

Please don't pass the buck, take the easy way out, and blame this on
antivirus, since I do not have any installed.

Pardon ? Whom are you addressing ? There are many *potential* causes of
issues when one applies a Service Pack. This thread was discussing the
likelihood of an AV interfering with the application of a Service Pack.

Can you state with 100% certainty that the system has no malware resident ?

How to troubleshoot Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 service pack
installation issues
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947366

Contact MS and they'll assist you for *free*.

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
Windows Vista, but only for Service Pack 2 (SP2). This support for Windows
Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) is valid until November 26, 2009. Availability of
chat or e-mail support differs depending on your geographic location. Go to
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...4&gprid=582034 &
select appropriate category (e.g., Installation).

Ok, sorry if I sounded rude & *upset* but it's frustrating to have problems
with software that is so expensive. OSX doesn't have these problems with its
update utility.

Anyway, no I am 100% sure I have no malware, no antivirus installed.

The interesting part is:

Windows Update offered Vista SP2 only AFTER I deactivated Microsoft Update
in the control panel. Then I installed SP2 and tried to reactivate MS
Update. Upon clicking "get updates for more products," IE8 opens and I am
taken to this website:
http://update.microsoft.com/microsof....aspx?ln=en-us and
then the Windows Update control panel window comes to the front and that's
it. The only software that gets updated from Microsoft Update is Office 2007.

Not 100% true.

No, you are not sure or you are 100% sure?

Do you have other updates you need right now?

Windows Vista - AFAIK - has always only used the Control Panel --> Windows
Update method to get updates. If you chose the "Windows Update" link in IE
7 (or 8) --> it opens the Control Panel --> Windows Update window for you.

In the Windows Update control panel window - there is a line that starts
with "You receive updates:" --> what does it say after that?

Hi Shenan Stanley, thank you for your prompt response.
My Windows Update control panel says:
You receive updates: For Windows Only.

I am aware when you click "get updates for more products," IE will open and
you need to click and confirm UAC in order to enable MS update. However, I
am not presented with this prompt, and the Win Update control panel simply
comes to the front. All of my UAC & IE security settings are at the defaults.

Is there another way to enable MS update, such as cmd line or something?

And you would be replying to...?

To avoid confusion, please begin a new thread about your specific problems
(instead of hijacking someone else's thread) and NEVER change the subject
when replying to an existing thread. State your IE version and full Windows
version (e.g., WinXP SP3; Vista SP2) in your first post.

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
Windows Vista, but only for Service Pack 2 (SP2). This support for Windows
Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) is valid until November 26, 2009. Availability of
chat or e-mail support differs depending on your geographic location. Go to
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...4&gprid=582034 &
select appropriate category (e.g., Installation).

I solved the problem and was able to reset the Windows Update control panel
by doing 4 things:
1) downloaded this fix it tool from: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058
2) ran the tool in "agressive mode"
3) deleted all the stuff in c:\windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download
4) opened IE8 and reset everything to default settings in the advanced tab.

Restarted the computer, opened windows update and yay... Windows Update
control panel said I am set to receive updates for Windows AND other products
from Microsoft. All of my update history was erased.

I am happy now.

[Where should we send your medal?]