Failed Updates

When I reboot my PC it goes to a screen saying it is installing 1 of 1
updates (sometimes it says 5 of 5 updates), however it never moves off that
screen. I have to end up turning off the PC and then back on. If I try to
install updates myself, it says Failed: 20 updates Code: 80240016 Windows
Update is currently installing other updates. Please try again in a few
minutes.

The last time it actually installed updates was 3/2/07 right after I
installed Vista.
Please help!

I'm having the same problem as well. The system hung when it first tried to
do the updates so I shut it down via the power button. Now it won't install
any updates because it says that I am currently installing updates. How do
we convince Windows that it's not doing anything?

Hello,

I have problems with updating my Windows XP Pro with SP2 English
version.

For example I get the following error when try to install Security
Update for Windows XP (KB896423)

Failed Update

Problem: A problem on your computer is preventing updates from being
downloaded or installed
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This error I get whatever update I want to install. I have disabled
ZoneAlarm, but no luck.

Who can help me to resolve this ploblem??

Thank you.

OK - now try downloading and running Dial-a-Fix from
http://wiki.djlizard.net/Dial-a-fix

Use its options to fix Windows Installer, fix Windows Update, and all the
Registration Center options.
Turn off the "Empty System32\Catroot 2"
Then click "GO"

Do NOT do "Flush SoftwareDistribution" yet.

It worked for me also. It took some time to finish checking but it
eventually came up with the updates. I had to do the flush with preservation
of the history folder. But I am up to date. Thanks again.

Robin, you have a group of fans. I was ready to give up and reinstall
Windows when I found your post. I've witnessed a miracle. Thanks for
helping all of us!

I am very lucky too with Robins suggestion (see below)
After 1 day of struggle the issue was solved in 10 minutes.
Thanks again!!

I had the notification that there are updates to be installed. Went through
the motions to install and then get the following:

Some updates could not be installed

The following updates were not installed:

Security Update for Windows XP with Windows Media Format Runtime 9.5 and 11
(KB941569)
Security Update for Microsoft Office Publisher 2007 (KB950114)
Update for Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 Junk Email Filter (KB950378)
Security Update for Microsoft Office Word 2007 (KB950113)
Security Update for Microsoft Office system 2007 (KB951808)
Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - May 2008 (KB890830)

Any ideas? I have even tried individual downloads. I have XP Pro Service
pack 3

Thank you in advance

Tip: Temporarily disable real-time protection by your anti-virus and/or
anti-spyware applications (e.g., CounterSpy, Spysweeper, Spybot Tea Timer,
AVG Anti-Spyware) and/or any third-party firewall (e.g., ZA) before
attempting to install the update(s). If you disable the third-party
firewall, make certain that you enable the Windows Firewall!

=====================

How to troubleshoot Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and Windows Server
Update Services installation issues:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/906602

1. See the "Need more help? Tell us what problem you are having" section of
http://support.microsoft.com/ph/6527

2. You cannot install some updates or programs
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798

3a. Check Windowsupdate.log (%windir%\Windowsupdate.log) for errors
associated with the download/install.

How to read the Windowsupdate.log file
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/902093

3b. Compare errors to those listed here:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/blog...showentry=1122
and/or go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com > click on Help and Support
link in left pane > Solve problems on your own.

===========================

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

Support for Windows Update:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/wusupport

I hope someone can help with a continuing problem please.

For the last few weeks I have been unable to install updates and have been
getting the message below. The number of items failing is increasing and I
can't resolve it. I had backed up my hard drive a week or so before I managed
to complete a successful update, so I have tried restoring my hard drive to
that backup. That didn't work, although it did allow me to re-install SP3 and
one other update.

I tried some of the fixes suggested on a couple of messages in this
discussion group, including http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144,
http://www.codeplex.com/aureset and Get Dial-a-Fix:
http://wiki.djlizard.net/Dial-a-fix. None have worked.

"Problem: A problem on your computer is preventing updates from being
downloaded or installed
Solution: To fix the problem, try installing the updates again. If that
doesn't work, use the Troubleshooter to try solve the problem.

Microsoft Windows XP
Update for Windows XP (KB951978)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB938464)
Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - October 2008 (KB890830)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB954211)
Cumulative Security Update for ActiveX Killbits for Windows XP (KB956391)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB956803)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB956841)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB957095)
Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP (KB956390)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB958644)

Microsoft Office 2003
Security Update for Office 2003 (KB954478)
Security Update for Microsoft Office 2003 (KB953404)
Security Update for Microsoft Office Excel 2003 (KB955466)
Update for Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 Junk Email Filter (KB957257)"

I'd recommend resubmitting your post here:

Start a help ticket.

Help and Support

<http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx?rdpath=1&gprid=9860>
E-mail Support
Response Time: 1 Business Day


OR


I'd recommend calling 1-866-pcsafety if you are in the U.S. or Canada.

Elsewhere, call your local Microsoft subsidiary, or the number for paid
support in your locale--and ask for the free help with virus or
security-patch related issues. This help extends to spyware removal as well.

If you /clearly/ state that a specific update has caused problems and don't
ask any other questions, you /should/ receive No Charge support for the
issue.

There's a very distinct possibility that the problem is being caused by a
hijackware infection which was already present when you made that backup

WinXP SP3 hadn't been installed when you made the backup?

=======

How to troubleshoot Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and Windows Server
Update Services installation issues:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/906602

1. See the "Need more help? Tell us what problem you are having" section of
http://support.microsoft.com/ph/6527

2. You cannot install some updates or programs
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798

3a. Check your WindowsUpdate.log (%windir%\WindowsUpdate.log) for errors
associated with the download/install.

How to read the WindowsUpdate.log file
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/902093

3b. Compare errors to those listed here:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/blog...showentry=1122
and/or go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com > click on Help and Support
link in left pane > Solve problems on your own.

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

Thanks to both of you. I'll try your suggestions and let you know how I get on.

As far as the hijackware infection is concerned, shouldn't Norton have
picked it up. I've done regular scans, including this morning and it has not
found anything.

Not necessarily or always, depending on what Norton application you have
installed and whether your subscription ir current and/or it's even
functional. Some hijackware will disable your security applications in
seconds.

Just to let you know, I eventually solved this problem with help from the MS
Support Centre (although I was passed from pillar to post before finding the
right person to help!). I had to follow the instructions below. However, I am
now trying to resolve one last update which has installed (KB956841), but I
am asked to update every few minutes. I'm waiting for another response from
MS.

please try to follow the following steps:

1. Please Click Start-> Run and type services.msc. It will open the
Services Window

2. Under the Services(Local), double click on Automatic Updates-> It will
open the Automatic Updates Properties Window.

3. Click on Stop button. It'll Stop the Service.

4. Double click on Cryptographic Services-> It will open the Cryptographic
Properties Window.

5. Click on Stop button. It'll Stop the Service.

6. Double click on Background Intelligence Transfer Service-> It will open
the Background Intelligence Transfer Properties Window.

7. Click on Stop button. It'll Stop the Service.

8. Close the Services Window

9. Click Start -> Run , Type system32---It'll open the system32 folder

10 In the system 32 folder Right click on Catroot2 and select Rename

11. Rename the folder to Catroot2.old and close the system32 folder

12. Click Start -> Run , Type C:\windows---It'll open the Windows folder

13 In the Windows folder Right click on SoftwareDistribution and select
Rename

14. Rename the folder to SoftwareDistribution.old and close Windows folder

15. Click Start-> Run and type services.msc. It will open the Services
Window

16. Under the Services(Local), double click on Automatic Updates-> It will
open the Automatic Updates Properties Window.

17. Click on Start button. It'll Start the Service.

18. Double click on Cryptographic Services-> It will open the Cryptographic
Properties Window.

19. Click on Start button. It'll Start the Service.

20. Double click on Background Intelligence Transfer Service-> It will open
the Background Intelligence Transfer Properties Window.

21. Click on Start button. It'll Start the Service.

22. Close the Services Window

23. Restart the computer and check if you are able to install the windows
updates.