Windows XP automatic updates -- cannot turn on

I got a virus last night (conhost.exe).

I was able to get Malwarebytes going and got a clean scan.

I installed Avast Antivirus and got a clean scan.

I ran Spybot Search and Destroy and it found Windows Update Override, etc. I picked the option to clean it.

Restarted computer and still cannot restart my Windows automatic updates. My automatic Windows Updates has been disabled and I cannot get it going again.

When I got to control panel/system/automatic updates it is is turned on. However, when I click on the Windows Security Alert red icon in the bottom right corner system tray it shows Windows Updates are turned off and I cannot turn them back on there.

Any input would really be appreciated.

Definitely some problem created by the virus, though you scanned and remove it but the effect remained there. Anyways, what i can suggest you at this point is try restoring your system back to some previous restore points. Hope the damages done at this point wont effect with previous restore points. Restore back and try to turn on updates. See if it works.

There are no system restore points to restore.

And the virus has reinstalled itself so restoring to an earlier time is not an option.

The virus began again the same way. There was the message that I needed XP Home Security virus software and it ran a fake scan.

I rebooted my computer in safe mode and ran Super Antispyware Software.
It found eight problems with three designations:

1. disabled securitycenter option
2. system broken file association
3. trojan.agent/gen -fake alert [steam]


I then ran Malwarebytes and it found:
hijack.exefile


Any help would be appreciated.

I think that this issue happens when the automatic Update Service is missing from the services.msc list and also happen if the wuaueng.dll file is not registered. So try to register the file wuaueng.dll by following the below method:
Click Start, select Run
Type: regsvr32 wuaueng.dll
Press OK.

If all else fails:
Windows Update Greyed Out - Restore (Line 179)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Well, thanks for replying.

I contacted a Microsoft tech by email and he sent me three zip files which I executed and it corrected the problem.

Don't suppose I could upload them here?

Hi,
I've got exactly the same problem, my system got hammered by malware last week, any chance of fowarding the 3 files if I send you a PM?

I guess that files which he got was based on the problem that the user was facing and if you need the perfect solution then i want you to specify the exact problem that you are facing. which will help me to give an exact solution for you.

...thanks, I've got over the automatic update issue now, but the malware attack last week caused most of my startup program folders to appear empty, any tips?

My computer techy deleted it from multiple locations in the drive and in the directory. I hope this works. It renamed itself in my windows temp folder every time I restarted the computer.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by einstein_007

I think that this issue happens when the automatic Update Service is missing from the services.msc list and also happen if the wuaueng.dll file is not registered. So try to register the file wuaueng.dll by following the below method:
Click Start, select Run
Type: regsvr32 wuaueng.dll
Press OK.

If all else fails:
Windows Update Greyed Out - Restore (Line 179)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

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I know this was an old post but I've just used it to fix my update issue and it worked straight away. Many thanks.:thumbup1: :thumbup1:

thanks alot einstein 007!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have been trying to turn on the automatic update for some days and could not make it turn on.. Your method works.... with regsvr32 wuaueng.dll thanks again....