wuauclt.exe has encountered a problem...

[S Lee]

When starting my windows XP computer and when going to windows update
website, I get the error "wuauclt.exe has encountered a problem and needs to
close." This error happens dozens of times. I turned off automatic updates
and still get the error. I can't get the Windows update web page to work,
either. It keeps giving me an error:
The website has encountered a problem and cannot display the page you are
trying to view. Take the following steps to try solving the problem:
Refresh the page.
In Internet Explorer, delete your Temporary Internet Files by going to the
Tools menu and clicking Internet Options.

Here is the web page.

http://www.update.microsoft.com/micr...=en-us&muopt=6

So how do I get wuauclt.exe fixed and working again, how do I get rid of
these errors, and how do I get windows update to work again?
Close and then re-open Internet Explorer

[MowGreen [MVP]]

Show hidden files, folders, and system files:

Using Windows Explorer, navigate to WINDOWS\system32
locate wuauclt.exe
Right click it and choose Properties
Click the Version tab ...
KEEP the Properties window open

Navigate to WINDOWS\system32\dllcache
locate wuauclt.exe
Right click it and choose Properties
Click the Version tab ...

Do the Versions match ?
If yes, what is the Version number ?
If no, what are the Version numbers in both locations ?

You 'Turned off Automatic Updates' using the Automatic Updates applet in
Control Panel or you stopped the Automatic Updates Service in the
Services Console ?

[SithMonkey7]

I'm not sure where to best post this as there are scores of threads on the
topic. Alas, I am frustrated beyond all imagination. I trying to help a
friend square away a problem that began at the end of July with (from what I
have read) was a MS update gone wrong. I am getting several errors and
migraines.

The first: Generic Host Process for Win32 Services has encountered a problem
and needs to close
The second-infinity: wuauclt.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close
These errors are surrounded by multiple XXXXXXXXXX referenced memory at
XXXXXXXXX. The memory could not be read errors.

My symptoms are noted through several other related posts; windows updates
won't run without crashing, system resources being taxed, unsuspecting
household pets being kicked by their WindowsXP-running owners worldwide, etc.
etc.

I have seen scores of highly complex approaches to the issue, but nothing
useful for a novice who just wants his stupid OS to be easily fixed. Nor
have I seen anything that original poster verified as actually working
(thanks for nothing you non post replying posters!). With the prolific
nature of this issue, I can’t believe there isn’t something from MS that more
directly addresses and fixes this issue – but maybe I am just missing it!?

I applied one suggestion (that was posted in several places). This
suggestion was rooted in MS’s article on the 0x80248011 error (which I also
received) to stop auto update services and rename the SoftwareDistribution
folder to SoftwareDistribution.old and the restart services. After finally
figuring out that I had to uninstall Norton to be able to rename the folder,
this approach seemed to work. I was finally able to connect to windows
update, download many missed updates and install with success. I cracked out
the champagne, rejoiced, until reboot. I was right back to where I started
(in fact it seemed worse). Did I say "AAAAARRRGGGGHHHH" yet?

Most of the posts on this topic end with: 'I scrapped my OS and started from
scratch'. That is really not an option for my friend and I believe someone
out there (smarter than I) may be able to offer some useful direction to once
and all resolve this issue.

This is a desperate cry for help. Anyone? Your time is appreciated.

[PA Bear]

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

Customers in the U.S. and Canada can receive technical support from
Microsoft Product Support Services at 1-866-PCSAFETY. There is no-charge for
support calls that are associated with security updates. When you call,
clearly state that your problem is related to a Security Update and cite the
update's KB number (e.g., KB931678).

In other countries, see
http://support.microsoft.com/default...r=securityhome > "No-Charge
Support...for virus and other security-related" issues in right-hand menu
for localized contact information.

For more information about how to contact Microsoft for support issues,
visit the International Support Web site:
https://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx

[Ottmar Freudenberger]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927891/en-us and installing the latest
version of Windows Update Agent 3.0 may resolve the issue:
http://download.windowsupdate.com/Wi...gent30-x86.exe

[SithMonkey7]

Thank you Feudi for taking time to help. I tried to apply the solution of
downloading the Update Agent again, but when I went to install I received
'Install is not needed since Windows Update Agent is already installed.'

That being the case, I still have the laundry list of errors I mentioned in
my original post. Any other suggestions?

[SithMonkey7]

Thanks Freudi for your reply. I attempted to install the update agent, but
received this message 'Install is not needed since Windows Update Agent is
already installed.'

That being said, I still have the problems listed in my original post. Any
other suggestions?

[SithMonkey7]

By the way PA Bear, I tried the free Windows Update support indicent request
and it was of with no avail. They sent me right back here.

Cause you've missed the /wuforce parameter.
"[Path to where you've saved the EXE]\WindowsUpdateAgent30-x86.exe" /wuforce

But did you install KB927891 too?

[SithMonkey7]

I guess what I did was click on the link to windowsUpdateAgent30-x86.exe and
selected 'run' as opposed to save. A

Upon another suggestion, I uninstalled KB927891. I then rebooted seemed ok,
until I restarted again, and it's all right back to where I started.

So are you saying I ought to save as opposed to run? And, I guess I don't
understand how to use the /wuforce parameter (sorry, I'm quite the novice).

[Ottmar Freudenberger]

So please read what was been written ;-)

That's not a solution, it's not even reasonable anyhow. Please reinstall
KB927891.

Yes.

Okay, once more:

http://download.windowsupdate.com/Wi...gent30-x86.exe
*Save* the EXE into a folder, let's say "C:\Downloads". After the
download completed, type the following exactly and including every
quote and space under "Run" in the Start menu:

"C:\Downloads\WindowsUpdateAgent30-x86.exe" /wuforce

Hit the [Enter] key afterwards or click on "OK" to start the instal-
lation.

You may want to stop the "Automatic Update" *service* before installing:
Start -> Run -> services.msc [Enter/OK]

[SithMonkey7]

Hi there again. Well here is what I tried. As instructed I ran the update
with /wuforce. It initiated just fine. During the install I received two
errors:

The instruction at "0x607500b7" referenced memory at "0x1975012e". The
memory could not be "read".

- I clicked OK to this error and it continued the install. The exact
same error popped up once more. I clicked OK again and it continued the
install. The install was successful and so we rebooted the pc. At restart,
we received these errors (the same as before we started):

"Generic Host Process for Win32 Services has encountered a problem and needs
to close..."
followed by
"wuauclt.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close."

[SithMonkey7]

I stopped all update services, ran the install again. I only received one of
"The instruction at "0x607500b7" referenced memory at "0x1975012e" errors
this time, but the outcome was still the same.

I am beginning to see why some folks have just given up and reloaded their
OS at this point, but I really don't want to have to take such measures.

[Ottmar Freudenberger]

Well, I'm almost out of ideas here, especially if the very same happens
in Safe Mode of Windows too.

Which applications are running permanently in the background?

You're running Windows XP SP2, are you? Which version, Home Edition
or Professional/Media Center Edition?

Looking into the registry and the key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wuauserv
and its subkeys *may* be of interest too.

[Robert Aldwinckle]

In which program? I couldn't be wuauclt.exe (the Subject of this discussion)
because you claim you "stopped all update services".

BTW where are you seeing that message? There should be more detail
showing you the program and module involved.

FWIW I don't have anything loaded at 0x60750000 which one would expect
in order to see a message like that, so I would suspect that you have a third-party
program loaded there which could be interfering and causing your error symtpom.

Good. Then you should be willing to do some troubleshooting. ; )


Run... ProcMon. It will capture an entry for your crash and you will be able
to extract from it a list of the modules involved in the call stack at the time
of the crash. That could be an easier alternative the more conventional
analysis of the Stack Back Trace for the crashing thread (e.g. as found
below the FAULT -> line in the associated drwtsn32.log dump.)

[SithMonkey7]

Hi Robert and thanks for your reply. The error does not indicate which
program or module is involved. That is the full extent of the message and
pop-up detail. I did run a couple of procmon files, but they are ginormous
to say the least. I am not really sure what I'm looking for in the log to
snip it out. Additionally, I'm not seeing that I can upload any files to the
forum here (I'm new, maybe I'm missing it). The smallest file I have is
88,012KB uncompressed, 9.55MB zipped. What can I provide that would be
useful and how?