Windows Update "Broke"

In late June or early July, before WGA hit me, I could no longer install Windows XP updates. I think some Auto updates went in, but if I used the "Custom" button in UD it looked like it was downloading and then said "install failed". I contacted MS and they were no help. At the time I had been going crazy with Aurora, etc. pop-ups, and programs installing by themselves. I installed Spyware Doctor, Ad-Aware se, and Spybot along with Norton SystemWorks (AntiVirus). After many trys running them in Safe Mode with Restore off, everything seems OK except Win Updates. I installed the new version of Updates, "Microsoft Updates' somewhere along the line. Then the validation hit and I was denied. After working with Brad in the MS WGA support he decided to give me a new key so I could validate. Then the second problem showed up. The program to install the new product key won't work. I have had a bunch of people at MS having me do a gizzillion things and sending them lots of windows update logs and nothing helps. Now there are all these new Windows updates for Aug. 9 and even the Automatic ones didn't come in. My "history" in the update website is gone too.

So my 2 problems with Microsoft Updates are: I have a new product key but can't run their program and get it installed, so can't validate, and Updates wasn't working even before that! I am just a Grandma trying to use my computer and like to keep it updated--not a Geek! I have a Dell Dim. 8200, w/WinXP Pro SP2. Help me if you can please.

 

OK, first question are you absolutely certain you are spyware, virus, maleware free?

Have a look at this thread:

Basic Spyware, Trojan And Virus Removal

Second question, what program failed to update your product key?

For the windows update issue try the following:

Start/Run then the following --
regsvr32 oleaut32.dll
regsvr32 jscript.dll
regsvr32 vbscript.dll
regsvr32 msxml.dll

regsvr32 softpub.dll
regsvr32 wintrust.dll
regsvr32 initpki.dll
regsvr32 cryptdlg.dll

reboot

 

1st Answer: I update and run all the spyware/antivirus programs and blockers every day. I am not getting any popups, etc.
2nd Answer: Brad at WGA gave me a program to run where a new product key can be installed. It's called New Product Key Tool.

I did everything you had written there. They all 'suceeded' except the vbscript.dll. What now?

 

Reboot and try windows update.

 

Try this program for change your Windows Product Key:

Windows XP Product Key Modifier

 

Well, that didn't help either. I ran your tool, input the new product key given to me by MS and rebooted. I ran Microsoft Update twice and clicked the I want to validate button---"INVALID PRODUCT KEY"! Same thing on 2nd try. I also ran the Product Key Update wizard given to me by MS again, no change. Error 0x80080005 on that little program.

 

Since MicroSoft already gave you a new product key; this is the manual method to change your product key.

WARNING: If you perform the below steps incorrectly, or used an invalid key, your system may not be able to boot. Use the F8 key to boot to the last known good configuration and retry with a valid key.

1. Edit the registry.

2. Use Regedit and find:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current Version\WPAEvents

3. In the right pane, right-click the ODBETimer binary value and select Modify. Change at least one character of this value to either a number from 0 to 9 or to a letter from A to F, and then click OK and close the Registry Editor. This renders the current product key invalid and deactivates Windows.

4. Reactivate Windows using your new product key.

5. Click Start | Run and enter the command:

%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe /a

6. Windows will launch the Product Activation Wizard.

7. Select the option to telephone a Microsoft customer service representative to activate Windows.

8. Select the Change Product Key option and enter your new product key.

9. Click Update and close the window.

10 . If Windows returns you to the previous screen, just select the Remind Me Later option. When the wizard is finished, reboot the system.

11. After the workstation restarts, click Start > Run

Type in: "%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a" without the quotes.

Make sure the dialog box says 'your copy of windows is already activated'

 

Microsoft says my problem is related to BITS, not my key. Probably on some level a configuration issue related to security. They say when that is figured out my new key will update.
I did already reinstall BITS 2.0 which didn't help. So I guess I'll hold off on your register edit for now. If what MS said makes you think in a different direction I would like to hear.
Thks

 

OK, do this:

Start -> Run

type services.msc

Click-on OK

Right-click Background Intelligent Transfer Service

Select Properties

Startup type: Manual

Service Status: Start

Click-on Apply

Click-on OK

 

It was already set on Manual, and says "Stopped", but I clicked Start and it won't start. Says:
System cannot find file specified. There is no Start Parameters in the box below Start, it is empty.
In the path above it says: C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs

 

I know that a repair installation works on this issue.

Other than that, perhaps someone here can help out!

 

Uninstalling and reinstalling Service Pack 2 works as well. I've had to do it before.

Also, check out this thread...
http://castlecops.com/postx106642-0-0.html

 

Set BITS to Automatic and Start

 

Thanks for the link bj http://forums.majorgeeks.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

Your Welcome SPD! After I unistalled SP2 and reinstalled I found this. LOL!

 

You are a genius !!!! I ran this on my computer and it worked and I was able to install all the microsoft updates on my computer no problem. Thank you so much.