Windows update fails on new XPP installation

never seen such an intractable problem on MS/win Update...
this is a new squeaky clean install on a dell box, using dell xpp sp3 media.
install went silky. all drivers now installed.
everything working swell except windows &/or Microsoft Update

I have read various online fixes and am afraid that one of them, off one of Microsoft's own many pages on the subject, makes the problem worse.
Then tried their automated FIXIT applet. that failed, and the readout is attached here.

not sure what to do from this point... as i don't want to migrate data and apps etc only to find the need to re-install xpp again.

all help GREATLY appreciated!!

 

Hey zapp, I just install XP SP3 on a Dell using the Dell media for the second time. The first time I went to Windows Update and scanned for updates and only about half installed, and I only have little patience for Microsoft foolishness so I reinstalled XP SP# again, but this time I installed IE8 WITHOUT updates once IE was installed I set my automatic updates to notify me, then I just waited, and 2 hours later my updates came in and installed with out any problems .

 

we thnk alike but it didn't help.
installed ie8 w/o updates with no problems.
but after too many ms suggested 'fixes' to catalog, I still have no BITS.
how can it just not be there?
i'm baffled.
resorted to virus/malware scans with no other fresh ideas. best and brightest come up with nothing.

i guess i have no choices but to start over but this is already the result of that process so I'm not sure, at all, that any diff result will happen.
there are a LOT of recent [october, november] threads on this subject around the web.

 

zapp, you could look at these, http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=2969 and http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...-missing/2afb9676-933b-4b4b-aa26-ada58dd6a014.

 

I had major problems with Microsoft Update for the last several deliveries of Critical Updates.
This included a recurring issue with svchost.exe claiming 99% of CPU capacity and resulting in 100% CPU usage and a
"frozen" system.

Based on research, I found that many people looked to the Windows Update Agent as the culprit, myself included, and tried
downloading a fresh copy as a fix.
I found two versions available but neither of them is the current version. This path is a dead end.
How to get the latest version of the Windows Update Agent

See the heading: How to check which version of the Windows Update Agent is installed

The primary problem with the Microsoft Update failure is a malfunctioning and/or corrupt Background Intelligent Transfer Service, also known as BITS
In my case, that service was not even present in the Service mananger.
There was a corrupt entry that looked like @%SystemRoot%\system32\qmgr.dll,-1000 which was labeled as BITS.

=================================
The following procedure fixed the corrupt BITS service entry. see Resolution
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/883614
=================================

When trying to Start BITS, it failed with the following error message.
Windows could not start the Background Intelligent Transfer Service on Local Computer

After trying numerous fixes, I finally found one that worked.
The last step, step #5, was not present in the previous remedies.
http://www.itexperience.net/2009/03...service-specific-error-2147942402-0x80070002/

In case that resource should for some reason disappear, here is the process:

 

Whenever I need to re-install XP Pro SP3 on my Dell Precision M70, I always re-install a permanent copy of the Package Installer first and the updated version of Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications second. Both files are attached.

I install the Package Installer because invariably it's the first update that Windows Update installs.

I install WGA because it's the first update the Microsoft Update site installs.

I always use the Microsoft Update site from within IE8 on patch Tuesday because I get the updates that are available sooner than if I wait for Windows Update to notify me that updates are available.

I've had no problems getting updates doing it this way although, it took quite a while for Microsoft Update to scan my computer on November 12. Perhaps that's because I've got quite a bit of MS software installed like WAIK, Debugging, Development Kit, etc.

 

you are probably on the right track. I lost count of the number of microsoft tech help site 'fixes' I went through and none worked.
however, right before hitting the sack last night, for whatever reason of exasperation I decided to uninstall MSE [about which I actually know little, but AVAST has gotten spammy so....] but I just had a feeling that something was interfering. .. then I re-set win updates to auto mode, and I manually kicked off yet another windows update session, choosing 'Custom" and let it run. The last time I checked it had been apparently looping for about 2 hours.

got up this morning [november 17] and in the midst of getting ready to leave I checked it and it was updated.... somewhere in the wee hours it finally did start installing some updates. what was left on the screen was WGA stuff. completed that and it was done. now a few odds/ends updates work per normal.

I also noticed that IE8, which I had installed early on [since the new win/msft updates can't deal with default IE6] was sorta broken. search functions and add-ons didn't work. fixed those.

finally reinstalled MSE. I'm still not sure it is a good fit for XPP so if anyone reading this has concrete evidence on my question, pls chime in.
For some reason it will hang in an "OFF" state once in awhile... I can't find the cause of this but a clean reboot gets it green again. bothersome since this system is going to its rightful owner who is tech-illiterate

 

As far as Microsoft Security Essentials, it's the only Antivirus I'm running on my currently XP Pro machine. The detections are updated twice daily (on MOST days) and it doesn't interfere with Windows/Microsoft updates.

If I use wsus offline update, I make sure MSE is part of what gets installed.

I had read, however, that Microsoft was going to be ending MSE detection updates for Win XP. So, when I'm finally able to get Vista installed, I'll probably have to go with Windows Defender.

 

i had been more a fan of avast for xpp, but of late they, for marketeering reasons, have gotten more and more spammy. popping up windows for all sorts of purposes, which is their prerogative since I'm freeloading :-D, but for a machine going to someone who is technically illiterate, its not a good idea. those popups often are confusing to the user and at best unncecessary so that's why I go with MSE for now. it does not do website look-ahead like AVAST does [ a more defensive measure than mere detection of files] but at least its small, unobtrusive, and has good detection marks.

you're a braver guy than me re; vista.... I'd deploy 8 before vista, and everybody hates 8/8.1

 

I had read a lot of negative feedback about Vista but, I decided to give it a try AFTER trying 7, 8 and 8.1. I had some problems with device configuration with 7, I didn't like the Metro interface in 8 and made the mistake of closing all windows which left me with a black screen. I do like 8.1 — it's more "user friendly" than 8 but, both 8 and 8.1 are more for touch screen devices.

I installed and tried Business, Home Premium and Ultimate in Vista and eventually decided to stay with Business since, I think, it's the most like XP Pro. It configures my devices (all but two) perfectly and the two devices it doesn't configure my XP drivers work for. If I don't stay with the Aero theme, i can switch to classic theme and the same for desktop icons. My internet connection is available immediately — I don't have to install the XP Broadcom driver — and the list goes on.

But right now I can't complete Vista installation because my graphics card barfed and when the final stage of installation begins the card frazzes and the display becomes totally unusable. I've got problems with the graphics card in XP as well and am forced to enable VGA mode at lowest resolution just to be able to use my computer.

AAUUGGHH, I can't wait for the replacement card to arrive so I can swap it in!!

 

What i do is when i install a fresh copy of XP 64bit right after install i all ways update it to Service Pack 2 or 3 might be your case.

After i do that i really never have a problem installing any thing.

Download the latest service pack for your copy and keep it on a flash stick like i do be cause the download takes for ever.

Oh and after install of service pack install an update to the latest of the IE 8.

 

there is actually a fix for that video problem you noticed.
its a registry hack to alter the default video presumptions. I may have it bookmarked...
it can happen again and again despite changes of video cards

aha... i think this is it... have to scroll about midway to get the below
http://social.technet.microsoft.com...-after-every-reboot?forum=itprovistadesktopui

I had similar problem with Nvida Geforce 8600GT Resolution would Change from 1024 to 800 on reboot

Only with SP2 No Problem with SP1

Made Reg Changes

All the Below Defaults were 800 x 660

Noticed I didn't have these Defaults on any of my other Machines

I removed them all



[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\nv\Device0]
"DefaultSettings.XResolution"=-
"DefaultSettings.YResolution"=-
"DefaultSettings.BitsPerPel"=-

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\nv\Device1]
"DefaultSettings.XResolution"=-
"DefaultSettings.YResolution"=-
"DefaultSettings.BitsPerPel"=-

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\nv\Device2]
"DefaultSettings.XResolution"=-
"DefaultSettings.YResolution"=-
"DefaultSettings.BitsPerPel"=-

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\nv\Device3]
"DefaultSettings.XResolution"=-
"DefaultSettings.YResolution"=-
"DefaultSettings.BitsPerPel"=-

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Services\nv\Device0]
"DefaultSettings.XResolution"=-
"DefaultSettings.YResolution"=-
"DefaultSettings.BitsPerPel"=-

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Services\nv\Device1]
"DefaultSettings.XResolution"=-
"DefaultSettings.YResolution"=-
"DefaultSettings.BitsPerPel"=-

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Services\nv\Device2]
"DefaultSettings.XResolution"=-
"DefaultSettings.YResolution"=-
"DefaultSettings.BitsPerPel"=-

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Services\nv\Device3]
"DefaultSettings.XResolution"=-
"DefaultSettings.YResolution"=-
"DefaultSettings.BitsPerPel"=-

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E968-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}\0000\Settings]
"DefaultSettings.XResolution"=-
"DefaultSettings.YResolution"=-
"DefaultSettings.BitsPerPel"=-


[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\nv\Device0]
"DefaultSettings.XResolution"=-
"DefaultSettings.YResolution"=-
"DefaultSettings.BitsPerPel"=-

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\nv\Device1]
"DefaultSettings.XResolution"=-
"DefaultSettings.YResolution"=-
"DefaultSettings.BitsPerPel"=-

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\nv\Device2]
"DefaultSettings.XResolution"=-
"DefaultSettings.YResolution"=-
"DefaultSettings.BitsPerPel"=-


[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\nv\Device3]
"DefaultSettings.XResolution"=-
"DefaultSettings.YResolution"=-
"DefaultSettings.BitsPerPel"=-



So Far So Good

 

I actually had no problems with the video initially when I tried the different versions of Vista and when I first noticed something wrong with the video, I stress tested the card and it passed all tests. Things have gotten worse over time — I just hope it's not the built-in VGA circuitry although, I do have a system board I can swap in (I've got a Dell Precision M70 BTW with an nVidia Quadro FX Go 1400 graphics card).