Windows Update does not recognize Administrator rights

H

Hop-Frog

I have WinXP Home with SP1, and IE 6 with SP1. Starting a couple weeks
ago, every time I try to use Windows Update, I get this error message:

"To install items from Windows Update, you must be logged on as an
administrator or a member of the Administrators group. If your
computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may also
prevent you from completing this procedure."

I am, in fact, logged in as an administrator. I'm the only user account
on the computer. Restarting in Safe Mode on the "Administrator" account
produces the same error.

I am not on a LAN, nor am I using any proxies or routers; my machine is
plugged directly into the cable modem.

I followed the resolutions on the Windows Update Troubleshooter for
registry edits, with no effect.

Renaming C:\Windows\System32\Catroot2 does nothing.

I have the WinXP firewall activated, but deactivating it has no effect.

I've tried manually downloading and installing the most up-to-date
Windows Update control software. No change.

I've added the Windows Update URL to the "Trusted Sites" zone; no effect.

I've scanned for viruses and spyware with the most up-to-date definition
files, in Safe Mode. None of either type were found.

The only change I've made to my system since the last time I sucessfully
used Windows Update is changing from a CRT monitor to an LCD panel, but I
did *NOT* change my video drivers; I only unplugged one monitor and
replaced it with another.

What in heaven's name could possibly be the problem?
 
H

Hop-Frog

Why can't I download updates?
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/top10faqs.htm
Click to expand...

Yep, been through that one top to bottom, too. The one thing I forgot to
mention in my last post. I've also done "sfc /scannow" without finding
problems.

Basically, I've already spent a couple weeks on the issue, talked to all
sorts of techs at my work (though this is an issue on my home machine)
scoured all the microsoft newsgroups, the Knowledge Base, etc. Nothing
works.

So maybe I should restate my question: what's the most obscure, unusual
problem that could possibly be the culprit, but which no one would ever
think to mention?
 
H

Hop-Frog

Hi,

Try this: Go to Start/Run and type in: regsvr32 wintrust.dll
Click to expand...

That one doesn't work either. You can see why this is starting to really
tick me off...

Is it possible that some change on my ISP's cable network is causing this?

(By the way, thanks a lot for prompt replies on this.)
 
K

Kelly

Most welcome and I hear you. :blush:)

There are causes that may very well apply to you/your ISP:

"This behavior may occur if you are not logged on as an administrator, if
you use a computer that is behind a firewall, or if you use a computer that
connects to the Internet through a proxy server. This behavior may also
occur if there are incorrect restriction settings on certain registry keys
or if the %Systemroot%\System32\Catroot2 folder is corrupted. "

Resolutions are listed here: However, you seem to have tried most of them:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;q316524&

Good luck!
 
H

Hop-Frog

Kelly said:
There are causes that may very well apply to you/your ISP:
Click to expand...

I can't believe that Cox (my ISP) would implement anything that blocks
Windows Update, but they've done some silly things in the past. I'll call
and do the level-1-tech-support song and dance. Thanks again for giving
this a bit of thought.
 
K

Kelly

Most welcome and no problem. When you go here: IE/Tools/Internet Options/
Connections//Lan Settings....is Proxy Server enabled?
 
H

Hop-Frog

Hop-Frog said:
I can't believe that Cox (my ISP) would implement anything that blocks
Windows Update, but they've done some silly things in the past.
Click to expand...

Here's another update: it's not the ISP. I deactivated the cable modem
connection and unplugged it from the computer, then dialed into an entirely
different ISP through the 56k modem. I still got the "Admins Only" error.
This must be a registry problem, I think.

If this turns out to be something I can't resolve, are there any sites
other than windowsupdate.com where I can download and manually install
updates? I know that everything on windowsupdate.com is also in the
Knowledge Base, but would I have to scour the knowledge base page by page?

Also, I have Automatic Updates activated; how can I check if it's picking
up the critical updates? Or does the "Admins Only" error at Windows Update
mean that Automatic Updates is also failing?
 
H

Hop-Frog

Most welcome and no problem. When you go here: IE/Tools/Internet
Options/ Connections//Lan Settings....is Proxy Server enabled?
Click to expand...

Nope. I'm beginnning to wonder if there's not a gnome living in my modem,
and he's playing a trick on me.
 
P

PA Bear

See Windows Update Troubleshooter:

"When trying to use the Windows Update Web site you receive an
"Administrators Only" error message (Windows XP only)"
[about 2/3's of the way down the page]
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/troubleshoot/

<paste>
When you attempt to use the Windows Update site, you may receive an error
message similar to the following:

Administrators Only (-2146828218) To install items from Windows Update,
you
must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators
group. If your computer is connected to a network, network policy
settings
may also prevent you from completing this procedure.

You receive this message even though you are already logged on as an
administrator or a member of the Administrators group.

This issue indicates a problem accessing a resource and may not indicate a
lack of administrative privileges. One of the resolutions below may
help....

NOTE: You should also check the firewall and the proxy server settings and
configurations
</paste>
--
HTH...Please post back to this thread

~Robear Dyer (aka PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE), AH-VSOP

AumHa Forums
http://forum.mvps.org/

Protect Your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect
 
K

Kelly

Thanks, PaBear.......been there, done that. :blush:(




PA Bear said:
See Windows Update Troubleshooter:

"When trying to use the Windows Update Web site you receive an
"Administrators Only" error message (Windows XP only)"
[about 2/3's of the way down the page]
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/troubleshoot/

<paste>
When you attempt to use the Windows Update site, you may receive an error
message similar to the following:

Administrators Only (-2146828218) To install items from Windows Update,
you
must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators
group. If your computer is connected to a network, network policy
settings
may also prevent you from completing this procedure.

You receive this message even though you are already logged on as an
administrator or a member of the Administrators group.

This issue indicates a problem accessing a resource and may not indicate a
lack of administrative privileges. One of the resolutions below may
help....

NOTE: You should also check the firewall and the proxy server settings and
configurations
</paste>
--
HTH...Please post back to this thread

~Robear Dyer (aka PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE), AH-VSOP

AumHa Forums
http://forum.mvps.org/

Protect Your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect

Hop-Frog said:
I have WinXP Home with SP1, and IE 6 with SP1. Starting a couple weeks
ago, every time I try to use Windows Update, I get this error message:

"To install items from Windows Update, you must be logged on as an
administrator or a member of the Administrators group. If your
computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may also
prevent you from completing this procedure."

I am, in fact, logged in as an administrator. I'm the only user account
on the computer. Restarting in Safe Mode on the "Administrator" account
produces the same error.

I am not on a LAN, nor am I using any proxies or routers; my machine is
plugged directly into the cable modem.

I followed the resolutions on the Windows Update Troubleshooter for
registry edits, with no effect.

Renaming C:\Windows\System32\Catroot2 does nothing.

I have the WinXP firewall activated, but deactivating it has no effect.

I've tried manually downloading and installing the most up-to-date
Windows Update control software. No change.

I've added the Windows Update URL to the "Trusted Sites" zone; no effect.

I've scanned for viruses and spyware with the most up-to-date definition
files, in Safe Mode. None of either type were found.

The only change I've made to my system since the last time I sucessfully
used Windows Update is changing from a CRT monitor to an LCD panel, but I
did *NOT* change my video drivers; I only unplugged one monitor and
replaced it with another.

What in heaven's name could possibly be the problem?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Similar Threads

Windows Update Problem 4
Intel chipset drivers needs administrator rights? 5
Help Needed - Cannot Update, Administrator Privileges Broken 8
Administrator Rights 2
Access denied error with changing startup services in msconfig 4
Administrator account appears on logon page 4
Windows Update 0
ADMINISTRATOR vs Administrator USer 22

Top