Here is what I got back from Microsoft Support: I put the 'xxxxx's' in
the Microsoft user id contact area for privacy:
From the case log, I understand that Automatic Updates on Windows 2000
SP4 system cannot work. It stays at installing a security update. You
received an advice of deleting the files in SoftwareDisatribution
folder, but you have concern about this action. If there has been any
misunderstanding, please feel free to let me know.
I understand the inconvenience you have experienced. Please be assured
that I will do my best to help you.
Before moving on, I would like to explain the SoftwareDisatribution
folder is a temporary folder, and it would be generated automatically
after deleting or renaming it. This suggestion can fix the Windows
Update issues which are caused by the corrupted temporary files.
Therefore, I also provide the similar suggestion "Rename
SoftwareDisatribution folder" below. Please try to perform these steps
and let me know the result. Thank you for your understanding.
This behavior typically occurs when any of the following factors are
true.
1. Windows Update components are missing or corrupted.
2. The temporary folder of Windows Update contains corrupted files.
3. The local Windows Update services have not been configured
correctly.
At this time, let’s try the following steps to troubleshoot the
problem. After finishing each suggestion, please go to the Microsoft
Windows Update site and check the result there.
Suggestion 1: Re-register Windows Update components
=========================================
1. Click on "Start" and then click "Run",
2. In the open field type "REGSVR32 WUAPI.DLL" (without quotation
marks) and press Enter.
3. When you receive the "DllRegisterServer in WUAPI.DLL succeeded"
message, click "OK".
4. Please repeat these steps for each of the following commands:
REGSVR32 WUAUENG.DLL
REGSVR32 WUAUENG1.DLL
REGSVR32 ATL.DLL
REGSVR32 WUCLTUI.DLL
REGSVR32 WUPS.DLL
REGSVR32 WUPS2.DLL
REGSVR32 WUWEB.DLL
Please check if you receive any error when trying to re-register these
components. If not, please try to visit the Windows Update site again.
Suggestion 2: Rename the temporary folder of Windows Update.
===============================================
1. Click "Start", "Run", type: cmd and press "Enter". Type in "net
stop WuAuServ" (without quotations) and press "Enter". You will
receive a message stating the "Automatic Updates service" was stopped
successfully.
2. Click "Start", "Run", type: %windir% and press "Enter".
3. In the opened folder, rename the folder "SoftwareDistribution" to
"SDold".
4. Click "Start", "Run", type: cmd and press "Enter". Type in "net
start WuAuServ" (without quotations) and press "Enter" to restart the
"Automatic Updates service".
Suggestion 3: Check the local Windows Update services
==========================================
1. Click "Start"->"Run", type "services.msc" (without quotation marks)
in the open box and click OK.
2. Double click the service "Automatic Updates".
3. Click on the tab "General "; make sure the "Startup Type" is
"Automatic". Then please click the button "Start" under "Service
Status" to start the service.
4. Please repeat the above steps with another service: Background
Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)
Please try the above steps and provide me with the results at your
earliest convenience. If, however, the problem persists, in order to
perform further research, please assist me in collecting the following
information.
How to collect System Information:
===========================
1. Click "Start", "Run" and type in "msinfo32". Press "OK".
2. On the popup window, on the menu bar, click Action, click “Save as
system information”, click "Desktop" on the left pane, and type "NFO"
as its file name.
3. Please find the file "NFO" on the Desktop and send it as an
attachment to (e-mail address removed)
How to collect the Windows Update log file:
================================
Note: There are two Windows Update log files with similar names, we
will be using the "WindowsUpdate.log" file without a space in the
middle of the name.
1. Click on "Start", "Run" and type "WindowsUpdate.log" (without the
quotes)
2. Click on the "OK" button. We will see a file named
"WindowsUpdate.log"
3. Now click on the "File" menu and then click on the "Save As" and
select "Desktop" in the "Save in" option on the top of the window.
4. Click on the "Save" button. The file will be saved to your Desktop.
Please send the file as an attachment in an email to
(e-mail address removed)
However, if the file is unable to be collected by the above steps, we
can also use the following method to collect it.
1. Click "Start", "Run", type: %windir% and then press "Enter".
2. In the open window, we will see a file named "WindowsUpdate.log"
3. Please send it as an attachment to: (e-mail address removed)
Note: When attaching files to emails, the process will vary depending
on the email application being used. While you are composing the
email, most applications will provide you with either an "Attach"
button or Paper Clip Icon to click in order to attach a file. After
clicking this button/icon you must browse to the file you wish to
attach and select it by either double clicking it or clicking it once
and then clicking on the "Attach" button.
Please also let me know if this is a home computer or a work computer.
If it is a home computer, please also let me know if it connects to
the Internet directly or through a network device. If it is a work
computer, please let me know if the computer is in a domain.
End of Message from Microsoft Support. I will get back to the group
with what worked.
Again, Thank You All......Stanz
