No work to do

[Guest]

When trying to start Automatic Updates, I get the following error:

The Automatic Updates service on machine BLAH started and then stopped.
Some services stop automatically is they have no work to do, for example, the
Performance Logs and Alerts service.

AU has no dependencies. These machines are all up to date on antivirus,
running SP2 (but nothing after that). I have quite few workstations like
this.

Any ideas?

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

Tina,
Yes, Automatic Updates does have some services that it needs to be enabled.
Do a few sanity checks:
1) You must make sure these Win XP services are enabled :

Automatic Updates
Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)
Cryptographic Services
Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
System Restore Service


Go to Start menu >Run > MSCONFIG <enter>
Click on the "Services" Tab & review these services. They should have a
green "tick/check" mark on left; and status "Running" on the far right.


You need to have either a 3rd-party firewall or XP's firewall ON, and, have
a good/current antivirus on. Don't go on the net without them!


2) Following is only a basic first-pass checklist of settings for Internet
Explorer browser, tailored for smoother entry into Windows Update.
It is NOT a cureall !


Make sure this is not running a 3rd-part Popup-Ad remover, or any
anonimyzer.


1. In Internet Explorer browser > select Tools, click Internet Options, and
then click
Languages....
If this box is empty, add at least one language -- your usual national
language.
If you happen to have 2 or more, move English up on this list.


2. Disengage your Discussion Bar in Internet Explorer: Click View on
main IE menu.
Point to Explorer Bar.
If "Discuss" has a check mark, click Discuss to *remove the check mark*
and clear it.
You may note, if the discussion bar is active, it would appear near the
bottom of IE window.


3. I. E. Tools >Internet Options > Advanced Tab > (scroll down thru
the list)


These are "some" of the items that I do have CHECKed (selected):
Under HTTP 1.1 settings --
Use HTTP 1.1 (ON / Selected)
+ Enable / check to use HTTP 1.1 with proxy servers **** <<----


and under Security :


Clear (un-check) the check box next to "Check for server certificate
revocation" . ( *OFF* )


Use SSL 2.0 (ON / selected)
Use SSL 3.0 (ON)


4. Internet Explorer > Tools > Internet Options > Connections Tab Click
on LAN Settings > * Uncheck* the Automatically detect settings.
Make sure _no other_ settings on this screen are enabled.


5. Internet Explorer > main menu /Tools/Internet Options >


Security Tab/ click on green icon Trusted Sites/click Sites button.


Look very closely at line that says:


"Require server verification (https for all sites in this zone" to
*clear* the selection.
(e.g. You want that to be un-checked (un-ticked)).


In the "Add this Web site to the zone:" field, add these entries to
list of "Trusted Sites" --


type
http://*.download.windowsupdat­e.com (click Add)


http://v5.windowsupdate.micros­oft.com


https://v5.windowsupdate.micro­soft.com (with HTTPS)


http://windowsupdate.microsoft­.com


Click OK. Apply changes to IE browser.


Then re-try Windows Update.


HTH Post back with your progress

 

[Guest]

Maurice,

Thanks so much for the detailed reply; however, I am still unable to start
the service. I checked to make sure that the services you listed were
running, and tried to start Automatic Updates. I am still getting the same
error "..started and then stopped... no work to do..."

Tina

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

Tina,
Try this. From the Start menus, select the Run option, then type in
SERVICES.MSC <enter-key>

Look at the line for Automatic Updates. Click on it. Click on the "Stop" the service. After it finishes that step, click on Restart the service.

Then wait a while. In the Services screen, Automatic Updates may be shown as Status=Started and Startup Type=Automatic.
Do you have A U set for a particular time?

Have you or anyone disabled Windows services (say, using MSCONFIG) ?
Have you tried selecting Windows Update from main menus (All Programs) or from the Internet Explorer Tools menu?
Go to Windows Update. Report back with results.

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

Tina,
Be sure to login to Windows with an administrator-level account.

 

[Guest]

Maurice,

I can not stop the service, as it is not started, nor can I restart it. I
am experiencing this same issue with each member of a pilot group of eight
PCs. My GPO sets the service to a startup type of Automatic, and the
services mmc reflects same. The machines are scheduled, through the GPO, to
update at 2200 from my SUS server. This is not occuring, because the
Automatic Updates service starts then stops because it has "no work to do."
The service isn't running at 2200 to start the job.

My GPOs work just fine with my Windows 2000 boxes and my all my servers.
Just XP seems to be having difficulty. I have about 300 more machines to get
into the SUS system, after this problem is resolved.

When I try to update manually from Microsoft's Windows Updates website, I
get an error code ending in 437. I could find nothing useful on
Microsoft's support site.

Thanks,

Tina

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

Up to this point, I did not realize you had a SUS setup.
Repost this situation's details in following newsgroup
microsoft.public.softwareupdat­esvcs


Link for Outlook Express / or other newsreader

news://msnews.microsoft.com/mi­crosoft.public.softwareupdates­vcs

Following is a link to discussion group for SUS via your browser
http://tinyurl.com/3rp5h

HTH

 

[Guest]

I believe this is a workstation issue, and not a SUS issue, but I'll see if
anyone over there has some helpful ideas.

Thanks!

Tina