[alatar144]

My problem is whenever I try to download updates (important and recommended ones) the Windows Update program on my Vista Home Premium 32 bit laptop trys for about 5 minutes then presents this error code! Windows then lead me to the support website where it provides me with some complicated solutions some of which I don't understand plus they haven't been updated for Vista yet which is quite frustrating! It all started about 2 months ago and to the best of my knowledge I hadn't installed anything around that time that could have changed it.

Any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks!:8}

[mphenterprises]

Hi Alatar and welcome to PCWorld. :-)




After a search on this error message, it appears that this error message is related to Windows Live Messenger. Do you use this application? If not, try to uninstall it and see if you get the same error message. To remove Windows Live Messenger, follow these steps:

- Click Start and then click Control Panel

- Under Programs, click Uninstall a program

- Double-click Windows Live Messenger

- Click Yes and follow any further prompts



You may be asked to restart your computer. Once you restart your computer, attempt to download updates. If you still get the same error message, according to this site, there may be a program running on your computer that is preventing Windows Update Services (SVCHOST) from accessing the Internet.

If you are using a third party firewall, you would have to add the following websites to your firewall exceptions list:

- http://*.update.microsoft.com

- https://*.update.microsoft.com

- http://download.windowsupdate.com

Depending on the firewall, we can attempt to guide you through that process if necessary.

[SpiritWind]

:D Hi MPH :



I saw those 2 Google Search references to Live Messenger; however, there is One that does NOT

refer to the "Messenger" at windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/93b6ab71-8b21-4b50-b40e-abb80eba29271033.mspx

From the "List" of "Suspects" there, a 3rd party firewall ( hopefully the Windows "Firewall" would NOT

prevent Windows OS Updates !? ) and proxy server would be the Main "Culprit" . Definitely need more details .

[mphenterprises]

Hi Spirit. You and I are on the same wavelength. :D That is the exact site I linked in my post. Yes, definitely more information is needed.

[alatar144]

Hi MPH

Thank you for your speedy reply! It is much appreciated!

I tried uninstalling Live Messenger unfortunately to no avail! I have also read that website you linked to and saw what was written about adding the websites to the firewall exceptions list however I am not certain on how to do that. I use Norton Internet Security 2008. (I used a free upgrade to the 2008 version in late December hoping against hope that it would solve the problem, obviously it didn't!)



By the way did you and Spirit mean you need more info from me or from Microsoft regarding the error?

Thanks!

[mphenterprises]

Well, we both meant from you; however, you have given us all the information we need at this point. So we can determine if Norton is the root cause of your problem, temporarily disable Norton Internet Security and try again. If you get the error message, no need to even think twice about adding the sites. However, if you do not get the error message, we have found our culprit.

FYI: It will be very hard to find someone within this forum that recommends Norton but since you are using it now, we can try to work with it.

[alatar144]

I tried that too but it still presented the error message.

I see what you mean about people recommending Norton, but my dad paid for my laptop and with his supposed 'buyer's right' he decided that I must have Norton, though I wanted TrendMicro. In defense of Norton we have been using Norton for something like 8 years now and we have never had a problem with it.

If you need any more information about the problem/my computer/software do let me know.

[mphenterprises]

Okay, even though the error message appeared even when Norton was disabled, let's see if we can help you add the Microsoft urls just to be on the safe side. To add a firewall rule within Norton Internet Security, follow the steps laid out by Symantec within this website. Remember, here are the three urls that Microsoft suggests to add to a third party firewall:

- http://*.update.microsoft.com

- https://*.update.microsoft.com

- http://download.windowsupdate.com





Also, again, just to be on the safe side, make sure that the Windows Firewall is disabled.

[alatar144]

I tried that too and it didn't work. The problem seems to be only with downloading the updates there aren't any problems with it actually checking for updates. I'm sorry this is so very stubborn!

[mphenterprises]

Not a problem. Tough situations are what we like around here. :D






Anyway, this is a tough situation. Do you have a problem downloading anything else, whether from Microsoft or from any vendor? The last idea I have right now is this Microsoft Knowledge Base Article. Now, one of the manual steps require you to change the registry. Be very careful when following these steps and make a backup of the registry as well as a System Restore point.

[alatar144]

I can download everything else properly. I'll give your last suggestion a go now! Thanks

[alatar144]

Thanks so much for your advice, my problem is solved! It seems that although I deleted the proxy details from my college network they mysteriously came back (possibly via a System Restore?!) and Vista was trying with all its might to connect to the proxy server whenever it could. Thank goodness! I wouldn't come across this if it wasn't for your advice! It seems the simplest solution (i.e. unchecking a few boxes and deleting some letters) was the correct one... and the hardest to find! Thank you for your trouble!

alatar144:D

[mphenterprises]

:-) No problem. It was my pleasure. Occam's Razor strikes again. LOL "The simplest solution is usually the best." If you have any other problems, please post.