Hello Judith,
At this moment, I do not know what that specific "error" is. It would
likely be one of the HTTP error-family ones.
Please review this checklist, especially the Trusted sites section, then,
retry Windows Update.
IF it fails again, attach a copy of your Windows Update.log file.
Go thru this checklist. If you have any ad-blocker program, disable or exit
it before going to Windows Update; at least until after you have your
situation fixed.
Make very sure your pc has the **correct & current date [MONTH DAY YEAR] &
local time**. Having incorrect date will give the W U processes a hiccup.
You may get to the windows update site, but yet a setting in IE could be the
blocker.
Recheck your Security & Privacy settings AND the ADVANCED settings in I.E.
1. In Internet Explorer> Tools, click Internet Options, and then click
Languages....
If this box is empty, add at least one language -- your usual 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.
Click "Require server verification (https
for all sites in this zone" to
*clear* the selection.
In the "Add this Web site to the zone:" field, add these entries to list
of "Trusted Sites" --
type
http://www.download.windowsupdate.com (and then click Add )
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com (click Add)
https://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com (yes with HTTPS)
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
http://download.windowsupdate.com
*.akamai.net (yes, akamai.net -- since August 15-16,2003 )
Click OK.
- - - -
Make sure you are not *disabling* any scripting capabilities in I.E.
Recheck ActiveX acceptance. Instead of disable, try using "prompt".
On the SECURITY Tab > Custom level button > recheck all entries
under Settings. Review items that you may have disabled.
You need to be sure to delete your temp internet cache files on a regular &
consistent basis.
I.E. Tools>Internet Options >Advanced --scroll list.
Advanced Tab>>Security sub-section:
"Enable" (click on to activate or tick) "Empty Temporary Internet Files
folder when browser is closed".
Apply changes to I.E. & exit out of it. Retry Windows Update from the main
Windows Start menus.
If it still does not work, a) The update log file would indicate if & why
each failed ---should have error code + some text ---again, for each 1.
You need to find & "isolate" the section of the log for that "fail date".
Use Windows' Notepad to open this log:
C:\Windows\Windows Update.log (for Win XP & Win98/Me)
Having found the "error" , then do a "search" on this MS page. See MS
Windows Update Troubleshooter
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/troubleshoot/
and B) as a last resort. type in or click this HTTPS address
https://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com
--
Maurice N
MVP Windows - Shell / User
"Judith" wrote