Dear All,
I am running Windows XP sp1. Although I am unable to download any
critical patches or service packs from the automatic updates, I am
unable to download from the MS web update site. I accept the EULA, and
the download dialogue window appears. After that, nothing happens. I
have reregistered the script files, as suggested in the troubleshoot
page, and checked that .js is properly associated. In addition to this,
I have cleared the cache and history, adjusted the LAN settings,
disabled download accelerators, spyware, etc. I have also downloaded the
iuctl.cab file and installed the contents. My computer shows the correct
date and time, and I have checked that I have a language set. I have
http1.1 set, and ssl 2.0 and ssl 3.0 set.
On another partition, I am running Windows Me, and I have no problems
with any of the updates. I have even tried manually downloading from the
updates/catalogue site, but still get the same problem.
I have tried attaching my update log file, but the message is too large
to send.
Thanks in advance, Ian

Review the troubleshooting tips in these articles:

"Software Update Incomplete, This Windows Update Software
Did Not Update Successfully" Error Message When You Visit
the Windows Update Web Site
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;319585

Windows Update Troubleshooter
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/troubleshoot/

Problems When Viewing or Downloading From Windows Update
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=193385

HOW TO: Troubleshoot Problems Connecting to Windows Update
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;818018

How To Fix The Cryptographic Service Error
http://www.updatexp.com/cryptographic-service.html

Also, visit http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/top10faqs.htm and scroll
down to "Why Can't I Download Updates" for additional troubleshooting ideas.

Visit the Windows Update newsgroup and read the messages
posted there for helpful troubleshooting tips.

The "Official" Windows Update newsgroup:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsof....windowsupdate


--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------

"i bowey" <ibowey@optusnet.com.au> wrote in message:
news:3F8A47CF.C78E32E2@optusnet.com.au...

| Dear All,
| I am running Windows XP sp1. Although I am unable to download any
| critical patches or service packs from the automatic updates, I am
| unable to download from the MS web update site. I accept the EULA, and
| the download dialogue window appears. After that, nothing happens. I
| have reregistered the script files, as suggested in the troubleshoot
| page, and checked that .js is properly associated. In addition to this,
| I have cleared the cache and history, adjusted the LAN settings,
| disabled download accelerators, spyware, etc. I have also downloaded the
| iuctl.cab file and installed the contents. My computer shows the correct
| date and time, and I have checked that I have a language set. I have
| http1.1 set, and ssl 2.0 and ssl 3.0 set.
| On another partition, I am running Windows Me, and I have no problems
| with any of the updates. I have even tried manually downloading from the
| updates/catalogue site, but still get the same problem.
| I have tried attaching my update log file, but the message is too large
| to send.
| Thanks in advance, Ian

Ian,

Attach the last few entries from the .log, not the entire log.
Then maybe someone will find what's preventing you from downloading.
Check these :
a) The HOSTS file - Remove any reference to akamai.net or Windows Update.
b) Cryptographic Services - Start the Administrative Tools utility in
Control Panel.
Double-click Services.
Right-click Cryptographic Services, and then click Properties.
Click Automatic for Startup type, and then click Start.
c) Catroot2 folder - there is log file or database corruption in the
%Systemroot%\System32\ - Click Start, and then click Run.
In the Open box, type cmd, and then click OK.
At the command prompt, type the following commands, pressing ENTER after
each line:
net stop cryptsvc
ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 oldcatroot2
net start cryptsvc
Type exit to close the command prompt

MowGreen [MS-MVP] (aka_SteveW)
*-343-* Never Forgotten

i bowey wrote:

On Mon, 13 Oct 2003 09:09:27 -0700, Mow Green <mowgreen@nowandzen.com>
wrote:


I was having problems with this myself and traced it back to a HOSTS
file entry by temporarily clearing out the HOSTS file and trying
WU...it worked.

Rather than go through it line by line (a very lengthy process
considering my extensive HOSTS file), I did a quick Google search and
found this interesting article.

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/...403496716.html

Basically, the removal of "a248.e.akamai.net" from my host file fixed
the problem, and according to the article, this is the only reference
to akami.net that needs to be removed.


--
Jeffrey Struyk
Microsoft MVP
http://support.microsoft.com
Please direct all replies to the newsgroup.

True, Jeffrey . Leaving the other akamai.net entries will block ads and
annoyances, also. One can also search the HOSTS file by opening it with
Wordpad and using the Find function from Edit. Are you employing Mike
Burgess' HOSTS file ?
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

MowGreen [MS-MVP] (aka_SteveW)

Jeffrey Struyk - MVP wrote:

On Tue, 14 Oct 2003 23:23:53 +1000, i bowey <ibowey@optusnet.com.au>
wrote:

See Mow's link from above:
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

In short, the HOSTS file can be used to block advertisements. You add
sites to the list and they are completely blocked from your machine.
It's quite effective, and there are nice people out there who have
provided sample HOSTS files for you to use, that way you can enjoy the
benefits of the technique without having to build one yourself.

The drawback is that sometimes you'll block a site that you actually
need. This is what happened to me and Windows Update. It was working
fine for me until Microsoft started using the akamai.net servers for
updates. Akamai.net also does advertising, so I had it blocked.
However, like the article to which I linked stated, as long as one
doesn't have "a248.e.akamai.net" in the HOSTS file, the HOSTS file
won't prevent Windows Update from working.

Hope this helps,
Jeff


--
Jeffrey Struyk
Microsoft MVP
http://support.microsoft.com
Please direct all replies to the newsgroup.

Dear Jeffry and Mow,
Again, thank you for your replies. Alas, nothing has changed. I have
checked the catroot2 database corruption, as well as the cryptographic
services. The only HOSTS files I have refer to a file sharing programme,
called Bearshare. They have no entries at all to various ad blockers,
etc. They only have numbers, which look like addresses.
I added part of my update log file in a previous message, so perhaps
someone will be able to find the problem in that.
Thank you for your help, Ian

Jeffrey Struyk - MVP wrote:

Bearshare is at the root of your issue. The HOSTS file, most likely
created by Bearshare, has NUMERICAL address' that correspond to
the names of sites (DNS).
Your HOSTS file contains an entry relating to a248.e.akamai.net .
Therefore, if you do not remove that entry you will not be able to
access Windows Updates.

Either :
1) Uninstall Bearshare, a known sypware containing p2p program.
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.htm#Bearshare

2) Rename your HOSTS file to HOSTS.old
3) Delete the HOSTS file

4) Remove the entry referring to a248.e.akamai.net
These are 2 possible numerical entries for a248.e.akamai.net:
207.151.118.136
207.151.118.145
They may be included within this Net Range, also :
207.151.0.0 - 207.151.255.255

5) Take your computer to a repair shop and pay them to do what we've
advised you to do for free.

MowGreen [MS-MVP] (aka_SteveW)

i bowey wrote:

Dear Mow,
I know that you will love me for this, but i still am unable to download
any updates apart from the auto updates. I have completely removed
Beashare, and ran Reg clean, just in case any references were still in
the registry to Bearshare. If you can think of anything else, I would be
more than grateful.
Again, thank you for your time and patience.
Ian

"Mow Green [MS-MVP]" wrote:

" Try this link .
https://a248.e.akamai.net/v4.windows...etmanifest.asp

You should see something like:
<catalog>
<provider />
catalog>

If you do not see this, then you are being blocked from
a248.e.akamai.net, the server that Windows Update uses to store the
update list. If this is the case, then you should look at your HOSTS
file. This file is located here:
C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\Etc (Your Windows directory might be called
WinNT or something else, and it might not be on your C drive). "

http://www.dylangreene.com/blog.asp?blogID=237

If the above doesn't resolve your issue I'm sorry to say that I can not
help you. Sorry.

MowGreen [MVP]
*-343-* Never Forgotten

i bowey wrote:

Dear Mow,
Thank You for all your time and patience. As I can see what you have
described, then I can only imagine that my problem lies elsewhere. I
will keep looking
Although it does not cure the problem, I will try downloading and
saving to disc the updates with my Windows Me operating system, on the
other partition. hopefully this will allow me to then restart the
machine to XP and the install them that way
Once again, thank you for all your help.
Ian

"Mow Green [MVP]" wrote: