Windows Update Problem

tlerew325 · 11-01-2009, 05:40 PM

Hello all;

It's been a while since I've had to post here, but now I have a new problem that I can't seem to solve. I removed virus(es) from a machine for my company (using Remote Desktop Connection). I ran a number of different virus scans on the computer (Windows XP Pro SP3), and the machine runs fine with no signs of the virus (popups, redirects, etc.).

The problem is that one of the many things the virus did was shut down Automatic Updates in Windows Services. If I turn it back on, two minutes later it shuts off again and without it, I cannot download updates from Microsoft.com. I can download and install updates manually if I know what files to download, but Windows Update Site will not check for updates.

I've went thru Windows Troubleshooting from their site, went to a few other geek sites that I post on, and no one has the fix. How can I turn Automatic Updates back on and make it stay on. There is possibly something still on my machine or changes the virus made before it was removed is causing this problem. How can I fix???

N.V.M. · 11-01-2009, 07:19 PM

i think you have to ask why a service still shuts itself down.

Davis · 11-01-2009, 10:56 PM

Most likely there is some form of malware/virus that is keeping the service disabled. Download "Hijackthis" and run it to check the output for what is currently running on your system, and check google on any programs that don't look familiar.

dallas2727 · 11-02-2009, 06:47 AM

check out msconfig, and also try booting in safe mode.

tlerew325 · 11-02-2009, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davis

Most likely there is some form of malware/virus that is keeping the service disabled. Download "Hijackthis" and run it to check the output for what is currently running on your system, and check google on any programs that don't look familiar.

I have run every virus/malware scan I have - combofix, Defender, SpyBot, Spyware Doctor, Registry Mechanic, Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool, AVG, MalwareBytes, etc. along with a number of Symantec's Virus Removal Tools. I cannot find anything else on this machine - I have looked at the Registry Windows Start Programs and running processes and nothing looks unfamilar.

Is there a way that I can find out what is shutting down Automatic Updates? It doesn't say in Event Log Viewer what actually shuts it down, just when.

Help me, I'm drowning...

LOL - thanks for your responses so far...

dallas2727 · 11-02-2009, 09:19 AM

did you follow my advice?

tlerew325 · 11-02-2009, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dallas2727

did you follow my advice?

I'm sorry for not directing my response to your comment. Yes, I looked at msconfig - in services Automatic Updates was shut down and nothing unusual in Startup.

I re-ran SpyDoctor (PCTools - full version) and it found viruses that I had already removed with various scans - obviously they came back.

I turned off System Restore and started in Safe Mode a re-ran SpyDoctor and it came up clean. Automatic Updates is still disabled and if I change it to Automatic and start the service it disables after about two minutes.

One of the viruses it removed was Vundo.

I ran the Symantec Vundo tool and it found nothing after SpyDoctor removed it and I restarted.

It seems clean again, but Updates will not stay on.

I'm lost...

Flunk · 11-02-2009, 06:41 PM

Reinstall Windows, you'll save time in the long run. Looking for issues like this takes more time than a fresh image/install.

Georules · 11-02-2009, 06:47 PM

Is there a reason why you can't just reformat and reinstall the system? It would be easier than trying to debug this issue.

edit: what flunk said.

tlerew325 · 11-03-2009, 04:58 AM

The main issue is that I am in Ohio and the computer is at our Distributor in Vancouver. I have been working on this computer via Remote Desktop Connection trying to fix it. The guys at the office in Vancouver are not computer savvy and could not do this (there is more to set up than just Windows - Peachtree Server, Term Server Conection, etc.).

11-01-2009, 05:40 PM	#1
tlerew325 softcore 1st class Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio Posts: 37	Windows Update Problem Hello all; It's been a while since I've had to post here, but now I have a new problem that I can't seem to solve. I removed virus(es) from a machine for my company (using Remote Desktop Connection). I ran a number of different virus scans on the computer (Windows XP Pro SP3), and the machine runs fine with no signs of the virus (popups, redirects, etc.). The problem is that one of the many things the virus did was shut down Automatic Updates in Windows Services. If I turn it back on, two minutes later it shuts off again and without it, I cannot download updates from Microsoft.com. I can download and install updates manually if I know what files to download, but Windows Update Site will not check for updates. I've went thru Windows Troubleshooting from their site, went to a few other geek sites that I post on, and no one has the fix. How can I turn Automatic Updates back on and make it stay on. There is possibly something still on my machine or changes the virus made before it was removed is causing this problem. How can I fix??? __________________ Todd AMD Athlon 64 3.2GHz 2GIG RAMM (DDR2) NVIDIA GeFORCE MB PNY GeFORCE PCI-E Video (512MB) 320GB WD HDD (SATA), 320GB Seagate HDD (SATA) Lite-On 52x CDRW, Lite-ON DVDRW Windows XP (SP2)

11-01-2009, 07:19 PM	#2
N.V.M. now...a cartoon Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: North Vancouver,B.C.. Posts: 5,518	Re: Windows Update Problem i think you have to ask why a service still shuts itself down.

11-01-2009, 10:56 PM	#3
Davis Possibly Guru? Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 3,820	Re: Windows Update Problem Most likely there is some form of malware/virus that is keeping the service disabled. Download "Hijackthis" and run it to check the output for what is currently running on your system, and check google on any programs that don't look familiar. __________________ Gigabyte P35-DS4 Intel Q6600 2.4GHz 8GB Mushkin XP2-8500 LG 20x18x18 sata burner 3x Segate 500gb 32M cache SATA 3.0 Evga GTX260 216core 896MB Audigy X-FI XtremeMusic Antec P130

11-02-2009, 06:41 PM	#8
Flunk Vampire Hater Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 4,313	Re: Windows Update Problem Reinstall Windows, you'll save time in the long run. Looking for issues like this takes more time than a fresh image/install. __________________ Fatal error: Uncaught exception 'Exception' with message 'Value must be 1 or below' in \www\hardcoreware.net\forum\index.php:623 Stack trace: #0 \www\hardcoreware.net\forum\index.php(12): checkNum(28) #1 {main} thrown in \www\hardcoreware.net\forum\index.php on line 623

11-02-2009, 06:47 PM	#9
Georules Serpens Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 7,893	Re: Windows Update Problem Is there a reason why you can't just reformat and reinstall the system? It would be easier than trying to debug this issue. edit: what flunk said. __________________ Desktop: Pentium D 830 2Ghz, ECS 945P-A, nVidia XFX GF7200, 1GB ram, 1.5 TB, Ubuntu 9.04 Laptop: Asus F3J, Core2Duo T7200 2Ghz, ATI x1700, 2GB ram, 150 GB, Windows Vista Minitop: MSI Wind U120, Intel Atom, 1GB ram, 160 GB, Ubuntu 9.04

11-03-2009, 04:58 AM	#10
tlerew325 softcore 1st class Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio Posts: 37	Re: Windows Update Problem The main issue is that I am in Ohio and the computer is at our Distributor in Vancouver. I have been working on this computer via Remote Desktop Connection trying to fix it. The guys at the office in Vancouver are not computer savvy and could not do this (there is more to set up than just Windows - Peachtree Server, Term Server Conection, etc.). __________________ Todd AMD Athlon 64 3.2GHz 2GIG RAMM (DDR2) NVIDIA GeFORCE MB PNY GeFORCE PCI-E Video (512MB) 320GB WD HDD (SATA), 320GB Seagate HDD (SATA) Lite-On 52x CDRW, Lite-ON DVDRW Windows XP (SP2)

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