Automatic Windows Updates

[Sandra]

After having the Blaster worm I'm neurotic about keeping
everything up to date now. I have set things to receive
Windows Updates automatically but how can I tell if they
are actually being downloaded. I am so far behind with
the updates it is going to take hours to download them
all. I'd like to know just what is happening as I
understand that they run in the background. Can anyone
put my mind at rest? Thanks.

[Nicholas]

Sandra --

The Windows Update history file is called "iuhist.xml"=20
and it is located in C:\Program Files\WindowsUpdate\V4.=20
This is a hidden directory so please change your view
options to show hidden files and folders.

(Control Panel > Folder Options > View)

Look in the "iuhist.xml" file.=20

You may also wish to download and run the following:

Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/?url=3D/technet/security/tools/=
Tools/MBSAhome.asp



--=20
Nicholas

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

"Sandra" > wrote in message:
...

| After having the Blaster worm I'm neurotic about keeping=20
| everything up to date now. I have set things to receive=20
| Windows Updates automatically but how can I tell if they=20
| are actually being downloaded. I am so far behind with=20
| the updates it is going to take hours to download them=20
| all. I'd like to know just what is happening as I=20
| understand that they run in the background. Can anyone=20
| put my mind at rest? Thanks.

[Papa]

Clicking on the Windows Update button should bring you to Microsoft's update
page. I just tried it, and it works fine.

"Carl" > wrote in message
...
> Anyone
> can anyone please tell me where we go to download xp updates now, seams
like
> the regular windows update site is closed.
> thanks
>
> --
> Carl
>
>

[Larry Samuels MS-MVP XP \(Shell/User\)]

You cannot get to windows update if your clock is set that far in the
future--set your date and time.

--
Larry Samuels MS-MVP (Windows-Shell/User)
Associate Expert
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://home.earthlink.net/~larrysamuels/WS2003FAQ.htm
Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
"Carl" > wrote in message
...
> Anyone
> can anyone please tell me where we go to download xp updates now, seams
like
> the regular windows update site is closed.
> thanks
>
> --
> Carl
>
>

[Maurice N]

Carl wrote:
> Anyone
> can anyone please tell me where we go to download xp updates now,
> seams like the regular windows update site is closed.
> thanks

You absolutely MUST set your date to the current month-day-YEAR. =
Having your pc's date way off is *guaranteed* to cause you a problem at =
update website. The process does use the date & time to do some =
checking.

Make very sure this pc & Windows has the correct month/day/year AND =
local time.=20

Recheck your Security & Privacy settings AND the ADVANCED settings in =
Internet Explorer browser.

1. In Internet Explorer> 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. =20
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* )

*Uncheck* Require server verification. ( * OFF * )

Use SSL 2.0 (ON / selected)
Use SSL 3.0 (ON)
=20
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.
Clear (un-check) "Require server verification (https:) for all sites in =
this zone" to *clear* the selection.=20

In the "Add this Web site to the zone:" field, add these entries to =
list of "Trusted Sites" --=20

type=20
http://www.download.windowsupdate.com (click Add)

http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

http://download.windowsupdate.com

https://a248.e.akamai.net


Click OK.=20

- - - -
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. =20
I.E. Tools>Internet Options >Advanced --scroll list. =20
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. Then retry Windows Update.


Windows Update problems should be posted into newsgroup ** =
microsoft.public.windowsupdate **
This link is for your Outlook Express=20
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windowsupdate
or if other newsreader
nntp://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windowsupdate

Use Notepad to open & look at the log file. Look at the bottom of it.
C:\Windows\Windows Update.log=20

Look at these pages at MS, scan & scroll down to appropriate section.
Windows Update Troubleshooter at MS
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/troubleshoot/

--=20
Maurice N
MVP Windows - Shell / User
-----