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lovepeacexxx

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Windows update error.

Hi experts, i'm having problems runnnig windows update on my window xp, SP1 installation. When try to update, this is what appears on the mircosoft website

[Error number: 0x8DDD0018]
Windows Update cannot continue because a required service application is disabled. Windows Update requires the following services:
Automatic Updates enables detection, downloading, and installation of critical updates for your computer.
Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) enables faster, restartable downloading of updates.
Event Log logs Windows Update events for troubleshooting. To ensure that these services are enabled:

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. Type services.msc and then click OK.
3. In the list of services, right-click the service name, and then click Properties.
4. In the Startup type list, select Automatic.
5. Verify that the service status is started.

If this does not resolve the problem you may request help from one of the following resources.

For self-help options:
Windows Update Response Center
Windows Update Troubleshooter
Windows Update Newsgroups

For assisted support options:
Microsoft Online Assisted Support (no-cost for Windows Update issues)

I remember playing around with some of the service setting some weeks agon pior to this. However, all of the services that were mentioned in the microsoft error report are already on automatic and have been started. I wonder what else could be done to resolve this issue. Pls advise. Thank you.
 
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LeeTutor
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This question has some other advice that may be helpful:

https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/21220580/Windows-XP-unable-ot-download-updates.html
Windows XP unable ot download updates

The following advice is inside the question itself:

First I was getting an error message: # 0x8DDD0018, so I got in contacted with someone from microsoft via e-mail, and this is what the e-mail read:

This issue should be related to the service setting. I suggest check the services and then restart to see if it works.

1. Click Start --> select Run. In the Run box, type services.msc Click OK
2. Find the Background Intelligent Transfer Service. Right-click on it and select Properties
3. Click on Stop and then again click on Start. In the Startup Type list, make sure that "Automatic" is selected. Click OK
4. Similarly find Automatic Updates service. Right-click on it and select Properties
5. Click on Stop and then again click on Start. In the Startup Type list, make sure that "Automatic" is selected. Click OK
6. Close the Services window

NOTE: If you are running Ad-aware or ZoneAlarm or PC-Cillin or Norton Antivirus or Norton Internet Security or Norton Personal Firewall or McAfee or Proxomitron pop-up blocker or Ad Muncher or web accelerator e.g. "Slipstream", I would recommend you to temporarily disable or shut down any of these
installed on your system and try accessing Windows Update site. Be sure to enable them again when you complete the update process.

We have found that this issue can also occur because of the corrupt content of the Windows Update DataStore and Download folders in your system. Kindly complete the steps below to delete the contents of the Download folders:

1. Stop the Automatic Updates service
A. Click Start.
B. Choose Run.
C. In the Run box, type services.msc.
D. Click OK.
E. Right-click the Automatic Updates service.
F. Click Stop. Stopping the service will take a moment.
NOTE: The following will delete your History.

2. Delete the contents of the DataStore folder            
A. Click Start.
B. Choose Run.
C. In the Run box, type %windir%\SoftwareDistribution    
D. Click OK.
E. Clear all the file and folders in it
F. Close the window.

3. Start the Automatic Updates service
A. Click Start.
B. Choose Run.
C. In the Run box, type services.msc.
D. Click OK.
E. Right-click the Automatic Updates service.
F. Click Start. Starting the service will take a moment.


The comments made to the question also contain further advice.
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lovepeacexxx

ASKER

Hi LeeTutor , i've tried all of the methods listed above, except the one abt upgrading to SP2 (which i feel reluctant to install) and none of them is working. Any other ides ? Thanks.
What concrete reason prevents you from installing SP2? Do you own any hardware you know will not work? Or do you have any software which you know isn't compatible?

Generally I'd say upgrading to SP2 is no problem, after the you upgrade you in particular have a safer system than old XP was able to supply you with. If there is a problem after the upgrade, it is always possible to uninstall SP2 afterwards.

In my point of view there are only very view reasons these days not to upgrade to SP2!
Have you tried the Windows Update Troubleshooter?
Weirdest thing happened, i tried windows update again just a moment ago and now it works. I don't remember doing anything particular. But still, i thank everyone for their comments and help. Cheers =p
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Thanks this helped me
The key to solving error message # 0x8DDD0018 is that the Automatic Updates service must be set to start Automatically.  If you set it to start Manually, you will still get the error.