Question

Automatic updates service can't be started

Asked by: cfcindustries

Sometimes after cleaning a machine of virus's I can't get the system to run its updates. I have tryed to turn on the service but it remains disabled. I also get an error message (1058) that says it is either disabled or it has no enable devices associated with it. I have checked the bit service and it is running.

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Asked On
2008-08-06 at 13:09:45ID23627184
Tags

MIcrosoft

,

Windows XP

,

SP2

Topics

Microsoft Operating Systems

,

Microsoft Windows Operating Systems

,

Windows XP Operating System

Participating Experts
3
Points
500
Comments
16

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Answers

 

by: theProfessaPosted on 2008-08-06 at 13:26:06ID: 22174744

Try this:

1. Click on Start, then Control Panel
2. In the Control Panel, double click on Administrative Tools; then double click on Services
3. On the right hand side of the window that comes up double click on Automatic Updates
4. Click on the Log On tab at the top
5. Where it says You can enable or disable this service for the hardware profiles listed below, click on the current hardware profile and click Enable
6. Click on Apply at the bottom
7. Go to the General tab at the top, then click Start, then OK

Hopefully this helps

 

by: cfcindustriesPosted on 2008-08-06 at 13:52:27ID: 22175015

I tried what you recommended but no go. It still jumps right back to disabled.

 

by: jholland79Posted on 2008-08-06 at 14:18:41ID: 22175256

Have you tried Dial-a-fix:
http://wiki.lunarsoft.net/wiki/Dial-a-fix
Also, are there any other Events in Event Log that might suggest a solution?
John.

 

by: NizxPosted on 2008-08-06 at 14:44:56ID: 22175462

go to Services and stop Automatic Updates Service and BITS, after that go to c:\Windows folder and delete the WindowsUpdate.log file also Delete or Rename the SoftwareDistribution Folder inside c:\windows. when you do that start BITS and then start Automatic Updates services. Now monitor the c:\windows\windowsupdate.log file for possible errors.

 

by: cfcindustriesPosted on 2008-08-06 at 16:29:38ID: 22176273

I tried dial a fix (didn't work) and I tried Nizx's fix still doesn't work. This is my windows update log.

2008-08-06      16:13:29:859       328      3f8      Misc      ===========  Logging initialized (build: 7.0.6000.381, tz: -0700)  ===========
2008-08-06      16:13:29:859       328      3f8      Misc        = Process: C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
2008-08-06      16:13:29:859       328      3f8      Misc        = Module: C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuaueng.dll
2008-08-06      16:13:29:828       328      3f8      Shutdwn      Install at shutdown: no updates to install
2008-08-06      16:13:29:859       328      3f8      Shutdwn      FATAL: WUCheckForUpdatesAtShutdown failed, hr=80240FFF
2008-08-06      16:13:35:062       560      764      Misc      ===========  Logging initialized (build: 7.0.6000.381, tz: -0700)  ===========
2008-08-06      16:13:35:062       560      764      Misc        = Process: \??\C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
2008-08-06      16:13:35:062       560      764      Misc        = Module: C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuaueng.dll
2008-08-06      16:13:35:062       560      764      Shutdwn      FATAL: WUAutoUpdateAtShutdown failed, hr=80240FFF

 

by: jholland79Posted on 2008-08-07 at 01:13:00ID: 22178816

You should try running System File Checker. Click Start, Run, then type
sfc /scannow
and click OK.
If this doesn't work, I would do a repair install:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm.
Btw, are you sure that all Viruses and malware are removed?
What tools did you use?

 

by: cfcindustriesPosted on 2008-08-07 at 10:37:22ID: 22183321

I used Panda Internet Security, Hijack this, CW Shredder, Spybot S&D, and so on. I do this for a living, though I'm not perfect I am pretty sure the system is clean. I am open to any other programs that you find helpfull or if you need some logs let me know. I also tried sfc /scannow and it doesn't want to run. I will try a system repair. I have had this problem before and a repair didn't work.

 

by: jholland79Posted on 2008-08-07 at 14:18:29ID: 22185534

You might want to try SDFix:
http://downloads.andymanchesta.com/RemovalTools/SDFix_ReadMe.htm

Can you post the log from this and a hijackthis log.
Also, can you post the result of typing
sc query wuauserv
at a command prompt.

 

by: jholland79Posted on 2008-08-07 at 14:25:20ID: 22185598

Also, can you open regedit and navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wuauserv
export the (wuauserv) key and post the exported file.

 

by: cfcindustriesPosted on 2008-08-07 at 17:41:30ID: 22186730

Here's the file (wuauserv). I hope it helps, now I have a second system with the same Problem and it's driving me nuts.

 

by: jholland79Posted on 2008-08-08 at 01:04:34ID: 22188176

The following was taken from a working system. You can save it as AUFix.reg and double-click it and then see what happens to the Automatic Updates Service. Although, I think there is something else wrong here if SFC won't work. What happened when you tried it?

 

by: NizxPosted on 2008-08-08 at 07:18:51ID: 22190086

Go to this web page and install the updated activeX controls then try automatic updates again.

http://www.update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6

 

by: cfcindustriesPosted on 2008-08-08 at 10:03:28ID: 22191660

When I try to run sfc a cmd window pops up and shuts of instantly.

 

by: cfcindustriesPosted on 2008-08-08 at 10:41:51ID: 22191991

Nizx, I tried your fix with windows update but it says there are one or more services not running (automatic update service). Its a catch 22, I can't start the service it just remains disabled. I also tried AUfix and I got an error on all four of the links, it said the server was reset.

 

by: cfcindustriesPosted on 2008-08-08 at 15:51:29ID: 22194152

I just thought I should let you all know I found a fix for the updating issue. Seems that there was a registry problem and ComboFix, fixed it. The machine is updating fine now. Thank all for all of your input. It's always helpfull.

 

by: cfcindustriesPosted on 2008-08-08 at 15:54:20ID: 31484069

I awarded you both half the points because you stuck with me and kept trying to fix my problem. Thanks again.
The fix I found just in case you didn't read my last post was
ComboFix from bleepingcomputer.com

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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