Question

Windows Update webpage is blank!

Asked by: LeighWardle

On my PC I am unable to get Windows 98 Update page to "work" (I am running First Edition).

When I click on Start/Windows Update, IE 5.0 starts and gets me to the URL:
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/default.htm

After a while, the status line says "Done", but the whole page is blank.

I have looked at the source for the page- there is a whole lot of Javascript.
 
Any suggestions?


Regards

Leigh

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Asked On
2000-01-03 at 23:54:36ID10254189
Topic

Windows 98 Operating System

Participating Experts
8
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Comments
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Answers

 

by: BrainMasterPosted on 2000-01-04 at 01:45:20ID: 2322181

 

by: BrainMasterPosted on 2000-01-04 at 01:46:25ID: 2322182

 

by: GaetanoPosted on 2000-01-04 at 04:03:08ID: 2322426

Well, I think I know what the answer is.

Microsucks....

Do you really think that anything they make will ever work ?

 

by: dew_associatesPosted on 2000-01-04 at 05:22:29ID: 2322571

Leigh, try Brainmasters first suggestion and let us know how you make out!
Dennis

 

by: oldgreyguyPosted on 2000-01-04 at 07:03:20ID: 2322875

Leigh, not to be a smartaleck, but are you online when you try the update, if not try it after you sign on to the Internet.

bill

 

by: SmartGamerPosted on 2000-01-04 at 08:46:12ID: 2323200

1. The security setting for Windows Update must be "As Low As It Goes." Let it do ANYTHING. It DOES HAVE TO WRITE TO AND READ FROM YOUR HARD DISK.

2. What speed is your modem? Less than 36K? Microsoft has another page for that. They don't serve anyone with a modem slower than 36K; if you have a slow connection, they may still ignore you. Bother other people for the URL- it's not one I've committed to memory, having a DSL cable modem.

--SmartGamer

 

by: SmartGamerPosted on 2000-01-04 at 08:52:30ID: 2323220

3. If you have IE 3.X or lower, Windows Update fails. Where can you get an IE update?

Windows Update.

In other words, if you have 3.X or lower, you're S$$T out of luck. Buy an update to Windows. Sorry, but it's true- but check the Microsoft Knoledge Base to see if there is anoter way.

 

by: dew_associatesPosted on 2000-01-04 at 08:55:59ID: 2323230

SmartGamer, what in the world ever possessed you to post all of this mis-information. Windows Update will service any modem speed and it was designed around 28.8. As for IE 3.x, there's no mention of that and Win98 comes with IE 4, 4.01 and SE comes with 5.0.
Dennis

 

by: SmartGamerPosted on 2000-01-04 at 11:28:32ID: 2323654

1. Experience.
2. My father's advice, which I trust because he is a professional computer comsultant who is about the only reason the nation's banks haven't been hit with Y2K.
Okay, Dennis?
--S.G.

 

by: SmartGamerPosted on 2000-01-04 at 11:29:01ID: 2323659

Anoter source is what other people say here at EE.

 

by: BrainMasterPosted on 2000-01-04 at 12:03:54ID: 2323777

to throw in another url:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows98/downloads/corporate.asp

This is the corporate page that allows you to download the updates the "normal" way. Doesn't require the scripting the windowsupdate has but then you lose the features that scripting does allow.

 

by: LermittePosted on 2000-01-04 at 12:18:59ID: 2323827

Let me say one thing. Windows update NEVER write to your harddisk NEVER (and I can say this...) So You can run windows update with the highest security you have. It's write only to your harddisk if you donwload something to upgrade...and after you have confirm to do the update..

So leight if the first option don't work go to the second url (that from Brainmaster) If this don't go return here and give a jell..

Mario

 

by: frnzxguyPosted on 2000-01-04 at 13:39:27ID: 2324086

I use Windows Update with high security settings as well, and have used it with multiple connection speeds from around 19.2, 28.8 up to cable modem with no problem.  Occasionally, I do get that blank page myself, but if so, I use reload, and it goes away.  Try it after a fresh restart and connect to internet.

 

by: 1cellPosted on 2000-01-04 at 15:45:32ID: 2324393

Hey SmartGamer,

just for fun, while in our computer lab here, I connected to Windows Update with a 3.11 system and a 28.8 modem.

Not to say that you don't know what your talking about;or that the info you took from your daddy isn't correct; or that I don't just like doing things to prove people wrong about bad information.

 

by: LeighWardlePosted on 2000-01-04 at 16:07:31ID: 2324443

Thanks go to BrainMaster's suggestion.
The WinMag article had a link to Q193701.
Although this article applied to IE4, and I have IE5, after following Step 1 (installing the latest VBScript engine, Ver 5.1), Windows Update now works.

Thanks to all of you who contributed to the debate.  I still can't believe how fragile MS apps are!

Thanks

Leigh

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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