asked on

Cannot run Windows Updates - Error number 0x80072EFF

When I try to run Windows updates on one of my workstations it always fails. I have tried doing the following to resolve the issue but it has made no difference:

http://www.wincert.net/tips/microsoft-windows/2024-windows-update-not-working.html

and

from a command line:

net stop wuauserv
rmdir %windir%\softwaredistribution /s /q
rmdir %windir%\system32\softwaredistribution /s /q
regsvr32 /s wuaueng.dll
regsvr32 /s wuaueng1.dll
regsvr32 /s atl.dll
regsvr32 /s wups.dll
regsvr32 /s wups2.dll
regsvr32 /s wuweb.dll
regsvr32 /s wucltui.dll
net start wuauserv
pause

but it has made no difference. What should I do?
This is a Windows XP computer with SP3.

harryhelp

Have a look at the Microsoft KnowledgeBase:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/836941

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

vvramakrishna

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drdoug99

If the problem is not virus related, what usually works for me is running Dial A Fix...

http://wiki.lunarsoft.net/wiki/Dial-a-fix

Scroll down about halfway for the download link.....I usually just check the green checkmark, this selects all items. Then hit Go. Then when it's done, reboot the PC. Try windows updates again.

If that fails, then try to download the newest version of the Windows Updater Agent

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949104

What I do is force install the update agent, then reboot PC, then check for windows updates again.

To force install, you append "-wuforce" to the end of the executable file...see the picture of how I do it.
wuforce.jpg

Rob Sanders

ASKER

Thank you all for the suggestions. I will post an update as soon as I can. I can't get on this user's computer just yet to try these solutions.

jesaja

are you using an internal WSUS Server? Or is this XP stand alone?

Can you run this tool:

http://download.microsoft.com/download/9/7/6/976d1084-d2fd-45a1-8c27-a467c768d8ef/WSUS%20Client%20Diagnostic%20Tool.EXE

And

Can you post the C:\WINDOWS\windowsupde.log

Rob Sanders

ASKER

We use an internal WSUS server. I will try running the tool.

jesaja

Can you check the correct wsus path in GPO and it it is applied to this client as well with rsop.msc

should have http://localwsusserver and if you have installed it on non default port it should have :8530

Don

Try resetting windows update components

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058

Rob Sanders

ASKER

It turns out this user had a virus on their machine that was fixed by running TDSSKiller.exe in safe mode. After running this, I was able to access and run the Windows update website like normal. Thanks for all the effort.

Rob Sanders

ASKER

I gave the points to vvramakrishna because his answer was the closest to what solved the problem.

eddie-f

Just my 2 cents... I tried all of the various solutions for the Windows Update problem and the only thing that worked for me was the HitManPro suggestion by vvramakrishna. Thanks, this fixed it after trying soooo many other things!

drdoug99

If you or anyone can't run Windows Update due to a rootkit infection, then your problem is much larger than not being able to run Windows Update. my solution nearly always works, of course your computer has to be free of a virus infection, that's like common sense.

Joe Rud

+1 for Hitman Pro

sancelot

I faced this problem once, it was a disk haviing bad sectors ....

Mario Contreras

Hitman Pro 3.5 found it for me.

Thx
Rio