BleepingComputer.com: Windows Update Problem

Hello Everyone.

Lately, I've been noticing some problems with Windows Update. Whenever I click on WU, the window pops up but it remains blank for about a minute or two. During that time the busy "circle" is rotating...a sign that it's waiting to initialize.

After about a minute it comes up with a Red X saying I need to check for Updates. When I do this, nothing appears to happen (ie: no green bar moving) and then about 20 to 30 seconds later I get an Unknown error Code 8007041D. Also, when I click on any link within Windows Update, for example: "View Update History", I get a blank window with the word OK at the bottom.

This error is not consistent. A reboot seems to solve it. But it doesn't happen every time I use my comp. When it occurs, it always appears after bootup, not when the computer is on for a while. In other words, if it's working when I boot up the computer it will remain functional as long as I don't reboot or Log off.

Here is a portion of the Windowsupdate.log file which describes the problem. I've shown the last 2 bootups, and the latest one, March 5th is an example of the problem which you can see at the bottom. I've highlighted the issue in red.

2009-03-04 17:02:17:442 1420 165c Misc =========== Logging initialized (build: 7.2.6001.788, tz: -0500) ===========
2009-03-04 17:02:18:082 1420 165c Misc = Process: C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe
2009-03-04 17:02:19:455 1420 165c Misc = Module: c:\windows\system32\wuaueng.dll
2009-03-04 17:02:16:803 1420 165c Service *************
2009-03-04 17:02:19:611 1420 165c Service ** START ** Service: Service startup
2009-03-04 17:02:19:720 1420 165c Service *********
2009-03-04 17:02:20:219 1420 165c Agent * WU client version 7.2.6001.788
2009-03-04 17:02:20:562 1420 165c Agent * Base directory: C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution
2009-03-04 17:02:20:765 1420 165c Agent * Access type: No proxy
2009-03-04 17:02:20:843 1420 165c Agent * Network state: Connected
2009-03-04 17:03:06:146 1420 165c Agent *********** Agent: Initializing Windows Update Agent ***********
2009-03-04 17:03:06:146 1420 165c Agent *********** Agent: Initializing global settings cache ***********
2009-03-04 17:03:06:146 1420 165c Agent * WSUS server: <NULL>
2009-03-04 17:03:06:146 1420 165c Agent * WSUS status server: <NULL>
2009-03-04 17:03:06:146 1420 165c Agent * Target group: (Unassigned Computers)
2009-03-04 17:03:06:146 1420 165c Agent * Windows Update access disabled: No
2009-03-04 17:03:06:816 1420 165c DnldMgr Download manager restoring 0 downloads
2009-03-04 17:03:06:863 1420 165c AU ########### AU: Initializing Automatic Updates ###########
2009-03-04 17:03:06:863 1420 165c AU AU setting next detection timeout to 2009-03-04 22:03:06
2009-03-04 17:03:06:863 1420 165c AU # Approval type: Pre-download notify (User preference)
2009-03-04 17:03:07:877 1420 165c Report *********** Report: Initializing static reporting data ***********
2009-03-04 17:03:07:877 1420 165c Report * OS Version = 6.0.6001.1.0.66304
2009-03-04 17:03:07:877 1420 165c Report * OS Product Type = 0x00000003
2009-03-04 17:03:07:940 1420 165c Report * Computer Brand = Dell Inc.
2009-03-04 17:03:07:940 1420 165c Report * Computer Model = Dell DM051
2009-03-04 17:03:07:955 1420 165c Report * Bios Revision = A07
2009-03-04 17:03:07:955 1420 165c Report * Bios Name = Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A07
2009-03-04 17:03:07:955 1420 165c Report * Bios Release Date = 2007-01-08T00:00:00
2009-03-04 17:03:07:955 1420 165c Report * Locale ID = 1033
2009-03-04 17:03:07:986 1420 165c AU AU finished delayed initialization
2009-03-04 17:03:07:986 1420 165c AU #############
2009-03-04 17:03:07:986 1420 165c AU ## START ## AU: Search for updates
2009-03-04 17:03:07:986 1420 165c AU #########
2009-03-04 17:03:08:002 1420 165c AU <<## SUBMITTED ## AU: Search for updates [CallId = {38761B9C-9188-4064-863E-DE87C047B409}]
2009-03-04 17:03:09:281 1420 1774 Agent *************
2009-03-04 17:03:09:281 1420 1774 Agent ** START ** Agent: Finding updates [CallerId = AutomaticUpdates]
2009-03-04 17:03:09:281 1420 1774 Agent *********
2009-03-04 17:03:09:281 1420 1774 Agent * Online = No; Ignore download priority = No
2009-03-04 17:03:09:281 1420 1774 Agent * Criteria = "IsInstalled=0 and DeploymentAction='Installation' or IsPresent=1 and DeploymentAction='Uninstallation' or IsInstalled=1 and DeploymentAction='Installation' and RebootRequired=1 or IsInstalled=0 and DeploymentAction='Uninstallation' and RebootRequired=1"
2009-03-04 17:03:09:281 1420 1774 Agent * ServiceID = {7971F918-A847-4430-9279-4A52D1EFE18D}
2009-03-04 17:03:09:281 1420 1774 Agent * Search Scope = {Machine}
2009-03-04 17:03:34:522 1420 1774 Agent * Added update {87CFBE57-B258-4649-817E-B04B953C5B58}.100 to search result
2009-03-04 17:03:34:522 1420 1774 Agent * Added update {9054C29F-FDAE-4DC3-9B2B-9F7C68CFEDE4}.101 to search result
2009-03-04 17:03:34:522 1420 1774 Agent * Found 2 updates and 54 categories in search; evaluated appl. rules of 725 out of 1643 deployed entities
2009-03-04 17:03:34:647 1420 1774 Agent *********
2009-03-04 17:03:34:647 1420 1774 Agent ** END ** Agent: Finding updates [CallerId = AutomaticUpdates]
2009-03-04 17:03:34:647 1420 1774 Agent *************
2009-03-04 17:03:34:662 1420 1774 Report REPORT EVENT: {A7BC50D5-11B0-4ADC-BA98-D234D9C8A024} 2009-03-04 17:03:06:957-0500 1 202 102 {00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000} 0 0 AutomaticUpdates Success Content Install Reboot completed.
2009-03-04 17:03:34:662 1420 100c AU >>## RESUMED ## AU: Search for updates [CallId = {38761B9C-9188-4064-863E-DE87C047B409}]
2009-03-04 17:03:34:662 1420 100c AU # 2 updates detected
2009-03-04 17:03:34:662 1420 100c AU #########
2009-03-04 17:03:34:662 1420 100c AU ## END ## AU: Search for updates [CallId = {38761B9C-9188-4064-863E-DE87C047B409}]
2009-03-04 17:03:34:662 1420 100c AU #############
2009-03-04 17:03:34:678 1420 165c AU #############
2009-03-04 17:03:34:678 1420 165c AU ## START ## AU: Search for updates
2009-03-04 17:03:34:678 1420 165c AU #########
2009-03-04 17:03:34:678 1420 165c AU <<## SUBMITTED ## AU: Search for updates [CallId = {503F2C51-2F3A-4F4B-AAA0-3E39F44950A0}]
2009-03-04 17:03:34:694 1420 1774 Agent *************
2009-03-04 17:03:34:694 1420 1774 Agent ** START ** Agent: Finding updates [CallerId = AutomaticUpdates]
2009-03-04 17:03:34:694 1420 1774 Agent *********
2009-03-04 17:03:34:694 1420 1774 Agent * Online = Yes; Ignore download priority = No
2009-03-04 17:03:34:694 1420 1774 Agent * Criteria = "IsInstalled=0 and DeploymentAction='Installation' or IsPresent=1 and DeploymentAction='Uninstallation' or IsInstalled=1 and DeploymentAction='Installation' and RebootRequired=1 or IsInstalled=0 and DeploymentAction='Uninstallation' and RebootRequired=1"
2009-03-04 17:03:34:694 1420 1774 Agent * ServiceID = {7971F918-A847-4430-9279-4A52D1EFE18D}
2009-03-04 17:03:34:694 1420 1774 Agent * Search Scope = {Machine}
2009-03-04 17:03:34:694 1420 1774 Setup Checking for agent SelfUpdate
2009-03-04 17:03:34:694 1420 1774 Setup Client version: Core: 7.2.6001.788 Aux: 7.2.6001.788
2009-03-04 17:03:34:787 1420 1774 Misc Validating signature for C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\WuRedir\9482F4B4-E343-43B6-B170-9A65BC822C77\muv3wuredir.cab:
2009-03-04 17:03:34:850 1420 1774 Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2009-03-04 17:03:48:656 1420 1774 Misc Validating signature for C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\WuRedir\9482F4B4-E343-43B6-B170-9A65BC822C77\muv3wuredir.cab:
2009-03-04 17:03:48:656 1420 1774 Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2009-03-04 17:03:48:765 1420 1774 Agent Checking for updated auth cab for service 7971f918-a847-4430-9279-4a52d1efe18d at http://update.microsoft.com/v8/microsoftup...edir/MUAuth.cab
2009-03-04 17:03:48:765 1420 1774 Misc Validating signature for C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\AuthCabs\authcab.cab:
2009-03-04 17:03:48:780 1420 1774 Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2009-03-04 17:03:51:276 1420 1774 Misc Validating signature for C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\AuthCabs\authcab.cab:
2009-03-04 17:03:51:292 1420 1774 Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2009-03-04 17:03:51:308 1420 1774 Misc Validating signature for C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\WuRedir\9482F4B4-E343-43B6-B170-9A65BC822C77\muv3wuredir.cab:
2009-03-04 17:03:51:323 1420 1774 Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2009-03-04 17:03:51:354 1420 1774 Misc Validating signature for C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\WuRedir\9482F4B4-E343-43B6-B170-9A65BC822C77\muv3wuredir.cab:
2009-03-04 17:03:51:354 1420 1774 Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2009-03-04 17:03:51:401 1420 1774 Misc Validating signature for C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\SelfUpdate\wuident.cab:
2009-03-04 17:03:51:417 1420 1774 Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2009-03-04 17:03:51:510 1420 1774 Misc Validating signature for C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\SelfUpdate\wuident.cab:
2009-03-04 17:03:51:526 1420 1774 Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2009-03-04 17:03:51:557 1420 1774 Misc Validating signature for C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\SelfUpdate\wsus3setup.cab:
2009-03-04 17:03:51:588 1420 1774 Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2009-03-04 17:03:51:620 1420 1774 Misc Validating signature for C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\SelfUpdate\wsus3setup.cab:
2009-03-04 17:03:51:635 1420 1774 Misc Microsoft signed: Yes
2009-03-04 17:19:55:665 1420 165c Shutdwn user declined update at shutdown
2009-03-04 17:19:55:665 1420 165c AU AU initiates service shutdown
2009-03-04 17:19:55:665 1420 165c AU ########### AU: Uninitializing Automatic Updates ###########
2009-03-05 10:22:11:477 3932 aa0 Misc =========== Logging initialized (build: 7.2.6001.788, tz: -0500) ===========
2009-03-05 10:22:11:508 3932 aa0 Misc = Process: C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
2009-03-05 10:22:11:508 3932 aa0 Misc = Module: C:\Windows\system32\wucltux.dll
2009-03-05 10:22:11:477 3932 aa0 WUApp FATAL: Failed to initialize WU app, hr=8007041D
2009-03-05 10:22:41:522 3932 aa0 WUApp WARNING: Cannot load updates because AU service is not available, hr=80010108
2009-03-05 10:22:41:522 3932 aa0 WUApp WARNING: Failed to load the update list, error 80010108
2009-03-05 10:22:41:522 3932 aa0 WUApp WARNING: Failed to populate update list with error 80010108
2009-03-05 10:23:11:552 3932 aa0 WUApp WARNING: Error displaying Opted In Service summary: 8007041D

Finally, I got this error in Event Viewer.

Log Name: System
Source: Microsoft-Windows-DistributedCOM
Date: 3/3/2009 3:13:41 PM
Event ID: 10005
Task Category: None
Level: Error
Keywords: Classic
User: N/A
Computer: Dell5150
Description:
DCOM got error "1053" attempting to start the service wuauserv with arguments "" in order to run the server:
{9B1F122C-2982-4E91-AA8B-E071D54F2A4D}Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
<System>
<Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-DistributedCOM" Guid="{1B562E86-B7AA-4131-BADC-B6F3A001407E}" EventSourceName="DCOM" />
<EventID Qualifiers="49152">10005</EventID>
<Version>0</Version>
<Level>2</Level>
<Task>0</Task>
<Opcode>0</Opcode>
<Keywords>0x80000000000000</Keywords>
<TimeCreated SystemTime="2009-03-03T20:13:41.000Z" />
<EventRecordID>267043</EventRecordID>
<Correlation />
<Execution ProcessID="0" ThreadID="0" />
<Channel>System</Channel>
<Computer>Dell5150</Computer>
<Security />
</System>
<EventData>
<Data Name="param1">1053</Data>
<Data Name="param2">wuauserv</Data>
<Data Name="param3">
</Data>
<Data Name="param4">{9B1F122C-2982-4E91-AA8B-E071D54F2A4D}</Data>
</EventData>
</Event>


I am running Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 fully patched.

Any ideas?

Was this overlooked? Help please.

Also, I tried email support with Microsoft. For about 4 days now, it says that there is a problem with email support...

The error messages that you've highlighted cite that the Windows Update service isn't working.
You can start it from an elevated command prompt by typing "net start wuauserv" (without the quotes) and pressing Enter.

The DCOM error was from 3/3 - whereas the errors you've marked in red are from 3/5
I don't know why the Windows Update service was shutdown (on 3/4), but it appears that it never restarted.

Ran services.msc and the BITS & WUAUSERV services were already started....but I still have this problem...

Trust me, I've tried EVERYTHING.

- Chkdsk /f /r
- System Restore
- Cleanmgr
- sfc /scannow
- Startup repair
- re-registered Windows Update components
- even tried with different user accounts, Admins & Standard Users

All the above failed to correct the issue.

The amazing thing...is that this problem is not consistent. Sometimes, everything works fine and sometimes it does not. Only after I boot up will I know.

However, I have found that all the problems occur TOGETHER....they are NEVER on their own. Somehow, they are related to a deeper problem.

- Windows Update problem as above
- USB flash drive taking a long time to display in My Computer after plugging it in
- when I select System Restore button under System Protection....nothing happens. After a few minutes I get the menu of restoring the computer to an earlier time...this menu used to come up IMMEDIATELY
- when using Acronis True Image....it hangs when trying to lock the D: drive (a non-OS drive)
- shutdown times are long. Comp hangs at "Shutting Down"....the HD goes silent for about 2 minutes, then fires up again and then the computer finally shuts down.

They are always the same issues, but when any one of them work, then the rest work. It's like Windows is funky and will decide whether to behave well or behave badly.

No, I don't have a virus/spyware/scumware/poopware
No, it is not a tumor....

This all started about 3 weeks ago....never installed anything I wasn't supposed to install....didn't change settings or anything.

This is frustrating me to all ends....geez, even the MS$ email support site has been down for 5 days now, so I can't email them.

Vista is worse then Windows ME...take a look at all the posts I have in the Vista forum including the 100+ post from a year back regarding an ACL permissions issue that appeared out of thin air. I was amazed that I actually corrected that issue. If you read overall the feedback on Vista...it is not good. There is a serious issue with this operating system...especially Windows Update and Shutdown problems.

Also, with Windows XP, you could do a repair install by re-installing Windows without touching your programs & files. With Vista, it's either a Startup Repair, a System Restore, a Complete Restore or the Command prompt. Why no Repair install???!!!

Please, if someone has some expert advice that would help, then post it here. If the mods don't have a clue....then no problem, say so and I'll do a Restore image before this circus came to town.

I don't plan on going back to XP....it will take far too long to re-install all my updates & programs. Time is not a luxury for me now.

Peace and out..

have you tried this?

System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Vista

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...;DisplayLang=en

Overview
This tool is being offered because an inconsistency was found in the Windows servicing store which may prevent the successful installation of future updates, service packs, and software. This tool checks your computer for such inconsistencies and attempts to resolve issues if found.

I believe that my Windows Update problem is only a symptom of a much more complicated problem. As I said in a previous post. I always have ALL the problems that I listed or NONE of the problems.

Conclusion? They are not related to each other but rather related to a common problem.

I've narrowed the problem down to this:

I'm getting a 30000 millisecond timeout on a number of services in the Event Viewer. The Event ID is always 7011 and it references Service Control Manager. Some of the services that timeout are:

ShellHWDetection
BITS
seclogon
Schedule
RasMan
MMCSS
CertPropSvc
wuauserv (which is Windows Update)

and also Event 10005, Distributed COM which is the DCOM Error 1053 which I described in my 1st post.

I've looked on the net and am getting nowhere on how to fix this problem.

Do a system restore or a reinstall

Have you scanned with Malwarebyte's AntiMalware, just to make sure?
http://www.majorgeeks.com/Malwarebytes_Ant...ware_d5756.html

Quote

Already did that, among other scans. Actually, it was my first suspicion on this problem. As I said in a earlier post...I have no viruses, spyware, etc.

Quote

Ran out of patience...so I restored an image from Acronis. All is well now. I just have to re-install a few updates from the last month & and half.