Automatic updates - help 64

Maciej · External Since: Mar 19, 2007 Posts: 3

Recently, every time I start windows in my laptop the "automatic update" icon
appears in the task bar and says "downloading updates 0%". It stays there
for a while, completely bogging down the computer and slowing any other
programs, especially any internet pages. After a few minutes it disappears.
What does that mean and how do I prevent it from slowing my computer down?

MowGreen MVP · External Since: Jun 28, 2004 Posts: 624

Please do these steps:

1) Show hidden files, folders, and system files
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial62.html#winxp

2) Go to Start > Run > type in

net stop wuauserv

Click OK
The Automatic Updates service will now stop

3) Navigate to
WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore
Delete the DataStor.edb file

***NOTE: This will remove the update history that one sees on the
Windows and Microsoft Update sites***

4) Open the WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download folder
Delete ALL contents of that folder

5) Open the WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\EventCache folder
Delete ALL contents of that folder

6) Close the window
7) Empty the Recycle Bin
Cool

Go back to Start > Run > type in

net start wuauserv

Click OK
The Automatic Updates service will now start

9) Restart the system

Which firewall/ security suite/ antivirus programs are installed or
being used, please ?

MowGreen [MVP 2003-2007]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============

Maciej wrote:

> Recently, every time I start windows in my laptop the "automatic update" icon
> appears in the task bar and says "downloading updates 0%". It stays there
> for a while, completely bogging down the computer and slowing any other
> programs, especially any internet pages. After a few minutes it disappears.
> What does that mean and how do I prevent it from slowing my computer down?

Maciej · External Since: Mar 19, 2007 Posts: 3

"MowGreen [MVP]" wrote:

> Please do these steps:
>
> 1) Show hidden files, folders, and system files
> http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial62.html#winxp
>
> 2) Go to Start > Run > type in
>
> net stop wuauserv
>
> Click OK
> The Automatic Updates service will now stop
>
> 3) Navigate to
> WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore
> Delete the DataStor.edb file
>
> ***NOTE: This will remove the update history that one sees on the
> Windows and Microsoft Update sites***
>
> 4) Open the WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download folder
> Delete ALL contents of that folder
>
> 5) Open the WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\EventCache folder
> Delete ALL contents of that folder
>
> 6) Close the window
> 7) Empty the Recycle Bin
> Cool

Go back to Start > Run > type in
>
> net start wuauserv
>
> Click OK
> The Automatic Updates service will now start
>
> 9) Restart the system
>
> Which firewall/ security suite/ antivirus programs are installed or
> being used, please ?
>
>
> MowGreen [MVP 2003-2007]
> ===============
> *-343-* FDNY
> Never Forgotten
> ===============
>
>
> Maciej wrote:
>
> > Recently, every time I start windows in my laptop the "automatic update" icon
> > appears in the task bar and says "downloading updates 0%". It stays there
> > for a while, completely bogging down the computer and slowing any other
> > programs, especially any internet pages. After a few minutes it disappears.
> > What does that mean and how do I prevent it from slowing my computer down?
>

I did all as specified.

I am using Norton AV 2007 (2006 from a box recently upgraded on line to the
Vista friendly 2007 version).

Windows Firewall is selected off. Windows Defender is running.

Maciej

MowGreen MVP · External Since: Jun 28, 2004 Posts: 624

Maciej wrote:

>
> "MowGreen [MVP]" wrote:
>
>
>>Please do these steps:
>>
>>1) Show hidden files, folders, and system files
>>http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial62.html#winxp
>>
>>2) Go to Start > Run > type in
>>
>>net stop wuauserv
>>
>>Click OK
>>The Automatic Updates service will now stop
>>
>>3) Navigate to
>>WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore
>>Delete the DataStor.edb file
>>
>>***NOTE: This will remove the update history that one sees on the
>>Windows and Microsoft Update sites***
>>
>>4) Open the WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download folder
>>Delete ALL contents of that folder
>>
>>5) Open the WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\EventCache folder
>>Delete ALL contents of that folder
>>
>>6) Close the window
>>7) Empty the Recycle Bin
>> Cool

Go back to Start > Run > type in
>>
>>net start wuauserv
>>
>>Click OK
>>The Automatic Updates service will now start
>>
>>9) Restart the system
>>
>>Which firewall/ security suite/ antivirus programs are installed or
>>being used, please ?
>>
>>
>>MowGreen [MVP 2003-2007]
>>===============
>> *-343-* FDNY
>>Never Forgotten
>>===============
>>
>>
>>Maciej wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Recently, every time I start windows in my laptop the "automatic update" icon
>>>appears in the task bar and says "downloading updates 0%". It stays there
>>>for a while, completely bogging down the computer and slowing any other
>>>programs, especially any internet pages. After a few minutes it disappears.
>>>What does that mean and how do I prevent it from slowing my computer down?
>>
>
>
> I did all as specified.
>
> I am using Norton AV 2007 (2006 from a box recently upgraded on line to the
> Vista friendly 2007 version).
>
> Windows Firewall is selected off. Windows Defender is running.
>
> Maciej

Are you running Vista ? Did the suggested steps bring relief to the AU
issue ?
What firewall is being used if the Windows Firewall is off ?

NAV is notorious for causing issues with the automatic updating process
whether through the web sites or via AU.

MowGreen [MVP 2003-2007]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============

Maciej · External Since: Mar 19, 2007 Posts: 3

"MowGreen [MVP]" wrote:

> Maciej wrote:
>
> >
> > "MowGreen [MVP]" wrote:
> >
> >
> >>Please do these steps:
> >>
> >>1) Show hidden files, folders, and system files
> >>http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial62.html#winxp
> >>
> >>2) Go to Start > Run > type in
> >>
> >>net stop wuauserv
> >>
> >>Click OK
> >>The Automatic Updates service will now stop
> >>
> >>3) Navigate to
> >>WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore
> >>Delete the DataStor.edb file
> >>
> >>***NOTE: This will remove the update history that one sees on the
> >>Windows and Microsoft Update sites***
> >>
> >>4) Open the WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download folder
> >>Delete ALL contents of that folder
> >>
> >>5) Open the WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\EventCache folder
> >>Delete ALL contents of that folder
> >>
> >>6) Close the window
> >>7) Empty the Recycle Bin
> >> Cool

Go back to Start > Run > type in
> >>
> >>net start wuauserv
> >>
> >>Click OK
> >>The Automatic Updates service will now start
> >>
> >>9) Restart the system
> >>
> >>Which firewall/ security suite/ antivirus programs are installed or
> >>being used, please ?
> >>
> >>
> >>MowGreen [MVP 2003-2007]
> >>===============
> >> *-343-* FDNY
> >>Never Forgotten
> >>===============
> >>
> >>
> >>Maciej wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>>Recently, every time I start windows in my laptop the "automatic update" icon
> >>>appears in the task bar and says "downloading updates 0%". It stays there
> >>>for a while, completely bogging down the computer and slowing any other
> >>>programs, especially any internet pages. After a few minutes it disappears.
> >>>What does that mean and how do I prevent it from slowing my computer down?
> >>
> >
> >
> > I did all as specified.
> >
> > I am using Norton AV 2007 (2006 from a box recently upgraded on line to the
> > Vista friendly 2007 version).
> >
> > Windows Firewall is selected off. Windows Defender is running.
> >
> > Maciej
>
> Are you running Vista ? Did the suggested steps bring relief to the AU
> issue ?
> What firewall is being used if the Windows Firewall is off ?
>
> NAV is notorious for causing issues with the automatic updating process
> whether through the web sites or via AU.
>
>
> MowGreen [MVP 2003-2007]
> ===============
> *-343-* FDNY
> Never Forgotten
> ===============
>
No, I am running XP. So far, the problem seems to be fixed - thank you.

MowGreen MVP · External Since: Jun 28, 2004 Posts: 624

You're welcome. Recommend that you exclude the SoftwareDistribution
folder from any scans done by NAV. Also, if there is a component of NAV
that blocks ActiveX scripting, check to see that the ActiveX software
controls for the Windows Update site are Allowed to run.
Hopefully, there will be no file corruption in SofwareDistribution if
NAV does not scan it.
AFAIK, there is no malware that is capapble of using that folder to
exploit/infect a system at this time.

MowGreen [MVP 2003-2007]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============

Maciej wrote:

<snipped>
>>
>>Are you running Vista ? Did the suggested steps bring relief to the AU
>>issue ?
>>What firewall is being used if the Windows Firewall is off ?
>>
>>NAV is notorious for causing issues with the automatic updating process
>>whether through the web sites or via AU.
>>
>>
>>MowGreen [MVP 2003-2007]
>>===============
>> *-343-* FDNY
>>Never Forgotten
>>===============
>>
>
> No, I am running XP. So far, the problem seems to be fixed - thank you.