Microsoft's Stealth Update of Windows Update Backfires - Big Time

Mark Soper — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 22:58:22 -0500

Recently, I wrote about a wonderful Windows XP repair utility called Dial-a-fix, which I used to repair a serious Windows Update problem on a client's system. For those of you just tuning in, the system had over 70 updates waiting in the wings that simply wouldn't install after I ran a repair installation of Windows XP. Dial-a-fix solved the problem in mere moments, putting Windows Update back to work installing vital security patches and updates. I was happy, but I wondered exactly what had gone wrong with Windows Update...

Be Vewwwy Quiet! I'm Installing Updates!

It turns out that the problem is related to Windows Update patches that Microsoft issued back in July and August for Windows XP. These patches (known as version 7.0.600.381) were installed not only on systems that used the default automatic installation setting, but also on systems that were configured to download but not install updates and even on systems that were configured only to check for updates! According to ZDNet's Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, the only systems unaffected are those configured never to check for updates.

Privacy mavens griped, but the Microsoft PR department went to work to persuade us it was in everyone's best interest to keep Windows Update up to speed. Frankly, it didn't seem like a big deal - until it was time to perform a repair installation of Windows XP.

Run a Windows XP Repair Install and Get Disabled Windows Update - Free!

The Windows Secrets website reported on Saturday that the changes in Windows Update files prevent it from working properly after a repair installation of Windows XP, leaving as many as 80 updates in limbo.

Why Dial-a-fix Solves the Problem - and How to Fix the Problem the Hard Way

The problem with Windows Update is caused by a problem with the installer for the .381 update, which fails to register seven .DLL files with the operating system. Windows Secrets provides a script you can use to register the files; it's also available from ZDNet, but there's an easier way: use Dial-a-fix and select the option to repair Windows Update. Dial-a-fix reregisters the .DLL files used by Windows Update.

Windows Update Needs an Update - Now!

Windows Update is critical to the safe operation of Windows-based systems. It's vital that Microsoft make sure it covers all the bases before it rolls out the next update to Windows Update. Some may suggest that repair installations are a rare occurence, but it's been one of the best ways to straighten out a bad system. Ironically, in this case a repair installation just makes matters worse.

-------------------------------------------------------

Mark Soper teams up with technology legend Leo Laporte to solve problems with your Windows XP SP2-based computer's hardware, software, and accessories in Leo Laporte's PC Help Desk, available at Amazon.com and other fine bookstores.

Broken Windows Fixed Quick with Dial-a-Fix

Marcus Soperus — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 23:53:49 -0500

When Windows Update gets broken, Windows is a crippled operating system, unable to fend off the latest security threats, unless you're willing to spend the time digging through the Windows Knowledge Base looking for patches to install.

It's no fun looking at a fresh (or refreshed) installation of Windows XP SP2 and see that there are over 70 updates waiting to be installed - but every time you try to install them, the installer rolls over and plays dead after a few seconds.

Dial-a-fix to the Rescue

When this happened to me recently, I spend a lot of time Googling my way through various forums and newsgroups, and after awhile, a common thread appeared: try a program called Dial-a-fix. Lots of users with broken Windows Update functions were swearing by Dial-a-fix.

They're right. I installed it, clicked the Fix Windows Update checkbox, and in just a couple of minutes, I was able to install every one of those 70+ updates.

So, What Is Dial-a-fix, Anyway?

In the words of its creator, "DjLizard," (also known as Michael Cooke):

Dial-a-fix is a collection of known fixes gleaned from Microsoft Knowledgebase articles, Microsoft MVPs, and other important support forums...

As the figure shows, Dial-a-fix is designed to repair problems in five major areas: Prep, MSI (Windows Installer), WU/WUAU (Windows Update/Automatic Update, SSL/HTTPS/Cryptography, and component registration.

According to creator Michael Cooke;

Dial-a-fix's primary philosophy is to fix problems by setting various things back to their original Microsoft defaults.

A close look at the menu shows that Dial-a-fix works by stopping and restarting some services, re-registering some components, and performing other maintenance tasks - all from a single GUI.

Dial-a-fix Versus Manual Repairs

Dial-a-fix has two big advantages over manual Windows fixes:

It performs many repairs with a single selection
It repairs not only the obvious problems but other Windows features that work together with the feature you're trying to fix.

For example, if you wanted to fix Windows Update manually, you would need to run a complex series of command-line statements to stop services, reregister over a dozen .dll files, then restart two services. And, because other problems can also affect Windows Update, Dial-a-fix also automatically selects repairs for SSL/HTTPS/Cryptography and programming cores/runtimes.

Learning How to Perform Manual Repairs with Dial-a-fix

To learn exactly what Dial-a-fix does, make sure tooltips are selected, then hover your mouse over any checkbox: Dial-a-fix pops up the steps it will perform when the option is selected. In this example, the steps needed to stop Windows Update services are listed.

Even though you'll probably decide that Dial-a-fix is an easier way to fix the problems it's designed to handle, reviewing the steps it takes to perform a repair provides a crash course in how to use command-line utilities like Net Start, Net Stop, and
SC.

Getting Your Hands on Dial-a-fix

You can download Dial-a-fix from the Dial-a-fix section of Djlizard's website. It's free to use, but donations are appreciated (and worth making). Dial-a-fix works with any 32-bit version of Windows from Windows 98 through Windows XP and Server 2003.

Maximum PC Dial-a-fix RSS Feed