slashman
Don't do it . ..
Premium
join:2003-10-01
Batavia, IL
|  Problem with Automatic Update since Tuesday
I am having a weird issue since this Tuesday. I have several pcs that will slow down and then not launch any programs within a couple of minutes of launch. Even task manager will not come up.
So far I have been able to work around it by disabling Microsoft Automatic Updates and rebooting. Then everything is fine. I did AS and AV scan on the machines and they come up clean. Is this maybe a patch problem?
Today I had a client call with the same problem. Anyone else see this too? |
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La Luna
Surviving Ashraful
Premium
join:2001-07-12
Warwick, NY
clubs:
 ·Optimum Online
 ·Vonage
1 edit | Does the CPU spike up to 100%? That is what's causing the problem. Although it seems like it, it probably isn't directly related to this weeks updates, people have been having this issue, or a similar variation of it, for months and months. Mine just started this week when I tried to get the updates. MS Updates froze, no task manager, no nothing. Only rebooting with the power button helped. Others have the problem when MS AU checks for updates, like you. MS is aware of the issue and has put out a hotfix or two with varying degrees of success, mostly no good. Read the links in my last post in this thread:
»[XP Pro] Windows Update Problem
I switched from MS Updates back to Windows Updates and then I was able to get updates with no problem. I will have to get Office Updates separately as they aren't covered in Windows Updates.
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~~"As long as America is an infidel enemy, terrorizing it is a duty." Sayed Imam Abdul-Aziz el-Sheriff~~
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slashman
Don't do it . ..
Premium
join:2003-10-01
Batavia, IL
| Thanks for the info La Luna.
Maybe the issue was there all along and just coincided with this latest patch Tuesday downloads.
Interesting that I have 50+ PCs configured similiarly (MS Update with download only) and only 4 have had issues. |
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TheJoker
Premium,VIP,MVM
join:2001-04-26
Alexandria, VA
| There's a reason I have automatic updates turned off. I do install them promptly, but not until I have imaged the system first. And not just for the updates, I won't do any install until I have imaged first. Twenty minutes to do the backup is nothing compared to "Oh my god, what do I do now?"
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Proud ASAP member since 2005 |
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EGeezer
Go Bobcats
Premium
join:2002-08-04
Country!
·Callcentric
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·AT&T CallVantage
| reply to slashman
I had the same problem on two PCs. Boot time was several minutes, clicking the "custom" button in the update site caused MS windows to become unresponsive and I was unable to end IE with task manager, having to force power off to get out.
Using Process Explorer, I found svchost.exe with wuauclt.exe was the culprit, running at 90+%. When I disabled the Automatic updates service, the symptoms disappeared. When I re-enabled it, the symptoms reappeared. Only after I'd gotten all the available updates installed from the "automatic updates" did the problem subside. I wasted better than an hour and a half screwing with this mess on my laptop, which was current as of last month's patches. the unfortunate fact is that the service needs to be set to auto and running to even check Windows update - at least that's what the site message returned when I tried to check for updates.
I've since turned off notification and stopped the automatic update service and changed it to manual. When I hear of patches, I'll reconfigure it to auto and start it. I just can't afford to have my laptop sucking canal water while I'm trying to support a customer.
I don't necessarily recommend this for other folks, only if they want to deal with externally monitoring for updates and configuring the service rather than deal with performance issues if they encounter them as I did.
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The society which scorns excellence in plumbing as a humble activity and tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because it is an exalted activity will have neither good plumbing nor good philosophy: neither its pipes or its theories will hold water.
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slashman
Don't do it . ..
Premium
join:2003-10-01
Batavia, IL | Had two more people call me this morning with the same problem. I wonder if one of the latest updates has brought this utilization problem to light? |
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EGeezer
Go Bobcats
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join:2002-08-04
Country!
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1 edit | A bit OT, but for me, the performance of Windows Update seems to get worse as time goes on. I may crosslink this to the Microsoft Help forum, or maybe our office cat will move the topic.
On the one hand, it's related to security since it involves a security practice of maintaining current patches. On the other hand, it's a Microsoft application issue too, and there may be more MS people looking at it who could provide insight. |
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La Luna
Surviving Ashraful
Premium
join:2001-07-12
Warwick, NY
clubs:
·Optimum Online
·Vonage
| reply to TheJoker
said by TheJoker  :There's a reason I have automatic updates turned off...... That has nothing to do with it, I had updates set to notify only, which worked fine....I always check and choose updates before installing. Some people have the problem when AU is checking for updates, others have it, like me, when they are trying to get the updates. On or off, it can still happen.
The problem suddenly started this week when I tried to get my updates with MS Updates after notification, hadn't installed any of them yet. It hung at "checking for updates". I have never had a problem with it before, ever.
This has been an ongoing problem for other people for months and months, starting a different times, it has nothing to do with any specific update.
It is obviously some issue with MS Updates itself as switching to and updating with Windows Updates works fine.
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~~"As long as America is an infidel enemy, terrorizing it is a duty." Sayed Imam Abdul-Aziz el-Sheriff~~
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lrmayer
join:2000-02-19
Arlington, VA
| reply to slashman
I had problems on some slower machines (do not use Automatic Updates -- but a batch file to turn on services the go to Microsoft Updates and a "custom" check) -- would go off and hang and then 20 minutes to a half-hour later to an error page.
IMHO -- problem is the checking for Office Updates -- BECAUSE -- the solution which worked every time was to first just go to Office updates -- let it run and install -- very quickly. Then, second to Microsoft updates and scan and identification of the remaining updates took only a few minutes -- no hang as before. Worked every time on slower machines -- down to PII-400! |
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rdhw
join:2002-09-21
Cambridge UK
| reply to slashman
For a fix to this problem, please do BOTH of the following:
1. For 32-bit systems, download and save to hard disk, and then install:
»download.windowsupdate.com/v7/wi···-x86.exe
2. (not for Vista) Download and install update KB927891:
»support.microsoft.com/kb/927891
If the first of these produces an error message about "Update agent already installed", then execute the installer again manually, with parameter /wuforce as in:
WindowsUpdateAgent30-x86.exe /wuforce
After the fixes have been installed, doing a Microsoft Update or Automatic Update might still take some time (though not as much as before) and processor and disk usage, but it should not lock out user-level interaction with the system and applications, so it should not be an inconvenience.
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Robin Walker »homepage.ntlworld.com/robin.d.h.walker/ for broadband troubleshooting tips |
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DSL_Steve
Premium
join:2003-11-28
Woodbury, CT
1 edit | reply to slashman
I had the same problem with my wife's XP Home PC. I thought it was because I had just installed Windows Defender on her PC so I uninstalled it and rebooted. I *did* open the Task Maneger and noticed Windows update was overly active. Nice to know it has nothing to do with Defender. As an aside, my Vista PC didn't exhibit the problem. |
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JackCam614
Premium
join:2000-08-24
New Hyde Park, NY
| reply to La Luna
said by La Luna :.... Read the links in my last post in this thread: » [XP Pro] Windows Update ProblemI switched from MS Updates back to Windows Updates and then I was able to get updates with no problem. I will have to get Office Updates separately as they aren't covered in Windows Updates. Thanks La Luna,
Followed your lead and grabbed 3 High Priority updates from WU, and then went to Office Updates and pulled 5 'Required Updates'.
Many Thanks for the Heads Up.
Jack |
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La Luna
Surviving Ashraful
Premium
join:2001-07-12
Warwick, NY
clubs: | You're welcome!  |
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La Luna
Surviving Ashraful
Premium
join:2001-07-12
Warwick, NY
clubs:
·Optimum Online
·Vonage
1 edit | reply to rdhw
said by rdhw :For a fix to this problem, please do BOTH of the following: 1. For 32-bit systems, download and save to hard disk, and then install: » download.windowsupdate.com/v7/wi···-x86.exe2. (not for Vista) Download and install update KB927891: » support.microsoft.com/kb/927891If the first of these produces an error message about "Update agent already installed", then execute the installer again manually, with parameter /wuforce as in: WindowsUpdateAgent30-x86.exe /wuforce After the fixes have been installed, doing a Microsoft Update or Automatic Update might still take some time (though not as much as before) and processor and disk usage, but it should not lock out user-level interaction with the system and applications, so it should not be an inconvenience. If that is what's posted about in these links (just two examples), good results for this "fix" have been spotty at best:
»blogs.technet.com/wsus/archive/2···-on.aspx
»episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/for···1831/p/7
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~~"As long as America is an infidel enemy, terrorizing it is a duty." Sayed Imam Abdul-Aziz el-Sheriff~~
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EGeezer
Go Bobcats
Premium
join:2002-08-04
Country!
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3 edits | I noticed there's a newer version of the WGA plugin fix program, the site says May 7 update, the file date is April 24. The WindowsUpdateAgent is file dated dated April 17. On my desktop I set a restore point, installed both and will test a bit before applying to my laptop.
I'd guess the hullabaloo is driving MS to improve the process. Note that they offer free support (including phone support) for security patches and update failures. I've used them before on server problems and no one gave me any static about charges when it was for patch/security issues
EDIT - add - Thanks rdhw for the links!
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The society which scorns excellence in plumbing as a humble activity and tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because it is an exalted activity will have neither good plumbing nor good philosophy: neither its pipes or its theories will hold water.
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altermatt
Premium
join:2004-01-22
White Plains, NY
 ·Verizon Online DSL
| reply to La Luna
said by La Luna :I switched from MS Updates back to Windows Updates and then I was able to get updates with no problem. I will have to get Office Updates separately as they aren't covered in Windows Updates. La Luna, I am one of those who have the LONG wait at MU while it's "checking for updates"; by long I mean LONG, enough to actually make lunch and eat half of it today  . I don't have AU running until just before I go to MU, but I do go to MU on schedule. I would LOVE to use WU and OU separately if that would speed up the process. However, when I tried going to WU (windowsupdate.microsoft.com) today, it checked my Active X and redirected me to MU...I couldn't get it to just use WU.
Anyone have any suggestions for getting to WU without being redirected?
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The truth of a thing is the feel of it, not the think of it. -- Stanley Kubrick |
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Chillin
No i7, no care.
Premium
join:2002-04-22
Schwenksville, PA | reply to slashman
I had this issue first of the week also. Stumbled on some other forums with similar answers. I think im back on track now.
UGH.
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Graphic Disorder |
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nixen
Rockin' the Boxen
Premium
join:2002-10-04
Alexandria, VA
·Cox HSI
·Speakeasy
| reply to slashman
This happens to my laptop, periodically. One day, I'll go to unlock my PC and it's hot and frozen. I'll have to power it off and back on. A few seconds after logging in, it spikes to 100% and the damned windows update is leaking memory all over the place and eating CPU. I'll have to disable it. Eventually, I manually perform an update and Windows Update will stabilize again for a few months. Then the cycle will start all over.
The latest round started yesterday.
Sucktastic.
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Everyday, thousands of new cars are delivered to their new owners with poorly-selected radio station presets. |
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La Luna
Surviving Ashraful
Premium
join:2001-07-12
Warwick, NY
clubs:
·Optimum Online
·Vonage
| reply to altermatt
said by altermatt :said by La Luna :I switched from MS Updates back to Windows Updates and then I was able to get updates with no problem. I will have to get Office Updates separately as they aren't covered in Windows Updates. La Luna, I am one of those who have the LONG wait at MU while it's "checking for updates"; by long I mean LONG, enough to actually make lunch and eat half of it today . I don't have AU running until just before I go to MU, but I do go to MU on schedule. I would LOVE to use WU and OU separately if that would speed up the process. However, when I tried going to WU (windowsupdate.microsoft.com) today, it checked my Active X and redirected me to MU...I couldn't get it to just use WU. Anyone have any suggestions for getting to WU without being redirected? Trying going to Start>Windows Update (I know, I know, sounds wrong, but it's not), then click on "change settings" on the left side of the page. It will bring you to a page to switch to Windows Updates instead of MS Updates.
Then try to update the normal way, Start>Windows Update.
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~~"As long as America is an infidel enemy, terrorizing it is a duty." Sayed Imam Abdul-Aziz el-Sheriff~~
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La Luna
Surviving Ashraful
Premium
join:2001-07-12
Warwick, NY
clubs:
·Optimum Online
·Vonage
2 edits | reply to nixen
said by nixen :This happens to my laptop, periodically. One day, I'll go to unlock my PC and it's hot and frozen. I'll have to power it off and back on. A few seconds after logging in, it spikes to 100% and the damned windows update is leaking memory all over the place and eating CPU. I'll have to disable it. Eventually, I manually perform an update and Windows Update will stabilize again for a few months. Then the cycle will start all over. The latest round started yesterday. Sucktastic. Try what I posted above for altermatt . It worked for me (and others I came across in my mission to find out what's going on). Just remember you have to get Office updates separately. It's not a fix, but it's a workaround for now.
I haven't disabled AU notifications, they are still set to NOTIFY only. I got one this morning for Windows Defender, updated with no CPU/hanging problem.
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~~"As long as America is an infidel enemy, terrorizing it is a duty." Sayed Imam Abdul-Aziz el-Sheriff~~
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