Problem solved - for those interested I have included a copy of the lenghty
correspondence with the Microsoft Security Essentials Support Group
who I contacted separately because Microsoft Security Essentials update
would also not work. They solved both problems with
"Please click on the below link to run Windows Update Fix It tool
[URL="http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9665683"]http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9665683[/URL] "
"copy of correspondence follows ..................
Siva,
Firstly, thank you so much for the prompt and detailed response.
You have solved the problem.
I recommend you read this entire reply as it may
be of some assistance in helping others.
Firstly, I think my problem was in the update agent. This was probably a
larger issue than
updating Microsoft Security Essentials.
I also could not update Windows.
When I tried to do a manual Windows Update I got the following message.
"Files required to use Microsoft Update are no longer registered or
installed on your computer. To continue:
Register or reinstall the files for me now (Recommended)
Let me read about more steps that might be required to solve the
problem.
continue"
When I select :Register or reinstall ......................"
It says it downloads the latest update software and registers but then I get
the same message as above.
And it will not download updates manually even after it downloads the update
files
and apparently registers my computer as valid.
If I select "Let me read about more steps ......................"
I have been unable to find a solution.
Both the above Windows Update and the Microsoft Security Essentials problems
were solved by
Windows Update Fix It tool
[URL="http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9665683"]http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9665683[/URL]
See my comments in red below.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
----- Original Message -----
From: Microsoft Customer Support
To: a.baba.cut.DeleteThis@mindspring.com
Sent: Saturday, July 31, 2010 9:32 AM
Subject: SRX1136185994ID -
Dear Ron,
My name is Siva, and I am with the Microsoft Security Essentials Technical
Support Team. I'll be assisting you with your case number 1136185994.
From your case description, I understand that you are unable to update virus
and spyware definitions for Microsoft Security Essentials in your computer.
If I have misunderstood, please do not hesitate to let me know.
Ron, this issue may be caused due to one of the following reasons:
· Incorrect System Date and Time settings
· Incorrect Browser Settings
· Corruption of Windows Update Components
· Network Connectivity problem
I will certainly help you to fix this issue, but during the course of
troubleshooting, if we find that we require assistance from any other
department within or out of Microsoft, I will guide you accordingly.
To rule out the possible conflicts and get a faster resolution, we shall go
ahead and try the following steps:
Step 1:- TDSS Root kit infection removal tool
Step 2:- Date and time updates
Step 3:- Windows update fixit
Note: Please try the following steps in the same order as provided above. If
Step 1 did not work, please proceed to the next step. Please note down any
error messages or notable changes you find as you try the steps.
Let's follow the troubleshooting steps given below, step by step, and please
make sure that you try to update the Virus and Spyware definitions after
each step.
Step 1:
1. Download and run the TDSSKiller.exe from the below link:
[URL="http://support.kaspersky.com/downloads/utils/tdsskiller.exe"]http://support.kaspersky.com/downloads/utils/tdsskiller.exe[/URL]
2. Scan will be performed in the command prompt.
3. Once the scan completes, please restart the computer.
4. Try to perform the definition updates for Microsoft Security
Essentials now.
Done - no problems found.
Step 2:
1. Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > Run
2. For your information, in Windows XP, Run is in the start menu - it
does not exist in Start > All programs > Accessories > Run
3. at least on my computer
4. Type Timedate.cpl in the Run window and click ok
3. You will get the Time and Date settings window.
4. Please change your system's Date and Time if the system's Date and
Time settings on your computer are incorrect.
5. Try to update the Virus and Spyware Definitions
The date clock were correct but I did this anyway. Did not solve my
problem.
To tackle incorrect Browser Settings
· Please click on the below link to reset the Internet Explorer
settings [URL="http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9646978"]http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9646978[/URL]
Set Internet Explorer as Default Browser:
1. Exit all programs, including Internet Explorer (if it is
running).
2. Click Start and type inetcpl.cpl in the Run box, and then press
ENTER.
3. The Internet Options dialog box appears.
4. On Programs tab, click on "Make Default" button to set the
Internet Explorer as default browser.
5. Click Apply, click close.
Done.
Step 3:
Please follow the below steps to reset the Proxy Settings
1. Click the "Start" Button, click "All programs", and click "Accessories".
2. Left-click "Command Prompt.
3. Type "netsh winhttp reset proxy" (without quotes) at the command prompt,
and press Enter.
4. Try the update again.
When I do this the command prompt I get is C:\Documents and Settings\Owner>
When I type netsh winhttp reset proxy and hit enter I get
"The following command was not found: winhttp reset proxy
Note - the "netsh" part is missing.
The update is still not functional.
Windows Update Repair
To tackle any corruption of Windows Update Components
Please click on the below link to run Windows Update Fix It tool
[URL="http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9665683"]http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9665683[/URL]
This step solved both my problems.
_________________________________________________________________________________
> "Roy Smith" wrote in message
> On 7/30/2010 11:16 PM, Ron Patterson wrote:
>> Yes - I agree LV - I tried to do just that. I like stripping things
>> down
>> and starting from scratch. The Dell Windows XP reinstallation media disc
>> however, which was in a sealed paper folder, would not play. I have
>> verified the installed copy of XP is genuine.
>>
>> I want to try loading my good Win XP disc, but I am afraid that I will
>> lose
>> some good Dell features like the battery power meter?
>> Whatcha think?
>>
>> Ron
>>
>>
>>
>> "LVTravel" wrote in message
>
>>>
>>>
>>> "Ron Patterson" wrote in message
>>
>>>> Just purchased a refurbished Dell laptop thru a third party vendor who
>>>> is
>>>> no
>>>> help at all with this problem. It has Win XP installed. I have
>>>> Automatic
>>>> Windows Update turned off. When I try to update manually I get the
>>>> following message.
>>>> "Files required to use Microsoft Update are no longer registered or
>>>> installed on your computer. To continue:
>>>> Register or reinstall the files for me now (Recommended)
>>>> Let me read about more steps that might be required to solve the
>>>> problem.
>>>> continue"
>>>>
>>>> When I select :Register or reinstall ......................"
>>>>
>>>> It says it downloads the latest update software and registers but then
>>>> I
>>>> get
>>>> the same message as above.
>>>> And it will not download updates manually even after it downloads the
>>>> files
>>>> and apparently registers my computer as valid.
>>>>
>>>> If I select "Let me read about more steps ......................" I
>>>> have
>>>> been unable to find a solution.
>>>>
>>>> I can't even use the "Change settings" option to set it to automatic to
>>>> see
>>>> if that works (thought I greatly prefer to select what I wish to
>>>> install).
>>>>
>>>> This has been making me nuts.
>>>>
>>>> Ron Patterson
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>> Personally when I purchase a second hand computer (third party) I would
>>> want to totally strip the computer and reinstall the operating system
>>> from
>>> scratch or from the original Dell reinstallation media that you should
>>> have received with the purchase. You should see a Windows COA on the
>>> computer and that tells you what version of Windows was licensed by Dell
>>> when the computer was originally shipped. This is what should be
>>> installed and you should have the installation media for. If not,
>>> contact
>>> Dell through the web site and purchase a set (minimal cost) of rebuild
>>> media.
>
> One other thing you'll have to consider is that if you did not use
> Dell's restore media you will also need to obtain all of the correct
> device drivers for the hardware. You should be able to go to Dell's
> website and be able to download not only the device drivers, but any
> additional software that they install.
>
>
> --
>
> Roy Smith
> Windows 7 Professional
> Thunderbird 3.1.1
> Saturday, July 31, 2010 6:02:37 AM >> Stay informed about: Can't update 
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