I'm sorry but I've drawn a complete blank today with issues going on. Somehow I had a service interruption and everything went awry. Received error messages "Couldn't find server" and slowness in loading. Called the provider and they helped with restoring. What is troubling me is that I noticed the yellow shield in the registry that MS was downloading updates which I have selected the automatic mode to accomplish. When I placed the cursor on the shield it showed 0% and that's all. Usually it shows the progress but today not.
I have completely forgot how to check on updates other than going to Add/Remove where it displays the date updates were installed and that's it. Could you please give me simple, step by step instructions on what to do next. This is probably so minor and boring but the old noodle is not firing. Thanks so much in advance as I am so grateful.
It's been a while, good to hear from you and thank you for jumping in to help. Did I understand that by following the steps given it will advise me if the updates were successful or is this just the method for obtaining necessary updates. I'm still a little confused with respect to this, sorry. Would appreciate a little clarification. Take care my friend.
This system is win xp, I've never had vista. But when i go to that site it offers the opportunity to "Review Your Update History", and that shows the successful updates with a green checkmark.
No, I have Windows XP Professional 32-bit SP3 here, not Vista. Sounds like we both have the same OS. Before getting back I tried the steps you gave. As usual MS ran me around the mulberry bush. When I clicked on "Windows Update" a window appeared asking me if I wanted to make IE my default browser to which I answered "No". Then a window displayed wanting me to o.k. an add-on "Microsoft Update" evidently to allow an "Active X" control to proceed. Is this safe? I should add I tried checking the Add/Remove section which usually shows the downloaded updates. I had a phone service problem around the time I got the gold shield in my registry which may have some bearing on all of this. This is out of control and I'm certainly not blaming you. All I want is to see if I have received all updates necessary which I have set to do automatically. I hope this helps you understand better. See why I'm nuts all the time with this thing? Thanks again and hope this isn't putting you out too much over this. Yours,
Alan I think you'll find that Windows Update site doesn't work without it.
I dare not argue with my moderator
I believe however that you can get Patch Tuesday and "emergency" updates without visiting their update site if you allow Automatic updates.
I think that amongst other things Microsoft can give you what they want you to have via "B.I.T.S."
I do not see any evidence of Active 'X listed in CCleaner / Uninstall nor in Windows "Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Programs and Features" on my Win 7.
Warlock said
"What is troubling me is that I noticed the yellow shield in the registry that MS was downloading updates which I have selected the automatic mode to accomplish"
This shows that he was able to access the updates in the past.
The only reason I can think of for needing to get a fresh install of Active'X is that the previous version had such a gaping wide vulnerability that Microsoft refuse to use it again - their best decision ever
Didn't mean to bring a firestorm down over this update business and bless all for jumping in. If it helps any I have I.E. 8.0.6001.18702 at the present. I have Firefox v22 as my browser. I have always tried to avoid having anything to do with I.E.if I can possibly avoid it due to their security holes I believed has been determined. I use Bing to do any searching. As I stated I have automatic updates set and have received them regularly in the past. As recent as 07-10-2013 I received a handful of updates. It's just this recent display of the shield indicating downloads were in progress but showed 0% when I placed the cursor over the icon. I was in touch with MS a while back over an account for support and they provided a toll free number to call. I just may call and see what they have to say just to play the devil's advocate. Does that sound like a trail to follow? I haven't experienced any problems thus far so something must be protecting me. If all else I can use this machine for a boat anchor or better sit in the middle of the highway. That will put it out of its misery. LOL Thanks again everyone for your helping hands and if you think of anything else my door's always open. Take care.
Hi login, got your message and thanks so much again for your willingness to stay with me on this. I haven't had an opportunity to call MS as I stated earlier to see what they have to say. I will try the link that you gave and see what happens. It may be a bit before getting back to you as some other issues are nagging me. I did want to answer about the shield. It disappeared into cyberspace I guess. Hopefully we can put this to rest so you can take care of other things I'm certain are on your plate. Is this satisfactory with you? Hope so and thank you once again old friend. Do take care.
That sounds like the path to follow. As long as I get automatic updates which I have on a regular basis and not engendering any problems I think we can call it a day. Thanks once again and take care. Your friend,