Help! I’m having problems with Microsoft Update

The Microsoft Update site helps you keep your computer current by providing the latest updates for your computer's operating system, Microsoft software, and some hardware drivers. Microsoft Update scans your computer and provides you with a selection of updates tailored just for you, including the latest updates for Office, Windows, and other Microsoft applications, all in one place.

For the most part, the site interacts smoothly with your PC, but every so often problems can occur. Common problems include:

· You see a blank Web page.

· Your computer “freezes,” or stops responding, when you try to download a file from the site.

· You receive a scripting error message.

· You receive a message pertaining to an unknown error, software controls, security settings, or connections.

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What does it mean?

ActiveX
A Microsoft open technology that allows Windows-based applications to share information, often over the Internet.

ActiveX control
A specific implementation of ActiveX technology.

Here are some possible solutions to these problems. We’re talking about Windows XP here, so if you’re running an earlier version of Windows, the steps presented here might be slightly different than what you see on your screen. In that case, see your product documentation for more information. Or you can visit the Windows Update Online Support Center.

Verify that you have an Internet connection

It might seem obvious, but make sure you are logged on to your Internet service provider (ISP) before you try to access the Microsoft Update site. When you use some ISPs, you must log on before you can use the Internet. See if you can browse to another Web site, such as http://www.microsoft.com. If you are unable to get any Internet connectin, contact your ISP.

Use the Microsoft Update Troubleshooter

The Microsoft Update Troubleshooting page gives you the ability to search for help on your specific problem. It also provides a catalog of topics based on issues that other users have reported to Microsoft Product Support.

Use the Windows Update newsgroups

The Windows Update newsgroups provide a forum where Microsoft users can talk to each other about problems they’re experiencing and assist each other in resolving these issues. This is also a great place to discover tips and tricks that other users have discovered.

Add the Microsoft Update Web site to your list of trusted sites

Making a Web site a trusted site in your Internet Explorer settings allows that site to run necessary ActiveX controls without changing the security level for your regular Internet browsing. You should only add sites that you know are reputable to this list.

To add Microsoft Update to your list of trusted sites:

1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, then click Internet Options. (Alternatively, you can click Start, click Run, type inetcpl.cpl, and then click OK.) The Internet Properties dialog box appears.

2. Click the Security tab.

3. In the Select a Web content zone to specify its security settings box, click Trusted sites, and then click Sites.

4. In the Trusted sites dialog box, clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone check box.

5. In the Add this Web site to the zone text box, enter http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate, then click Add.

6. Click OK.

7. Click OK again to exit the Internet Options dialog box.

Now try Microsoft Update again to determine whether the problem is resolved. You may have to close all your Internet Explorer browser windows and then re-open Internet Explorer for the change to take effect.

Temporarily turn off protection programs

Turn off any ad-removal programs, Web accelerators, anti-spyware, and antivirus programs before you try to access the Microsoft Update site. These programs can cause script errors. Be sure to turn them back on once you’ve finished your update.

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