automatic updates not working?

I have two computers - a laptop and a desktop. After taking the
laptop out of hibernate, it automatically downloaded the updates and
prompted me, periodically, asking me if I wanted to abort a reboot
that'd otherwise begin in 5 minutes.

The desktop, however, has neither prompted me for a reboot nor has
does it appear to have even installed the updates. I have Automatic
Updates set to Automatic on this computer, and have it set up to
download them every day at 3AM. Yet it doesn't appear to be auto-
downloading anything. Any ideas as to why?

Tip: Temporarily disable real-time protection by your anti-virus and/or
anti-spyware applications (e.g., CounterSpy, Spysweeper, Spybot Tea Timer,
AVG Anti-Spyware) and/or any third-party firewall (e.g., ZA) before
attempting to install the update(s). If you disable the third-party
firewall, make certain that you enable the Windows Firewall!

=====================

How to troubleshoot Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and Windows Server
Update Services installation issues:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/906602

1. See the "Need more help? Tell us what problem you are having" section of
http://support.microsoft.com/ph/6527

2. You cannot install some updates or programs
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798

3a. Check Windowsupdate.log (%windir%\Windowsupdate.log) for errors
associated with the download/install.

How to read the Windowsupdate.log file
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/902093

3b. Compare errors to those listed here:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/blog...showentry=1122
and/or go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com > click on Help and Support
link in left pane > Solve problems on your own.

4. Windows Update Checklist:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/updtcl.htm

5. Windows Update-specific newsgroup:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsof....windowsupdate

Archive of Windows Update newsgroup:
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/....windowsupdate

===========================

Start a free Windows Update support incident request:
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/de...spx?gprid=6527

Support for Windows Update:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/wusupport

--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

yawnmoth wrote:
> I have two computers - a laptop and a desktop. After taking the
> laptop out of hibernate, it automatically downloaded the updates and
> prompted me, periodically, asking me if I wanted to abort a reboot
> that'd otherwise begin in 5 minutes.
>
> The desktop, however, has neither prompted me for a reboot nor has
> does it appear to have even installed the updates. I have Automatic
> Updates set to Automatic on this computer, and have it set up to
> download them every day at 3AM. Yet it doesn't appear to be auto-
> downloading anything. Any ideas as to why?

On Jun 6, 4:16 pm, "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABear...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Tip: Temporarily disable real-time protection by your anti-virus and/or
> anti-spyware applications (e.g., CounterSpy, Spysweeper, Spybot Tea Timer,
> AVG Anti-Spyware) and/or any third-party firewall (e.g., ZA) before
> attempting to install the update(s). If you disable the third-party
> firewall, make certain that you enable the Windows Firewall!

I don't have any anti-virus or anti-spyware application installed on
this particular computer (don't do much internet browsing on it), and
even if I did, I'm not sure what disabling it would accomplish? If
the anti-virus / spyware application did block something, wouldn't it
say so in the logs?

(also, the Windows Firewall is enabled, although I don't think that'd
have anything to do with it; it's enabled on my laptop as well).

yawnmoth wrote:
> On Jun 6, 4:16 pm, "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABear...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Tip: Temporarily disable real-time protection by your anti-virus and/or
>> anti-spyware applications (e.g., CounterSpy, Spysweeper, Spybot Tea
>> Timer,
>> AVG Anti-Spyware) and/or any third-party firewall (e.g., ZA) before
>> attempting to install the update(s). If you disable the third-party
>> firewall, make certain that you enable the Windows Firewall!
>
> I don't have any anti-virus or anti-spyware application installed on
> this particular computer (don't do much internet browsing on it), and
> even if I did, I'm not sure what disabling it would accomplish?

Temporarily disabling the application(s) may disable whatever components
that may be blocking AU and allow it to work properly!

Before You Connect a New [or any] Computer to the Internet
http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/before_you_plug_in.html

Security FAQ & Checklist
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/8463

> If the anti-virus / spyware application did block something, wouldn't it
> say so in the logs?

Not in so many words, no. Speaking of same, do you find any error messages
related to AU's failure in WindowsUpdate.log?

> (also, the Windows Firewall is enabled, although I don't think that'd
> have anything to do with it; it's enabled on my laptop as well).

I was only referring to third-party firewalls.

=> Windows Update-specific newsgroup: microsoft.public.windowsupdate
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/