[Ted in FL]

Gateway laptop running Windows XP Home Verion 2000 with service pkg 3

It has been getting regular Windows updates (Automatic), but that seems to be blocked. The window update page says:

The site cannot continue because one or more of these Windows services is not running:

• Automatic Updates (allows the site to find, download and install high-priority updates for your computer)
• Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) (helps updates download more quickly and without problems if the download process is interrupted)
• Event Log (keeps a record of updating activities to help with troubleshooting, if needed)

I used services.msc to check the services. Only Automatic Updates was disabled. I used properties to check. The Startup Type was "Disabled" and the "Start" button is grayed out.

I changed the Startup Type to "Automatic" and clicked Apply and got an error message "Access denied"

I was using a User that is a Computer Administrator. I switched to another user that was also an administorator. Same error.

When I check other services, I can make changes, so it is only AUtomatic Update that is locked.

How do I unlock it and start getting updates again.

Thanks for any help you can give.

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My friend just had the same problem and it was found to be caused by a virus on his system.

I suggest you go to the Malware Forum and run all the steps located in the START HERE. These self-help tools will help you clean up 70% of problems on your own. If you are still having problems after doing the steps, then please post the reguested logs in THAT forum. If you are unable to run any of the tools then start a new topic in the malware forum and put this in the subject line...I am unable to run any malware tools

If you are still having problems after being given a clean bill of health from the malware expert, then please return to THIS thread and we will pursue other options to help you solve your current problem(s).

[rshaffer61]

My friend just had the same problem and it was found to be caused by a virus on his system.

I suggest you go to the Malware Forum and run all the steps located in the START HERE. These self-help tools will help you clean up 70% of problems on your own. If you are still having problems after doing the steps, then please post the reguested logs in THAT forum. If you are unable to run any of the tools then start a new topic in the malware forum and put this in the subject line...I am unable to run any malware tools

If you are still having problems after being given a clean bill of health from the malware expert, then please return to THIS thread and we will pursue other options to help you solve your current problem(s).

[Ted in FL]

Thanks for your advice. It feels like a virus, so I ran a number of the processes from the Malware forum. I'll go back to that and run it from top to bottom. If it doesn't clean it up, I'll be back.
Thanks again,

[rshaffer61]

Post a new topic in that forum and stay with them till they declare you clean.
If the issue still is happening after they have finished then we can continue here.

[Ted in FL]

That did it. After a pretty long process, I think we have the computer reasonably clean and the Auto Updates are working again.
Thanks for the steer in the right direction.

[123Runner]

Glad that Geeks to Go could help.

[rshaffer61]

Congratulations. for a successful resolution for your issue. I am happy everything has been worked out for you. With that being said I am happy to say:


You are very welcome. I'm glad we could help and please let us know how everything works out for you.
If there is anything else we can do to help please feel free to ask. I appreciate that you allowed me to assist you with your issue and for your patience. Thank you for choosing GeeksToGo for help.
This issue now appears to be resolved.


If other members are reading this and have a similar problem please begin a New Topic and someone will assist you as soon as possible