Windows Automatic Updates

[monkeyboy]

Hi guys.

 

I've been encountering a problem with Windows Automatic Updates on XP. I've seen said problem on numerous PC's, so I've ruled out coincidence for that reason.

 

When WAU are activated/turned on, the performance of the PC, or the speed in which it operates, is halved. They are slow to respond and hard drive access is pretty constant from boot thereon. Deactivating Automatic Updates resolves this issue. (when wuauclt.exe has gone).

 

Granted, all three PC's were 512mb RAM or lower, but even so....

 

I wondered if anyone else had come across this or, more importantly, why this occurs?

 

Thank you in advance.

[Starbuck]

Hi monkeyboy,

 

Granted, all three PC's were 512mb RAM or lower, but even so....

granted this won't help.

Windows xp loves to use ram, so more is always better.

 

Try this and see if things improve:

 

Download Dial-a-fix from:

 

Link 1

Link 2

• Download to your desktop
   
  http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/starbuck50/DAF1.png
   
  
• Unzip the files to a folder of your choice
   
  
• Open that folder and Double click the gear wheel
   
  http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/starbuck50/new%20forum/daf4.png
   
  
• Check the "Fix Windows update" box
   
  http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/starbuck50/new%20forum/daf2.png
   
  
• Clicking the "Flush Softwaredistribution" button is optional:
  

  The Flush SoftwareDistribution button will erase all of the data that WU/WUAU has collected about which patches you need, which ones are already downloaded but not yet installed, and which ones still need to be downloaded. If you're constantly being told by Windows Update to install the same patches over and over again, or you don't actually meet the prerequisites to even be installing them, then flush the SoftwareDistribution button.
  If you find out through Event Viewer that the DataStore.edb file is corrupted, then flushing SoftwareDistribution will take care of this.

• Click "Go" - bottom left corner
   
  http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/starbuck50/new%20forum/daf3.png
   
  
• Let it run
  
• Restart your pc
  
• Install your new program or update
  
• Delete or uninstall Dial-a-fix
  

Also a 'how-to' here: http://wiki.djlizard.net/Dial-a-fix

 

let me know how things go.

[monkeyboy]

Thank you for your swiftness and pointers. But I'm only running on 512mb of RAM, and mines smoother than a dolphins back. Could it not be associated with certain MOBO's or a conflict with Updates and certain brands, maybe? I'm guessing, obviously.

 

Thanks for your time.

[Starbuck]

Windows updates problems are a right PITA to sort out and solve.

There's so many things that can become a problem.

That's why we start at the basics and take it from there.

[Poconos]

I hate automatic anything and turn all automatic updates off including antivirus updates and scans. However one has to be diligent and remember to do things manually. Too many times MS updates, and others, have had problems and suddenly something strange happens and the user has no idea where to start troubleshooting. By doing it manually you have some clue if something goes wrong and the bootup is faster too.

Just my opinion and preference.

Al

[ErikAlbert]

I hate automatic anything and turn all automatic updates off including antivirus updates and scans. However one has to be diligent and remember to do things manually. Too many times MS updates, and others, have had problems and suddenly something strange happens and the user has no idea where to start troubleshooting. By doing it manually you have some clue if something goes wrong and the bootup is faster too.

Just my opinion and preference.

Al

I also turned OFF every automatic update in each software, including Windows Update.

I prefer to update myself and I don't like to be interrupted either.

I'm the boss, not all these softwares, including malware.

I don't allow any change in my system, good or bad. That's why my computer is working properly day in, day out

Edited September 14, 2010 by ErikAlbert

[Dalo Harkin]

SP3 needs 1.5GB of ram as opposed to SP1 and SP2 requiring 1GB

 

get more RAM and increase the page file size

[RandyL]

Erik I prefer to keep these threads relevant to the original posters intent please so as not to get off track. Dalos point is relevant and I agree with him.

 

Both you and Poconos points are valid to some extent but for the vast majority of users turning off Windows and AV updates is a recipe for disaster as it just won't get done otherwise. So it is my opinion that this can do more harm then good for the majority. There are better ways to deal with bad updates then not getting them at all which is what most people will do if it's turned off.

 

In any case this subject is off topic to the original posters thread so lets let it be please. Thanks.

[Bobhamer]

Hi guys.

 

I've been encountering a problem with Windows Automatic Updates on XP. I've seen said problem on numerous PC's, so I've ruled out coincidence for that reason.

 

When WAU are activated/turned on, the performance of the PC, or the speed in which it operates, is halved. They are slow to respond and hard drive access is pretty constant from boot thereon. Deactivating Automatic Updates resolves this issue. (when wuauclt.exe has gone).

 

Granted, all three PC's were 512mb RAM or lower, but even so....

 

I wondered if anyone else had come across this or, more importantly, why this occurs?

 

Thank you in advance.

I assume it's because the moment you start up, auto updates starts downloading a trillion meg of needless updates and rubbish you don't need.

[Dalo Harkin]

I assume it's because the moment you start up, auto updates starts downloading a trillion meg of needless updates and rubbish you don't need.

 

If they were needless they would not be in windows updates.

windows updates addresses flaws in software and updates them accordingly, if you dont need them then turn your updates off (not set them so you can choose when to install) and we will see you very soon :D

[Bobhamer]

Hi monkeyboy,

 

granted this won't help.

Windows xp loves to use ram, so more is always better.

 

Try this and see if things improve:

 

Download Dial-a-fix from:

 

Link 1

Link 2

• Download to your desktop
   
  http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/starbuck50/DAF1.png
   
  
• Unzip the files to a folder of your choice
   
  
• Open that folder and Double click the gear wheel
   
  http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/starbuck50/new%20forum/daf4.png
   
  
• Check the "Fix Windows update" box
   
  http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/starbuck50/new%20forum/daf2.png
   
  
• Clicking the "Flush Softwaredistribution" button is optional:
   
  
• Click "Go" - bottom left corner
   
  http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/starbuck50/new%20forum/daf3.png
   
  
• Let it run
  
• Restart your pc
  
• Install your new program or update
  
• Delete or uninstall Dial-a-fix
  

Also a 'how-to' here: http://wiki.djlizard.net/Dial-a-fix

 

let me know how things go.

Isn't it easier just to turn off auto updates if your comp is ok?

I never use auto updates. If I want to update something I just do it myself.

I just run msconfig and stop any services running that are not needed.

[Dalo Harkin]

Well you can turn off automatic updates, but what if one of the updates is to address a security flaw.

 

Automatic updates and msconfig are too seperate things, while msconfig is used to control programs running at startup that you have installed.

 

Windows updates address the OS itself

[monkeyboy]

If I may just jump in here and reiterate my initial post?

 

It isn't the updates themselves that are causing the problem. It's the very fact that Automatic Updates are turned on.

 

I fully understand the importance of updates, but as already stated, I'd rather decide when and how also. I still wonder why WAU should affect certain PC's in this way though. It doesn't add up.

 

Appreciate all the input, regardless. Thanks guys.

[Dalo Harkin]

It shouldnt affect your PC that way at all, it doesnt constantly search for updates, it should search at specific times ONLY

[monkeyboy]

It shouldnt affect your PC that way at all, it doesnt constantly search for updates, it should search at specific times ONLY

 

Exactly, Dalo. And it's not as if the process itself chews up that much RAM. But 2 desktops and 1 laptop were all suffering from the same problem. And all after a clean reinstallation.

 

Baffled.com :confused:

[ErikAlbert]

LOOOL. what a mess of ONs and OFFs.

It's ON people, I got a reprimand for it from the mods.

Maybe a Belgian OFF isn't as good as an English OFF ;)

[DSTM]

Hi monkeyboy.I set my WAU's for a certain Day, and at a specific time.

Works for me.:)

[monkeyboy]

Thanks for the suggestion, DSTM.

 

I did try that. But out of the 4 options in AU settings, 'turn off' was the only winner.

[RandyL]

If three PC's are doing it after a fresh install and all three have 512Mb of RAM then that suggests that you need more RAM as it's not only the WU check but also the downloads.

 

Keep in mind that after a fresh install pretty much everything is set by default to run at startup and that includes any bundled programs that come with most manufacturers PC's.

 

Get more RAM. Do a fresh install. Uninstall or turn off startup items. Download and install the updates. After that there should be no issue until you start installing programs. Some are resource hungry.

 

I've never seen checking for and downloading updates to be an issue except for cases of not enough RAM, too many startup items and dialup.

[monkeyboy]

If three PC's are doing it after a fresh install and all three have 512Mb of RAM then that suggests that you need more RAM as it's not only the WU check but also the downloads.

 

Keep in mind that after a fresh install pretty much everything is set by default to run at startup and that includes any bundled programs that come with most manufacturers PC's.

 

Get more RAM. Do a fresh install. Uninstall or turn off startup items. Download and install the updates. After that there should be no issue until you start installing programs. Some are resource hungry.

 

I've never seen checking for and downloading updates to be an issue except for cases of not enough RAM, too many startup items and dialup.

 

Thanks for your time, RandyL.

 

Everything you say is, of course, perfectly valid. The only spanner in the RAM, as it were, is my own desktop. 512mb but absolutely no automatic updates side-effects. They can be activated and check every day, but no lag at all. Plus, the laptop I mentioned earlier was running 1gb, but even that was gasping for breath when AU were on.

 

Anyway, this is obviously an isolated issue (isolated to me, at least!) so I won't take up anymore of your time with it. Should I find the reason/solution, I will let you know.

 

Cheers again for your ideas and time.

[RandyL]

Please let us know. If we think of anything else we'll post it. At least you are getting your updates.

 

Best wishes for now.