Troubleshooting Windows Update in Windows XP, Vista and 7: Part Two

This article is the second of a two-part series on the subject of troubleshooting issues with Windows Update, specifically in Windows XP, Vista and 7.

In this example we will use Windows 7, but the steps may be used to get an idea for how it is done in other versions, particularly Windows Vista.

1. Open the Windows Update section of the Control Panel. This can be done in various ways based on Operating System - in Windows XP you may need to go to www.windowsupdate.com to proceed.
2. Click on the Start button in the bottom left, then choose Control Panel on the right side of the Start Menu.
   
   


3. In the top right of the Control Panel, choose the View By: dropdown and then select Category.
   
   


4. On the left side, click on the green System and Security heading.
   
   


5.  In the middle click on the green Windows Update heading.
   
   


6.  On the Windows Update screen, view the available updates by clicking on the Important Updates are Available option.
   
   
7. Locate the KB number for the update that will not install by clicking on the update, then checking in the parentheses on the right.
   
   


8. Visit www.google.com and search the web for the KB number in the following format: KB######## download details site:Microsoft.com
   • This will search the Microsoft.com web page for the download page of that update. Ensure that the page is from Microsoft.com before downloading and installing any application
   
   


9. On that download page, follow the instructions to manually download and install the update. This varies per update, so pay attention to the steps provided on the page.

Troubleshooting Windows Update in Windows XP, Vista and 7: Part One

This article is the first of a two-part troubleshooting series on the subject of troubleshooting issues with Windows Update, specifically in Windows XP, Vista and 7. This is a general troubleshooting guide that goes through some of the steps that can be taken to resolve many Windows Update issues.


In this document we have provided a .bat file. In some cases your virus software may detect this as a virus, in which case follow the instructions below to manually create the file on your machine. This file will remove the contents of the Windows Update cache Download folder.

1. Log in to an administrator account on the machine, or make sure that your account has administrative access.
2. Download the Clear Windows Update Cache batch file by clicking here. Then open the zip file.
3. If using Windows XP, double-click on the file to run it.
4. If using Windows Vista or Windows 7, right-click on the file and choose Run as Administrator
   
   


5. If prompted for permission, choose Yes or Allow to continue.
6. Once the file has finished, the update cache will have been cleared. Restart the computer and check for updates again to proceed. If it still fails, move on to Troubleshooting Windows Update Issues: Part Two. If for whatever reason you are unable to run the above batch file, here is how you can create it yourself.
7. Open a new Notepad document by going to Start, then to All Programs, then Accessories, and finally clicking on Notepad to open the program.
   
   


8. Once open, copy the following information in to the program:
   net stop wuauserv
   rd /s /q %windir%\SoftwareDistribution\Download\
   net start wuauserv
9. The first line stops the windows update service. The second line removes the "Download" folder within the Windows Update (SoftwareDistribution) folder. The third line starts the windows update server again.
10. Save the file as "clear_windows_update_cache.bat". Note that the quotation marks are required. Make sure that you save the file somewhere you remember. For example on the Desktop.
    
    


11. If using Windows XP, double-click on the file to run it.
12. If using Windows Vista or Windows 7, right-click on the file and choose Run as Administrator
    
    


13. If prompted for permission, choose Yes or Allow to continue.
14. Once the file has finished, the update cache will have been cleared. Restart the computer and check for updates again to proceed. If it still fails, move on to Troubleshooting Windows Update Issues: Part Two

How to Change the Home Page of Mozilla Firefox

This guide will walk-through how to change the home page of Mozilla Firefox.

1. Open Mozilla Firefox by clicking Start » All Programs » Mozilla Firefox folder » Mozilla Firefox.
   
   
   
2. Click Tools across the top of the window.
   
   
   
3. Select Options.
   
   
   
4. Select the Main button.
   
   
5. Type the address of the desired home page in the Home Page box.
   
   
   
6. Click OK.
7. Close Firefox.
8. Open Firefox again (refer to step 1) to verify the new home page.

Changing Icons in the System Tray in Windows 7

This is a guide for changing the icons that display in the System Tray in Windows 7. If there are informational icons or unwanted icons that you want to remove, the following instructions outline how to modify the default settings:

1. In the bottom right corner of the screen by the clock, click on the arrow and then choose Customize.
   
   
   
   
   
2. To have the icon displayed at all times, locate the icon on the list and choose Show Icon and Notification under the options to the right of the icon.
   
   
   
   
   
3. To have the icon displayed only when a notification is available, locate the icon on the list and choose Only Show Notifications under the options to the right of the icon.
   
   
   
   
   
4. To have the icon hidden at all times, locate the icon on the list and choose Hide Icon and Notifications under the options to the right of the icon.
   
   
   
   
   

ESET Notification: Operating System Is Not Up To Date

1. The ESET icon has turned orange and opening the ESET window displays:
   
   
   
   
   
2. There is not a problem with the ESET program The ESET security programs show an orange ESET icon when important updates are available for the operating system by default.
3. Click on the orange here in the message to open the ESET listing of available updates.
   
   
   
   
   
4. Click Run System Update button to open the Windows Update.
   
   
   
   
   
5. The important updates are typically fixes for security weaknesses or known flaws in the operating system. These are what should be installed. Click the Install updates button to install the important updates.
6. If you wish to disable this feature in the ESET security program follow the procedures on the ESET web site at: http://kb.eset.com/esetkb/index?page=content&id=SOLN2196&actp=search&viewlocale=en_US&searchid=1301085084376

How to Install RAM Memory

All computers require some amount of memory or RAM (Random Access Memory). Many motherboards provide slots for as much as 16GB of RAM. Adding more memory can improve performance, allow more multi-tasking, and reduce the time required for intensive processes like video or audio editing.

This guide will show you how to install memory in your motherboard.

Note: Be sure to use proper precautions including an anti-static wristband or an anti-static mat to avoid hardware damage. Before beginning, make sure the memory is the correct type for your motherboard. Avoid touching the metal contacts or chips.

1. Locate the memory slots on the motherboard as shown in the figure below. Note that your motherboard may have two or more slots, and the exact location may differ.
2. Determine which slots you intend to install the memory into. If you are installing one module, it will typically go in to DIMMA1 or a similarly named slot. For more modules, consult the motherboard manual for additional information.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Push the retaining clips outward to allow installation of the memory module.
4. Align the memory module with the slot by using the off-center notch as shown in the figure below.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Insert the memory module and vertically and firmly in to the slot until the retaining clips snap on to the memory module.
   
   
   
   
   

That’s it! Your memory module is now installed. Repeat for additional memory modules if necessary.