I have PC with XP Professional Version 2002 Service Pack 3. Every time Microsoft Security Essentials tries to automatically update, the PC hangs and I have to uplug it to get it running again. This is not a good thing! Does anyone have any idea what to do? Rebecca1 person needs an answerI do too

for now, it may be better to turn off its update feature. also, have you tried clicking alt ctrl del keys to initiate the task manager to end/kill the mse process, instead of unplugging the machine? in any case, you can re-ask the question here: http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/mseupdate/threads?filter=answered -- db`...><)))> --> sent via windows live mail."RebeccaJHB" wrote in message news:842b574a-cc09-458e-b231-8cdb68cb1528...I have PC with XP Professional Version 2002 Service Pack 3. Every time Microsoft Security Essentials tries to automatically update, the PC hangs and I have to uplug it to get it running again. This is not a good thing! Does anyone have any idea what to do? Rebeccadb`...>-)))> `...>-)))> share the nirvana mann

Please answer all of the following diagnostic questions by number in your next reply (no need to quote this post):1. When (approx. date) did you install Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) and was the computer fully-patched at Windows Update at the time?2. What anti-virus application was installed before you installed MSE, was your subscription still current, and did you uninstall it before you installed MSE?3. Has a(nother) Norton or a McAfee application ever been installed on the computer?4. Did a Norton or a McAfee free-trial come preinstalled on the computer when you bought it? (Doesn't matter if you never used or Activated it.)5. Is MS Office, Windows Live Essentials and/or Silverlight installed on the computer?6. By any chance, is it the same computer as in this other recent thread of yours (even though you posted in a Vista-specific forum)? => http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistasecurity/thread/583dc083-371a-4ff1-a6fd-7e702d37a6a7/ Related References:Check list for installing Microsoft Security Essentialshttp://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/msestart/thread/bf757e6a-e320-4a67-92bc-767e6acb26c4How can I remove existing antivirus or antispyware programs before installing Microsoft Security Essentials?http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/msestart/thread/bbdb34b6-b610-46fd-a90f-bd3d03bb0f15Can I install Microsoft Security Essentials [or any other anti-virus/anti-spyware application] to clean up my already-infected computer?http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/msescan/thread/87058857-d181-4019-a723-efd9a49d9275Microsoft Security Essentials Support Forums (all)http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/category/mseUpdating FAQhttp://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/mseupdate/thread/74e507b8-f6da-4eca-8ce7-d1aca7d3f1ba~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft

for now, it may be better to turn off its update feature.No, do NOT do that, Rebecca!~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft

for now, it may be better to turn off its update feature. also, have you tried clicking alt ctrl del keys to initiate the task manager to end/kill the mse process, instead of “unplugging” the machine? in any case, you can re-ask the question here: http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/mseupdate/threads?filter=answered -- db·´¯`·...¸><)))º> --> sent via windows live mail.db·´¯`·...¸>-)))º> ·´¯`·...¸>-)))º> share the nirvana mannThe Task Manager won't shut it down, either. Rebecca

Please answer all of the following diagnostic questions by number in your next reply (no need to quote this post):1. When (approx. date) did you install Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) and was the computer fully-patched at Windows Update at the time?I don't know.2. What anti-virus application was installed before you installed MSE, was your subscription still current, and did you uninstall it before you installed MSE?AVG, yes, yes.3. Has a(nother) Norton or a McAfee application ever been installed on the computer?Yes, Norton and McAfee, at different times.4. Did a Norton or a McAfee free-trial come preinstalled on the computer when you bought it? (Doesn't matter if you never used or Activated it.)I'm not sure, but I think yes.5. Is MS Office, Windows Live Essentials and/or Silverlight installed on the computer?MS Office Professional 2007 is installed. Add/Remove Progerams shows Windows Live OneCare safety scanner.6. By any chance, is it the same computer as in this other recent thread of yours (even though you posted in a Vista-specific forum)? => http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistasecurity/thread/583dc083-371a-4ff1-a6fd-7e702d37a6a7/ Uh, no! That was my HP laptop which came with Vista installed and the problem there was malware; a rogue program. This is my desk-top with XP.Related References:Check list for installing Microsoft Security Essentialshttp://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/msestart/thread/bf757e6a-e320-4a67-92bc-767e6acb26c4How can I remove existing antivirus or antispyware programs before installing Microsoft Security Essentials?http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/msestart/thread/bbdb34b6-b610-46fd-a90f-bd3d03bb0f15Can I install Microsoft Security Essentials [or any other anti-virus/anti-spyware application] to clean up my already-infected computer?http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/msescan/thread/87058857-d181-4019-a723-efd9a49d9275Microsoft Security Essentials Support Forums (all)http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/category/mseUpdating FAQhttp://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/mseupdate/thread/74e507b8-f6da-4eca-8ce7-d1aca7d3f1ba~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for MicrosoftAnswers in line with questions. Rebecca

I ran the Disk Cleanup and Disc Defragmenter last night and I might have a clue to the problem, but maybe it should be in a new question. I will put it here and you tell me if it is the answer and a new question or not.I have two hard drives on this desk top computer, which is my business computer. Here is the result of the de-fragmentation:Drive C: Capacity-37.26GB, Free Space-7.76GB, Percent Free Space-20%.Drive F: Capacity-112GB, Free Space-80.76GB, Percent Free Space-72%NOTE: I did not set this PC up.I have moved everything that I can think of to the F: drive. All of my documents, data, pictures, CAD files, ... are saved on the F: drive. But all of the programs run on the C: drive. Is there an EASY way to swap things so that I'm not cramped for space?Rebecca

Please answer all of the following diagnostic questions by number in your next reply (and do NOT quote this post):1a. Has Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) ever auto-updated without this behavior? ["I don't know" is not an acceptable answer.]1b. Can you update MSE manually without having to "unplug" your computer first? ["I don't know" is not an acceptable answer.]2. In Windows Explorer, navigate to & right-click on C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Essentials <=this folderSelect PROPERTIES | What CREATED date is displayed here?3. Had your Norton and/or McAfee subscription(s) ever expired?4a. Is Automatic Updates enabled? ["I don't know" is not an acceptable answer.]4b. Is your computer currently fully-patched at Windows Update? ["I don't know" is not an acceptable answer.]~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft

1a. Yes, it just started hanging last week.1b. Yes, if I start up and do it manually before any programs are running.2. Monday, May 31, 2010, 12:23:33 PM3. I don't know.4a. Yes.4b. Yes.

Please answer all of the following diagnostic questions by number in your next reply (and do NOT quote this post):Not sure why you find this annoying, for many who do not have the time to devote hours reading through these sometimes lengthy threads, such as myself, it is very convenient to see the question followed by the response in one post.

It certainly makes it clearer as long as the answers are easy to pick out of the questions. I think putting my answersBOLD made them stand out enough, since there isn't an option to make them a different color. But whatever is easiest for the reader.Rebecca

1a. Download the Norton Removal Tool, saving it to your desktop: ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/removal_tools/Norton_Removal_Tool.exe1b. Download the McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool, saving it to your desktop: http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/MCPR.exe2. Close all open applications (i.e., anything with an icon on the taskbar).3a. Double-click on the file you saved in #1a above to run the utility. Don't TOUCH your keyboard until the run completes, then reboot.3b. Double-click on the file you saved in #1b above to run the utility. Don't TOUCH your keyboard until the run completes, then reboot again.4. Open Internet Explorer (only) to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923737 & run the Fix It.5. Open Internet Explorer (only) to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058 & run the Fix It in DEFAULT and then AGGRESSIVE modes. [1]6. Reboot one last time & test.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~[1] Full Disclosure: Running the Fix It in AGGRESSIVE mode will delete your Update History but not the list of installed updates in Add/Remove Programs.~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft

All of that is done except test. I will just have to wait and see if it hangs again. Thank you for your help.Rebecca

I will just have to wait and see if it hangs again. Thank you for your help.NOTE: Low-end (i.e., less than 512 MB RAM) WinXP computers are known to "hang" whenever MSE auto-updates and when updating MSE manually. [1] If you encounter this "hanging" again, just walk away from your computer & do something else for the next 20-30 minutes (minimum). Assuming the updating eventually completes, reply to this post & tell me about what you experienced.In other words, don't be so impatient the next time it happens and resist the temptation to "unplug" (restart) your computer.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~[1] And I know that YOU know about this bug because you posted a reply to this thread.

there is a reason why Microsoft included an on and off option for updates and temporarily turning it off so that the computer remains operational during diagnosing, is not unreasonable or detrimental. sounds like youre over reacting. -- db`...><)))> --> sent via windows live mail."PA Bear MS MVP" wrote in message news:ce1f69d3-d18e-4042-981b-1ec0c38f628d...for now, it may be better to turn off its update feature.No, do NOT do that, Rebecca!~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoftdb`...>-)))> `...>-)))> share the nirvana mann

Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!

I can't just wait it out - I tried and it was still at the same point (according to the little line graph) after two hours. It is my business computer and if someone comes in and wants to buy something I can't ask them to wait to see if the dang computer will un-hang.Rebecca

the anti virus program will still be functional even though you disable the update feature. it is highly unlikely that you will contract some kind of new strain of a world wide infection because the update feature is disabled for a couple of days during the diagnosis. in any case, what you can also try hen you have a chance is to uninstall mse and install a fresh copy. be sure to make a restore point before uninstalling and to reboot after the uninstallation. sometimes, a re-install overcomes oddities / quarks. -- db`...><)))> --> sent via windows live mail."RebeccaJHB" wrote in message news:bb34fa7b-2ba1-40bd-a276-41cfd461b928...I can't just wait it out - I tried and it was still at the same point (according to the little line graph) after two hours. It is my business computer and if someone comes in and wants to buy something I can't ask them to wait to see if the dang computer will un-hang.Rebeccadb`...>-)))> `...>-)))> share the nirvana mann

I can't just wait it out - I tried and it was still at the same point (according to the little line graph) after two hoursOK, it definitely should not hang that long, Rebecca.Please contact MSE Support. To open a support case, start here: https://support.microsoftsecurityessentials.com/ ALTERNATELY...1. Uninstall MSE & reboot.2. IMMEDIATELY install either Avast5 or Avira AntiVir (both free) but do NOT install AVG or any Norton or McAfee application!3. IMPORTANT! => Manually & repeatedly update Avast5 or AntiVir until you get a no more updates prompt.4. Also install Windows Defender (if not already installed).5. Open Internet Explorer (only) to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com | Select CUSTOM and scan | Install any Critical Security Updates offered (e.g., KB2360131). If a Root Certificates update is listed (possibly in the Optional Software updates category on the left-hand side of the scan results window), install it to take full advantage of IE's enhanced security.NOTE: If IE8 isn't already installed, do NOT install it via Windows Update! Just hide it ("Don't show me this update again") for now, please.6. Now monitor your system performance for a few days then reply to this thread with a status report.~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft

I can't just wait it out - I tried and it was still at the same point (according to the little line graph) after two hoursOK, it definitely should not hang that long, Rebecca.<EDIT>Updated content:I've been having second thoughts on the below this morning, Rebecca. BEFORE contacting Support or replacing MSE, please reply to the questions below:Q1. Can you access http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com via IE and run a CUSTOM scan?Q2. If your answer to Q1 is Yes, can you install any/all updates offered (e.g., KB2360131) INCLUDING the MSE Definitions update which should be listed in the OPTIONAL SOFTWARE updates category on the left-hand side?NOTE: If a Root Certificates update is listed (possibly in the Optional Software updates category on the left-hand side of the scan results window), install it to take full advantage of IE's enhanced security.NOTE: If IE8 isn't already installed, do NOT install it via Windows Update! Just hide it ("Don't show me this update again") for now, please.</EDIT>Please contact MSE Support. To open a support case, start here: https://support.microsoftsecurityessentials.com/ ALTERNATELY...1. Uninstall MSE & reboot.2. IMMEDIATELY install either Avast5 or Avira AntiVir (both free) but do NOT install AVG or any Norton or McAfee application!3. IMPORTANT! => Manually & repeatedly update Avast5 or AntiVir until you get a no more updates prompt.4. Also install Windows Defender (if not already installed).5. Open Internet Explorer (only) to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com | Select CUSTOM and scan | Install any Critical Security Updates offered (e.g., KB2360131). If a Root Certificates update is listed (possibly in the Optional Software updates category on the left-hand side of the scan results window), install it to take full advantage of IE's enhanced security.NOTE: If IE8 isn't already installed, do NOT install it via Windows Update! Just hide it ("Don't show me this update again") for now, please.6. Now monitor your system performance for a few days then reply to this thread with a status report.~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft

<EDIT>Updated content:I've been having second thoughts on the below this morning, Rebecca. BEFORE contacting Support or replacing MSE, please reply to the questions below:Q1. Can you access http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com via IE and run a CUSTOM scan?Q2. If your answer to Q1 is Yes, can you install any/all updates offered (e.g., KB2360131) INCLUDING the MSE Definitions update which should be listed in the OPTIONAL SOFTWARE updates category on the left-hand side?NOTE: If a Root Certificates update is listed (possibly in the Optional Software updates category on the left-hand side of the scan results window), install it to take full advantage of IE's enhanced security.NOTE: If IE8 isn't already installed, do NOT install it via Windows Update! Just hide it ("Don't show me this update again") for now, please.</EDIT>@Rebecca: Please don't miss the EDIT above which I've added to my most recent reply!

Everything from above is installed except three hardware updates. I stayed last night after closing so I wouldn't have to shut down because a customer came in. I still had to unplug three times. When nothing changes for over an hour, I consider it "hung." But everything is downloaded and installed now. I did NOT find KB2360131.Rebecca

Rebecca, I've been reviewing your previous threads about the WinXP computer. In this thread (29 May-10 &ff), you told me...The [WinXP] desktop I have been using since 2003 and I'm pretty sure it had Norton on it at one time. Most recently, I was using AVG, but it was slowing the poor thing down so much that I turned the virus part of it off. I don't see it in the program list now, so my son's friend may have deleted it last year.Since there was not AV app installed (apparently), I had you install Microsoft Security Essentials. Shortly thereafter, we got sidetracked discussing problems you'd been having with your Vista laptop.Eventually we got back to the WinXP desktop where you were still having problems and I recommended running a thorough check for hijackware (cf. my reply to that thread with timestamp Friday, June 04, 2010 4:12 PM).Then the thread died and 6 months later we're in this thread and the WinXP computer's still not working properly.Rebecca, this computer's been infected since you had AVG installed over a year ago. The problem isn't Windows Update or MSE, it's your computer.See... Cleaning a Compromised System http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc700813.aspxFollow the instructions in this post of mine in another forum (to-the-letter & in order!) to return your computer to a secure state: http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=44636If you need additional assistance with the clean install, please begin a new thread in this forum: http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/xprepair/threadsWish I'd had better news for you. Had you not abandoned the previous thread, I'm sure I would have told you the same as the above 5 months ago. Good luck!PS: $10 says your Vista computer's still infected, too! => http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistasecurity/thread/583dc083-371a-4ff1-a6fd-7e702d37a6a7~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft

No, I don't think so. I did all of that to the desktop then. The desktop has had problems ever since I let the idiots work on it who set the old, small drive to the C drive. That was three or four years ago. This "hang" just started last week.You might be right about the laptop, though. Twice in the last few days it has popped up with the box that says I need to buy virus software, but it hasn't completely hijacked it, yet.Rebecca

I did all of that to the desktop then.You did all what to the desktop when? IIRC, you did not do a clean install of WinXP prior to installing MSE back in May, Rebecca.~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft

What do you propose?Rebecca

What do you propose? Repost:Follow the instructions in this post of mine in another forum (to-the-letter & in order!) to return your computer to a secure state: http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=44636If you need additional assistance with the clean install, please begin a new thread in this forum: http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/xprepair/threads~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft

For both the XP and the Vista PC's?Rebecca

You may need to do the same with your Vista computer but this thread is ONLY about your WinXP computer. Ditto for my last few replies to this thread.~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft