[soporific]

Windows Update Fix for Win9x/Me

What is the Windows Update Fix for Win9x/Me?
Recently, users of Windows 98 and Windows ME discovered they couldn't access the Windows Update website properly. The most common message was:

"Thank you for your interest in obtaining updates from our site. This website is designed to work with Microsoft Windows operating systems only. To find updates for Microsoft products that are designed for Macintosh operating systems, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/mac/"



The Windows Update Fix for Win9x/ME will hopefully fix this problem. It re-installs the files needed for Windows Update to work, and also installs the recently released root certificate updates which seems to be the cause of the problem.

While it has only been primarily tested to work using a Win98SE (English) machine, this fix should work for the entire Win9x/ME family, including localizations in other languages. Windows Update Fix for Win9x/ME has already been confirmed to work on at least 5 localised editions of Win98SE.

download locations:
v1.22 - zip file
v1.22 - exe
v1.21 - zip file
v1.21 from softpedia

installation notes:
if you double-click the file it extracts to a temp directory, runs the program (with menu options and everything, and then deletes itself after its all done.
or you can extract to a directory and run the RUNME.bat file

localization text strings:

 
:ENGLISH
SET Tex01=Welcome to the Windows Update fix
SET Tex01a=Version
SET Tex01b=by
SET Tex02=This will update your computer so that Windows Update works again
SET Tex03=Please Note
SET Tex03a=This has only been tested on a Win98se machine
SET Tex04=but i can't see why it won't work
SET Tex04a=for the entire Win9x/Me family
SET Tex05=Even those using localisations in a
SET Tex05a=language other than English can use this
SET Tex06=It has been confirmed to work on at least 3 other editions
SET Tex07=Press any key to continue or CTRL-C to finish
SET Tex08=
SET Tex09=
SET Tex10=There are three fixes included with this pack
SET Tex11=the first one should work for most people
SET Tex12=the second one should only be used if the first doesn't work
SET Tex12a=the third one can be used at any stage
SET Tex13=Internet Explorer will automatically go to
SET Tex14=Windows Update after the fix has been installed
SET Tex15=So, what do you want to do
SET Tex16=Press: 1 to install the normal fix  (use this one first)
SET Tex17=to install the alternate fix and reboot the computer
SET Tex17a=to put a modified shortcut icon to WUPDMGR.EXE to your desktop
SET Tex18=to visit this utility's homepage
SET Tex19=to visit Windows Update
SET Tex20=to quit
SET Tex21=Opening Windows Update
SET Tex22=Opening the home page
SET Tex23=Installing Windows Update files
SET Tex24=Now doing the DLLs
SET Tex25=Now refreshing the WindowsUpdate folder
SET Tex26=Now copying over iuident.cab and iuident.txt
SET Tex27=Now doing the new root certificates
SET Tex28=All done
SET Tex29=Now going to Windows Update to see if it's fixed... I hope so! See ya
SET Tex30=It doesn't look like this is going to work for you, as you don't seem
SET Tex31=to have the 'Program Files' directory in the normal place
SET Tex32=You can enter that variable in now if you'd like
SET Tex32a=or enter nothing to EXIT
SET Tex33=Just type the name of the directory (don't put in quotes)
SET Tex34=that is the equivalent of 'Program Files'
SET Tex34a=for your computer
SET Tex35=New directory name
SET Tex36=doesn't seem to be correct. Please try again
SET Tex37=looks like its correct. Yay! Now continuing
SET Tex38=Reboot now
SET Tex39=You do not seem to have WUPDMGR.EXE on your system
SET Tex40=so this fix will not work for you
SET Tex41=Now copying icon to desktop
 

This post has been edited by soporific: 05 May 2007 - 08:57 AM

[Philco]

soporific, on Mar 8 2007, 12:12 AM, said:

Hi, here's a tool that should fix WU. It's only been tested on Win98se but I can't see why it won't work for the entire Win9x/Me family.

There are two fixes contained because it seems there are 2 conditions that will stop you accessing WU. You use FIX 1 first and if that doesn't work, FIX 2 will work. That's what my testing revealed.

download from here:
http://www.sharebigf...WU-fix-exe.html

installation notes:
if you double-click the file it extracts to a temp directory, runs the program (with menu options and everything, and then deletes itself after its all done.
or you can extract to a directory and run the RUNME.bat file

localisations:
This should work for you guys -- if 'Program Files' can't be found, you are prompted to enter your version of this directory. Try it out ...

Methodology: (not including error checking)

FIX 1:

1) install the DLLs using the INF file
2) delete the %windrive%\%PROGFILE%\windowsupdate\v4 folder if it exists

where %PROGFILE% is 'program files' (adjustable if yours is different)
and %windrive% is your system drive

3) re-create the folders and copy iuident.cab and iuident.txt to %windrive%\%PROGFILE%\windowsupdate\v4 and %windrive%\%PROGFILE%\windowsupdate\v4\temp

4) run the latest root certificate update

5) confirm you can access WU by going there

FIX 2:

1) only do step 2 of FIX1 --- why this works is beyond me.
2) confirm you can access WU by going there

Please, reupload other server...

This file: Additionally, a 404 Not Found error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request. Thx.

I download with link http://www.iinet.net...U_fix_v1.01.zip, thx.

This post has been edited by Philco: 10 March 2007 - 02:00 AM

[Max_04]

Works fine on Windows 98 SE Italian.
Compliments.

[MDGx]

soporific, on Mar 7 2007, 11:12 PM, said:

http://www.sharebigf...WU-fix-exe.html
http://www.fileden.c...WU_fix_v1.0.zip (direct download - best option)
http://www.filefacto...om/file/bd8a93/

None of these URLs work for me.
Could you upload this file somewhere else, please?
Or if you wish, please email it to me:
http://www.mdgx.com/form.htm

Thanks a bunch.

[TheSickman]

Tanks a lot

Wurks great on W98SE Dutch

danke

[soporific]

Change log:
v1.01
-- added 2 menu options: Windows Update, this web page
-- after either fix has been applied, Internet Explorer automatically goes to Windows Update
-- nothing crucial was added, so those with v1.00 don't really need to upgrade.

[Philco]

soporific, on Mar 9 2007, 09:36 PM, said:

Change log:
v1.01
-- added 2 menu options: Windows Update, this web page
-- after either fix has been applied, Internet Explorer automatically goes to Windows Update
-- nothing crucial was added, so those with v1.00 don't really need to upgrade.

I try install this utils (1.01) into Windows 98 SE / Czech (!) - working, OK! Thx!

[RainyShadow]

Funny, i just downloaded the fix and decided to check WU one last time before i start your program... guess what... WU worked

[Max_04]

@ soporific:

I send you in attachment runme_it.bat (replace .txt with .bat) translated in italian language to put in WU Fix 1.01, to share this utility in a italian community.
Naturally I leave each credit about your work.

Attached File(s)

•  runme_it.txt (5.17K)
  Number of downloads: 10

[soporific]

Max_04, on Mar 12 2007, 07:59 AM, said:

@ soporific:

I send you in attachment runme_it.bat (replace .txt with .bat) translated in italian language to put in WU Fix 1.01, to share this utility in a italian community.
Naturally I leave each credit about your work.

I'm on it. Localizations are fun !!

I've also improved the fixes a little, fix 2 sometimes needs to reboot to work properly.

EDIT2: to avoid having to type in your local equivalent of 'Program Files' if you tell me what it is, i'll include it in the code.

and here's the full set of text strings if anyone wants to do their language

 
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
:: LANGUAGE strings go here
:: Where the strings are grouped together  (a blank line separates groups)
::   try and make your version equal in character length,
::  so you don't have to translate each line perfectly as it is.

:ENGLISH
SET Tex01=Welcome to v%version% of the Windows Update fix by Soporific
SET Tex02=This will update your computer so that Windows Update works again

SET Tex03=Please Note
SET Tex03a=This has only been tested on a Win98se machine
SET Tex04=but i can't see why it won't work
SET Tex04a=for the entire Win9x/Me family

SET Tex05=Even those using localisations
SET Tex05a=in a language other than English can use this
SET Tex06=It has been confirmed to work on at least 3 other editions

SET Tex07=Press any key to continue or CTRL-C to finish

SET Tex08=Now checking if the Program Files folder is in the normal place
SET Tex09=the folder was found.

SET Tex10=There are two fixes included with this pack
SET Tex11=the first one should work for most people.
SET Tex12=the second one should only be used if the first doesn't work

SET Tex13=Internet Explorer will automatically go to
SET Tex14=Windows Update after the fix has been installed

SET Tex15=So, what do you want to do
SET Tex16=Press: 1 to install the normal fix  (use this one first)
SET Tex17=to install the alternate fix and reboot the computer
SET Tex18=to visit this utility's homepage
SET Tex19=to visit Windows Update
SET Tex20=to quit
SET Tex21=Opening Windows Update
SET Tex22=Opening the home page
SET Tex23=Installing Windows Update files
SET Tex24=Now doing the DLLs
SET Tex25=Now refreshing the WindowsUpdate folder
SET Tex26=Now copying over iuident.cab and iuident.txt
SET Tex27=Now doing the new root certificates
SET Tex28=All done
SET Tex29=Now going to Windows Update to see if it's fixed... I hope so! See ya

SET Tex30=It doesn't look like this is going to work for you, as you don't seem
SET Tex31=to have the 'Program Files' directory in the normal place
SET Tex32=You can enter that variable in now if you'd like
SET Tex32a=or enter nothing to EXIT

SET Tex33=Just type the name of the directory (don't put in quotes)
SET Tex34=that is the equivalent of 'Program Files'
SET Tex34a=for your computer
SET Tex35=New directory name
SET Tex36=doesn't seem to be correct. Please try again
SET Tex37=looks like its correct. Yay! Now continuing
SET Tex38=Reboot now
 

EDIT3: i added a prompt for reboot, so i'll need another string:

SET TXT_ST38=Reboot now?

EDIT4: Max_04 i sent you a PM re: more translations, it doesn't matter now.

EDIT5: i redid the strings again, please see the new version

This post has been edited by soporific: 12 March 2007 - 01:22 AM

[Max_04]

soporific, on Mar 12 2007, 04:51 AM, said:

EDIT2: to avoid having to type in your local equivalent of 'Program Files' if you tell me what it is, i'll include it in the code.

Already done!

In these strings, in runme_it.bat you can see:

l'equivalente di 'Program Files' (di solito 'Programmi')

Programmi is the italian entry of default for italian systems.

[soporific]

Max_04, on Mar 12 2007, 06:57 PM, said:

EDIT2: to avoid having to type in Already done!

thanks for that ... can you check this?

 
:ITALIAN
SET Tex01=Benvenuto alla versione v1.01 del Windows Update fix by Soporific
SET Tex02=Aggiornera' il computer in modo che Windows Update funzioni di nuovo

SET Tex03=Nota:
SET Tex03a=e' stato provato su un sistema Win98se
SET Tex04=ma non c'e' motivo per cui non funzioni
SET Tex04a=per la famiglia Win9x/Me

SET Tex05=Per quanto riguarda il funzionamento
SET Tex05a=per altre lingue oltre l'inglese
SET Tex06=e' stato testato su edizione italiana e olandese

SET Tex07=Premi qualunque tasto per continuare o CTRL-C per terminare

SET Tex08=Sto controllando se la cartella Program Files e' al suo posto
SET Tex09=cartella trovata

SET Tex10=Ci sono due correzioni inclusi con questo pack
SET Tex11=la prima funziona per la maggior parte dei casi
SET Tex12=la seconda va usata se la prima non funziona

SET Tex13=Internet Explorer andra' automaticamente su Windows Update
SET Tex14=dopo l'installazione della correzione

SET Tex15=Cosa vuoi fare
SET Tex16=Premi: 1 per installare la correzione normale (usa prima questa)
SET Tex17=per installare la correzione alternativa (se la prima non va)
SET Tex18=per visitare l'homepage dell'utility
SET Tex19=per visitare Windows Update
SET Tex20=per uscire
SET Tex21=Sto aprendo Windows Update
SET Tex22=Sto aprendo l'homepage
SET Tex23=Sto installando i file di Windows Update
SET Tex24=Mi sto occupando delle DLL
SET Tex25=Sto aggiornando la cartella WindowsUpdate
SET Tex26=Sto copiando iuident.cab e iuident.txt
SET Tex27=Eseguendo i nuovi certificati
SET Tex28=Fatto
SET Tex29=Vado in Windows Update per vedere se e' a posto...controlla

SET Tex30=Sembra non funzionare per te, cosi' come non sembra
SET Tex31=che tu abbia la directory 'Program Files'

SET Tex32=Puoi inserire la variabile giusta adesso se preferisci
SET Tex32a=o non inserire nulla per USCIRE

SET Tex33=Scrivi il nome della directory (senza virgolette) ovvero
SET Tex34=l'equivalente di 'Program Files' (di solito 'Programmi')
SET Tex34a=sul tuo computer
SET Tex35=Nuovo nome directory
SET Tex36=non sembra essere corretto. Riprova
SET Tex37=sembra quello corretto. Sto continuando
SET Tex38=Reboot now
 

This post has been edited by soporific: 12 March 2007 - 03:24 AM

[Max_04]

soporific, on Mar 12 2007, 10:23 AM, said:

Max_04, on Mar 12 2007, 06:57 PM, said:

EDIT2: to avoid having to type in Already done!

thanks for that ... can you check this?

 
:ITALIAN
SET Tex01=Benvenuto alla versione v1.01 del Windows Update fix by Soporific
SET Tex02=Aggiornera' il computer in modo che Windows Update funzioni di nuovo

SET Tex03=Nota:
SET Tex03a=e' stato provato su un sistema Win98se
SET Tex04=ma non c'e' motivo per cui non funzioni
SET Tex04a=per la famiglia Win9x/Me

SET Tex05=Per quanto riguarda il funzionamento
SET Tex05a=per altre lingue oltre l'inglese
SET Tex06=e' stato testato su edizione italiana e olandese

SET Tex07=Premi qualunque tasto per continuare o CTRL-C per terminare

SET Tex08=Sto controllando se la cartella Program Files e' al suo posto
SET Tex09=cartella trovata

SET Tex10=Ci sono due correzioni inclusi con questo pack
SET Tex11=la prima funziona per la maggior parte dei casi
SET Tex12=la seconda va usata se la prima non funziona

SET Tex13=Internet Explorer andra' automaticamente su Windows Update
SET Tex14=dopo l'installazione della correzione

SET Tex15=Cosa vuoi fare
SET Tex16=Premi: 1 per installare la correzione normale (usa prima questa)
SET Tex17=per installare la correzione alternativa (se la prima non va)
SET Tex18=per visitare l'homepage dell'utility
SET Tex19=per visitare Windows Update
SET Tex20=per uscire
SET Tex21=Sto aprendo Windows Update
SET Tex22=Sto aprendo l'homepage
SET Tex23=Sto installando i file di Windows Update
SET Tex24=Mi sto occupando delle DLL
SET Tex25=Sto aggiornando la cartella WindowsUpdate
SET Tex26=Sto copiando iuident.cab e iuident.txt
SET Tex27=Eseguendo i nuovi certificati
SET Tex28=Fatto
SET Tex29=Vado in Windows Update per vedere se e' a posto...controlla

SET Tex30=Sembra non funzionare per te, cosi' come non sembra
SET Tex31=che tu abbia la directory 'Program Files'

SET Tex32=Puoi inserire la variabile giusta adesso se preferisci
SET Tex32a=o non inserire nulla per USCIRE

SET Tex33=Scrivi il nome della directory (senza virgolette) ovvero
SET Tex34=l'equivalente di 'Program Files' (di solito 'Programmi')
SET Tex34a=sul tuo computer
SET Tex35=Nuovo nome directory
SET Tex36=non sembra essere corretto. Riprova
SET Tex37=sembra quello corretto. Sto continuando
SET Tex38=Reboot now
 

Change:

SET Tex10=Ci sono due correzioni inclusi con questo pack

with:

SET Tex10=Ci sono due correzioni incluse con questo pack

Change:

SET Tex38=Reboot now

with:

SET Tex38=Riavvia adesso

For the rest, all ok.

[soporific]

Change log for v 1.03

* improved the Italian localization - uses the default Program Files folder.
* included WAIT.com in the package - shorter delays, quicker program

... i can't seem to *permanently* fix the problem with accessing WU ... i'm doing lots of testing with AP and WU and there doesn't seem to be any pattern to why I can sometimes connect and sometimes not. Then when I apply the fix, there is no pattern again! Sometimes Fix 1 works, sometimes Fix 2, sometimes I need to reboot before it works, sometimes i wish bill gates would [insert favourite scenario about what you would like to do to him] ... at least the fix hasn't failed me yet, i can always choose some combination that works ...

anyway, v1.03 is out now ... (see 1st post)

[MDGx]

I've noticed that your batch prompts the user for non-default "C:\Program Files" folder location.
This can be accomplished easily without any prompts, thru command line Windows Script detection [using cscript.exe].
I use something like this in 98SE2ME [from O2.BAT = used to install options 1 + 2]:

Quote

SET PF=
SET LM=HKLM
SET VL=SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\VarLDID\28701
SET AN=&
ECHO SET sh=CreateObject("WScript.Shell")>%TEMP%.\$PF$.VBS
ECHO WScript.ECHO "SET PF=" %AN% sh.RegRead("%LM%\%VL%")>>%TEMP%.\$PF$.VBS
CSCRIPT.EXE //I //NoLogo %TEMP%.\$PF$.VBS>%TEMP%.\$PF$.BAT
IF EXIST %TEMP%.\$PF$.BAT CALL %TEMP%.\$PF$.BAT>NUL
IF EXIST %TEMP%.\$PF$.* DEL %TEMP%.\$PF$.*>NUL
FOR %%V IN (AN VL LM) DO SET %%V=
START /W EXTRAC32 /Y WIN_13.CAB /L "%PF%\Accessories" MSPCX*.*>NUL
START /W EXTRAC32 /Y WIN_17.CAB /L "%PF%\Accessories" WO*.*>NUL
START /W EXTRAC32 /Y WIN_19.CAB /L "%PF%\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\MSInfo" TX*.OCX>NUL
START /W EXTRAC32 /Y WIN_14.CAB /L "%PF%\Plus!" PLUS!.DLL>NUL
START /W EXTRAC32 /Y WIN_17.CAB /L "%PF%\Plus!" SYSAGENT.EXE>NUL
START /W EXTRAC32 /Y WIN_9.CAB /L "%PF%\Pinball" PINBALL.DAT>NUL
GETVER "%PF%\GameZone\BCKG.DLL" | FIND /I "1.2.62">NUL
IF NOT ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO GZ00
START /W EXTRAC32 /Y WIN_10.CAB /L "%PF%\GameZone" BCKG.DLL>NUL
:GZ00
GETVER "%PF%\GameZone\BCKGRES.DLL" | FIND /I "1.2.62">NUL
IF NOT ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO GZ01
START /W EXTRAC32 /Y WIN_10.CAB /L "%PF%\GameZone" BCKGRES.DLL>NUL
:GZ01
blah... blah... blah...
IF EXIST "%PF%\PLUS!\THEMES.EXE" GETVER "%PF%\PLUS!\THEMES.EXE" | FIND /I "1998">NUL
IF NOT ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO TX@
START /W EXTRAC32 /Y WIN_17.CAB /L "%PF%\PLUS!" THEMES.EXE>NUL
:TX@
SET LM=
SET VL=
SET AN=

This way detection works always 100% no matter where the user has "C:\Program Files" [even on another drive/partition], and LFNs are also properly supported.

This script uses also EXTRAC32.EXE, START.EXE + GETVER.EXE .

HTH

[soporific]

MDGx, on Mar 14 2007, 09:13 AM, said:

I've noticed that your batch prompts the user for non-default "C:\Program Files" folder location.
This can be accomplished easily without any prompts, thru command line Windows Script detection [using cscript.exe].

Thanks, as always. The program is faster to use now ... since i have to use it often, this is good ...

1.04 contains the new 'program files' detection code, link from the 1st post.

EDIT: can people check how i went with Babel Fish Translation:

:English
SET Tex01=Welcome to the Windows Update Fix
SET Tex01a=Version
SET Tex01b=by

:Italian
SET Tex01=Benvenuto al Windows Update Fix
SET Tex01a=Versione
SET Tex01b=da

:French
SET Tex01=Bienvenue sur le correctif pour Windows Update
SET Tex01a=Version
SET Tex01b=par

Thanks to reno7 for the French text strings


v1.05 now available -- French strings added, display tweaked a bit

This post has been edited by soporific: 14 March 2007 - 04:47 AM

[Max_04]

soporific, on Mar 14 2007, 06:55 AM, said:

EDIT: can people check how i went with Babel Fish Translation:

:Italian
SET Tex01=Benvenuto al Windows Update Fix
SET Tex01a=Versione
SET Tex01b=da

OK!!

[PsycoUnc]

? stupid question here, probably, but could someone please explain the need for this? I've never had any problems accessing winupdate, whether it's win98se, winME, xp, and have never heard of any such problems w/my friends/family... ?
(unless, of course, this is somehow a "WGA" issue, but I didn't think that applied to w9x...?)

[soporific]

PsycoUnc, on Mar 15 2007, 10:52 AM, said:

? stupid question here, probably, but could someone please explain the need for this? I've never had any problems accessing winupdate, whether it's win98se, winME, xp, and have never heard of any such problems w/my friends/family... ?
(unless, of course, this is somehow a "WGA" issue, but I didn't think that applied to w9x...?)

Some of us started seeing the following message:



If you can acces Windows Update properly, then there's no need to install this.

This has been discussed quite a bit here at MSFN so if you haven't heard about it, you should visit more often!

[soporific]

Quote

Hi,
in the forum with all the people it worked, i think thats only for me that it doesnt.

i tried fix1 and fix2 without success.
This is the page that apear to me http://update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/...ankspage=2&

My language is portuguese. Program Files folder is c:\Programas

I have win98SE. I instaled IE6 SP1
I don't know what is wrong, can you help?

Thanks

I got the above message as a PM, i thought i'd add it to the thread ... i'll check into this

more info from my experiences:

1) a few times i've thought that the fix doesn't work --- but after trying a number of combinations of installing fixes 1 and 2 and also rebooting, it eventually works. Sometimes i've had to use fix 1, reboot, then use fix 1 again and it finally works. Talk about temperamental!

2) some people are reporting that just changing the shortcut properties of the WU link works for them, i will investigate this further.