Hello,

Windows XP Pro SP2 here.

I recently noticed I haven't been getting my usual Automatic Updates. I
peeked into the Event Log and noticed the BITS service was not
starting. Trying to manually start it, I received an error. Apparently
a registry key (FilesNotToBackup or something similar) was removed
sometime within the last month. I've heard other users say BITS stopped
working when they removed Norton Antivirus and LiveUpdate, and this may
be what happened to me (I had Norton and removed it about a month ago
so I could start using NOD32). Either way, the BITS service will now
start and run.

However, I've heard conflicting reports on what startup type the BITS
service should be in. Manual or Automatic? Also, if the service is in
Manual, should it start automatically when I try to download something
from Windows/Microsoft Update, or when Automatic Updates checks for
updates? I had a problem with Windows Update not downloading selected
updates/failing when the service was set to Manual... but this may have
been related to my unregistering qmgr.dll (done during my earlier
troubleshooting when BITS wouldn't even start). If I start the service
myself and it is "Running" then try Windows Update, it downloads and
installs updates without a problem.

caerdwyn@gmail.com wrote:

> Hello,
>
> Windows XP Pro SP2 here.
>
> I recently noticed I haven't been getting my usual Automatic Updates. I
> peeked into the Event Log and noticed the BITS service was not
> starting. Trying to manually start it, I received an error. Apparently
> a registry key (FilesNotToBackup or something similar) was removed
> sometime within the last month. I've heard other users say BITS stopped
> working when they removed Norton Antivirus and LiveUpdate, and this may
> be what happened to me (I had Norton and removed it about a month ago
> so I could start using NOD32). Either way, the BITS service will now
> start and run.
>
> However, I've heard conflicting reports on what startup type the BITS
> service should be in. Manual or Automatic? Also, if the service is in
> Manual, should it start automatically when I try to download something
> from Windows/Microsoft Update, or when Automatic Updates checks for
> updates? I had a problem with Windows Update not downloading selected
> updates/failing when the service was set to Manual... but this may have
> been related to my unregistering qmgr.dll (done during my earlier
> troubleshooting when BITS wouldn't even start). If I start the service
> myself and it is "Running" then try Windows Update, it downloads and
> installs updates without a problem.
>

For windows update issues it would be best to post to the experts in the
windows update newsgroup:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsof....windowsupdate

AFAIK, BITS only needs to be set for manual.

--
Rock
MS MVP Windows - Shell/User