Web updates

[NewsArchive]

Friedrich,

Have a client with a program that does web updates. The install on my
system works perfectly checking (and downloading) updates. When
checking for updates on his system, he gets the error message about the
manifest file not found.

This tells me something is blocking wupdate.exe from accessing the
internet. I've added a firewall exception for it and he's still getting
the error. This tells me the next likely culprit is his anti-virus
program. I've recommended his IT folks add that exception.

Is there anything else that could prevent the program from doing its job?
--

Russ Eggen
RADFusion International, LLC

[NewsArchive]

Hi Russ,

> Is there anything else that could prevent the program from doing its job?

The web client communication is very simple to make it through 99.999% of
all "protection" systems. The web client makes use of the Windows core
WinSock component (Port 80) to download via the HTTP protocol.

The following can "block" communication:

#1. The anti-virus / anti-spyware system blocks the wupdate.exe and/or
wucheck.exe component -or- your IP address.

#2. The firewall(s) block(s) wupdate.exe and/or wucheck.exe (depends on what
client you are using).

#3. If a proxy server is involved, the proxy does some unusual things.

I have not seen a #4 in all the years (assuming that the server
configuration settings are correct, including MIME types).

Friedrich

[NewsArchive]

Thanks.

--

Russ Eggen
RADFusion International, LLC

[NewsArchive]

>
> Thanks.
>

If possible, please keep me posted!

Friedrich

[NewsArchive]

OK, this is getting strange.

On my machine, I can install the program (as I often do to test installs
and updates) and it can spot the update and apply it.

I remoted in to his machine and looking at the registry, there was no
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Lindersoft\ key! Even ran the install
again, never showed up. The Uninstall hangs instantly. Even if run as
admin. They are on Win 7.

But without that reg key (and the stuff under it), this now explains why
I'm getting the manifest error - has no information on where to look.

Even tried manually adding everything (could have made a typo somewhere).

Funny thing is, the program runs fine. But the install does not write
to the registry and the update fails.

Would you like me to send you the two projects via private mail?

--

Russ Eggen
RADFusion International, LLC

[NewsArchive]

Russ,

>
> Would you like me to send you the two projects via private mail?
>

Yes, you can send the project files. But IMO, you do not let the install
run with elevated privileges and as a result, you do not have write access
to protected areas (e.g. the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE). This is a typical
permission issue. Or do you see the HKLM entries in the uninstall .log? If
yes, then an external program "removed" the entries (quite a few people run
Registry Clean software to "optimize" their OS not realizing that they
damage their machines).

Friedrich

[NewsArchive]

See email. Thanks in advance!

--

Russ Eggen
RADFusion International, LLC

[NewsArchive]

>
> See email. Thanks in advance!
>

BTW, if your customer is running a 64-bit machine, are you sure you have
looked in the right registry branch (the 32-bit one and not 64-bit)?

On 64-bit machines there is no "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Lindersoft"

Friedrich

[NewsArchive]

No, I'm not sure <g>.

But I can test this on my Surface.

--

Russ Eggen
RADFusion International, LLC

[NewsArchive]

Hi Russ,

> No, I'm not sure <g>.
>
> But I can test this on my Surface.

<g>

See attached screenshots. Your project running on Windows 7 Ultimate x64.
It creates all registry entries and web update works as expected (no
manifest error).

Friedrich

[NewsArchive]

Web update process working fine :-)

Friedrich

[NewsArchive]

After running the update, it reports the expected "you have the most recent
version"...

Friedrich

[NewsArchive]

Uninstall also worked as expected! No problem on Windows 7 Ultimate x64
(clean install).

Friedrich

[NewsArchive]

Good!

OK, then I need to find out what the issue is at the client's site. But
I'll check his registry, and see what's up there.

--

Russ Eggen
RADFusion International, LLC

[NewsArchive]

Russ,

> Good!
>
> OK, then I need to find out what the issue is at the client's site. But
> I'll check his registry, and see what's up there.

The registry items are definitely there. Otherwise, you would see this (see
attached screenshot).

The manifest file error only comes up if communication with your server is
not possible.

Friedrich

[NewsArchive]

Gotcha. OK, then something is blocking its communication.

These guys are very security prone. As an alternative, they'd like the
updates checked on their own server. Which I reckon I can do, provided
they give me an ftp account and folder to upload it to. To SB, an IP
addresses is an IP address.

--

Russ Eggen
RADFusion International, LLC

[NewsArchive]

Hi Russ,

> Gotcha. OK, then something is blocking its communication.
>
> These guys are very security prone. As an alternative, they'd like the
> updates checked on their own server. Which I reckon I can do, provided
> they give me an ftp account and folder to upload it to. To SB, an IP
> addresses is an IP address.

Yes, it's definitely one of their protection system blocking communication
with your server. It's absolutely no problem to handle it through their
server. You only need a simple HTTP 1.x server, upload the files via FTP
and you are done.

Friedrich

[NewsArchive]

Thanks - will investigate.

--

Russ Eggen
RADFusion International, LLC