PC Hell: How to Fix Windows Vista Update Error 80244019

Troubleshooting a Dead Network Connection

If you cannot open a web page on your computer or reach the Internet, you'll want to follow this outline to narrow the problem and get yourself back online. This information is the same basic info that I recommend for the dreaded Limited or No Connectivity issues as well. Check the following issues.

1) Your Network or DSL router may have bad or missing information. Powercycle your router and/or rebuild the configuration in your router.

2) Double-check your cabling to the computer. Make sure you have the correct type of cabling, straight-through CAT 5 or possibly a crossover cable. Try another cable or test the cable to make sure its working properly.

3) Check your network card to make sure its configured correctly and working properly. Many times setting the network card to 10Mbps/Full Duplex will solve this issue. To do this, open Control Panel, System, Device Manager. Go to the properties of the Network card, click on the Advanced tab and find the Link Speed and Duplex section. Change it from Auto Detect to 10Mbps/Full Duplex.

4) Check and test your firewall. Your firewall, especially if its a software firewall like Zone Alarm, Black Ice, Norton Firewall or something else could be blocking the connection. Disable your firewall and test the connection. You may have to resolve the problem by even uninstalling and reinstalling the firewall.

5) Check your IP address assignments and workgroup settings in the computer for accuracy. Statically assign IPs to the computers in your network.

6) Reset your TCP/IP stack by downloading and running WinsockXPFix.exe a Visual Basic program designed to fix corrupted TCP/IP issues, host file problems and a variety of other connectivity issues.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, please proceed. On many sites on the web, there was a solution posted that referenced a registry entry located at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU. From my investigation this registry entry generally does not exist and therefore does not fix the problem. However, in a few cases, the system has been infected with the DNSChanger trojan.

DNSChanger Trojan

One of the most common problems associated with Windows Vista Update Error 80244019 is the DNSChanger Trojan. You'll recognize this trojan by checking the DNS server assignments on the computer that does not update. Do this by following these steps.

1) In Windows Vista, click on the Windows orb

2) Click in the Search box and type CMD and press Enter

3) At the command prompt, type IPCONFIG /ALL and press Enter

4) You should be presented with the bunch of information, find the section for your Internet connection. It may be entitled Ethernet Adapter Local Area Connection or something similar.

5) Find the DNS Server section and double-check the numbers. Usually the DNS is a local IP like 192.168.0.1 or it could be a statically assigned IP from your ISP. If the DNS numbers are remotely similar to the following IPs then you have the DNSChanger trojan. These IPs originate in Europe.

85.255.113.122
85.255.112.83
85.255.116.148
85.255.112.223

6) Type Exit at the command prompt to close it

Easiest Way to Remove the DNSChanger Trojan

If the DNSChanger trojan is on your computer chances are you may be infected with more viruses or trojans. One of my favorite programs for finding these problems is MalwareBytes Anti-Malware. Its a relatively new anti-spyware type program but definitely one of the best. In fact the author created the removal tool for the About:Blank hijacker a few years ago.

Download MalwareBytes Anti-Malware by clicking on the link below. Save the file to your desktop. When the download completes, double-click on the file and install it. Then run an update and start a full scan of your computer.

Free Trial of MalwareBytes Anti-Malware

Buy MalwareBytes Anti-Malware

If you use MalwareBytes Anti-Malware to scan your computer, you'll find information in the log file similar to the following if the DNS Changer trojan is found.

Registry Data Items Infected:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\NameServer (Trojan.DNSChanger) -> Data: 85.255.116.148 85.255.112.223 -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interfaces\{806586a1-a695-45bb-9075-88b9ef4addf6}\NameServer (Trojan.DNSChanger) -> Data: 85.255.116.148,85.255.112.223 -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\NameServer (Trojan.DNSChanger) -> Data: 85.255.116.148 85.255.112.223 -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interfaces\{806586a1-a695-45bb-9075-88b9ef4addf6}\NameServer (Trojan.DNSChanger) -> Data: 85.255.116.148,85.255.112.223 -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet003\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\NameServer (Trojan.DNSChanger) -> Data: 85.255.116.148 85.255.112.223 -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet003\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interfaces\{806586a1-a695-45bb-9075-88b9ef4addf6}\NameServer (Trojan.DNSChanger) -> Data: 85.255.116.148,85.255.112.223 -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet004\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\NameServer (Trojan.DNSChanger) -> Data: 85.255.116.148 85.255.112.223 -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet004\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interfaces\{806586a1-a695-45bb-9075-88b9ef4addf6}\NameServer (Trojan.DNSChanger) -> Data: 85.255.116.148,85.255.112.223 -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

After removing the infections and rebooting your computer, go back to Windows Updates and try to download your updates. Everything should work now.

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