Google Updater isn't working

It's the main Google Updater program, not the web browser.

Here's a link to a screenshot of my problem:

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/2576/screenshotmy6.jpg

I would check your ZoneAlarm firewall and see if it is blocking the Google Updater's access to the internet.

Mark

It's not blocking it at all!

The Google Updater uses the service BITS, (Background Intelligent Transfer Service). Make sure your BITS Service is turned on to automatic, guidance here, and also make sure that you have write access to the following folder:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\
(right click the folder, select Properties, and check that it is not "Read only").

If that doesn't work I would suggest uninstalling Google Updater through the Add/Remove applet in the Control Panel, then rebooting the computer to remove any remnants, then downloading and installing again.

I hope that helps.

Mark

Still nothing.

(I may need to defrag my HD. It's been about a month since I've done it last.)

When I try to quit, I get a box saying it's installing software (Google Earth is what I chose at the web site).
Yet I don't see anything in the window.

Defragmenting is only a re-arrangement of existing files on a hard disk where file fragmentation has occurred, and it doesn't "fix" application problems.

From what you have just said I would have been convinced that the Google Updater is attempting to contact the internet, (not unexpected as many installer/updater programs now pull files directly from internet servers nowadays rather than bundle them all in the one huge installer .exe file), but you are adamant that it is not your firewall.

Can you post an image (screen print) of that box you are getting, the one that says it is installing software? ImageShack or Photobucket will host images.

What happens if you try to update Google Earth without using the Google Updater, eg from within Google Earth itself through Help > "Check for updates"?

You have uninstalled Google Updater, rebooted and tried to re-install, so that is not working either.

I think it is time to look at malware infection. If this was me, as well as scanning with my own anti-virus and anti-spyware utilities, I would visit both Housecall at http://housecall.trendmicro.com and Ewido at http://www.ewido.net/en/onlinescan/ (IE required with ActiveX enabled), and remove all that they find.

Also, because this appears to be installation problems, I would look into Microsoft's Windows Installer Cleanup Utility to see if it would clean up any installer registry entry problems. However I have never used this myself and I understand caution is advised because it is a powerful tool.

Mark

Too late. I can't post a screenshot. Sorry.

however, I'll try that Installer cleanup utility and Ad-Aware 2007.

Hopefully this guidance will help with the Windows Installer Cleanup Tool;
http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/209/1/

It explains how to re-register vbscript.dll. If that is not successful, then it recommends downloading Windows Script 5.6.

By the way I note you said you would check with AdAware. Is this the only anti-malware utility you use?

Mark

I managed to install it. But it warns me that I might be unable to uninstall some of my programs. Is it safe to continue?


Also, I have bot Ad-Aware 2007 and Spybot S&D on my system.

That tool is very powerful and should be handled with care. So you will need the original installation files for things that it lists, eg Microsoft Office. If you have those, like the Office CD, then if anything happens you can just re-install the applications afterwards.

Those anti-malware applications. Ad-Aware and Spybot. They are anti-spyware only. Do you have any anti-virus installed? And what about a firewall to stop hackers?

Mark