psyman2016

Q: Apple Software Update - "Server could not be found"

Hi, hope someone can help please?

 

Apple Software Update suggested that I update it (Apple Software Update) to a newer version (which turns out to be Vers 2.2)

 

I did this and install seemed to go OK, then when Apple Software Update ran again (and every time since) it comes up with an error message: "The Apple Software Update Server could not be found. Check your internet settings and try again."

 

So my network / internet and everything else on my machine works fine, but for some reason the new version of the apple update app is spitting it's dummy and can't access the internet!

 

I've re-booted my machine, repaired the application via control panel, checked firewall settings and turned it off all together, but to no avail. Couldn't find anywhere on the apple software download site as to where I can re-download / install it either, or I would have given that a go.


Anyone have any suggestions how I can solve this? It's really annoying!

 

If not, anyone know how to roll it back to the previous version?

 

My PCs running Win 7 Professional 64 bit

 

Thanks in advance all

 

Psyman

Windows 7

Posted on Mar 15, 2016 3:19 PM

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Q: Apple Software Update - "Server could not be found"

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  • by MasterofApple,

    MasterofApple MasterofApple Mar 15, 2016 3:22 PM in response to psyman2016
    Level 2 (182 points)
    Apple Watch
    Mar 15, 2016 3:22 PM in response to psyman2016

    Here's a few things you should try:

    1. Update your computer

    2. Restart your computer

    3. Update to Windows 10

    4. Delete iTunes (Or whatever software you're trying to update) and then reinstall it from the iTunes Website

  • by psyman2016,

    psyman2016 psyman2016 Mar 15, 2016 3:35 PM in response to MasterofApple
    Level 1 (2 points)
    Mar 15, 2016 3:35 PM in response to MasterofApple

    Hi, thanks for the prompt reply!

     

    1. No updates required from Windows update (all up to date)

    2. Done - several times

    3. I'm not upgrading to Win 10 to fix this - I know this would cause problems with other applications I have on my PC - it's not a credible solution to fix this problem

    4. I'm not trying to update any software.. that's the problem! Apple Software Update asked to update itself - which I allowed - and then once it had finished updating the new version doesn't work?!?

     

    Any more ideas?

     

    Thanks

  • by psyman2016,

    psyman2016 psyman2016 Mar 15, 2016 3:38 PM in response to psyman2016
    Level 1 (2 points)
    Mar 15, 2016 3:38 PM in response to psyman2016

    Hoorah, it's not just me then!

     

    https://discussions.apple.com/message/29913920#29913920

     

    Makes me feel better that I am not alone!

  • by RoboTeacher,Helpful

    RoboTeacher RoboTeacher Mar 16, 2016 2:58 AM in response to psyman2016
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mar 16, 2016 2:58 AM in response to psyman2016

    I'm also receiving this error since installing the 2.2 update.    I have both Windows 7 (Enterprise) and Windows 10 (Pro)  PCs.  Problem is occurring on all upgraded so far

  • by edfromwollaston,Helpful

    edfromwollaston edfromwollaston Mar 16, 2016 4:02 AM in response to psyman2016
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Mar 16, 2016 4:02 AM in response to psyman2016

    I have the same problem on a PC running Windows 10 Pro.  The PC is up to date, and disabling the firewall didn't help.  The problem now is that if Apple issues a newer version to fix the problem, it seems that no-one with version 2.2 will ever be able to download it!

  • by owlyn,

    owlyn owlyn Mar 16, 2016 4:35 AM in response to psyman2016
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mar 16, 2016 4:35 AM in response to psyman2016

    I am one of the ones on another thread with the same problem. It's odd, because my work laptop has no problem, but my home PC does. Both Windows 7 64 bit.

     

    In the meantime, I went back to the previous version. You need to uninstall iTunes and some other things, as shown here: Remove and reinstall iTunes and related software components for Windows 7 and later - Apple Support

     

    Then, do NOT take the offered 2.2 upgrade.

  • by B0b,

    B0b B0b Mar 16, 2016 8:33 PM in response to psyman2016
    Level 2 (253 points)
    Mar 16, 2016 8:33 PM in response to psyman2016

    Same problem on Win 7 in my bootcamp mac mini and 4 other Windows systems some using Win 7 , 8.1 and Win 10

     

    As the Apple Software update is included in iTunes full install pkg I am just going to wait for a new version before re-installing.

  • by br1@n,

    br1@n br1@n Mar 17, 2016 7:46 AM in response to psyman2016
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mar 17, 2016 7:46 AM in response to psyman2016

    I have the same problem.

     

    The update is intended to modify the interface to encrypt the data because a potential exploit has been found.

     

    What happened before the 2.2 update was that the client (the software that was updated) first contacted an Akamai server (a content delivery service provider) which downloaded about 250KB of data. The client then performed a DNS lookup to find an Apple server and the update process continued.

     

    Instead, after the 2.2 update, the connection to the Akamai server and the download takes place but subsequently the client aborts the transaction and displays the error message on the screen. No attempt is made to contact the Apple server.

     

    Who knows why it should work on some machines but not others? Well Apple should but there doesn't appear to be any way to tell them about the problem as the 'Apple Software Update' is an embedded part of other products and doesn't exist in its own right. As a result you don't appear to be able to ask a question about it!

     

    Note that you can return to the older version of the client on Windows without having to reinstall iTunes. The iTunes installer is an 'archive' and can be opened with, for example, the free 7zip program. Within it you will see an Apple Software Update msi file (if you are using the 64 bit installer then it is under .rsrc). If you double click on this the old client will be reinstalled. Make sure that you have used programs and features to uninstall the 'faulty' client first as the msi won't overwrite the newer version.

  • by owlyn,

    owlyn owlyn Mar 18, 2016 4:08 AM in response to br1@n
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mar 18, 2016 4:08 AM in response to br1@n

    I called apple and opened a ticket on this. I suggest everyone do the same. They currently have no notes that anyone is working on this. In the U.S> call 1-800-275-2273. Just keep responding "Apple Software Update", and you will eventually get to a human.

  • by psyman2016,

    psyman2016 psyman2016 Mar 18, 2016 5:04 AM in response to owlyn
    Level 1 (2 points)
    Mar 18, 2016 5:04 AM in response to owlyn

    Yep, I've just done the same.  I also suggested that they look at how customers are able (or unable in this case) to provide feedback in respect of applications that are delivered across several main stream Apple products (iTunes, iCloud etc) and as such don't seem to feature anywhere in their Support pages.

     

    The Rep I spoke to was very helpful, promised to raise it as a "Complaint" (so would be guaranteed to be look at by someone senior) and also to flag up the lack of an avenue to raise problems with "supplementary / component software"...... 

  • by B0b,

    B0b B0b Mar 19, 2016 8:48 PM in response to psyman2016
    Level 2 (253 points)
    Mar 19, 2016 8:48 PM in response to psyman2016

    I keep a lot of restore points on one PC and did roll it back- the only pending updates after doing that was  the SAME 2.2 software updates.

     

    Guessing someone will tell us if there is a new version of Cloud or iTunes for Windows - in the past we generally get them on the mac first.

     

    My boot camp Win 7 had the same problem ( all systems using airport extreme and Time-Warner for internet access )

  • by Scottyboy99,

    Scottyboy99 Scottyboy99 Mar 25, 2016 4:06 AM in response to B0b
    Level 1 (79 points)
    Apple Watch
    Mar 25, 2016 4:06 AM in response to B0b

    Apple software update was working ok for me on all our machines for the new version - I used it to update iTunes earlier this week and confirmed it still worked fine after the updates. BUT this morning on all our machines same error now appears. If it was working ok but now fails then surely an Apple server issue at their end . Very frustrating. I am not prepared to uninstall iTunes , reinstall and risk upsetting my library so will wait it out but as someone rightly pointed out. If they update the software then how can we do it without ASU working in the first place. Another disappointment from Apple, I sincerely hope it's  server end fix they can do. They not be more aware of the problems and QA testing needs improving that's for sure

     

    EDIT - reading someone else's post the blame must be this AKMAI server which Apple need to address. God knows why the ASU worked ok for me up until today. Although I hadn't used for a couple days so not sure when problem may of reared its head

  • by br1@n,

    br1@n br1@n Mar 25, 2016 7:28 AM in response to Scottyboy99
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mar 25, 2016 7:28 AM in response to Scottyboy99

    It is not necessarily a server problem. ASU is embedded within iTunes, so if the new version of iTunes also contains a new version of ASU you will install that as well. This is probably why ASU stopped working.

     

    There  is no point reinstalling iTunes if you have updated it as you will just end up putting the problem ASU back on. As I explained in my previous post you don't need to reinstall iTunes to get back to a working version of ASU - you need to extract the working one from an older version of iTunes. You can download older versions of iTunes from Apple's website.

     

    Just remember not to update anything via the working ASU until a fix is available or you will end up with the problem ASU again.

  • by Scottyboy99,

    Scottyboy99 Scottyboy99 Mar 25, 2016 8:04 AM in response to br1@n
    Level 1 (79 points)
    Apple Watch
    Mar 25, 2016 8:04 AM in response to br1@n

    I Understand what you are saying but ASU latest was working for me earlier in week and also after the new iTunes. So it's strange it worked ok and only in last day or so we get the problem on all our machines. That's why I was inclined to blame the server

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