JSI Tip 9210. You receive 'Error 1058: The service cannot be started' when you attempt to manually start the Automatic Updates service on Windows XP?

When you attempt to start the Automatic Updates (wuauserv) service, you receive an error similar to:

Could not start the Automatic Updates service on account name.

Error 1058: The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it.

The System event log also records:

Event Type: Error
Event Source: DCOM
Event Category: None
Event ID: 10005
Date: MM/DD/YYYY
Time: HH:MM:SS
User:
Computer:
Description: DCOM got error "The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it. " attempting to start the service servicename with arguments "" in order to run the server: {COM object GUID}

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

This behavior will occur if the Automatic Updates service is disabled for the hardware profile you booted.

To resolve this issue:

1. Start / Run / Services.msc / OK.

2. Double-click the Automatic Updates service in the right-hand pane.

3. Select the Log On tab.

4. In the You can enable or disable this service for the hardware profiles listed below area, select the current hardware profile.

5. Press Enable.

6. Press Apply.

7. Select the General tab.

8. Press the Start button.

9. Press OK.