Games for Windows LIVE: When you try to sign in to LIVE from a Games for Windows game, you receive the error message: "Can't download the update"

When you log on to Games for Windows LIVE from a Games for Windows title, you may be prompted to download an update. However, the update is not installed. Instead, you receive the following error message, and you cannot log on to the Games for Windows LIVE service:

This problem occurs for one of the following reasons:

• The computer has two or more network adapters. The firewall client binds to one of the network adapters for Internet connectivity while Games for Windows LIVE selects a different network adapter. When a Games for Windows LIVE title tries to connect to the service, the communication never makes it out to the Internet.
• A firewall or an antivirus program is blocking port 3074 TCP.

If the computer has two or more network interface cards, use the methods in the following order. If the computer has one network adapter, use Method 2.

Method 1: Change the binding order of network adapters or disable extra network adapters

1. On a computer that is running Windows XP, click Start, click Run, type ncpa.cpl, and then click OK.
   
   On a computer that is running Windows Vista, click Start
   Collapse this imageExpand this image

   
   , type ncpa.cpl, and then press ENTER.
2. On the Advanced menu, click Advanced Settings.
   
   Note If you are using Windows Vista and you do not see the Advanced menu, press the ALT key. The menu bar will appear.
   
   At this point, Windows Vista needs your permission to continue.
3. On the Adapters and Bindings tab in the Connections area, select the connection that you want to move up in the list. Use the arrow buttons to move the connection.
   
   Notes
   • The Adapters and Bindings tab lists the connections in the order in which network services access the connections. The order of these connections reflects the order in which TCP/IP or the next available protocol is bound to the network adapters. The bindings for remote access connections apply to all remote access connections.
   • The Provider Order tab lists the network providers for your computer. You can use the arrow buttons to change the order in which these providers are accessed. You can arrange the order in which the computer accesses information about the network. Providers and other connections are accessed in the order in which the providers and the connections are listed.
4. Click OK, and then test the Games for Windows title. If the problem still occurs, continue to step 5.
5. On a computer that is running Windows XP, click Start, click Run, type ncpa.cpl, and then click OK.
   
   On a computer that is running Windows Vista, click Start
   Collapse this imageExpand this image

   
   , type ncpa.cpl, and then press ENTER.
6. Right-click the adapter you want to disable, and then click Disable.
7. Close the Network Connections window.
8. Test the Games for Windows title.

If the problem still occurs, try Method 2.

Method 2: Set an exception for the Windows Vista Firewall

Warning This workaround may make a computer or a network more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses. We do not recommend this workaround but are providing this information so that you can implement this workaround at your own discretion. Use this workaround at your own risk.

Note Do not open a port for a program that you do not recognize.

1. On a computer that is running Windows XP, click Start, click Run, type wscui.cpl, and then click OK.
   
   On a computer that is running Windows Vista, click Start
   Collapse this imageExpand this image

   
   , type wscui.cpl, and then press ENTER.
2. Click Windows Firewall.
3. On the Exceptions tab, locate the game in the Program and Services list. Click to select the check box to enable that game to connect through the firewall.
   
   If the game is not listed in this window, add that game to the exception list. Click Add Program, and then click Browse. Locate the executable file for the Games for Windows game title, and then click Open. For example, by default, the executable file for Halo 2 for Vista is installed in the following location:
   C: \Program Files\Microsoft Games\Halo 2\Halo2.exe
4. Click OK three times.

If the problem still occurs, try Method 3.

Method 3: Manually install the Games for Windows LIVE update

1. Visit the following Microsoft Web site:
   http://www.gamesforwindows.com (http://www.gamesforwindows.com)
2. Click Support.
3. Click Get Games for Windows – LIVE Support & Updates here.
4. Click Download the Latest Update.
5. Click Run to download and immediately install the update, or click Save to download the update to install it later.
6. After you install the update, reconnect to Games for Windows LIVE.