Windows Update will not install files.

[Sanction010]

Hi there,

I was infected by malware recently and Katana over in your Virus Removal Forums helped me clean that out of my system. That mallware shut off my automatic updates but cleaning it out got my updates back on. The problem is now the updates will not install, even though they do download. The only update available for download now is Service Pack 3 and it will not install.

After Katana helped clean my system out, he attempted to get my updates to install with a few steps posted here:

http://icrontic.com/forum/showthread...126#post629126

None of those steps worked. I can validate Windows fine, the Microsoft Diagnostic finds everything ok and somehow the the files from AutoUpdate a few days ago happened to install without doing anything during a computer shutdown (at least I think they installed, as the AutoUpdate icon is no longer on my taskbar).

Any help here would be greatly appreciated as I don't want to miss out on any vital security updates from Microsoft.

Thanks,
Alfred

[kryyst]

If you go into internet explorer and then tools>windows update then below where it wants to install SP3 there is another link (I forget the exact wording) but it says something to the effect of install other updates. Is there anything showing there?

[Sanction010]

Hi there!

Nothing on that page about SP3, it's just asking me to run "express" or "custom" checks to see if I need updates. After selecting "express," SP3 is a high priority update and the only update available. After clicking Install, it runs through the download process but then it stops and the message states the updates were not installed.

Thanks for taking the time to help me with this issue.

Alfred

[kryyst]

Yeah don't do the express one. Go into the custom one and then select the patches you want. There'll be 3 categories Priority, Recommended and Hardware.

[Sanction010]

There were 3 hardware patches, all downloaded and installed correctly. I also tried the high priority patch at the same time (Security Update for Windows XP (KB951748) and it failed to download. Windows asked to re-start.

After the re-start there were 6 software patches, 1 failed to download (Update for Windows XP (KB920342)). I tried the high priority patch again and it failed to download (Security Update for Windows XP (KB951748). Windows asked for a re-start.

After the new re-start I tried both failed updates and neither installed again. They are failing during the download process and not getting to the install attempt. I didn't try to install SP3 at all this go-around.

Are the two failed updates required by chance?

Thanks again for your help,
Alfred

[Missileman]

Look for a free download program called "Dial-A-Fix".

Download it and run it. Select fix windows update problems, execute - all fixed. I usually run it and check all the boxes, Never hurts anything and straightens up a lot of things.