After XP Pro SP3, no updates will install

As of this morning - - -
Service Pack 3 installed fine, but after that Windows updates download but
won't install.
Cannot find any errors in the update log.

Office updates install fine.

Should have mentioned that I already tried several suggestions found in this
newsgroup, as well as those on the Microsoft site.

"Jim Pletcher" wrote:

> As of this morning - - -
> Service Pack 3 installed fine, but after that Windows updates download but
> won't install.
> Cannot find any errors in the update log.
>
> Office updates install fine.
>
>

Also should have mentioned, that the update history shows NO failures.

"Jim Pletcher" wrote:

> As of this morning - - -
> Service Pack 3 installed fine, but after that Windows updates download but
> won't install.
> Cannot find any errors in the update log.
>
> Office updates install fine.
>
>

Jim Pletcher wrote:
> As of this morning - - -
> Service Pack 3 installed fine, but after that Windows updates
> download but won't install.
> Cannot find any errors in the update log.
>
> Office updates install fine.

Jim Pletcher wrote:
> Should have mentioned that I already tried several suggestions
> found in this newsgroup, as well as those on the Microsoft site.

Jim Pletcher wrote:
> Also should have mentioned, that the update history shows NO
> failures

Given all that you have (not much), here's what I can ask/suggest...

- Which suggestions have you tried?
These?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
Try method 1 and try to update*.
Try method 2 and try to update*.

*try to update:
- Visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
- If it asks you to install anything before you see a selection of "Custom"
or "Express" - do so.
- Once you see the "Custom" or "Express" selection, choose "Custom".
- Scan for updates.
- When it lists what it finds - install the critical ones.
- You are generally safe doing the Optional Software Updates. I suggest
avoiding the Optional Hardware Updates completely.


Another thing to try:

Get Dial-a-Fix:
http://wiki.djlizard.net/Dial-a-fix

Use its options to fix:
- Windows Installer
- Windows Update
- All the Registration Center options.

Turn off the "Empty System32\Catroot 2"
Do NOT do "Flush SoftwareDistribution".

Then click "GO" and wait until it is done... Reboot will be needed.

- Download/Install Windows Update v3.
http://download.windowsupdate.com/Wi...gent30-x86.exe
(You *may* need to install it using the command line switch "/wuforce"
right after the reboot - immediately after logging in.)

- Download/Install the 927891 patch.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...9-404327772E5A

- Reboot.
- Visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and scan for/install updates.
- Come back and let us know how things went!

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

Thank you for your response! I really appreciate it.
I have the same situation on two different (recently built) PCs. but only
have access to one of them today.

Things are a little out of sequence here, but among the things I've already
tried are:
the kb943144 steps you suggested,
Custom install from the Microsoft site,
Emptying the Software Distribution\Download & EventCache folders,
installing Windows Update v3.

I'll try your 'Dial-a-Fix' link next

"Shenan Stanley" wrote:

> Jim Pletcher wrote:
> > As of this morning - - -
> > Service Pack 3 installed fine, but after that Windows updates
> > download but won't install.
> > Cannot find any errors in the update log.
> >
> > Office updates install fine.
>
> Jim Pletcher wrote:
> > Should have mentioned that I already tried several suggestions
> > found in this newsgroup, as well as those on the Microsoft site.
>
> Jim Pletcher wrote:
> > Also should have mentioned, that the update history shows NO
> > failures
>
> Given all that you have (not much), here's what I can ask/suggest...
>
> - Which suggestions have you tried?
> These?
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
> Try method 1 and try to update*.
> Try method 2 and try to update*.
>
> *try to update:
> - Visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
> - If it asks you to install anything before you see a selection of "Custom"
> or "Express" - do so.
> - Once you see the "Custom" or "Express" selection, choose "Custom".
> - Scan for updates.
> - When it lists what it finds - install the critical ones.
> - You are generally safe doing the Optional Software Updates. I suggest
> avoiding the Optional Hardware Updates completely.
>
>
> Another thing to try:
>
> Get Dial-a-Fix:
> http://wiki.djlizard.net/Dial-a-fix
>
> Use its options to fix:
> - Windows Installer
> - Windows Update
> - All the Registration Center options.
>
> Turn off the "Empty System32\Catroot 2"
> Do NOT do "Flush SoftwareDistribution".
>
> Then click "GO" and wait until it is done... Reboot will be needed.
>
> - Download/Install Windows Update v3.
> http://download.windowsupdate.com/Wi...gent30-x86.exe
> (You *may* need to install it using the command line switch "/wuforce"
> right after the reboot - immediately after logging in.)
>
> - Download/Install the 927891 patch.
> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...9-404327772E5A
>
> - Reboot.
> - Visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and scan for/install updates.
> - Come back and let us know how things went!
>
> --
> Shenan Stanley
> MS-MVP
> --
> How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>
>
>

1. Did you install WinXP SP3 properly?

WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron...tallation.aspx

Steps to take before you install WinXP SP3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717

2. What updates are offered and downloaded? Are you attempting to update
via Automatic Updates or Windows Update website?

3. Have you opened a free support incident about the problem?

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat and
e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada.

• US:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131

• CA:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131

• UK:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131

• AU:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131

• Other: http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173 | select
Windows XP | select Windows XP Service Pack 3
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/


Jim Pletcher wrote:
> As of this morning - - -
> Service Pack 3 installed fine, but after that Windows updates download but
> won't install.
> Cannot find any errors in the update log.
>
> Office updates install fine.

Thanks for your comments. I apologize for the delay in responding.

I did everything right (except Recovery disk) when installing SP3.
I attempted to use both automatic and the web site.

The uninstalled downloads include:
two for Flash, one for the modem, IE7, 50760, 50762 (and others).
This is not a totally accurate list because thare are two PCs involved, and
I can only access one of them at this time.

I tried Custom install for the last two updates (individually) with no luck.

Have not opened a support incident, but will on Monday if the issue
continues (when I can access both PCs).


"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> 1. Did you install WinXP SP3 properly?
>
> WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
> http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron...tallation.aspx
>
> Steps to take before you install WinXP SP3
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717
>
> 2. What updates are offered and downloaded? Are you attempting to update
> via Automatic Updates or Windows Update website?
>
> 3. Have you opened a free support incident about the problem?
>
> Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
> Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat and
> e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada.
>
> • US:
> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>
> • CA:
> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>
> • UK:
> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>
> • AU:
> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131
>
> • Other: http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173 | select
> Windows XP | select Windows XP Service Pack 3
> --
> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/
>
>
> Jim Pletcher wrote:
> > As of this morning - - -
> > Service Pack 3 installed fine, but after that Windows updates download but
> > won't install.
> > Cannot find any errors in the update log.
> >
> > Office updates install fine.
>
>