Ken,
Have you seen this KB article ? :
You receive a 0x800A01AD error message while you access the Windows
Update Web site
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/833766
For the Permissions issue " NOTE: In certain instances, these check
boxes are grayed out. Ensure all accounts have appropriate permissions."
Permission issues *can* be related to the presence of malware on the
system. Have you scanned for spy | ad | malware ?
MowGreen [MVP 2003-2005]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
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Ken Kimbrough wrote:
> Each time I attempt a Windows XP update, I get the message that it can't be
> done and the error number 0x800A01AD. The KB suggested that I edit
> permissions in the register. Followed the instructions and when attempting
> to set the permissions, the two blocks I was to change were "grayed" out,
> which the KB said might be the case. It did not say why or what to do about
> it. I'm back to square one.
>