Error: Windows unable to load the installer for MEDIA during updat

I am working on a computer running XP Home that has not had Windows updates
running. I have downloaded the first set of security updates, but when the
updates try to install I get an error message that Windows cannot load the
installer for MEDIA. I am running out of ideas why I am getting this message!
Any ideas?

Thanks!

"Greg",

We need a little more information. Going back may not be the answer. Would you
mind running through another attempted installation on the Windows Update
website and sending us back the results? Here's how:

Conventions:
- In these instructions, keys on the keyboard are wrapped, such as: <Enter>, so
an instruction of: Type: cmd <Enter> means type the three letters cmd and then
press <Enter>.
- Combinations such as <Ctrl>+<S> and <Ctrl>+<Shift>+<End> mean to press and
hold the keys in order while then pressing the last key. For example, press the
<Ctrl> key and hold, then press the <Shift> key and hold, and then press the
<End> key as if you were typing a single letter of the alphabet.


On Windows XP:
1. Close all Internet browsers
2. Open a single Internet Explorer window.
3. In the Internet Explorer window, click Tools
4. Click Windows Update
5. When you reach the Windows Update site, click Custom Install
6. Click Review and Install Updates
7. When presented with multiple updates, uncheck all of them except for one
update (your choice)
8. Look down at the System clock and note the time (hour and minute.) Let the
minute move forward one, so that there is no other activity associated with this
attempt.
9. Click Install. Wait for Windows Update to fail. If it succeeds, reply back
and let us know.
10. Assuming it failed somewhere in steps 4-7 or 9, Click Start
11. Click Run
12. Type: %WINDIR%\WindowsUpdate.log <Enter> (note there is no space between
windows and update, and there is no need for quotes.)
13. When the log opens, scroll down to the first line of the hour and minute you
memorized in step 8.
14. Click at the very beginning of that matching line to place the cursor there,
and press <Ctrl>+<Shift>+<End>. This should highlight the entire log from the
cursor to the end.
15. Press <Ctrl>+<C> to copy the selected text
16. Reply to this posting.
17. When that window opens, Tell us what update you attempted to install, and
where it failed from your observation. Was it simply going to the Windows
Update website, or after clicking Custom Install, or after the presentation of
possible updates, or during the installation of the update?
18. After this, on a new line, Type: Log entries follow: <Enter>
19. Press <Ctrl>+<V> to paste the copied, selected text from steps 14-15.
20. Verify the text pasted into your reply.
21. Post the reply, and we'll take a look at the failure.

Sincerely,

Pat Walters [MSFT]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. Use
of included script samples are subject to the terms specified at
http://www.microsoft.com/info/cpyright.htm"

"Greg" <> wrote in message
news:56820E40-31C7-4D8F-92C9-...
>I am working on a computer running XP Home that has not had Windows updates
> running. I have downloaded the first set of security updates, but when the
> updates try to install I get an error message that Windows cannot load the
> installer for MEDIA. I am running out of ideas why I am getting this message!
> Any ideas?
>
> Thanks!