Help - Can Download but Cannot Install XP Updates

On Windows Update I was able to download the following 7 updates:
KB951698/KB951376/KB890830/KB950760/KB950762/KB950759/KB942763
However, I then got a message that all of them failed to install. I tried to
install them individually and I always get the same message: "FAILED UPDATES"
and "Problem: A problem on your computer is preventing updates from being
downloaded or installed.".
I tried restarting my computer but that didn't work. I turned off my
anti-virus & firewall programs - that didn't work. There is no specific error
code specifying why they can't be installed.
When I log onto Windows Updates there is an information note next to each of
them saying that they have been downloaded but that they still need to be
installed.
I have XP SP3 installed as well as Genuine Advantage Validation Tool.
Please help - what is causing this problem?
-THANKS-

See if this helps - ignore the title of the kb article -
Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from Microsoft
Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP
installation
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
--
--------------------------------
TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2009
Update Services
http://taurarian.mvps.org


"jrw1" wrote:

> On Windows Update I was able to download the following 7 updates:
> KB951698/KB951376/KB890830/KB950760/KB950762/KB950759/KB942763
> However, I then got a message that all of them failed to install. I tried to
> install them individually and I always get the same message: "FAILED UPDATES"
> and "Problem: A problem on your computer is preventing updates from being
> downloaded or installed.".
> I tried restarting my computer but that didn't work. I turned off my
> anti-virus & firewall programs - that didn't work. There is no specific error
> code specifying why they can't be installed.
> When I log onto Windows Updates there is an information note next to each of
> them saying that they have been downloaded but that they still need to be
> installed.
> I have XP SP3 installed as well as Genuine Advantage Validation Tool.
> Please help - what is causing this problem?
> -THANKS-
>

This solved my problem but I still do not have Service Pack 3 installed.
When I review the installed updates the service pack still shows a red
circle with a X in it. How do I finish the installation because the service
pack does not show up as an option when I go to the Microsoft Update site?

Guy


"TaurArian" <> wrote in message
news:67C69BBC-2025-4F3D-8F88-...
> See if this helps - ignore the title of the kb article -
> Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from Microsoft
> Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP
> installation
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
> --
> --------------------------------
> TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2009
> Update Services
> http://taurarian.mvps.org
>
>
> "jrw1" wrote:
>
>> On Windows Update I was able to download the following 7 updates:
>> KB951698/KB951376/KB890830/KB950760/KB950762/KB950759/KB942763
>> However, I then got a message that all of them failed to install. I tried
>> to
>> install them individually and I always get the same message: "FAILED
>> UPDATES"
>> and "Problem: A problem on your computer is preventing updates from being
>> downloaded or installed.".
>> I tried restarting my computer but that didn't work. I turned off my
>> anti-virus & firewall programs - that didn't work. There is no specific
>> error
>> code specifying why they can't be installed.
>> When I log onto Windows Updates there is an information note next to each
>> of
>> them saying that they have been downloaded but that they still need to be
>> installed.
>> I have XP SP3 installed as well as Genuine Advantage Validation Tool.
>> Please help - what is causing this problem?
>> -THANKS-
>>

I am having the same problem, hopefully we will both get some answers soon.

On the WU Website, select your history of updates – now click on failed update (red mark)
and see if there is an error code.
If there is an error code, write it down and post back or in the alternative, do a search
for the error code.

Important - Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717

FYI
How to troubleshoot an unsuccessful installation of Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950718

Error message when you try to install Windows XP Service Pack 3: "Access is denied" or
“Service Pack installation did not complete”
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377

--

TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2009 - Update Services
http://taurarian.mvps.org
======================================
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
Computer Maintenance: Acronis / Diskeeper / Paragon / Raxco


"W. Guy Delaney" <> wrote in message
news:...
| This solved my problem but I still do not have Service Pack 3 installed.
| When I review the installed updates the service pack still shows a red
| circle with a X in it. How do I finish the installation because the service
| pack does not show up as an option when I go to the Microsoft Update site?
|
| Guy
|
|
| "TaurArian" <> wrote in message
| news:67C69BBC-2025-4F3D-8F88-...
| > See if this helps - ignore the title of the kb article -
| > Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from Microsoft
| > Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP
| > installation
| > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
| > --
| > --------------------------------
| > TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2009
| > Update Services
| > http://taurarian.mvps.org
| >
| >
| > "jrw1" wrote:
| >
| >> On Windows Update I was able to download the following 7 updates:
| >> KB951698/KB951376/KB890830/KB950760/KB950762/KB950759/KB942763
| >> However, I then got a message that all of them failed to install. I tried
| >> to
| >> install them individually and I always get the same message: "FAILED
| >> UPDATES"
| >> and "Problem: A problem on your computer is preventing updates from being
| >> downloaded or installed.".
| >> I tried restarting my computer but that didn't work. I turned off my
| >> anti-virus & firewall programs - that didn't work. There is no specific
| >> error
| >> code specifying why they can't be installed.
| >> When I log onto Windows Updates there is an information note next to each
| >> of
| >> them saying that they have been downloaded but that they still need to be
| >> installed.
| >> I have XP SP3 installed as well as Genuine Advantage Validation Tool.
| >> Please help - what is causing this problem?
| >> -THANKS-
| >>
|
|

I'm having the same problem, however I have not repaired my SP3 installation.
Any suggestions?

"TaurArian" wrote:

> See if this helps - ignore the title of the kb article -
> Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from Microsoft
> Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP
> installation
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
> --
> --------------------------------
> TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2009
> Update Services
> http://taurarian.mvps.org
>
>
> "jrw1" wrote:
>
> > On Windows Update I was able to download the following 7 updates:
> > KB951698/KB951376/KB890830/KB950760/KB950762/KB950759/KB942763
> > However, I then got a message that all of them failed to install. I tried to
> > install them individually and I always get the same message: "FAILED UPDATES"
> > and "Problem: A problem on your computer is preventing updates from being
> > downloaded or installed.".
> > I tried restarting my computer but that didn't work. I turned off my
> > anti-virus & firewall programs - that didn't work. There is no specific error
> > code specifying why they can't be installed.
> > When I log onto Windows Updates there is an information note next to each of
> > them saying that they have been downloaded but that they still need to be
> > installed.
> > I have XP SP3 installed as well as Genuine Advantage Validation Tool.
> > Please help - what is causing this problem?
> > -THANKS-
> >

Please begin a new thread about /your/ problem, PAL. Thanks.

PAL wrote:
> I'm having the same problem, however I have not repaired my SP3
> installation. Any suggestions?
>
> "TaurArian" wrote:
>
>> See if this helps - ignore the title of the kb article -
>> Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from
>> Microsoft
>> Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP
>> installation
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
<snip>

PAL wrote:
> I'm having the same problem, however I have not repaired my SP3
> installation. Any suggestions?

Do the instructions anyway...

If Windows XP...

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

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

Nicholas Barham wrote:
> I am having the same problem, hopefully we will both get some
> answers soon.

They already received the answer when you posted this - you must read the
entire conversation. ;-)

If Windows XP...

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

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

"jrw1" wrote:

> On Windows Update I was able to download the following 7 updates:
> KB951698/KB951376/KB890830/KB950760/KB950762/KB950759/KB942763
> However, I then got a message that all of them failed to install. I tried to
> install them individually and I always get the same message: "FAILED UPDATES"
> and "Problem: A problem on your computer is preventing updates from being
> downloaded or installed.".
> I tried restarting my computer but that didn't work. I turned off my
> anti-virus & firewall programs - that didn't work. There is no specific error
> code specifying why they can't be installed.
> When I log onto Windows Updates there is an information note next to each of
> them saying that they have been downloaded but that they still need to be
> installed.
> I have XP SP3 installed as well as Genuine Advantage Validation Tool.
> Please help - what is causing this problem?
> -THANKS-
>