Reinstalled Windows xP, can't get Windows Update to work.

Hey everyone. I recently reinstalled Windows xP, got everything working again
and the internet up and running, but when I tried to get Windows Update to
run...It won't work.
This is what happens: I go to Windows update from my start menu. The site
checks for the latest version of updating software, then the Windows
homescreen comes up and asks if I want to get Express updates or Custom;
there's also a button above it that says "Get Microsoft Update Today!".
I click 'Custom' and a window loads for a brief second but then another
loads which says: Files required for Windows Update are no longer Registered
or installed on your computer. to continue; 1)Register or reinstall files now
(recommended) or 2) Let me read more about how to solve my problem.
I click the first option, and the window registers and reinstalls the files
needed to my computer. Then it redirects me to the Windows Update Home.
Thinking the problem fixed I click 'Custom install' again, but the very same
problem occurs and it asks me to reinstall or register the missing files.
This goes in a cycle no matter what I do, so I'm wondering what's going on.
Any help is appreciated.

See these archived threads here: http://snipurl.com/11esh
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)

Patrick wrote:
> Hey everyone. I recently reinstalled Windows xP, got everything working
> again and the internet up and running, but when I tried to get Windows
> Update to run...It won't work.
> This is what happens: I go to Windows update from my start menu. The site
> checks for the latest version of updating software, then the Windows
> homescreen comes up and asks if I want to get Express updates or Custom;
> there's also a button above it that says "Get Microsoft Update Today!".
> I click 'Custom' and a window loads for a brief second but then another
> loads which says: Files required for Windows Update are no longer
> Registered
> or installed on your computer. to continue; 1)Register or reinstall files
> now (recommended) or 2) Let me read more about how to solve my problem.
> I click the first option, and the window registers and reinstalls the
> files
> needed to my computer. Then it redirects me to the Windows Update Home.
> Thinking the problem fixed I click 'Custom install' again, but the very
> same
> problem occurs and it asks me to reinstall or register the missing files.
> This goes in a cycle no matter what I do, so I'm wondering what's going
> on.
> Any help is appreciated.