Update downloads but never installs

I am running Windows ME and when I go to the update website it scans and
finds all the critical updates I need. My machine downloads the updates at a
normal rate of speed but the installation takes forever and will never
finish. I have set in front of the machine until the progress bar reaches
the end but nothing ever happens and eventually the machine will freeze up
and have to be unplugged.

Have you run your anti-virus, malware, spyware and adware scanners?

"jbundick" <> wrote in message
news4B1D207-1EDF-4A3A-B5EF-...
> I am running Windows ME and when I go to the update website it scans and
> finds all the critical updates I need. My machine downloads the updates
at a
> normal rate of speed but the installation takes forever and will never
> finish. I have set in front of the machine until the progress bar reaches
> the end but nothing ever happens and eventually the machine will freeze up
> and have to be unplugged.

WINUP-Third-Party Products That Conflict with Windows Update
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;241234

http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/updtcl.htm
Windows Update Checklist

jbundick wrote:
> I am running Windows ME and when I go to the update website it scans
> and finds all the critical updates I need. My machine downloads the
> updates at a normal rate of speed but the installation takes forever
> and will never finish. I have set in front of the machine until the
> progress bar reaches the end but nothing ever happens and eventually
> the machine will freeze up and have to be unplugged.

This is frequently caused by a stuffed INF folder (I haven't seen one of
these in a while....)

Have you been running with the Quack?
Are you running Norton System Quack - - errr - Doctor?
If so, then read on......

You may have up to 32,000 empty OEM*.INF files sitting in your
c:\Windows\INF folder, which prevents any program putting a legitimate *.INF
file in there (it also slow your system down to stop, trying to read them
and sort the [non-existent] contents!).
You need to DELETE all 0byte (and ONLY the 0byte) OEM*.INF files.
look here for information on how to do that , and how to prevent it
happening again (i.e. TURN OFF NORTON SYSTEM DOCTOR - unless you are
actively troubleshooting something)

The Symantec site:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...15010309&src=n

also
"Computer Stops Responding (Hangs) During Setup, Installing Updates, or
Adding New Hardware"
(http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q281967)
also
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q301540
(which contains the fix for your problem in the NOTE under the patch
description)
Phone your Local MS office, and tell them your problem quoting Q301540 -
they'll either send you the patch, or give you a one-use password, for the
cost of the call.

Good Luck

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm

In fond memory of one of life's Gentlemen - Alex Nichol
http://www.aumha.org/alex.htm

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"jbundick" <> wrote in message
news4B1D207-1EDF-4A3A-B5EF-...
>I am running Windows ME and when I go to the update website it scans and
> finds all the critical updates I need. My machine downloads the updates
> at a
> normal rate of speed but the installation takes forever and will never
> finish. I have set in front of the machine until the progress bar reaches
> the end but nothing ever happens and eventually the machine will freeze up
> and have to be unplugged.