Updates and Installer problem solved, order matters

O.K., so I discovered that order of things really matter, so here goes.

If you get 0kb downloaded, 0kb ready to install and the updates fails, or if
you cannot update or install any software at all, here is what may fix it.

Order matters, so please follow the order.

0) Back up registry and any firewall setup. Zone Alarm allows exporting
setup.

1) Unistall Windows Installer 3.1v2 and all updates after this, in revrese
cronological order, newest first, and reboot.

2) Completely disable, then uninstall any firewall or internet security you
have. Mine was Zone Alarm Pro, but I hear Panda is a known one for this,
too. Note that I had to disable virus protection before I could do this.
Reboot.

3) Manually download Windows Installer 3.1v2, install and reboot. I disabled
virus protection to be safe, first.

4) Run Windows Updates and get all updates. Reboot.

5) Test updates and test installing "any" software, just to see if the
install gets past Windows Installer to the actual program installation, etc.

6) Disable virus protection and then reinstall firewall and reboot.

7) For Zone Alarm, I had to disable virus protection and then I could import
my settings. When virus protection was active, I got errors.

NOTE: If running Zone Alarm and you are unable to install software, change
the Main Program Control to "Low" and try it again. I was at first still
unable to install anything until changing this to "Low". That means anytime
I want to install software, I have to temporarily change this. I never had
to do this before the Dec. 13 Windows Updates changed permission levels. I
do not mind having to change this to install a program, but do not forget to
set it back to Med. or High afterwards. This way you will know for sure that
no rogue trojan or virus can install any programs. I like it, actually, if
only MS would have told us the program levels were changed with updates.

If you are running some other firewall, look for it's program acces level
control knobs and you may get there with them.

Good luck.

By the way, thanks to all the MS-MVPs for your time and trying to help, as
well as your patience for those that were patient.

Tom

Thank you for posting this resolution.

Eric
"Tom" <> wrote in message
news:%...
> O.K., so I discovered that order of things really matter, so here goes.
>
> If you get 0kb downloaded, 0kb ready to install and the updates fails, or
> if
> you cannot update or install any software at all, here is what may fix it.
>
> Order matters, so please follow the order.
>
> 0) Back up registry and any firewall setup. Zone Alarm allows exporting
> setup.
>
> 1) Unistall Windows Installer 3.1v2 and all updates after this, in revrese
> cronological order, newest first, and reboot.
>
> 2) Completely disable, then uninstall any firewall or internet security
> you
> have. Mine was Zone Alarm Pro, but I hear Panda is a known one for this,
> too. Note that I had to disable virus protection before I could do this.
> Reboot.
>
> 3) Manually download Windows Installer 3.1v2, install and reboot. I
> disabled
> virus protection to be safe, first.
>
> 4) Run Windows Updates and get all updates. Reboot.
>
> 5) Test updates and test installing "any" software, just to see if the
> install gets past Windows Installer to the actual program installation,
> etc.
>
> 6) Disable virus protection and then reinstall firewall and reboot.
>
> 7) For Zone Alarm, I had to disable virus protection and then I could
> import
> my settings. When virus protection was active, I got errors.
>
> NOTE: If running Zone Alarm and you are unable to install software, change
> the Main Program Control to "Low" and try it again. I was at first still
> unable to install anything until changing this to "Low". That means
> anytime I want to install software, I have to temporarily change this. I
> never had to do this before the Dec. 13 Windows Updates changed permission
> levels. I do not mind having to change this to install a program, but do
> not forget to set it back to Med. or High afterwards. This way you will
> know for sure that no rogue trojan or virus can install any programs. I
> like it, actually, if only MS would have told us the program levels were
> changed with updates.
>
> If you are running some other firewall, look for it's program acces level
> control knobs and you may get there with them.
>
> Good luck.
>
> By the way, thanks to all the MS-MVPs for your time and trying to help, as
> well as your patience for those that were patient.
>
> Tom
>
>
>
>