Windows security updates won't install

After a "crash", I've managed to get the machine up again, but when I try to
get updates from the MS website, they won't install. There's no error
messages to tell me why or how to fis it. Can anyone help? Thanks,

If you are having problems with Windows Update,
try the following:

Automatic Updates and Windows Update Reset tool
http://www.codeplex.com/aureset

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience

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"Confused for sure....." <Confused for sure.....@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:E7949013-5990-4C24-B3EF-...
After a "crash", I've managed to get the machine up again, but when I try to
get updates from the MS website, they won't install. There's no error
messages to tell me why or how to fis it. Can anyone help? Thanks,

Confused for sure..... wrote:
> After a "crash", I've managed to get the machine up again, but when
> I try to get updates from the MS website, they won't install.
> There's no error messages to tell me why or how to fis it. Can
> anyone help?

Hmmm...
A hint or two on what operating system (Windows XP? Windows Vista? Home?
Professional? Business? Ultimate? etc...) you are running would be
*great*...

Barring that - I will assume you are running Windows XP...

First thing to try:
As many will tell you - ignore the title and symptoms listed in the article
referred to. Do method 1 and 2 and see if it fixes your issue whether or
not you repaired anything.

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.


Second thing to try:
http://www.codeplex.com/aureset


Third thing to try:
Get Dial-a-Fix:
http://wiki.djlizard.net/Dial-a-fix

Use its options to fix:
- Windows Installer
- Windows Update
- All the Registration Center options.

Turn off the "Empty System32\Catroot 2"
Do NOT do "Flush SoftwareDistribution".

Then click "GO" and wait until it is done... Reboot will be needed.

- Download/Install Windows Update v3.
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=91237
(You *may* need to install it using the command line switch "/wuforce"
right after the reboot - immediately after logging in.)

- Reboot.
- Visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and scan for/install updates.


Usually - method one from the first suggestion fixes the issue.
Sometimes they have to proceed to method two from the first suggestion.

Less seldom - but it does happen - only the tool from the second suggestion
will work - although the first suggestion is contained within the second in
many ways (as well as some of the third.)

And the third suggestion is there because before there was a suggestion (1)
and a suggestion (2) - the third was the best bet and worked in most cases.

Let us know!

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