Windows XP Pro Update Fails Constantly

Hi, I have been endlessly browsing the help forums everywhere, trying every
single suggestion available, and to tell you the truth, I am completely
burned out. Not to mention extremely frustrated and ready to throw this
computer out the window along with my XP Pro CD that I paid over $300 for.

I have been using this CD for years now, never had a problem until now. I
just installed a Fresh copy of XP pro due to buying a new hard drive.
Everything was fine, I called MS and Activated my Copy, all good, but I
cannot download any windows updates.

The plugins install, but then upon the first initial downloads, I get the
error that they will not download. First is the Windows Genuine Advantage
Validation Tool (KB892130), which I took care of by downloading that
individually.

Then came the Update for Windows XP (KB898461) (Installer thing) - But this
one just will not install. - It keeps saying "File is corrupt", and will not
install.

I downloaded "WindowsInstaller-KB893803-v2-x86", but that gives me wierd
errors also, during the install, it starts giving me dialogs boxes looking
for locations, but can't find them, even though it's in the right place. So
that wont install.

I tried all the suggestions everywhere all over the net, but nothing will
remedy the situation. I have in the past ran Windows Update right after a
Fresh Install and Right After a Fresh Activation with absolutely No Problems
at all.

Same CD, same setup procedure, and now it (windows update) will not work
anymore.

WHAT IS GOING ON???

basstraks wrote:
> Hi, I have been endlessly browsing the help forums everywhere,
> trying every single suggestion available, and to tell you the
> truth, I am completely burned out. Not to mention extremely
> frustrated and ready to throw this computer out the window along
> with my XP Pro CD that I paid over $300 for.
>
> I have been using this CD for years now, never had a problem until
> now. I just installed a Fresh copy of XP pro due to buying a new
> hard drive. Everything was fine, I called MS and Activated my Copy,
> all good, but I cannot download any windows updates.
>
> The plugins install, but then upon the first initial downloads, I
> get the error that they will not download. First is the Windows
> Genuine Advantage Validation Tool (KB892130), which I took care of
> by downloading that individually.
>
> Then came the Update for Windows XP (KB898461) (Installer thing) -
> But this one just will not install. - It keeps saying "File is
> corrupt", and will not install.
>
> I downloaded "WindowsInstaller-KB893803-v2-x86", but that gives me
> wierd errors also, during the install, it starts giving me dialogs
> boxes looking for locations, but can't find them, even though it's
> in the right place. So that wont install.
>
> I tried all the suggestions everywhere all over the net, but
> nothing will remedy the situation. I have in the past ran Windows
> Update right after a Fresh Install and Right After a Fresh
> Activation with absolutely No Problems at all.
>
> Same CD, same setup procedure, and now it (windows update) will not
> work anymore.
>
> WHAT IS GOING ON???

No idea... "Weird Errors" and "dialogue boxes looking for locations" is too
generalized. Please be more specific with what you have tried and the
wording of the errors you get.

I would have to assume, having "... been endlessly browsing the help forums
everywhere ..." that you have tried these (read through them carefully -
perhaps there is something you didn't do...)

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

But I will throw it out there... Along with:

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://download.windowsupdate.com/Wi...gent30-x86.exe
(You *may* need to install it using the command line switch "/wuforce"
right after the reboot - immediately after logging in.)

- Download/Install the 927891 patch.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...9-404327772E5A

- Reboot.
- Visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and scan for/install updates.
- Come back and let us know how things went!


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

Sheshan,

I also have problems with installing XP updates - I followed ur instructions
- now I get a blank white screen when I go to windows update website
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

I need help ... thanks in advance.

Currently i have windows xp professional SP2 ... IE 7

Hi. Your problem exactly mirrors my own. Updates will not download. Did you
get a solution yet?. Would love to hear from you if you have got one.
Thanks,
David
--
DAVID McDUFF WINDOWS XP HOME EDITION


"basstraks" wrote:

> Hi, I have been endlessly browsing the help forums everywhere, trying every
> single suggestion available, and to tell you the truth, I am completely
> burned out. Not to mention extremely frustrated and ready to throw this
> computer out the window along with my XP Pro CD that I paid over $300 for.
>
> I have been using this CD for years now, never had a problem until now. I
> just installed a Fresh copy of XP pro due to buying a new hard drive.
> Everything was fine, I called MS and Activated my Copy, all good, but I
> cannot download any windows updates.
>
> The plugins install, but then upon the first initial downloads, I get the
> error that they will not download. First is the Windows Genuine Advantage
> Validation Tool (KB892130), which I took care of by downloading that
> individually.
>
> Then came the Update for Windows XP (KB898461) (Installer thing) - But this
> one just will not install. - It keeps saying "File is corrupt", and will not
> install.
>
> I downloaded "WindowsInstaller-KB893803-v2-x86", but that gives me wierd
> errors also, during the install, it starts giving me dialogs boxes looking
> for locations, but can't find them, even though it's in the right place. So
> that wont install.
>
> I tried all the suggestions everywhere all over the net, but nothing will
> remedy the situation. I have in the past ran Windows Update right after a
> Fresh Install and Right After a Fresh Activation with absolutely No Problems
> at all.
>
> Same CD, same setup procedure, and now it (windows update) will not work
> anymore.
>
> WHAT IS GOING ON???