Am unable to update Windows XP manually

[hamsatuk]

Hi All of a sudden my Windows XP 64 bit Pro will not let me update
Windows manually from there site. When I go to the update site it
comes back with the message

Administrators Only

To install items from Windows Update, you must be logged on as an
administrator or a member of the Administrators group. If your
computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may also
prevent you from completing this procedure.

Note If you are running a Windows 2000 (except DataCenter), Windows
XP, or Windows Server 2003 operating system, you can run the local
administrator account on your computer without having to log off and
then log on again.

To run as the local administrator in Windows XP or Windows Server
2003:

Click Start, and then click All Programs (or right-click Windows
Update if it is available).
Right-click Windows Update.
Click Run as on the menu that appears.
Do one of the following:
Enter the password for the administrator.
Enter the user name, domain name, and password of a different user
account that has administrative permissions on this computer.

When I start the computer I log in as the Administrator so the
computer is already operating in Administrator mode. I followed all
the instructions above but it makes no difference also am using IE
32bit to use the update the site. The only reason it would be useful
to be able to use the update manually is to install additional
updates.Any idea as to what is causing this problem.
Thanks in advance.
Tony

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

There is a very good chance that you are seeing the effects of a hijackware
infection!

NB: If you had no anti-virus application installed or the subscription had
expired *when the machine first got infected* and/or your subscription has
since expired and/or the machine's not been kept fully-patched at Windows
Update, don't waste your time with any of the below: Format & reinstall
Windows. A Repair Install will NOT help!

1. See if you can download/run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

NB: Run the FULL scan, not the QUICK scan! You may need to download the
MSRT on a non-infected machine, then transfer MRT.EXE to the infected
machine and rename it to SCAN.EXE before running it.

2. [WinXP ONLY!! =>] Run the Windows Live Safety Center's 'Protection' scan
(only!) in Safe Mode with Networking, if need be:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm

3. Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting the requested
logs in an appropriate forum, not here.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=4075
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

**Chances are you will need to seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0,
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5,
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup,
http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or other appropriate forums as well.**

If these procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting
this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.

=====================
Start a free Windows Update support incident request:
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=6527

Support for Windows Update:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/wusupport

For home users, no-charge support is available by calling 1-866-PCSAFETY in
the United States and in Canada or by contacting your local Microsoft
subsidiary. There is no-charge for support calls that are associated with
security updates.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002