80072f78 or 0x80072f78 - Windows Update Problem Solved

[Scott]

I've been going nuts like many of you with this problem (error code:
80072f78) -- unable to get Windows Update to work. Running XP, SP2

After many hours, I have now solved the problem (at least for myself and
hopefully for many of you).

First, suffice it to say, there are some very good suggestions here on this
board. If you haven't tried them, try them. I am not going to rehash them
here.

But if you have tried them all and they haven't worked, I might have a
solution for you.

To put it in layman terms: removing spyware, viruses and nasties is a good
thing; however, sometimes during this process of removal of this junk,
portions of the Windows XP software that provides connectivity gets
"corrupted" and as a result doesn't always FULLY function. You may still be
able to browse the web, chat and do other things but perhaps some particular
service (like Windows Update) gets killed in the process.

What can you do? Well, someone was nice enough to write a little program to
restore and repair some of these common errors. The program is called:
"WinSock XP Fix" or WinsockXPFix.exe

I got mine from here:
http://steampowered.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/steampowered.cfg/php/enduser/fattach_get.php?p_tbl=9&p_id=215&p_created=1095312678

I also found a version here:
http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html

Set a system restore point before you run this (just in case) and then save
it to disk and then run it. It will let you know when it's done. After it
completes, re-boot your computer.

I have a feeling it's going to help quite a few of you.

Best of luck!

[Pat Walters [MSFT]]

"Scott",

Thank you for providing this solution to our newsgroup. These tips are
vital to finding reproducible error conditions and forming robust solutions
to various Windows Update issues.

Sincerely,

Pat Walters [MSFT]

"Scott" <Sc...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:9796A866-8FC2-4879...@microsoft.com...

[Pat Walters [MSFT]]

"Scott",

I thought I already replied to this posting, but thank you for providing

this solution to our newsgroup. These tips are vital to finding
reproducible error conditions and forming robust solutions to various
Windows Update issues.

Sincerely,

Pat Walters [MSFT]

"Scott" <Sc...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:9796A866-8FC2-4879...@microsoft.com...