Installing updates after SP3

[Arnold]

I just reinstalled my OS and everything is at the default settings except
that I enabled password security for logins. The onlysoftware I've installed
is Office XP and avast! antivirus.

I successfully installed SP3, but it now has 12 critical updates that I
can't install. It goes through the motions but then doesn't install any of
them. It doesn't give me a reason it just says it didn't install them.

[Vincenzo Di Russo [MVP]]

Arnold wrote:

*FAQ*.
See:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
"Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from Microsoft
Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP
installation".

--
Vincenzo Di Russo
Microsoft® MVP - Most Valuable Professional since 2003
Windows Internet Explorer, Windows Desktop Experience & Security
My MVP Profile: https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/Vincenzo
My Blog: http://blogs.dotnethell.it/vincent/

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Posted dozens of times every week in this newsgroup:

Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from Microsoft

Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you perform a new Windows XP
installation or you repair a Windows XP installation
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144

NB: Also applies to Upgrade installs, and Recovery installs.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

[Jim Brown]

Why can't they come up with a SP3b or something to fix this. I've had to run
that fix in KB943144 on at least 10 brand new machines that came through with
SP2 over the course of the last month. I finally got to the point that I
carry a copy of that KB with me because I KNOW I'm going to need it again.

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Please begin your own thread about /your/ problems, Jim.

That being said, an upcoming update for Windows Update software may address
this behavior; cf.
http://blogs.technet.com/mu/archive/2008/07/03/upcoming-update-to-windows-update.aspx
--
~PA Bear

[Up@discussions.microsoft.com Fed Up]

I followed the instructions at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144 and it
did not fix the problem. I still cannot install that update. It goes
through all the motions like it's installing it, but then a few minutes later
it's downloading and installing that same update.

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Please begin a new thread about your problem, whatever it is.

Fed Up wrote:
> I followed the instructions at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144 and
> it
> did not fix the problem. I still cannot install that update. It goes
> through all the motions like it's installing it, but then a few minutes
> later it's downloading and installing that same update.

<snip>

[Shenan Stanley]

Arnold wrote:
> I just reinstalled my OS and everything is at the default settings
> except that I enabled password security for logins. The
> onlysoftware I've installed is Office XP and avast! antivirus.
>
> I successfully installed SP3, but it now has 12 critical updates
> that I can't install. It goes through the motions but then doesn't
> install any of them. It doesn't give me a reason it just says it
> didn't install them.

PA Bear [MS MVP] wrote:

> Posted dozens of times every week in this newsgroup:
>
> Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from
> Microsoft Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you perform a
> new Windows XP installation or you repair a Windows XP installation
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
>
> NB: Also applies to Upgrade installs, and Recovery installs.

Fed Up wrote:
> I followed the instructions at
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144 and it did not fix the
> problem. I still cannot install that update. It goes through all
> the motions like it's installing it, but then a few minutes later
> it's downloading and installing that same update.

What is "that update"?
Is this a different issue that the original posters' issue?

Here are the methods for repairing the issue in Windows XP where *many*
updates will download but will not install.

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://download.windowsupdate.com/windowsupdate/redist/standalone/7.0.6000.381/windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe
(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.

If you are having trouble with only a single hotfix/update/patch - start a
new posting as your problem is unlikely to be this one. Give as much
information as you can when posting - recall only you can see your computer
in-as-far-as this newsgroup is concerned.

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

[tongangirl]

> Thanks this was my issue too and it worked!

[Vincenzo Di Russo [MVP]]

tongangirl wrote:

YW. Glad to help and thank you for your feedback.

[semawho]

I had the same problem, this method is working...just following the
instructions.Thank you

"Vincenzo Di Russo [MVP]" wrote:

[Vincenzo Di Russo [MVP]]

semawho wrote:

> I had the same problem, this method is working...just following the
> instructions.Thank you

YW. Thanks for the feedback.