I have a PC running Windows XP Pro, validated copy used on this machine only.
2gig Ram, 70gig Hard drive, AMD dual core.
I have been unable to successfully install Microsoft downloaded updates since last month and it's driving my nuts.
I just found an article on this forum that offered some promise: I "cleaned up the Windows Update temp folder, Reintalled Windows Update agent 3.0, and removed and reinstalled Windows installer 3.1.
I can include both a Windows update log and a Hijack this log if that will help.
When clicking on the yellow shield in the tool bar I constantly get 2 files that have been downloaded to install. I click and they go through the install process but fail to install every single TIME. One is a cumulative update the other a security patch.
I have Trend Micro Internet Security 07 running, SpyBot, SuperAntispyware. None find any virus or other malware. I have AdAware waiting to be installed but it will not complete installation either.
Please let me know if the above mentioned log file will help.
Thanks
Old Bear and twice as grouchy right now!Did you try to access M$ updates site, and download those updates manually.
Surely, post both logs.Yes I have.
Interestingly enough I was able to get an update for Office 2003 to install.
I have a HotFix KB935448-x86-enu waiting on my desktop to install as well. After each new thing I have attempted I have tried re-installing the cumulative, security, and HotFix updates with no luck. They grind away. The PROGRESS bar goes forward and then I get the "install Failed".
Oh by the way, regarding my computer specs: that was 2Meg of Ram not 2gig. Sorry.
I'm not exactly a computer Guru.
Sure would like to get this mess fixed. I also went on the Update sight and let it change my stetting to automatic install as well as download. But that didn't help. I still have the yellow shield in the task bar with the two files waiting to be successfully installed.
Thanks for your reply - This is what I'd do.
Disable Automatic Updates.
Reboot to Safe Mode. Try to install your Hotfix from there.
If it installs, reboot to Normal Mode.
Go to M$ site, and let it scan your computer for necessary updates. If there are non, turn your Automatic Updates on, if you wish.
However, many people, including myself, don't use Automatic Updates.
I rather wait with a new update for a week, or so, checking some boards, like this one, if any signs of people having problems with that particular update. If I don't see any signs of trouble, I go to M$ site to download an update, manually.My husband is having the problem with updates not installing. Mine don't either, but I am at the point where I don't care. I have wasted too many hours trying to solve the problem. He has about 85 that need to be installed. He upgraded from Windows 2000 to XP SP2. He clicks on his yellow shield. It says it is installing and then he gets the error message that they couldn't be installed and it doesn't really explain how to fix the issue. I am not sure I understood some of the responses. I am trying to help him but we're both at our wits' end. Can someone help? Please?LOLO53
You need to make a separate post about your problem.To the best of my ability to explain this mess, this is what I have done so far at the recommendation of several sources, this being perhaps the most easy to understand so far:
I have attempted to install some of the offending update files and the MSInstaller both in normal and safe mode. Amazingly some of the random files installed while others would not.
I cleaned up the Windows Update Temp folder by going to Run, cmd, typing "Net stop WuAuServ, enter. Then Run, typing "%windir% and renaming SoftwareDistribution to 'Old'. and restarting WuAuServ again.
I reinstalled Windows Update Agent 3.0 I saved it of C: and then went to Run, typed C:WindowsUpdateAgent30-x86.exe /wufource. I BELIEVE it installed successfully.
Still the updates will not install.
The ones M$ is trying to install are a cumulative update for IE7 (KB939653) and an XP security update (KB927891)
These will not install. under any circumstances I have attempted.
Further I have downloaded an ran "Dial-a-Fix" . I did most of the pre-run checks. Was not able to figure out how to do the memory check.
At any rate I am still unable to install. I can download, but not install.
THISis the interesting part now:
While running Dial-a-fix several times and once in safe mode I did note that it was unable to complete MSI (Windows Installer) portion. I kept getting dialog box that said "Insufficient system resources exist to complete the requested service".
I cannot get it to complete an installation either from Automatic Updates or directly from the web site. I RECEIVE the same message.
SOOOoooo, I am assuming that it's all about the Microsoft Windows Installer.
It does not show up in the add/remove programs list. - It's not there and I can't seem to get it to install.
However I know it WAS there somewhere in this maze of attempted fixes but stuff still would not install.
I just turned on Autoupdate again - and now installer is the only thing waiting to be installed but the checked box appears to be grayed. I tried letting it install with - again, no luck. For all I know I got things in the wrong place or who knows what. I can send log files again if that will help.
Like the lady who you told to start her own topic I have invested a lot of wasted time in this effort but unlike her I am not content to just ignore it. I want things to work properly.
Therefore I await more offers of help. I am not keen on the idea of doing a repair install of XP or worse yet a complete hard drive format.
Thanks again
Old Bear
Next thing to try is to use Windows Installer CleanUp Utility:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

I assume, you're using IE to perform all those actions. Do you have Firefox installed, as well?Following this procedure usually works for me, sounds like you've done the first part already.

1. Clean up Windows Update temporary folder

1.1. Click Start, Run, type: cmd and press Enter. Please run the following command in the opened window.

Net stop WuAuServ

1.2. Click Start, Run, type: %windir% and press Enter.

1.3. In the opened folder, rename the folder SoftwareDistribution to Sdold.

1.4. Click Start, Run, type: cmd and press Enter. Please run the following command in the opened window.

Net start WuAuServ

2. Reinstall Windows Update Agent 3.0

2.1. Download the file from the following link:
http://download.windowsupdate.com/v7/windowsupdate/redist/standalone/WindowsUpdateAgent30-x86.exe

2.2. Save the file to C: drive Root (C:)

2.3. Click Start, Run, type: "C:WindowsUpdateAgent30-x86.exe /wuforce" (without quotations) and then press Enter to install the Windows Update engine. (There is a space between "C:WindowsUpdateAgent30-x86.exe" and "/wuforce")

Note: If you are using Windows Vista, please save the downloaded file to the D: drive, because the file cannot be launched directly from the C: root directory.

3. Reinstall Windows Installer 3.1 (important)

3.1. Press Start and choose Run.

3.2. Type in "cmd" (without quotation marks) and press OK.

3.3. In the command line, type in the following command and press Enter:
MSIexec /unregister (Note: there is a space before the “/”)

3.4. Then, type in the following command and press Enter:
MSIexec /regserver (Note: there is a space before the “/”)

4. Now, try running updates again. If they still fail, then you’ll need to do a reinstall of Windows Installer:

4.1. Start, click Control Panel, and click Add/Remove Programs to check if Windows Installer 3.1 has been installed.

4.2. If it has, highlight and remove it.

4.3. After that, reinstall Windows Installer 3.1 from the following link.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=889482fc-5f56-4a38-b838-de776fd4138c&DisplayLang=en
Hi,
I have done all you instructed.
Now the only update that comes up to install from Automatic Updates IS the Windows Installer 3.1.
When I click on the install shield I see that the check marked box next to the file to be installed is grayed out and I can't un-check it or do anything with it. As usual the install fails.
I also downloaded to my desktop and it will not install from there either in Safe or Normal mode.
I ran Dial-a-Fix and noted that when attempting to repair MSI when it got to re-registering the program it brought up a dialog box. I have included the screen shot here in an attached file. Sending the recommended email only resulted in a non-delivery notice.
I am currently on the verge of gathering all my software and backing up files in preparation for a complete clean re-install of the OS.
Speaking of which. I have a fully legitimate authenticated copy of Window XP Pro. How do I tell if it's 32 or 64 or whatever 'bits' it is?
Thanks very much for your help - it was nicely done and clear. I also did go into the registry and make sure I had full permissions by being certain my machine name and 'Administrator' appeared in the appropriate (I think) locations.
Again - thanks. I'll wait a while to see if I get any further response and ideas to try today before wading in to a complete re-installation of my OS.
Old Bear
PS: I have both IE 7, and FireFox. I vastly prefer using FireFox but some things I do REQUIRE the use of IE 7.

[getting disk space - attachment deleted by admin]As for your Windows Installer issue, you may try this solution:
http://icrontic.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43676
Post #3.

Then, for further Windows Updates...
I don't use IE at all. I use:
http://windizupdate.com/
for Firefox.
Oh, and I don't use Automatic Updates, at all.

Further, you may want to run TCP Optimizer:
http://www.speedguide.net/downloads.php
to check, and correct your connection settings.I've been having the same problem but I don't get a message saying the update failed, however, the update shield is always there and when I click on it it always shows "windows found one update available." It's always the same update. Also have a problem with HP updates. They always fail. pepper
Welcome aboard
You need to start new topic about your problem. Thanks.