I have been doing that repeatedly. It still won't install the software upgrades. I've been searching for them elsewhere, and have found 2 of them so far...I remember Microsoft used to have some downloads that were dependent on other ones FIRST being installed & the computer being re-booted but that was years AGO with win98.
Are these critical patches from Microsoft?Eureeka!!! I found the software updates by doing a Google search and downloaded them. Now I can get the list of updates from Microsoft. I couldn't have gotten that far without your help. Many thanks!!

Yes, they are critical updates, but for Windows 2000 (althought it is upgraded from 98se)Windows 2000, you are a wise PERSON. (Unblonde)
I hope we helped you somehow.Yes, you were very helpful. Many, many thanks. Keep up the GREAT work!!Had many other problems and had to fdisk, format and reinstall Windows2000. Everything else works, except Windows Update scan. There is another place to get these critical updates if anyone else has this problem:

www.softwarepatch.com/windows/

It would be easier if the danged update scan would work, though. Microsoft--go FIGURE [smiley=angry.gif]

That is strange, a clean install and the M$OFT updates still didn't work :-?
Did you change any settings at all before trying the update?No, I just installed the OS. Then went straight to Microsoft Update. When I went to their troubleshooting, they had the error I got ( 0x80072F8F), and it just said to make sure my time and date and time zone are correct (which they were), then to Run regsvr32 SOFTPUB.dll. from the start menu (succeeded), but still not fixed. Maybe the problem is on their end?Firewall setting perhaps?

You should temporarily turn off any real time AV when downloading/installing MS updates.I went for the MS updates before installing the firewall & anti-virus programs (ZoneAlarm) when I reformatted. Thanks for the replies and all the advice. I'll keep trying... Meanwhile, any more suggestions?You should never connect to the internet or any other public network without at least rudimentary firewall protection. You may well have been infected, it only takes seconds.I wonder if the 98SE--->W2K upgrade has any bearing on this?
Do you know anyone with W2K disk?No, I don't know anyone with a 2K disk. But the first time I formatted and installed the upgrade, the update worked. And the 2nd time. Yes, I tend to reformat whenever I have a major problem. It just seems easier. I'm definitely no computer genious (I leave that to you guys). [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

I know I shoudn't connect to the web without the firewall and anti-virus, but I wondered if that was stopping the update from working. Don't think it was, though.If I were you I'd get a copy of a full version W2K disk, it's not cheating as you do have 98SE + the W2K upgrade.
Then do a clean install. Your firewall shouldn't cause any problems with Windows updates but it seems that ZA6 is fast beoming a pain in the wotsits.
Your real time anti virus should be temporarily disabled whilst downloading/installing Windows updates. It can cause major problems.

If you decide to buy a copy of Win2K, try and source a version with SP4 already slipstreamed.