[clark33]

Hi -

I have Windows XP with SP3. When ever i run the scan for updates on the Help and support website, it returns all the updates that i need to install. After i click to go ahead and install, it will download them but then will not install them - it just says failed. Any ideas how to fix this, as i need to install some critical updates.

Thanks,
Clark

[Lexluethar]

Have you rebooted?

Have you tried reinstalling the windows installer?

[clark33]

It fails before any request to reboot. I've tried it lots of times over the past week, so would have re-booted a lot.

Havent tried reinstalling the installer. Not sure how to do that. Is that in add/remove programs?

[Lexluethar]

Yes it is, not really sure if it will fix your problem. But when you install windows updates and other software, the windows installer is used to do this. So you can easily reinstall it by going to the windows update page and it will recognize you either don't have the latest version of windows installer or you don't have it at all.

Go to add/remove programs and uninstall it. Restart your computer then go to windows update and see if that help.

You may (not sure if you can b/c i haven't install SP3) have to roll back your SP3 install, and reinstall it.

[clark33]

Good stuff - ill try that

I see the windows live installer in there, will uninstall. Go back onto update site reinstall and then see if updates will install.

I think i can roll back SP3 as i see it there in add/removes. Only thing is - It has a lot of critical updates included, so dont know if there would be much point in changing back to SP2. So hopefully the first method will work

Will let you know
Cheers

[Mak213]

Hello,

I will wager to guess that this was a fresh install with SP3 applied right away without installing the updates before you installed SP3.

This is a known bug with XP SP3.

Automatic updates fail after installation of Windows XP SP3 | ITExperience.NET

Follow the steps there. That will allow to get the updates you need.

Cheers,
Mak

[clark33]

Cheers for that guys.

I have it working now. I rolled back to SP2. Then reinstalled SP3. I've installed umpteen updates since then and its looking good.

As for the guy who took the guess - yep, your spot on your guess was right and will follow those instructs should the problem reoccur.

Many thanks

[Mak213]

Hello,

Glad you got it sorted. Sorry i wasnt around earlier to give the solution before you went thru the big hassle of uninstalling SP2 then installing updates and such.

But at least you know now for next time.

Cheers,
Mak