[EdPell]

Using Win XP Pro SP3 on Dell Precision T3400

For several months I've had to find and download Windows update patches manually because Windows Update is not working.

The update procedure goes through the download process, but fails during the installation. I found, downloaded, and ran Microsoft Fixit. It reported a problem with Windows Update (no details) that required repair, so I gave it permission to repair. It completed successfully but the update still doesn't work.

Any ideas of where to look for a solution to this?

EdP

 

[Rits]

Do you receive any error message when update fails?

Is this with any specific update or with all the updates?

 

[joeten]

Hi and welcome to TSF did you read this You cannot install updates from Windows Update, Microsoft Update, or by using Automatic Update after a repair install of Windows XP or after you install Windows XP SP3 immediately after a clean install of Windows XP SP2

 

[EdPell]

Thanks for the quick replies.

Joeten - that page no longer exists.

Rits -
It happens with all updates whether I'm updating one KB or several.

There is no error message displayed by IE (I'm using IE8 - forgot to mention that in my original post), just a message indicating the update(s) failed.

However, I just tried another update and found its log file - I can post the entire log file if it would help. There are several warnings that something failed and a list of 13 *.cab files that are missing.

EdP

 

[IT-Barry]

Try installing via custom install, choose a few at a time, if they are still failing, drop it down.

Updates can fall over if they conflict, had an issue when I did a clean install of xp, tried to install updates and it had so many I had to custom install like 20 at a time. Everytime it came to a certain named update it would only do that update and no more newer as it required a restart to complete.

If you get a custom update screen via the site and print screen the list of updates you are on, may be able to tell you if it looks like the same issue.

If it fails to work with a certain update copy the kb34242 etc and paste it into google and you will find a download of the update on the microsoft site.

 

[joeten]

The page I linked to does most certainly exist I have rechecked for any issue and found none the issue is with your browser or connection

 

[EdPell]

Must be my connection ...

 

[spunk.funk]

If Joe's Link is not working for you, try going there from Google it's the first hit.

 

[EdPell]

Joe ....

Originally, that link in your post was significantly longer than what I see now and the URL was significantly different. Not sure why, but here is where that link originally sent me:

http://www.techsupportforum.com/for...245&posthash=d00e4ab4f84f645a9c37712602094223

In any case, I see the correct link now - thanks for the advice.
However, I should have mentioned in my original post that I had already been to that MS page and, in addition to running MS Fixit, I also ran Update Agent to no avail.

Thanks
EdP

 

[spunk.funk]

Scan with the MSRT and see how it goes.

 

[EdPell]

Thanks, Spunk ... just did that yesterday morning when I manually downloaded the latest version.

 

[spunk.funk]

What are the specific updates that it can't install? If they are .Net Frameworks or their updates, download and run the dotnetfx cleanup tool. Uninstall all .Net Framworks and restart the computer. When the computer loads, go back to Windows Update and download all of the .Net Framworks in order, leaving 4.0 and 4.5 for last.

 

[EdPell]

Thanks, Spunk

I ignored the .NET updates this month.
No updates ever get installed. They all get downloaded okay, but then their installs fail.

Specifically, this month, the updates I selected were:
KB2584146
KB2598479
KB2603381
KB2631813
KB890830

Last month there were eight fails, the month before, three, etc etc.

Incidentally, since this started, I've run full scans with ESET NOD32, MBAM, and SAS several times - all clean except for tracking cookies.

EdP

 

[joeten]

You might try downloading each kb KB2584146 - Google Search

 

[EdPell]

Joe ...

That's what I've been doing for several months, but I miss the convenience of using Windows Update and thought I might find a few thoughts here on how to get back to being lazy.

EdP

 

[IT-Barry]

Ever had any virus's?

May have some corrupt registry files.

If you have an xp disc insert it and load it up at startup, when it asks to install xp hit enter, it will find your old install and hit "R" to repair it.

It will then reboot and ask you for your serial/run through the xp install.

You will keep all your files etc. Give it a go.

 

[EdPell]

I appreciate all the advice from you folks and apologize for the lag in responding - very rude, but I've had some overriding personal issues.

IT-Barry,
I did a bit of research regarding your suggestion. My concern is that if it doesn't correct the update process, I'll have to manually reinstall over 90 updates.

I think I'll just continue to manually install updates every month until I get a new PC. I'm about due anyway.

EdP

 

[joeten]

There are a few differing methods dependent on the message you recieve re the failure to install
You cannot install some updates or programs
You cannot install updates from Windows Update, Microsoft Update, or by using Automatic Update after a repair install of Windows XP or after you install Windows XP SP3 immediately after a clean install of Windows XP SP2
How to troubleshoot common Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and Windows Server Update Services installation issues

 

[EdPell]

joeten ...
Thanks for the links.

I've already been to those sites and followed all the relevant suggestions to no avail.

Incidentally, no error messages appear when the updates fail. The update window shows the updates as they are successfully downloaded, but the install fails. The only error message in the Installing Updates window is "Some updates were not installed" "The following updates were not installed:" - the failed installs are listed. No error number.

At the Microsoft Update page, the only updates shown in the update history are 32 from October to December, 2010! All successful.
Of course, the Add/Remove list shows all the updates manually installed during 2011 and 2012.

Thanks
EdP

 

[joeten]

Hi have you ever tried running a repair please scroll down to repair install
Repair XP