Updates download, but fail to install and give only general error

I am attempting to download several updates, including the final version of
IE 7 and Windows Media Player 11. I have downloaded these updates and some
others, but whenever I attempt to download these updates or any combination,
the installation fails before finishing the initialization step. The only
error message given is "A problem on your computer is preventing the updates
from being installed"; there is a link to a help page which tells me to
switch to an administrator account, but I have attempted to install the
updates from two different administrator accounts with the same results.

I have attempted to send a problem report, but the provided link leads to
"http://support.microsoft.com/ph/6527#tab0", which appears to contain mostly
problems from Windows 98 and does not include any information on how to
contact Microsoft. I would attempt to provide more information, but as I
said, I am only being given the most general of error messages, so I don't
know what else to provide.

This is the same person... just saying that I am using Windows XP with SP3,
which I was able to install using a manual method; I encountered the same
error when attempting to install in through Windows Update.

CrystalBall© sez...

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

NB: Also applies to clean installs, 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/


bduddy wrote:
> This is the same person... just saying that I am using Windows XP with
> SP3,
> which I was able to install using a manual method; I encountered the same
> error when attempting to install in through Windows Update.

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> CrystalBall© sez...
>
> Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from Microsoft
> Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP
> installation:
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
>
> NB: Also applies to clean installs, 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/
>
>
> bduddy wrote:
> > This is the same person... just saying that I am using Windows XP with
> > SP3,
> > which I was able to install using a manual method; I encountered the same
> > error when attempting to install in through Windows Update.
>
> Thank you PA Bear. Your advice was spot on because my Windows XP was re-installed by a technician recently. Nice to have the pro's here to assist.

Thank you for your assistance. The linked article does match the symptoms I
am experiencing, including the fact that the updates I attempt to install do
not appear in my history. However, I tried both listed methods for fixing the
problem, and neither has worked; all updates still fail at the initialization
of installing.

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> CrystalBall© sez...
>
> Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from Microsoft
> Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP
> installation:
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
>
> NB: Also applies to clean installs, 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/
>
>
> bduddy wrote:
> > This is the same person... just saying that I am using Windows XP with
> > SP3,
> > which I was able to install using a manual method; I encountered the same
> > error when attempting to install in through Windows Update.
>
>

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed? What
anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)? What third-party firewall
(if any)?

Has a Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the machine?

Tip: Temporarily disable real-time protection by your anti-virus and/or
anti-spyware applications (e.g., CounterSpy, Spysweeper, Spybot, AVG
Anti-Spyware) and/or any third-party firewall (e.g., ZA) before attempting
to install the update(s). If you disable a third-party firewall, do NOT
connect to the internet without having the Windows Firewall enabled!

=======================
How to troubleshoot Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and Windows Server
Update Services installation issues:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/906602

You cannot install some updates or programs
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798

=> Check WindowsUpdate.log (%windir%\Windowsupdate.log) for errors
associated with the download/install.

How to read the WindowsUpdate.log file
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/902093

=> Compare errors to those listed here:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/blog...showentry=1122
and/or go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com > click on Help and Support
link in left pane > Solve problems on your own.
=============================
Start a free Windows Update support incident request:
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/de...spx?gprid=6527

Support for Windows Update:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/wusupport

For home users, no-charge support is available by calling 1-866-PCSAFETY in
the United States and in Canada or by contacting your local Microsoft
subsidiary.

For more information about how to contact your local Microsoft subsidiary
for security update support issues, visit the International Support Web
site: http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx

For enterprise customers, support for security updates is available through
your usual support contacts.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.net

bduddy wrote:
> Thank you for your assistance. The linked article does match the symptoms
> I
> am experiencing, including the fact that the updates I attempt to install
> do
> not appear in my history. However, I tried both listed methods for fixing
> the problem, and neither has worked; all updates still fail at the
> initialization of installing.
>
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
>> CrystalBall© sez...
>>
>> Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from
>> Microsoft
>> Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP
>> installation:
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
>>
>> NB: Also applies to clean installs, upgrade installs, and Recovery
>> installs.
>>
>> bduddy wrote:
>>> This is the same person... just saying that I am using Windows XP with
>>> SP3,
>>> which I was able to install using a manual method; I encountered the
>>> same
>>> error when attempting to install in through Windows Update.
<paste>
> I am attempting to download several updates, including the final version
> of
> IE 7 and Windows Media Player 11. I have downloaded these updates and some
> others, but whenever I attempt to download these updates or any
> combination,
> the installation fails before finishing the initialization step. The only
> error message given is "A problem on your computer is preventing the
> updates
> from being installed"; there is a link to a help page which tells me to
> switch to an administrator account, but I have attempted to install the
> updates from two different administrator accounts with the same results.
>
> I have attempted to send a problem report, but the provided link leads to
> "http://support.microsoft.com/ph/6527#tab0", which appears to contain
> mostly
> problems from Windows 98 and does not include any information on how to
> contact Microsoft. I would attempt to provide more information, but as I
> said, I am only being given the most general of error messages, so I don't
> know what else to provide.
</paste>

Thank you again for your help. The only program I have running of that type
is Spybot S&D (that may be a problem in itself!) and disabling its resident
functions do not affect the problem.

This time after running the updater, the "Troubleshooter" link provided
included a link saying "When accessing the Update site, you receive the
0x80240020 error"; this states I need to run Windows Update from an
administrator account, which is something I have been doing all along.

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> What anti-virus application or security suite is installed? What
> anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)? What third-party firewall
> (if any)?
>
> Has a Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the machine?
>
> Tip: Temporarily disable real-time protection by your anti-virus and/or
> anti-spyware applications (e.g., CounterSpy, Spysweeper, Spybot, AVG
> Anti-Spyware) and/or any third-party firewall (e.g., ZA) before attempting
> to install the update(s). If you disable a third-party firewall, do NOT
> connect to the internet without having the Windows Firewall enabled!
>
> =======================
> How to troubleshoot Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and Windows Server
> Update Services installation issues:
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/906602
>
> You cannot install some updates or programs
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798
>
> => Check WindowsUpdate.log (%windir%\Windowsupdate.log) for errors
> associated with the download/install.
>
> How to read the WindowsUpdate.log file
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/902093
>
> => Compare errors to those listed here:
> http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/blog...showentry=1122
> and/or go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com > click on Help and Support
> link in left pane > Solve problems on your own.
> =============================
> Start a free Windows Update support incident request:
> https://support.microsoft.com/oas/de...spx?gprid=6527
>
> Support for Windows Update:
> http://support.microsoft.com/gp/wusupport
>
> For home users, no-charge support is available by calling 1-866-PCSAFETY in
> the United States and in Canada or by contacting your local Microsoft
> subsidiary.
>
> For more information about how to contact your local Microsoft subsidiary
> for security update support issues, visit the International Support Web
> site: http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx
>
> For enterprise customers, support for security updates is available through
> your usual support contacts.
> --
> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
> AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.net
>
> bduddy wrote:
> > Thank you for your assistance. The linked article does match the symptoms
> > I
> > am experiencing, including the fact that the updates I attempt to install
> > do
> > not appear in my history. However, I tried both listed methods for fixing
> > the problem, and neither has worked; all updates still fail at the
> > initialization of installing.
> >
> > "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
> >> CrystalBall© sez...
> >>
> >> Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from
> >> Microsoft
> >> Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP
> >> installation:
> >> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
> >>
> >> NB: Also applies to clean installs, upgrade installs, and Recovery
> >> installs.
> >>
> >> bduddy wrote:
> >>> This is the same person... just saying that I am using Windows XP with
> >>> SP3,
> >>> which I was able to install using a manual method; I encountered the
> >>> same
> >>> error when attempting to install in through Windows Update.
> <paste>
> > I am attempting to download several updates, including the final version
> > of
> > IE 7 and Windows Media Player 11. I have downloaded these updates and some
> > others, but whenever I attempt to download these updates or any
> > combination,
> > the installation fails before finishing the initialization step. The only
> > error message given is "A problem on your computer is preventing the
> > updates
> > from being installed"; there is a link to a help page which tells me to
> > switch to an administrator account, but I have attempted to install the
> > updates from two different administrator accounts with the same results.
> >
> > I have attempted to send a problem report, but the provided link leads to
> > "http://support.microsoft.com/ph/6527#tab0", which appears to contain
> > mostly
> > problems from Windows 98 and does not include any information on how to
> > contact Microsoft. I would attempt to provide more information, but as I
> > said, I am only being given the most general of error messages, so I don't
> > know what else to provide.
> </paste>
>
>

You have no anti-virus application installed?

To fully disable Spybot Tea Timer, see
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=32409

Error messages that you may receive when you try to download and install
updates from the Windows Update Web site, from the Microsoft Update Web
site, or from a WSUS server: "0x800704DD," "0x80240020," or both:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/910341
--
~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/


bduddy wrote:
> Thank you again for your help. The only program I have running of that
> type
> is Spybot S&D (that may be a problem in itself!) and disabling its
> resident
> functions do not affect the problem.
>
> This time after running the updater, the "Troubleshooter" link provided
> included a link saying "When accessing the Update site, you receive the
> 0x80240020 error"; this states I need to run Windows Update from an
> administrator account, which is something I have been doing all along.
>
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
>
>> What anti-virus application or security suite is installed? What
>> anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)? What third-party
>> firewall
>> (if any)?
>>
>> Has a Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the machine?
>>
>> Tip: Temporarily disable real-time protection by your anti-virus and/or
>> anti-spyware applications (e.g., CounterSpy, Spysweeper, Spybot, AVG
>> Anti-Spyware) and/or any third-party firewall (e.g., ZA) before
>> attempting
>> to install the update(s). If you disable a third-party firewall, do NOT
>> connect to the internet without having the Windows Firewall enabled!
>>
>> =======================
>> How to troubleshoot Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and Windows Server
>> Update Services installation issues:
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/906602
>>
>> You cannot install some updates or programs
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798
>>
>> => Check WindowsUpdate.log (%windir%\Windowsupdate.log) for errors
>> associated with the download/install.
>>
>> How to read the WindowsUpdate.log file
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/902093
>>
>> => Compare errors to those listed here:
>> http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/blog...showentry=1122
>> and/or go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com > click on Help and
>> Support
>> link in left pane > Solve problems on your own.
>> =============================
>> Start a free Windows Update support incident request:
>> https://support.microsoft.com/oas/de...spx?gprid=6527
>>
>> Support for Windows Update:
>> http://support.microsoft.com/gp/wusupport
>>
>> For home users, no-charge support is available by calling 1-866-PCSAFETY
>> in
>> the United States and in Canada or by contacting your local Microsoft
>> subsidiary.
>>
>> For more information about how to contact your local Microsoft subsidiary
>> for security update support issues, visit the International Support Web
>> site: http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx
>>
>> For enterprise customers, support for security updates is available
>> through
>> your usual support contacts.
>> --
>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
>> MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
>> AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.net
>>
>> bduddy wrote:
>>> Thank you for your assistance. The linked article does match the
>>> symptoms
>>> I
>>> am experiencing, including the fact that the updates I attempt to
>>> install
>>> do
>>> not appear in my history. However, I tried both listed methods for
>>> fixing
>>> the problem, and neither has worked; all updates still fail at the
>>> initialization of installing.
>>>
>>> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
>>>> CrystalBall© sez...
>>>>
>>>> Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from
>>>> Microsoft
>>>> Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP
>>>> installation:
>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
>>>>
>>>> NB: Also applies to clean installs, upgrade installs, and Recovery
>>>> installs.
>>>>
>>>> bduddy wrote:
>>>>> This is the same person... just saying that I am using Windows XP with
>>>>> SP3,
>>>>> which I was able to install using a manual method; I encountered the
>>>>> same
>>>>> error when attempting to install in through Windows Update.
>> <paste>
>>> I am attempting to download several updates, including the final version
>>> of
>>> IE 7 and Windows Media Player 11. I have downloaded these updates and
>>> some
>>> others, but whenever I attempt to download these updates or any
>>> combination,
>>> the installation fails before finishing the initialization step. The
>>> only
>>> error message given is "A problem on your computer is preventing the
>>> updates
>>> from being installed"; there is a link to a help page which tells me to
>>> switch to an administrator account, but I have attempted to install the
>>> updates from two different administrator accounts with the same results.
>>>
>>> I have attempted to send a problem report, but the provided link leads
>>> to
>>> "http://support.microsoft.com/ph/6527#tab0", which appears to contain
>>> mostly
>>> problems from Windows 98 and does not include any information on how to
>>> contact Microsoft. I would attempt to provide more information, but as I
>>> said, I am only being given the most general of error messages, so I
>>> don't
>>> know what else to provide.
>> </paste>

Adding those things to the registry fixed the problem, thanks! And yes, I
need an antivirus... >_>

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> You have no anti-virus application installed?
>
> To fully disable Spybot Tea Timer, see
> http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=32409
>
> Error messages that you may receive when you try to download and install
> updates from the Windows Update Web site, from the Microsoft Update Web
> site, or from a WSUS server: "0x800704DD," "0x80240020," or both:
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/910341
> --
> ~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/
>
>
> bduddy wrote:
> > Thank you again for your help. The only program I have running of that
> > type
> > is Spybot S&D (that may be a problem in itself!) and disabling its
> > resident
> > functions do not affect the problem.
> >
> > This time after running the updater, the "Troubleshooter" link provided
> > included a link saying "When accessing the Update site, you receive the
> > 0x80240020 error"; this states I need to run Windows Update from an
> > administrator account, which is something I have been doing all along.
> >
> > "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
> >
> >> What anti-virus application or security suite is installed? What
> >> anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)? What third-party
> >> firewall
> >> (if any)?
> >>
> >> Has a Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the machine?
> >>
> >> Tip: Temporarily disable real-time protection by your anti-virus and/or
> >> anti-spyware applications (e.g., CounterSpy, Spysweeper, Spybot, AVG
> >> Anti-Spyware) and/or any third-party firewall (e.g., ZA) before
> >> attempting
> >> to install the update(s). If you disable a third-party firewall, do NOT
> >> connect to the internet without having the Windows Firewall enabled!
> >>
> >> =======================
> >> How to troubleshoot Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and Windows Server
> >> Update Services installation issues:
> >> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/906602
> >>
> >> You cannot install some updates or programs
> >> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798
> >>
> >> => Check WindowsUpdate.log (%windir%\Windowsupdate.log) for errors
> >> associated with the download/install.
> >>
> >> How to read the WindowsUpdate.log file
> >> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/902093
> >>
> >> => Compare errors to those listed here:
> >> http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/blog...showentry=1122
> >> and/or go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com > click on Help and
> >> Support
> >> link in left pane > Solve problems on your own.
> >> =============================
> >> Start a free Windows Update support incident request:
> >> https://support.microsoft.com/oas/de...spx?gprid=6527
> >>
> >> Support for Windows Update:
> >> http://support.microsoft.com/gp/wusupport
> >>
> >> For home users, no-charge support is available by calling 1-866-PCSAFETY
> >> in
> >> the United States and in Canada or by contacting your local Microsoft
> >> subsidiary.
> >>
> >> For more information about how to contact your local Microsoft subsidiary
> >> for security update support issues, visit the International Support Web
> >> site: http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx
> >>
> >> For enterprise customers, support for security updates is available
> >> through
> >> your usual support contacts.
> >> --
> >> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> >> MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
> >> AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.net
> >>
> >> bduddy wrote:
> >>> Thank you for your assistance. The linked article does match the
> >>> symptoms
> >>> I
> >>> am experiencing, including the fact that the updates I attempt to
> >>> install
> >>> do
> >>> not appear in my history. However, I tried both listed methods for
> >>> fixing
> >>> the problem, and neither has worked; all updates still fail at the
> >>> initialization of installing.
> >>>
> >>> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
> >>>> CrystalBall© sez...
> >>>>
> >>>> Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from
> >>>> Microsoft
> >>>> Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP
> >>>> installation:
> >>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
> >>>>
> >>>> NB: Also applies to clean installs, upgrade installs, and Recovery
> >>>> installs.
> >>>>
> >>>> bduddy wrote:
> >>>>> This is the same person... just saying that I am using Windows XP with
> >>>>> SP3,
> >>>>> which I was able to install using a manual method; I encountered the
> >>>>> same
> >>>>> error when attempting to install in through Windows Update.
> >> <paste>
> >>> I am attempting to download several updates, including the final version
> >>> of
> >>> IE 7 and Windows Media Player 11. I have downloaded these updates and
> >>> some
> >>> others, but whenever I attempt to download these updates or any
> >>> combination,
> >>> the installation fails before finishing the initialization step. The
> >>> only
> >>> error message given is "A problem on your computer is preventing the
> >>> updates
> >>> from being installed"; there is a link to a help page which tells me to
> >>> switch to an administrator account, but I have attempted to install the
> >>> updates from two different administrator accounts with the same results.
> >>>
> >>> I have attempted to send a problem report, but the provided link leads
> >>> to
> >>> "http://support.microsoft.com/ph/6527#tab0", which appears to contain
> >>> mostly
> >>> problems from Windows 98 and does not include any information on how to
> >>> contact Microsoft. I would attempt to provide more information, but as I
> >>> said, I am only being given the most general of error messages, so I
> >>> don't
> >>> know what else to provide.
> >> </paste>
>
>

YW & thanks for your feedback.

Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...r/default.mspx

Learn how to protect your PC by taking three simple steps
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...6-602954130D38
--
~PA Bear


bduddy wrote:
> Adding those things to the registry fixed the problem, thanks! And yes, I
> need an antivirus... >_>
>
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
>
>> You have no anti-virus application installed?
>>
>> To fully disable Spybot Tea Timer, see
>> http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=32409
>>
>> Error messages that you may receive when you try to download and install
>> updates from the Windows Update Web site, from the Microsoft Update Web
>> site, or from a WSUS server: "0x800704DD," "0x80240020," or both:
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/910341
>> --
>> ~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/
>>
>>
>> bduddy wrote:
>>> Thank you again for your help. The only program I have running of that
>>> type
>>> is Spybot S&D (that may be a problem in itself!) and disabling its
>>> resident
>>> functions do not affect the problem.
>>>
>>> This time after running the updater, the "Troubleshooter" link provided
>>> included a link saying "When accessing the Update site, you receive the
>>> 0x80240020 error"; this states I need to run Windows Update from an
>>> administrator account, which is something I have been doing all along.
>>>
>>> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
>>>
>>>> What anti-virus application or security suite is installed? What
>>>> anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)? What third-party
>>>> firewall
>>>> (if any)?
>>>>
>>>> Has a Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the machine?
>>>>
>>>> Tip: Temporarily disable real-time protection by your anti-virus and/or
>>>> anti-spyware applications (e.g., CounterSpy, Spysweeper, Spybot, AVG
>>>> Anti-Spyware) and/or any third-party firewall (e.g., ZA) before
>>>> attempting
>>>> to install the update(s). If you disable a third-party firewall, do
>>>> NOT
>>>> connect to the internet without having the Windows Firewall enabled!
>>>>
>>>> =======================
>>>> How to troubleshoot Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and Windows
>>>> Server
>>>> Update Services installation issues:
>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/906602
>>>>
>>>> You cannot install some updates or programs
>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798
>>>>
>>>> => Check WindowsUpdate.log (%windir%\Windowsupdate.log) for errors
>>>> associated with the download/install.
>>>>
>>>> How to read the WindowsUpdate.log file
>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/902093
>>>>
>>>> => Compare errors to those listed here:
>>>> http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/blog...showentry=1122
>>>> and/or go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com > click on Help and
>>>> Support
>>>> link in left pane > Solve problems on your own.
>>>> =============================
>>>> Start a free Windows Update support incident request:
>>>> https://support.microsoft.com/oas/de...spx?gprid=6527
>>>>
>>>> Support for Windows Update:
>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/gp/wusupport
>>>>
>>>> For home users, no-charge support is available by calling
>>>> 1-866-PCSAFETY
>>>> in
>>>> the United States and in Canada or by contacting your local Microsoft
>>>> subsidiary.
>>>>
>>>> For more information about how to contact your local Microsoft
>>>> subsidiary
>>>> for security update support issues, visit the International Support Web
>>>> site: http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx
>>>>
>>>> For enterprise customers, support for security updates is available
>>>> through
>>>> your usual support contacts.
>>>> --
>>>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
>>>> MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
>>>> AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.net
>>>>
>>>> bduddy wrote:
>>>>> Thank you for your assistance. The linked article does match the
>>>>> symptoms
>>>>> I
>>>>> am experiencing, including the fact that the updates I attempt to
>>>>> install
>>>>> do
>>>>> not appear in my history. However, I tried both listed methods for
>>>>> fixing
>>>>> the problem, and neither has worked; all updates still fail at the
>>>>> initialization of installing.
>>>>>
>>>>> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
>>>>>> CrystalBall© sez...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from
>>>>>> Microsoft
>>>>>> Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP
>>>>>> installation:
>>>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
>>>>>>
>>>>>> NB: Also applies to clean installs, upgrade installs, and Recovery
>>>>>> installs.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> bduddy wrote:
>>>>>>> This is the same person... just saying that I am using Windows XP
>>>>>>> with
>>>>>>> SP3,
>>>>>>> which I was able to install using a manual method; I encountered the
>>>>>>> same
>>>>>>> error when attempting to install in through Windows Update.
>>>> <paste>
>>>>> I am attempting to download several updates, including the final
>>>>> version
>>>>> of
>>>>> IE 7 and Windows Media Player 11. I have downloa