Automatic update still running after two hours

[BudV]

I'm using a Dell Inspiron 2500 under WinXP Home SP2.

Five updates were downloaded yesterday (9/12/06), and were invoked
automatically upon
shutdown. Update 1 (of 5) was still running after two hours. It
occasionally shows a little disk activity along with a little wireless
communication to the router (thence to the DSL modem?). I don't want to
force a power off, for fear of ending up with a discombobulated operating
system.

Another board said "Since the PC is in shutdown mode, I think your only
choice
is a forced reboot, regardless of the consequences. If the
machine starts normally then I would immediately use System
Restore to bring it back to just before the update". I replied

"Any comment on the apparent loop in update #1?

Is the same thing going to happen when I power up (or down) tomorrow?

Can I disable update #1 (probably not a good idea if two or more of the five
updates are dependent on each other)?

I powered down, and this morning they suggested I repost here.

 

[Kyle Bubp]

So have you rebooted your machine yet?

 

[BudV]

I powered off last night. The machine is across the street, and I'm going
there to re-boot now.

BTW, this post was a mistake. I was supposed to post it to
microsoft.public.windowsupdate.