Update failures

[Guest]

Can anyone help to explain or provide a solution to why Windows XP updates
fail?

One PC of several I use hasn't been updated since May 2005, no update has
been successfully installed since "Security Update for Windows XP
(KB893066)"; the first failure was "Microsoft Windows Installer 3.1".

There is no problem with downloads, either automatic, custom or manual, the
install process starts but fails with screen with this title "Updates were
unable to be successfully installed".

I always use an Admin account, I have created new Admin profiles, and the
update fails.

I have replaced Default User's NTUSER.DAT with one from an identical build
PC (where updates install OK), created more new Admin accounts without
clearing the problem.

As far as I can tell all applications, network and printing are functioning
as intended.

I conclude a critical key or value in a common registry hive is corrupted,
has the wrong assigned permissions or missing.

I would really appreciate it if anyone has come across this and knows of a
cure.

 

[Guest]

did you delete the origonal administrator?as you should of just changed the
admins name not deleted them.or delete the \admin completely and then you
become primary.is it a completely leagal copy of xp?if not you will need to
buy a legal copy.you may of had a virus on the pc at some time this is
another cause of faults it could be inbedded?this will stop some updates
installing.go to microsoft and try downloading windows defender?you have to
validate your copy of xp if after you clicked on validateit fails to validate
then your copy of xp is illegal and that is a reason for not getting your
updates,if it does validate then download defender and run it.this will check
for any viruses.try getting a brand of registry fix this will fix any
registry problems.charlie

 

[Guest]

Charlie,

Thanks for the suggestions, here's my answers so any more ideas would be
useful.

Admin renamed not deleted

legal and validated copy of XP, used at a university with many identical PCs
no others have this problem and have all reached latest level of updates

No viruses or malware after checking with several different makers software

Windows defender sticks when scanning HDD, left for 24 hours, no change.

transferring HDD to different PC moves the problem

I don't understand point about "getting a brand of registry fix", please
elaborate