XP Pro SP3 Will Not Automatically Install Updates

[Tim]

I have a client with a strange problem. XP will download the updates,
but cannot install them. They always fail. If I do them manually, they
will install fine.

This machine was recently restarted from the ground up. I installed XP
Pro SP2, then updated to SP3 using a CD created with the ISO from
Microsoft.

As far as I can tell, this machine has never installed an update on it's
own. When I did the initial call, every update that was released from
the end of May had failed. The system is set to update automatically.

I got a call this morning from her stating that another update
(KB951376) had failed to install.

Any ideas out there?

Thanks,

- Tim -

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I have a client with a strange problem. XP will download the
updates, but cannot install them. They always fail. If I do them
manually, they will install fine.

This machine was recently restarted from the ground up. I installed
XP Pro SP2, then updated to SP3 using a CD created with the ISO from
Microsoft.

As far as I can tell, this machine has never installed an update on
it's own. When I did the initial call, every update that was
released from the end of May had failed. The system is set to
update automatically.

I got a call this morning from her stating that another update
(KB951376) had failed to install.

Any ideas out there?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
Try method 1 and try to update*.
If fails - try method 2 and try to update*.

*try to update:
- Visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
- If it asks you to install anything before you see a selection of "Custom"
or "Express" - do so.
- Once you see the "Custom" or "Express" selection, choose "Custom".
- Scan for updates.
- When it lists what it finds - install the critical ones.
- You are generally safe doing the Optional Software Updates. I suggest
avoiding the Optional Hardware Updates completely.

 

[Tim]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
Try method 1 and try to update*.
If fails - try method 2 and try to update*.

*try to update:
- Visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
- If it asks you to install anything before you see a selection of "Custom"
or "Express" - do so.
- Once you see the "Custom" or "Express" selection, choose "Custom".
- Scan for updates.
- When it lists what it finds - install the critical ones.
- You are generally safe doing the Optional Software Updates. I suggest
avoiding the Optional Hardware Updates completely.

OK Thanks. I will go out and try this immediately. I searched MS support
site, but never came across this article. It's all in what you put into
the search critia I guess.

- Tim -

 

[Tim]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
Try method 1 and try to update*.
If fails - try method 2 and try to update*.

*try to update:
- Visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
- If it asks you to install anything before you see a selection of "Custom"
or "Express" - do so.
- Once you see the "Custom" or "Express" selection, choose "Custom".
- Scan for updates.
- When it lists what it finds - install the critical ones.
- You are generally safe doing the Optional Software Updates. I suggest
avoiding the Optional Hardware Updates completely.

I did the first method and it did solve the update problem. The computer
did 3 updates by itself while I was onsite. Hopefully this system will
continue to update automatically now.

Thanks for the info, it is greatly appreciated.

- Tim -