Problem with Windows Update (WinXP)

I just formatted and installed a clean WinXP Home SP3. I installed all the drivers, activated, and installed IE8. Now I'm trying to install Windows Updates and I get this web site: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2497281

It says I have to update to SP3.... I do indeed have SP3 (screen shot below)... what gives?

I tried the "FixIt" linked to in the article but it didn't work....

 

I fixed it - instead of using "Windows Update" from the Start > All Programs menu, and instead of using "Windows Update" from the IE "Tools" menu, I Googled "Microsoft Update" and install an ActiveX control, rebooted, and now all is well..

 

Edit: Deleted post:

Glad you got it fixed dlb.

 

Just a note, windows update is the old way of getting updates, the new way is Microsoft update. Glad ye got it working for ye!

 

Hi friend!! Don't want to hijack this thread, but trying to learn. My default browser is firefox. If I use Windows update from start menu, it opens IE8 and asks if I want IE 8 to be default browser. It then takes me to windows up date even it I click no. I see no difference in the way up dates are checked and down loaded; if I Google Microsoft up dates, I get a message that I need to be running IE6 or latter and I'm not taken to the update site???
Is this a true statement or am I missing some thing
Thank you my friend. Just trying to learn!!
PS I understand the Active X requirement.

 

@ oneeyejack: IE is the ONLY browser that can be used to install Windows Updates in WinXP. That's just the way it is. You can use another browser as your default, but in XP, you have to use Internet Explorer for updates. When you click "Windows Update" from the Start menu, IE will open; if it isn't your default browser, you will be asked "do you want IE to be your default browser?"; when you click "No", you are answering "No" to the "default browser" question only; regardless of your answer, Windows Update should open in IE and you can install updates as needed. You cannot do this in Firefox (or anything other than IE) in Windows XP. In Vista and Win7, updates are installed in their own separate, independent application that does not actually open a browser, it happens in the background as a Windows component. Alternatively, you can download each update separately using any browser (or download an update "pack" from a 3rd party), and install the downloaded EXE file from the desktop or a "Downloads" folder.....

tgell edited post #3 above (probably 'cuz we were both posting at the same time), but I rec'd the un-edited version in my email. Included is a link to an article that may help:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13554_3-9999378-33.html

(THX tgell!!! )

 

Hi! I hope you don't mind me adding this. I had to uninstall all.Net frameworks to get that little shield to stop loading in my tray. After uninstalling all .net's, I was able to up date all up dates and now every thing is great.:cool
PS Don't worry if you need a .net Framework it will be installed by the program needing it. I was going to offer this, but you already fixed your problem.
Thanks my friend for your reply!!

 

Hello Sir!! I don't wish to argue with your wisdom. I sent Stephen Boot; Microsoft MVP just like you, a personal email and received this back the very same day. I uninstalled all .net's and every thing is now cool!! I had a program that needed .net to work and it installed .net3.5. That's all I know sir, and that ain't much. You will find Steve's email on this link.
Thank you for your reply sir!!
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showpost.php?p=1640995&postcount=12

 

Hello sir!! I admire and respect you. My PC knowledge is like a grain of sand on the beach compared to yours. I only know the two times Windows up dates gave me trouble; I solved my problem by uninstalling .net framework. The first time I reinstalled all .net's. This time I just waited and 3.5 was installed by a program, not by me!! I'm sure that many people never have a problem with .net framework. That's why they call it PC . I don't know what dlb's issue was. I was just posting my experience with Windows up dates. After reading your reply's, I would probably recommend A fresh install of .net frameworks in case you had a program that needed them.
PS I would not have posted on this thread if it had not already been solved
Thank you for your reply sir!!

.Net Frameworks are part of Windows up dates. That's all I know. I don't know very much.
Good night friends!! I learned a lot from this thread!!
Thank you!!

 

Thank you sir for all you do on MG forum. .Net Frameworks are very easy to uninstall and reinstall. I solved my problems with Windows Up dates twice by doing just that. I can't tell you way it solved my problem. I wish I were smart enough to do that.
Thank you for your reply!!

 

You can easily get rid of that prompt.
Open Control Panel and open Internet Options > Programs tab on top and UNCheck the box next to "Tell me if Internet Explorer is not the default web browser"

This is off topic for this thread, so no need to reply.

 

I just encountered this exact same problem for a 2nd time on a different PC. I had formatted, installed fresh clean WinXP Home SP3. I went to do the updates and again was told that "Windows XP must be updated to Service Pack 3". I forgot how fixed it last time, so I researched it. Now I remember. I downloaded the "Windows Update Agent" and installed it. BAM! I can now get updates. So, here's the link to download 32bit and 64bit versions from Microsoft for those that may run in to this same problem, or if suddenly Windows Update stops working correctly....
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144 (scroll down to the "Resolution" section for the downloads)

NOTE: FOR WINDOWS XP SP2 or SP3 ONLY!!!

 

I've run into this recently, too. In my case, I've found that I had to force a reinstallation of Windows Update Agent to get the job done. Here's what I did:

Create a folder somewhere on your computer which will contain the Update Agent executable file that you'll be downloading. In my example, I created a folder "C:\wuagent".

Go to the following link to download Windows Update Agent 3.0:
http://download.windowsupdate.com/v7/windowsupdate/redist/standalone/windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe.

Save the file to the folder you created above.

Click the Windows Start button and choose "run". In the run box, type in the following command. (Change the path to wherever you store the Update Agent file):

c:\wuagent\windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe /wuforce

Agree to the terms and conditions and allow the installation to continue. Once finished, open Internet Explorer and attempt to run Windows Update. It should now go to the update page and run normally. It will probably have you install a newer version of the update agent, so go ahead and do that. When finished, you should have no further issues.

Hope this helps!