Windows Update not doing it's job

I'm having a problem with my Windows Updater. I had it set to automatic, but realized a week or so ago that it hasn't updated anything since December 11, when it updated 7 system & security files starting with KB890830 (Malicious software tool) and ending with KB970430 (update regarding authentication). Before that 12/11 update, it had tried numerous times - and I mean numerous - to update the Net Framework to 3.5 (2.0 is currently installed), but it failed everytime. Other updates were installed, but not .Net Framework 3.5. Could this be the issue?

I'm running XP, 32-bit, with Service Pack 3.

I have tried installing manually - no luck. I have tried from IE to run both express and custom updates. Again, nothing. I get this error: 0x80090008, and it says it can't display the page I am trying to use.

I have tried re-installing Windows Update from Microsoft. It installed, but still no updates. :confused

I have turned off my Comodo Firewall and turned on the Windows Firewall - no go.

I have tried updating in safe mode w/networking :confused

I used to have McAfee, and one forum suggested using a McAfee tool for removing every trace of the AV from your system - I did that as well. Still no updates.

I've searched so many forums - and this one many times - to try and find someone who has the same problem. I did find a couple of entries where someone had the same downloads I did on or around the same dates, and after that they couldn't use Windows Update. Unfortunately, no answer was provided. :cry

This is a great site; I really appreciate you all being here for pleebs like me. Any ideas on how to fix my problem?

 

Thanks for responding, Halo.

Yes, I forgot to add that to my "did that already" list - I did a cleanup (not registry) with CCleaner and that didn't work either.

I use Comodo Internet Security (Free version - Firewall, AV, Defense+) along with SuperAntiSpyware (which I paid for). I installed them last August or July, after I had a malware scare. Before that I was using McAfee - which is why I downloaded the McAfee cleanup tool to get rid of any remnants. I scan with Malwarebytes, also - but that is the free version so not running on top of my system.

As I stated, my problem started in December and between the time I installed Comodo/SAS and the December date, Update downloaded everything except .Net Framework 3.5

I have no toolbars installed; and I use NoScript as a popup blocker in Firefox (but I've run the manual update in IE because that's what they force you to do )

I never had Norton.

Time/date/timezone all correct.

Attached is the last 50 or so lines of my update log - I copied everything from the most current date - although the log starts at 2/12 and every attempt logs the same (or so it looks).

 

Hi, Halo.

Thanks for helping me with this. Unfortunately, none of that worked. I uninstalled Comodo, rebooted (because it told me to), used CCleaner to clean both files & registry until they were sparkling, rebooted...still no ability to update.

Then I ran both Fix It programs from Microsoft: regular and aggressive. Rebooted both times (because it told me to), and tried to manually update Express and Custom. I get the same error as I listed in the beginning every single time.

Any other ideas? I really appreciate your patience on this

 

Sorry to take so long...a tad busy at work. Thanks for responding, plodr.

OK, I checked my System Event log and found that yes, indeed, I have gotten error 16 when Windows Update tries to do it's job. But I've consistently gotten these other warnings/errors as well - every time I connect to the internet, in fact. (I have not inserted the ip address - I feel uncomfortable about posting it. If you need it I can send it to you):

first, the warning (#1003)

"Your computer was not able to renew its address from the network (from the DHCP Server) for the Network Card with network address 0022B0E00CDF. The following error occurred:
The semaphore timeout period has expired. . Your computer will continue to try and obtain an address on its own from the network address (DHCP) server.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp."

Then, the error (#1000):

"Your computer has lost the lease to its IP address (ip address inserted here) on the Network Card with network address 0022B0E00CDF.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp."

I'm completely lost as to what this means; and I looked up the error messages on MS and that confused me even more. Anybody have any ideas?
(FYI - I had an internal wireless card that died last summer, so I got a USB wireless, and it works fine.)

And so you think that your suggestion of uninstalling SP3 will fix this?

And if so, in uninstalling and reinstalling should I either:

a. turn off my antivirus & spyware software (even though I am unconnected from the network)
b. uninstall the virus/spyware software and reinstall it after I reload SP3 and update the downloads (that is, if it works)

Thanks to anyone who can give me some clarity on this :confused