windows update unable to update xp

Hi GreyBuffalo

As this is a new install, what Service Pack version of XP did you install, RTM (original) XP SP1, XP SP2 or XP SP3? (depends what build of XP you have as some do already include the SP#)

If not XP+SP3 then I would try and install the Service Pack 3 network installer version, its larger than doing it online, but may actually help in your case, the download is HERE

Could before running the SP3 above try the FixIt HERE

&

Install .NET 3.5 HERE and try again.​

Have you installed any Antivirus apps etc? if so disable all startups apart from any Microsoft ones, can use "msconfig" and Startup Tab or CCleaner > Tools > Startup to disable

 

Hi

Ok so SP2 is on your PC?

Uninstall McAfee and reboot and try connecting to Windows Update? if not connecting then install .NET3.5 and run the FixIt.

Do you get any errors (even if its a popup error) when connecting to Windows Update or just the blank page?

As for SP3 try one of the Majorgeeks links, I tried the 1st Majorgeeks link and its live.

 

So you still do not have SP3 installed? I asked because Windows update will not work unless SP 3 is installed.

Can you get here and will the download work?
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=24

If you can not download it, see if a friend is willing to download it for you, put it on a USB stick and you can get the stick and install it from there.

 

You need to head to the malware removal part of the forum.
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/forumdisplay.php?f=35

Do this http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407
and post there.

Until you are declared clean, no other software fixes or updates should be tried.

 

Hi GB

I would as this is a new clean install install XP again and this time if you have SP3 already dowloaded, disconnect from the internet, install XP and then SP3, plus all your drivers then install (download beforehand and save to USB or Disk) Spywareblaster, your favoured Anti-Virus app and then once all are installed connect to the internet and then try Windows Update.

 

Hi

Yes it will wipe everything but as this is a new install you likely have backups of importnat data and no major re-installs of applications.

Reason I say save to USB or Disk is I do not know your PC setup, while I have 4 HDDs in my PC as well as 2 SSDs as the main C: OS drive, I know I can save any files to one of the HDDs for later useage, before I connect to internet.

If you have secondary HDDs then save to them otherwise save updates (SP3) and security apps (spywareblaster etc) to USB/DVD/CD for install before connecting to internet, as its good security practice.

The SP3 main file if downloaded fromthe link I posted will be fine, I dont know why you cannot get it as I can, so try a different Majorgeeks download area link.

 

Hi

Spywareblaster is a nonpassive security applciation that I get all users I deal with to install as while its not going to actively save you from malware it will block known malware in its database from activating in IE or firefox so a really good simple security all thats not going to impact on your PCs resources.

I personally would not build a PC and not install this app/

all it needs is a quick check manually once a week for an update, and your done.

 

If you are in the US and go here
http://www.update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us
what do you see?

You might try this also http://techpaul.wordpress.com/2011/08/27/windows-update-broken-fix-it/

 

This might be a better site than my techpaul link
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058


Sorry for 2 posts in a row.

I don't get my ideas under the wire to edit my previous posts.

Windows Update Agent was recently updated. You might need the newest version of the update agent for Windows Update to work. However, I'm surprised you don't see a notice that you need to update the update agent.

You simply said Windows update doesn't work but give no indication of what you see like: completely white screen, error message with a number, or some bar appearing under the address bar of the browser.

 

Internet Explorer is a web browser. Windows Explorer handles the All Programs and filing system of files and folder in Windows.
As long as you do not have SP3 installed, updates will never work.

I don't know what to make of your download "crdownload" is a strange extension.

Where did you download this from?

 

I'm now sure how you arrived at that erroneous conclusion. If there were no windows explorer, you would have no desktop icons and certainly not the box of windows componentsyou are viewing. You'd be staring at a black screen possibly with an error that Windows Explorer failed to start.

Code:

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=24

file that was downloaded

Code:

WindowsXP-KB936929-SP3-x86-ENU.exe

weighing in at 316MB and taking about 5 min. on a fast cable connection.

If you can not download it, get a friend to download it to a USB stick and you install it from the USB stick or move it from the stick to your computer then install it.

 

At this point, don't even think of removing anything. Use the updated computer for a few weeks then ask about specific programs you might want to remove.