XP SP2 Update Problems

Hi

I've recently come from the Malware Removal Forum where Abri so patiently resolved all my issues. The Pc is now clean and I was running SP1 which I have now upgraded to SP2. I am having problems with the Windows update and hoping someone may be able to help.

Searched for updates via taskbar - there were obviously quite a few. One I had to do before any other - an update to the updater which installed fine. With the others, downloaded and said installing, however on the final screen it says failed for all of them.

Tried using the Microsoft site, when it scans my computer for updates it says I need to dl one file first (i think genuine advantage) before I can use online, once again it fails but does not show in history.

Tried using automatic updates, it ran overnight, rebooted and said a lot of updates need to be installed but after I reboot they are not showing in history as failed and if I search for updates again they are all still there.

Sorry this is so long but I really want to get my windows secure so I have better chance of not getting any other attacks.

thank you in advance

~princess_zammy~

 

one suggestion for you to try your firewall could be blocking the updates.

what firewall are you using?

turn off your firewall and see if you can install the updates..

 

Hi wildwolf,

Thank you for getting back to me. The firewall I am using is the free version of Zone Alarm.

I turned off the firewall, used IE to go to the Microsoft update site. It searched for updates - said I need to install Genuine Advantage first. There was an "i" which said that this update had already been downloaded on my computer and if I select it, it would automatically install.

Pressed download and install - took a while. Got windows error:

"Generic Host Process for Win32 Services"

and the install window said fail. The update website said fail and to check history. Once again when I check update history on the site the genuine advantage is not showing.

I do have another disk with XP2. Can I install over the top or do you think its better to roll back and reinstall or any other suggestions?

thanks in advance

~princess_zammy~
ps. really hoping this isnt going to end up beating my malware thread :cry

 

Another CD with SP2 I presume you mean, but do you mean SP2 on it's own, or XP with SP2 integrated into it?

I would do a repair install if it's a full OS with SP2, but it must be the same type i.e Home, Pro or Media Centre Edition - or it won't work. You need to boot from the CD, ignore the first offer of repair via the recovery console, and carry on as if installing from scratch.

Further into the install it will say " searching for existing versions of Windows" or something similar and should offer to do a repair then.

If it's just SP2 on it's own, then I would try that too, but you must be aware that the SP2 upgrade can possibly choke and fail on a system that has been running for a while, and behaves much better on a fresh install. It's quite rare though, but possible.

I must admit, I prefer the sledgehammer approach to fixing difficult malware/virus problems. That is, a complete reformat and a fresh install of Windows. If you can save any vital data to CD/DVD or pen/thumb drive, and then do a fresh install - that is a guaranteed cure for all problems like yours

 

does the error message you get say " Generic Host Process for Win32 Services has encountered a problem and needs to close when you try to update? " if so check THIS LINK. does it give you an error code like 0x80040265 when the update fails?

 

Thank you wildwolf that did fix the probelm.

Ready to start a new thread on something else now.

thank you thank you for all your time

~princess_zammy~

 

your welcome..
glad you got it sorted