I had one computer that I figured was just brain dead (I still think it is) and was never able to get to the bottom of why updates wouldn’t install on it. I was blaming the computer (and it’s previous owner). Well, I just experienced the same problem with another XP computer that prompted me to aggressively try and find an answer.
I found the following on Tech Support Forums:
I suggest you try this workaround for Windows Update issues…
How to Repair the Windows Update Files.
1. Go Start > Run.
2. In the box type REGSVR32 WUAPI.DLL > Enter.
3. A message saying, "DllRegisterServer in WUAPI.DLL succeeded" will appear > OK.
4. Now it is necessary to repeat these steps for each of the following files commands:
Hit Enter after each line
REGSVR32 WUAUENG.DLL
REGSVR32 WUAUENG1.DLL
REGSVR32 ATL.DLL
REGSVR32 WUCLTUI.DLL
REGSVR32 WUPS.DLL
REGSVR32 WUPS2.DLL
REGSVR32 WUWEB.DLL
Once finished; since the temporary folder of Windows Update may be corrupted, please carry out the following steps to rename the folder:
1. Go Start > Run > in the box type cmd > Enter.
Type the following command in the open panel.
net stop WuAuServ
(Please Note: the computer may need to be rebooted before the net stop command will work.)
2. Go Start > Run > type in the box %windir% > Enter.
3. In the opened folder, rename the folder ( by Right clicking) SoftwareDistribution to Sdold.
4. Go Start > Run > type in cmd > Enter. In the open command pane, please type:
net start WuAuServ
Once that’s done, Go Start > All Programs > Windows Updates and see if it will allow the downloading/installation of Windows Updates.
This seems to have resolved the problem on the newer computer that was exhibiting this problem and so I thought I would share this with the world (of people that actually read my blog). Now to go attempt this on the lame computer we are using for our postage/shipping system… Wish me luck!
At Over The Top and Exhibit A Communications, I've programmed solutions for Google as well as at least one other company that was later acquired by Google.
I've been CTO of an Internet SaaS company and spent my time pretty evenly between guiding the future technical strategy of the company, architecting software solutions for my dev teams, designing and running a data center to service our clients world-wide as well as being a technical evangalist/sales engineer to our media clients large and small.
I've also been Chief Photographer of the Daily Sun/Post newspaper back when it was a 5-day a week daily newspaper.
I also spent a great many years as a beach lifeguardfor the City of San Clemente as well as Jr. Lifeguard instructor and then as it's program coordinator.
Bragging rights
Private Pilot with Instrument rating and proud husband of soon to be 25 years (and counting).
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