Windows XP SP3

Further info:

How to troubleshoot common Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and Windows Server Update Services installation issues
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/906602

Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from Microsoft Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you perform a new Windows XP installation or you repair a Windows XP installation
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144

You Cannot Install Some Updates or Programs
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798
0x80096001 0x80096005 0x80096010 0x800B0001 0x800B0003 0x800B0004 0x800B0109 0x8007f0da 0x8007f01e

You cannot install updates that you download from the Windows Update Web site on a Windows XP-based computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/934648/

Thankyou for your reply. The eroor codes are 0x80070003 for KB969059, 974318 and 951978 which are the 3 updates given by automatic updates (shield icon). The eroor code for the remainder is 0X8007010B.

I have tried fixit 50597, BITS is on automatic, I found the network directory by start/run/ "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network"

It is puzzling

The following updates will not download  and cosequently the updates fail. I had to use the restore disk back in July which reset the old Time PC to factory settings...

Please answer each of the following [admittedly tedious] diagnostic questions in a correspondingly-numbered list in your very next reply (no need to quote this post):

1. What is the full name of your installed anti-virus application or security suite and when (approx. date) does your current subscription expire?  What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender) are installed?  What third-party firewall (if any)?

2. Has a(nother) Norton application or a McAfee application EVER been installed on the computer?

3. Did a Norton free-trial or a McAfee free-trial [PICK ONE] come preinstalled on the computer when you bought it? (Doesn't matter if you never used or Activated it.)

4. Open Add/Remove Programs & make sure the Show Updates box at the top is checked (and leave it checked); then select the Name option in the Sort by box on the right. Now scroll down & tell me which, if any, of the following updates ARE listed?

    (a) KB2722913, KB2723135, KB2705219, KB2712808 & KB2731847;

    (b) KB2698365, KB2691442, KB2655992 & KB2719985;

    (c) KB2707511, KB2676562, KB2659262, KB2686509 & KB2695962

    (d) KB2653956; KB2661637, KB2598479, KB2631813 & KB2585542

    (e) KB2393802 and especially Update for Windows XP (KB971029).

Most will be displayed as Security Update for Windows XP followed by the KB number in parentheses.

If IE8 is installed, one (1) will be displayed as Security Update for Windows Internet Explorer 8 followed by the KB number in parentheses.

5. Is Firefox, Chrome or any other alternate browser installed?

6. Is Java Version 7 Update 5 (or higher) installed?  TEST HERE USING IE (only!) => http://java.com/en/download/installed.jsp

7. Are you in the habit of using "Registry cleaners" (e.g., Registry Mechanic; System Mechanic; RegCure; RegClean Pro; Advanced SystemCare; Registry Booster; McAfee QuickClean; AVG PC TuneUp; Norton Registry Cleaner; PCTools Optimiser; SpeedUpMyPC; PC Doctor; TuneUp Utilities; WinMaximizer; WinSweeper; Comodo System Cleaner; Advanced System Optimizer; CCleaner Registry Cleaner)?

Thanks very much for your reply - it must have taken some time. Greatly appreciated.

1. AV = Microsoft Security Essentials 4.0.1526.0.  No anti-spywarem. Belkin router firewall + windows firewall only.

2.  No

3.  No

4.  The following are listed

    (a) KB2722913, KB2723135, KB2705219, KB2712808 & KB2731847

    (b) KB2698365, KB2691442, KB2655992 & KB2719985;

    (c) KB2707511, KB2676562,  KB2686509 & KB2695962

    (d) KB2653956; KB2661637, KB2598479

    (e) KB2393802 and especially Update for Windows XP (KB971029)

5.  Google Chrome 21.0,1180.83m

6.  No Java installed but it is now Java 7 update 6 (didnt solve the problem by installing)

7.  No

1. Was it a brand-new computer or a used computer when you purchased it?

2a. Was Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) originally offered & installed via Windows Update or did you intentionally choose to install it?

2b. In Windows Explorer [WinKey+E], navigate to & right-click on

    • C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client <=this folder

Select Properties: What is the Created date displayed on the resulting General tab?

2c. What SECURITY ESSENTIALS version is currently installed?  To find out, open MSE & click on the downward-pointing arrow to the right of HELP then select ABOUT SECURITY ESSENTIALS.

3. What, if any, anti-virus application was installed before you installed MSE, was your subscription still current, and did you uninstall it before you installed MSE?

4. Neither KB2659262 KB2631813 nor KB2585542 is listed in Add/Remove Programs, is that correct?

5a. Is Internet Explorer 6 (IE6) or IE8 installed?

5b. Is Internet Explorer (any version) working OK when you choose to use it?

0X8007010B "Directory name invalid".

Please reboot after renaming the softwaredistribution folder as mentioned in the below article.

Hopefully that will clear up the problem.

see: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/916248

Error message when you try to download updates from the Microsoft Windows Update Web site or from the Microsoft Update Web site on a Windows XP-based computer: "0x80070003"

To resolve this problem, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK.
2. Type net stop wuauserv, and then press ENTER.
3. Type exit to close the Command Prompt window.
4. Start Windows Explorer, and then open the Windows\System32 folder.
5. Right-click each file in the following list, click Rename, and then change each file name extension to .old.
   • Msxml3.dll
   • Wuaueng.dll
   • Wuapi.dll
   • Atl.dll
   • Wucltui.dll
   • Wups.dll
6. Open the Windows\System32 folder, and then confirm that the files from step 5 have been replaced from the DLL cache. If a file is not replaced, rename the original file again.
7. Reregister the .dll files that you renamed. To do this, follow these steps:
   1. Click Start, click Run, type regsvr32 msxml3.dll, and then click OK. When you receive the RegSvr32 confirmation that the DllRegisterServer function has succeeded, click OK.
   2. Repeat step 7a for each file that is listed in step 5.
8. Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK.
9. Type cd %windir%, and then press ENTER.
10. Type ren SoftwareDistribution SDTemp, and then press ENTER.
    
    NOTE When you remove the %windir%\softwaredistribution folder, the history list is erased from the "Review your Updates" section of the Windows Update Web site. This action will not affect the currently installed updates on your computer. Subsequent updates will appear in the history list.
11. Type net start wuauserv, and then press ENTER. You should now be able to download and to install the updates.

TaurArian - most impressive and thankyou. We have made progress. I followed your instructions carefully and have updated 12 of 15 updates from the windows update site.

KB969059, 974318 and 975978 failed with error code Ox80070003 but maybe I should restart the PC and try again

REPOSTING...

1. Was it a brand-new computer or a used computer when you purchased it?

2a. Was Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) originally offered & installed via Windows Update or did you intentionally choose to install it?

2b. In Windows Explorer [WinKey+E], navigate to & right-click on

    • C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client <=this folder

Select Properties: What is the Created date displayed on the resulting General tab?

2c. What SECURITY ESSENTIALS version is currently installed?  To find out, open MSE & click on the downward-pointing arrow to the right of HELP then select ABOUT SECURITY ESSENTIALS.

3. What, if any, anti-virus application was installed before you installed MSE, was your subscription still current, and did you uninstall it before you installed MSE?

4. Neither KB2659262, KB2631813 nor KB2585542 is listed in Add/Remove Programs, is that correct?

5a. Is Internet Explorer 6 (IE6) or IE8 installed?

5b. Is Internet Explorer (any version) working OK when you choose to use it?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Note: Java Verson 7 Update 7 should be installed ASAP! Follow the instructions here => http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=46263

When you're finished, also delete your Java cache per http://www.java.com/en/download/help/plugin_cache.xml

Related => http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/alert-cve-2012-4681-1835715.html (30 August 2012)

Restart, try again, if not -

You receive a "0x80070002" or "0x80070003" error code after you download an update from Windows Update, from Microsoft Update, or from Windows Server Update Services
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/910336

Error message when you try to download updates from the Microsoft Windows Update Web site or from the Microsoft Update Web site on a Windows XP-based computer: "0x80070003"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/916248

1. Brand new

2a. Chose to install recently

2b.  27 August 2012, 13:08:30

2c  

Security Essentials Version: 4.0.1526.0

Antimalware Client Version: 4.0.1526.0

Engine Version: 1.1.8704.0

Antivirus definition: 1.135.722.0

Antispyware definition: 1.135.722.0

3  Cant remember but if any it would have been AVG 2012 Free version. Interestingly Windows security centre has found more than one antivirus software one of which is up to date etc.  However, I cannot find any other antivirus software in the add/remove programs list apart from MSE

4   KB2659262, installed  02/09/2012

     KB2631813 installed 02/09/2012

     KB2585542

5a. IE8 is installed

5b. but does not connect/load when clicking on a link but ok on favourites and by typing address manually

Java update 7 is now installed.

Within the last few minutes I tried to use auto update as the yellow shield icon said there were updates ready to install.  the following updates failed

Security Update for Windows XP (KB969059)
Update for Windows XP (KB951978)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB974318)

However  add/remove programs tells me these security updates were installed on 05/09/2012.  So, it gets even more weird.

Your time and help are greatly appreciated