cant download SP3, getting error 0x8024400A

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2497281

You may be unable to access the Windows Update Website .....

You need to be at Service Pack 3 level before you can use Windows Updates.

To determine which service pack is currently installed on your computer, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. Copy and paste, or type the following command and then click OK:
   winver
   A dialog box displays the version of Windows and the service pack that is currently installed on your computer.

If you haven't already, you'll need to install SP2 and then SP3 (note SP1 doesn't exist anymore).

How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389

Installing SP2 - http://support.microsoft.com/gp/xpsp2getinstall

Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717

Noted in "How to obtain the latest XP service pack" is -

If you have problems obtaining the service pack from Windows Update, you can download the stand-alone update package from the Download Center. This page will say that this installation package is intended for IT professionals and developers. However, you can safely download this file. The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:

Download the Windows XP Service Pack 3 package now

 

 

Adding:

Also see: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2497281
You may be unable to access the Windows Update website from Windows XP, Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003

I reloaded WindowsXP on my computer and cannot download any updates or the SP3 from the Microsoft website.  I do have automatic updates on and have also tried manual download when i get the error message: [Error number: 0x8024400A] The website has encountered a problem and cannot display the page you are trying to view. What should I do to enable both automatic updates and download SP3? Thanks. Prithi

FIRST: Uninstall IE8 and IE7 if they are installed. Revert all the way back to IE6. You want other patches before you get those. Reboot after doing that.

You are not the first to ask about how to update a clean install of Windows XP - not even in the last week. In fact - I am just going to cut and paste my response there... here:

Get SP2 (manually) and save it to your desktop. (There's a link there.) [You are an IT Professional for now.]

Install it.

Reboot afterwards at least a couple of times with a few minutes between each reboot.

Get SP3 (manually) and save it to your desktop. (There's a link there.) [You are an IT Professional for now.]

Install it.

Reboot afterwards at least a couple of times with a few minutes between each reboot.

Download at least Internet Explorer 7 (if not Internet Explorer 8.)

Install it.

Reboot.

Now try to get updates through the normal web page (http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/) and see how many more you can get (100+) and keep checking until you don't have anymore.

Come back - let everyone know if that worked for you.