Updates fail to install

Having tried for several weeks to install the Automatic Updates suggested, I
get the message:-

"The following updates wer not installed
Security Update for Microsoft Office Excel 2003 (KB951548)
Security Update for Microsoft Office 2003 (KB921598)
Security Update for Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003 (KB948988)
Update for Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 Junk Email Filter (KB955434)
Security Update for Outlook Express for Windows XP (KB951066)
Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP (KB953838)
Update for Windows XP (KB952287)
Update for Windows XP (KB951072)
Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - August 2008 (KB890830)
Security Update for Microsoft Office Word 2003 (KB954464)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB950974)
Cumulative Security Update for ActiveX Killbits for Windows XP (KB953839)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB946648)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB952954)"

I've tried installing from the little shield in the Taskbar and also when
shutting down choosing the "Install updates etc.."

You can see that I'm no techy-type but it is annoying

Tip: Temporarily disable real-time protection by your anti-virus and/or
anti-spyware applications (e.g., CounterSpy, Spysweeper, Spybot Tea Timer,
AVG Anti-Spyware) and/or any third-party firewall (e.g., ZA) before
attempting to install the update(s). If you disable the third-party
firewall, make certain that you enable the Windows Firewall!

=====================

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

1. See the "Need more help? Tell us what problem you are having" section of
http://support.microsoft.com/ph/6527

2. You cannot install some updates or programs
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798

3a. Check your WindowsUpdate.log (%windir%\WindowsUpdate.log) for errors
associated with the download/install.

How to read the WindowsUpdate.log file
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/902093

3b. Compare errors to those listed here:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/blog...showentry=1122
and/or go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com > click on Help and Support
link in left pane > Solve problems on your own.

===========================

Start a free Windows Update support incident request:
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/de...spx?gprid=6527

Support for Windows Update:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/wusupport

Tried using a search engine (Google, etc) to look for others with similar
issues?

I only ask because the usual solution to what you seem to have in the way of
an issue is posted several times a week (day maybe?) throughout the internet
in newsgroups like this one (probably mostly in this one and propogated all
over the world.) Perhaps - in the future - you could use something like
Google to speed up your solution-finding-missions. ;-) Just a suggestion.

First thing to try:
As many will tell you - ignore the title and symptoms listed in the article
referred to. Do method 1 and 2 and see if it fixes your issue whether or
not you repaired anything.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
Try method 1 and try to update*.
If fails - try method 2 and try to update*.

*try to update:
- Visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
- If it asks you to install anything before you see a selection of "Custom"
or "Express" - do so.
- Once you see the "Custom" or "Express" selection, choose "Custom".
- Scan for updates.
- When it lists what it finds - install the critical ones.
- You are generally safe doing the Optional Software Updates. I suggest
avoiding the Optional Hardware Updates completely.

Second thing to try:
http://www.codeplex.com/aureset

Third thing to try:
Get Dial-a-Fix:
http://wiki.djlizard.net/Dial-a-fix

Use its options to fix:
- Windows Installer
- Windows Update
- All the Registration Center options.

Turn off the "Empty System32\Catroot 2"
Do NOT do "Flush SoftwareDistribution".

Then click "GO" and wait until it is done... Reboot will be needed.

- Download/Install Windows Update v3.
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=91237
(You *may* need to install it using the command line switch "/wuforce"
right after the reboot - immediately after logging in.)

- Reboot.
- Visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and scan for/install updates.

Usually - method one from the first suggestion fixes the issue.
Sometimes they have to proceed to method two from the first suggestion.

Less seldom - but it does happen - only the tool from the second suggestion
will work - although the first suggestion is contained within the second in
many ways (as well as some of the third.)

And the third suggestion is there because before there was a suggestion (1)
and a suggestion (2) - the third was the best bet and worked in most cases.

Top Man - Why didn't I think of that - Cured the problem straight away -

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed? What
anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)? What third-party firewall
(if any)?

my posting from yesterday was received but the content is empty. What´s this?

My second trial:
On my Vista partition I´ve tried to install the Aug-2008-Updates from
Microsoft.

Installation was successful for 5 Office 2003 updates and ActiveX Killbits
for Vista (KB953839) .

Installation failed for 6 Vista updates (KB952287, 951618, 953838, 950974,
953733, 951072).

To complete the installation, the computer must be restarted. Before the
shutdown the updates are configurated. In this phase I got the message: "Some
Updates cannot be configure. The changes will be rolled back". After the
restart came the same message. In the Windows Update overview I see "Updates
are open".

In the WindowsUpdate.log at this point is written:
AU Ignoring client response for an unexpected directive
CltUI FATAL: SetClientResponse Pending for directive Reboot Pending
failed, hr=
8024AFFF
AUClnt Warning: AU directive Reboot Pending is exiting due to error 8024AFFF.

In SoftwareDistribution/ReportingEvent.log is written:
"Installation successful" for the updates KB951548, 955439, 921598, 948988,
953839, 954464.
"Installation Failure" for the updates 952287, 951618, 953838, 950974,
953733, all with the error code 0x800f0826, 951072 with the error code
0x80004005.

I´ve searched in the links you have given to Simbwa, but nothing found. It
seems, the error codes are a special mystery of Microsoft, but little
helpful.

I´ve tried the install with deactivated Bitdefender Antivirus, Online Armor
Firewall, Spybot SD, Ad-Aware and the other thirdparty Autoruns, but no
success.

What can I do to overcome the update configuration problem?

To avoid confusion, it's always best to begin a new thread about /your/
specific problem.

0x8024Afff => generic unexpected Automatic Updates

Start a free support incident. There's no way anyone here can help you
resolve this problem. Good luck.

I have tryed for several months to uninstall the security Update for Outlook
Express for Windows Xp (KB951066) this Security Update will not install, it
always "fail". Please tell me how I can remove all of these "failed Updates"
Thank you

To avoid confusion, always begin a new thread about your specific problems.
State your IE version and full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3; Vista SP2)
in your first post.

That being said, please see the "How to obtain help..." section of
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/951066