Updates Won't Install After SP3

[James]

I did a clean install of XP SP2 from my retail upgrade disk after trying to
do an in-place upgrade from Windows 2000 Pro failed. I then installed SP3
through the Windows Update website, which seemed to have no problems.
However, I can't get any post-SP3 updates to install since moving to SP3.
They download to my computer, but fail without any error number being
displayed.

The updates not getting installed are:

Security Update for Windows XP (KB951748)
Update for Windows XP (KB951978)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB951698)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB951376)
Cumulative Security Update for ActiveX Killbits for Windows XP (KB950760)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB950762)
Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 6 for Windows XP (KB950759)
Update for Windows XP (KB942763)

I have turned off all firewalls and antivirus while trying to install the
updates, but that hasn't helped.

Any advice?

Thanks.

[Engel]

Truthfully - if you reboot right before installing SP2 and/or SP3 - you
should not see the issue that is the subject of this posting.

[TaurArian]

If you've recently done a repair install or a clean install of Windows XP and
updates are failing see :
Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from Microsoft
Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP
installation
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144

[James]

Thanks, TaurArian. Registering the file mentioned in the KB article allowed
the updates to install.

I had come across that article while trying to solve the problem myself and
thought it didn't apply to me since I was doing a clean install of XP on a
new disk. Apparently this prerequisite "You have repaired the Windows XP
installation by using the Windows XP CD" doesn't necessarily apply or my
definition of "repair" is different.

Again, thanks!

[Harry Johnston [MVP]]

No, strictly speaking the article doesn't apply, it's just that one of the
procedures described fixes your problem (and a number of others) as well as the
one the article is talking about. The cause of the problem making Windows
Update break on new installs is different to the issue the article describes,
and as far as I know Microsoft weren't aware until recently.

I'm told a new KB article has been or will be written but in any case I expect
the problem to be fixed in the relatively recent future.

Harry.

[TRockford]

As far as having problems installing updates after installing SP3...you need to install Windows Installer 3.0 BEFORE installing SP3 by clicking on "other updates". Seems to be a problem for people who are doing a fresh install of Windows XP SP2. I see so many weird solutions for this that are completely unnecessary. I haven't seen where this answer was given so I thought I'd try to help

I don't know why it happens or if Microtards ever fixed it(doubtful) or not but this solved the problem for me when I reinstalled XP SP2

[TRockford]

That's nonsense. I install XP with SP2(inbox) on a regular basis, although it has been a few weeks since the last time. I reboot trust me. Unless they have fixed it quite recently, you WILL need to install Windows Installer 3.0 prior to installing SP3 or else you'll not be able to install any more updates after SP3. Like I said, it seems to be a problem with people doing a new full install of Windows XP, I dont know about upgrades

[Shenan Stanley]

Nonsense? Doubtful.
My experience is different than yours? Quite probable.

I have installed SP3 on hundreds, possibly thousands of machines by now -
some with SP1a fresh install, some with SP2 fresh install, some with SP2 and
all the patches and years of mess on it, a few with SP1a and years of mess
on it and I have only had the problem with the updates not installing on a
select few - and none of those did I reboot right before I installed (on
those I did reboot prior to installing SP3 - I have had no issues.)

The fixes I have used on systems I personally instigated the issue upon and
those I had nothing to do with other than trying to help the person in
question are as follows:

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*.

[Harry Johnston [MVP]]

I was the one who reported this issue to Microsoft, and I did some fairly
comprehensive experimentation first, so I can assure you that installing Windows
Installer 3.0 fixes the problem only as a side-effect. The key is that you need
to first visit the Windows Update web site to update the Windows Update Agent,
and *then* reboot before going ahead and installing service pack 3. I imagine
you're installing Windows Installer 3.0 via the Windows Update web site, thus
upgrading the WUA, and that the Windows Installer upgrade requires a reboot.

Of course, the problem can be just as easily fixed afterwards by reregistering
wups2.dll.

Theoretically it shouldn't be happening any more because of the new version of
the WUA, but I haven't had a chance to test this yet.

Harry.