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Resolved Question

I cannot use windows update

Jan 25, 2013 6:11AM PST

I have just installed a clean version of xp on a machine. I have also updated xp to service pack 3. Now, everytime I goto update I am told that it is unable to display the page I want and refers me to things that might help. I have found this is not an unusual problem and the fix seems to be to installed service pack 3, which is already installed. Some also say to first install service pack 2, which I did not do. Oh, I am also using IE 8.0

Anyway, now I cannot update. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

Discussion is locked

jgw0 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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Something to try - works or not
Jan 25, 2013 10:28PM PST

1. Start IE.

Click Tools, Internet Options, and then Advanced.
Scroll down to and uncheck "Enable memory protection to help mitigate online attacks"
Click Apply and then OK to close the applet.

2. Close IE.

3. If the option to use "Microsoft Update" is located in the Start menu, click it and see if it runs.

4. Whether you should restart the computer before #3, I'm not sure if it is necessary or not.

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what happened
Jan 27, 2013 6:51AM PST

What happened is that the automatic updates kicked in. After that I just let it do its thing through about 150 updates. Then I tried to goto windows update again and, this time, it worked. Something in the updates was necessary for that to happen but I have no idea what it was. So, now, its all good and things are working as they should.

I want to thank everybody who responded to my plight and am grateful to all of you. Thanks again!!!

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Answer
Frankly I'd do it again.
Jan 25, 2013 6:14AM PST

Just a few months back I goofed an install by installing a firewall too early and broke a few things. Since I didn't want to dissect the OS I started over and let it update before I put on the antivirus and firewall.
Bob

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Thanks for the reply
Jan 25, 2013 7:34AM PST

I had not get installed any security although I have disabled my security for the time being. I started with ie6 and then installed ie7 but that didn't work either so I installed ie8 and still had the problem. I should also mention that windows update, in program files, is completely empty (there was one suggestion to deal with files in that directory but nothing was there). I also have automatic updates on but it is doing nothing. I have NO security updates, etc. Basically NOTHING seems to have been updated. This leads me to believe I may be missing something but have no idea what that might be.

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Wait a sec
Jan 25, 2013 7:46AM PST

Did you let Windows Update do its thing or were you jumping in and getting IE before WU was done?
Bob