There are any number of add-ons and pests that can interfere with the update including parasites, antivirus, firewalls, pop-up stoppers and more.
I find that alternative install methods can force the issue if the IE or some file is damaged in some way. I won't write this is your solution, but share it so you can consider alternatives.
1. Download IE 6.0 at http://browsers.evolt.org/?ie/32bit/6.0
2. Run IEradicator from http://www.litepc.com/ieradicator.html (pwoof, no IE, OE and such! All gone.)
3. Install IE from step 1.
Far from perfect, some error messages do appear but I click on through, reboot and run Windows Update one last time.
PESTS and PARASITES? Yes, the five tools I note at http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-6132-0.html?forumID=32&threadID=1313&start=0 usually ejects such things. Such parasites interfere with updates since they want to stick around on your machine.
Add-ons with as blockers, firewalls and more are your choice, but can cause a failure during update.
Bob
I am running WinMe 1.7 GHz, 512 meg, FIC VC11 mobo.
I can successfully download the Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 update files. However, when the installation procedure begins, it proceeds to about 75% completion and then fails. I have checked the Windows update history and it indicates that the update has been succesfully installed but it definitely has not since the Browser in "Help", "About" still lists it as version 5.5. Also there is no uninstall entry for IE 6 in the Add/Remove programs panel.
Does anyone have any ideas on why the update installation fails and how to fix it?
Thanks,
Jim O'Brien

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