(sorry, the question title should be "CAN'T" install updates)

I had to replace a dead motherboard. That went fine and WinXP seemed to reinstall without incident. (Yes, it is a valid, legal copy of Windows).

I was able to validate the install and run the Microsoft Windows Installer 3.1 from the Windows Update site.

However when I download updates (up to 80) they all immediately fail to install.

I've tried a number of things (including many of the "solutions" listed in KB Article ID :822798 (The various commands such a renaming certain directories fail to run (syntax issues it seems although my typing is accurate, or the Cyrto service can't be stopped or... )

I've restarted many times.

Anyone have a suggestion?

I haven't read the KB article, but you might try downloading a few of the updates using the Microsoft site, instead of Windows update. Then install the updates manually, see if that works.

I haven't read the KB article, but you might try downloading a few of the updates using the Microsoft site, instead of Windows update. Then install the updates manually, see if that works.

I tried a few individually without success. But thanks for the suggestion

Thanks for the balancer point Curlyben.

I have another suggestion. After the manual install fails, refer to the log file generated in your windows\ directory (e.g. KB925902.log).

Usually it tells you why it failed. Perhaps it can lead you to a solution.

Here's the recent log entries. Not sure what they mean:

2007-08-10 15:35:36:609 2776 afc COMAPI -------------
2007-08-10 15:35:36:609 2776 afc COMAPI -- START -- COMAPI: Install [ClientId = WindowsUpdate]
2007-08-10 15:35:36:609 2776 afc COMAPI ---------
2007-08-10 15:35:36:609 2776 afc COMAPI - Allow source prompts: Yes; Forced: No; Force quiet: No
2007-08-10 15:35:36:609 2776 afc COMAPI - Updates in request: 1
2007-08-10 15:35:36:609 2776 afc COMAPI - ServiceID = {9482F4B4-E343-43B6-B170-9A65BC822C77}
2007-08-10 15:35:36:609 1308 d14 Agent *************
2007-08-10 15:35:36:609 1308 d14 Agent ** START ** Agent: Installing updates [CallerId = WindowsUpdate]
2007-08-10 15:35:36:609 1308 d14 Agent *********
2007-08-10 15:35:36:609 1308 d14 Agent * Updates to install = 1
2007-08-10 15:35:36:609 2776 afc COMAPI - Updates to install = 1
2007-08-10 15:35:36:609 2776 afc COMAPI <<-- SUBMITTED -- COMAPI: Install [ClientId = WindowsUpdate]
2007-08-10 15:35:36:765 1308 d14 Agent * Title = Security Update for Windows XP (KB885836)
2007-08-10 15:35:36:765 1308 d14 Agent * UpdateId = {BBE805EE-2CF7-4110-9BE8-4FE32B144E5A}.10
2007-08-10 15:35:36:765 1308 d14 Agent * Bundles 1 updates:
2007-08-10 15:35:36:765 1308 d14 Agent * {A13230F5-0B6A-4857-9E4E-6B5FC174A319}.10
2007-08-10 15:35:46:312 1308 d14 Handler Attempting to create remote handler process as SKIP\Administrator in session 0
2007-08-10 15:35:46:578 580 6dc Misc =========== Logging initialized (build: 7.0.6000.374, tz: -0400) ===========
2007-08-10 15:35:46:578 580 6dc Misc = Process: C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
2007-08-10 15:35:46:578 580 6dc AUClnt FATAL: Error: 0x80004002. Wuauclt handler: failed to spawn COM server
2007-08-10 15:35:46:703 1308 d14 Handler FATAL: 0x80004002: ERROR: Remote update handler container process created (PID: 580), but exited before signaling event
2007-08-10 15:35:46:703 1308 d14 Agent * WARNING: Exit code = 0x80004002
2007-08-10 15:35:46:703 1308 d14 Agent *********
2007-08-10 15:35:46:703 1308 d14 Agent ** END ** Agent: Installing updates [CallerId = WindowsUpdate]
2007-08-10 15:35:46:703 1308 d14 Agent *************
2007-08-10 15:35:46:703 1308 d14 Agent WARNING: WU client failed installing updates with error 0x80004002
2007-08-10 15:35:46:718 2776 174 COMAPI >>-- RESUMED -- COMAPI: Install [ClientId = WindowsUpdate]
2007-08-10 15:35:46:718 2776 174 COMAPI - Install call failed
2007-08-10 15:35:46:718 2776 174 COMAPI - Reboot required = No
2007-08-10 15:35:46:718 2776 174 COMAPI - WARNING: Exit code = 0x80240FFF; Call error code = 0x80004002
2007-08-10 15:35:46:718 2776 174 COMAPI ---------
2007-08-10 15:35:46:718 2776 174 COMAPI -- END -- COMAPI: Install [ClientId = WindowsUpdate]
2007-08-10 15:35:46:718 2776 174 COMAPI -------------
2007-08-10 15:35:47:468 2776 afc COMAPI WARNING: Operation failed due to earlier error, hr=80004002

What service pack level is the Copy of windows your installing? If it is not sp2. That would be the first update I would download and install.