William B. Lurie wrote:
> TaurArian wrote:
>> See inline response William -
>>
>> "William B. Lurie" <billurie@nospam.net> wrote in message
>> news:ePgiCOCtIHA.1240@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>> | TaurArian wrote:
>> | > Probably the WU client is out of date - try this url (ignore title)
>> | >
>> | > 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
>> | >
>> | > If that's not the case, post again.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> | I read that KB, Taur, and now I have more questions. First, how do
>> | I know if I have an X64-based system? I have plain vanilla XP
>> | Home with SP2, as OEM installed on my Compaq Presario.
>>
>>
>> To find out if you have a 32 bit system (x86) -
>> Click Start, Select Run, now type in: msinfo32
>> Look at System type:
>>
>>
>>
>> | Second, I prefer not to subscribe to "Automatic Updates"
>> | because I want to opt out of certain hardware-related updates
>> | that are not applicable. I always accept Critical Updates.
>> | The KB article, as I read it quickly, implies that I have to
>> | go the Automatic Updates route. So exactly what do I do if I just
>> | want to continue selecting the Windows Update KB items which are
>> | applicable?
>>
>> The Automatic Update Service must be on *automatic*.
>>
>> As for what you want to download or not download etc, keeping in mind
>> not all available updates are downloaded.
>> see: http://www.updatexp.com/windows-automatic-updates.html
>>
>> But if you want control then see:
>>
>> HOW TO: Configure and Use Automatic Updates in Windows XP
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525
>> You can have automatic updates set to notify only.
>>
> Thanks again, Taur.
> I checked and I have X86. So that pins one thing down.
> I followed the steps in KB943144 and did net stop wuauserv
> to stop Automatic Update.
> I then went to Windows Update and it still did the forever
> search, and so I stopped it and restarted the system......
> and it still thinks I have Automatic Update ON.
>
> I guess my next step is KB306525 as you referenced above.
> I DO want to be notified of updates, but I want the privilege
> of rejecting some.
As a follow-on, I think that I may have broken loose
a solution. Even though it told me that KB892130 has installed,
I installed it again. That led me to a sequence where I was
able to configure AU the way I want it....namely, TELL me
when there are updates, but let me use CUSTOM mode to select
what to download and install. I'm not sure which of the .NET
Frameworks caused some other software major grief last year,
but whatever .NET I have now, works, and I'm afraid to
install more of them unless I have to.

When I have some time, I'll go around WU again to see if it
is set to do what I like. And thanks for the leads, Taur.