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 Probably the WU client is out of date - try this url (ignore title)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.
>>
> As happens so often with these links and KBs, I think I
> reset it per 306525 above so that I am still in Automatic
> Updates but they do not download or install except when
> I select them. So it is more properly Automatic
> Notification of Available Updates, not Automatic Update.
> So presumably I am now in the mode where I should be able
> to follow links to download SP3.
>
> Not so. I got to 322389 and it told me that, since this is
> a one-PC-one-computer system, I should get the Update for SP3
> from Windows Update.
>
> So I went back to Windows Update. CATCH-22. I couldn't find a
> place there for downloading SP3. What now?
Funny thing happened on the way back to Windows Update.
It must have been JUST updated itself, this morning,
because this time it offered me the option to download
and install SP3. I can't swear that it wasn't there
before, but I couldn't find it.

This time I asked for it, it downloaded and installed,
very cleanly (except for the length of time it sat at
various places, while I wondered if it was still alive
or had 'hung'. It could use 'Patience please' in a lot
of places.....but eventually it finished, and I seem to
be in operation.

Thanks for the guidance, Taur........