Failed Windows updates.... what is happening and should I be concerned?

My Windows Update keeps trying to install a security fix for [SQL server 2005 service pack 2 (KB970895) (five instances starting 03/09/10)] and failing each time it does so.

There are also failed updates shown in the history list for:
[Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition Service Pack 3 (KB955706)(one instance on 3/09/10],
[Security Update for Windows XP KB977560 (one instance on 02/10/10)],
[Security Update for Windows XP KB978251 (one instance on 02/10/10)],
[Security Update for Windows XP KB975713 (one instance on 02/10/10)],
[Security Update for Windows XP KB978037 (one instance on 02/10/10)],
[Security Update for Windows XP KB971468 (one instance on 02/10/10)],
[Cumulative Security Update for ActiveX Killbits for Windows XP (KB978262) (one instance on 02/10/10)].

Whassup widdat? I go to the little "pop" screen as directed which tells me I have a certain "error code" and directs me to the Microsoft Forum (which is somewhat less than entirely useful, to be polite).

The SQL errors I don't understand at all... didn't even know that XP installed SQL... but the number of install errors leads me to think I may be either missing something that I should have on the computer or that something got corrupted.

Any thoughts?

Very confused by all this, especially since Update continues to try installing the SQL 2005 patch, over and over....

 

Hi frayedknotarts, I have all of the MS updates you list installed AOK. They were to do with Windows Defender if I recall correctly. Do you have WD installed? Neil.

 

Nosir. I am using a variety of free- and share-ware items (MalwareBytes, Super AntiSpyware, Autorun Eater, TFC, CCleaner, Comodo firewall, Panda USB Vaccine and my antivirus is Computer Associates).

I have been thinking of using Microsoft Essentials but am not sure (since some reviews are less than enthusiastic) that this would be wise.

 

Do you have Windows Server 2005 installed on your PC? KB955706 & KB970895 are to fix bugs in SP2 & 3 in Server 2005.

If you haven't got it installed - Delete or don't update. Cheers Neil.

 

I have:
Microsoft SQL Server 2005,
Microsoft SQL Server Native Client
Microsoft SQL Server Setup Support Files (English)
Microsoft SQL Server VXX writer
MSXML 4.0 SP2 (KB054430)
MSXML 4.0 SP2 (KB973668)
MSXML 6 Service Pack 2 (KB973686)

 

Try downloading from MS updates and save to Desktop. Then install one at a time after making sure there is nothing running in the background.

I would disconnect from Internet and close AV's as these may be causing the problem. Once installed then you can re-establish your security before connecting back to the internet. Neil.

 

Sorry for delay in replying. Got to work this AM and the system there was "alles kaput" as far as the database... apparently SQL Server2005 had been corrupted (according to Tech Support) by the same update I had questions about and so they remoted in and spent four hours doing "things "(*arcane* and, I'm sure, *diabolic* THINGS) to my poor computer system. I'm going to wait on fooling with this computer until I see how that shakes out. Their main solution was to uninstall and then re-install the entire SQL package. Seemed a bit drastic but it may have worked.

But enough about you, let's talk about me for a change....

Is it necessary to have an SQL relational database manager on a computer that really only handles a small spreadsheet and a website? I can't imagine the time I'd be putting a large database anywhere on the box, but - even as I write - I begin to think of things like Outlook or Firefox email lists.... I just don't know enough about this stuff to make an intelligent judgment on this or to avoid sounding like a dweeb.

 

If you use it - keep it. I don't think there is any need for me to have it set up in my comp as I would not have a clue about using it for Home PC. Cheers Neil.

ps. If you're problem is fixed, remember to mark this as Resolved.

 

So, (censored) if I know how they fixed it

The tech support seems to have fixed it for me. They remoted in and did their *things* and pronounced it clen and ready to go, after they removed Firefox, PrintKey, Irfanview, Superanti Spyware and installed Microsoft Essentials.

It's fixed, but I'll never figure out how.

Thanks for the suggestions!