Trapped in Windows Update

Hello,

I just had to reinstall the Windows XP Pro on a laptop. I activated the software and went to Microsoft's update site where I successfully installed the latest version of Installer. I then manually checked for updates and was told that there are 81 updates required. (I never realized how many patches MS has released since XP Pro was rolled out).

Now here is my problem. I downloaded all of the updates. However, they are never installed. I have tried setting Windows update to Automatic and to Manual, both ways whenever I shut down the laptop I get the message "Installing 81 updates, do not turn laptop off..." I follow the directions and after 5 minutes the laptop shuts down by itself. None of the updates are installed. I try installing them from the Windows Update web site and nothing happens there. The site scans my computer for potential updates. After 15 minutes it finds the same 81 updates needed. When I click to install some or all of them, the system hangs. Could this be a WGA issue? I thought activating the s/w took care of this.

One idea that just occurred to me is to install SP2. Maybe that would cut the list of 81 in half.

Any suggestions? I just want to bring this laptop up to date.

Thanks!

*** Oops - I already have SP2 installed!

 

Wow, thank you Arie. You can't ask for more specific instructions than that!

I will let you know how it works out.

*** Update: Well it took 3+ hours, but following the steps outlined above I successfully installed 84 updates! Thanks again!