Automatic Update Can't Complete???

Received notification this AM that an automatic update is ready for me to install...it keeps telling me that the installation cannot complete (it's for agere systems pci soft modem...I searched for this and found an old thread that linked to Infini Source Windows Update Problems and how to fix...tried to rename my catroot2 folder as it suggested to catroot2OLD, but it won't let me...says make sure the disk is not full, or that the folder is not in use. I don't know what a catroot2 folder is, where it might live, or what it might be up to on a dark cold night, so I don't know how to make sure that it's not in use. Can someone tell me how to rename it, or what else to try to enable this installation? I'm not even sure this is a WINDOWS update, and not an HP update...the icon is a yellow shield with an ! inside, and not the previously seen blue colored icon for windows updates??? The icon keeps reappearing, though, even though it can't complete the installation. Is there some other reason an update won't install?
THANKS!
Barb

 

drewbarbpi--

That may be the clue. You should clean out your cache. IE Tools|Internet Options|General tab|Delete Files would be a start. (You could also use Disk Cleanup, but try the above first.) This never hurts anything and should improve overall performance of your PC, even if it does not fix your problem.
If this download is from "agere systems ", it should mean the download is coming from AgereSystems which company now owns the Lucent Modems and offers support for them. Cannot tell you whether MS, HP or Agere initiated the notice you received. In fact you might be a little suspicious about this. Go to Windows Update manually and see if this "update" is being offered by them. Has HP offered updates to you in the past?
If cleaning your cache does not help, you can try the catroot2 fix
(See Question 4 here
http://www.bootdisk.com/xptop20.htm )
But somehow, unless this is an Update from MS Windows Update, I suspect catroot2 is not the problem. But you have nothing to lose, since your catroot2 folder will be restored after reboot.
If the above steps finally allow you to download the "update ", I think would check it out before installing. Like right click on the downloaded file and then Properties to find out the source. Also scan with antivirus.

 

Have you tried installing the Agere driver from their site?
Check that this generic dialup driver is the correct one. v8.30.

Installing it manually MAY stop windows update thinking it has a newer version for you?

http://www.agere.com/entnet/modem_driver2.html

 

Thanks, guys! Apparently, at some point yesterday while hubby was on computer, it must have gone through with the update/installation, because I see it on the Windows Update installation history as successful...also noticed that now I can hear modem dialing...that has flip-flopped since we've had our new computer (hearing and not hearing it!)...anyway...thanks!
Barb