My HijackLog to determine virus [Windows Update not working]

Yup they're both running, automatic, started.

 

Download and install it manually from the following link. Instructions are there as well.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...FC-5F56-4A38-B838-DE776FD4138C&displaylang=en

 

Ok, thank you noah . The only thing showing now is

The following updates were not installed
Update for Windows XP (KB898461)

 

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...e1-9a67-4b99-a65a-069b79267856&DisplayLang=en

Reboot when that one is done, then go back to Windows Update and scan for updates. You are way, way behind, and it will take many trips back and reboots to get up-to-date.

 

Oh yeah, this is very very true. I guess the whole aversion to anything that means change really can't be applicable to computers.....

That worked and now I can access the updates, so, do I install all of them?
I would install service pack 2 but I need the Windows XP disk to back up, which I can't find, this is my mothers comp so she's put all the computer related stuff somewhere about the house and now can't find it.

 

Happy to hear it worked! Yes, you should install all critical updates.

Why do you need the XP cd? Backup should be installed already, available via Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools

Service Pack 2 will create backups when it installs, allowing you to roll back if needed. It should also create a system restore point. Many of the updates will do the same.

 

noah you are lovely and helpful, kissies! oops I mean..er...not kissies? I'm a female in case you're creeped out by that

Ok back up isn't installed on my system as I checked this out a week ago. I'm worried that I will lose emails and music if I install service pack 2 without backing up, is that possible?

 

Well, as long as you're female ...... Thanks!

The only way you'd lose any of your data is if SP2 was to cause totally unrecoverable system failure, like if it toasted the hard drive, which is unlikely.

 

*sigh* things were going so well and service pack 2 won't install, so what I'll do is try again then if that doesn't work I'll do the troubleshoot. Avast was slowing things down a bit so maybe if I shut it off for the while I'm installing SP2 it may help.
Other updates are going well though.

This message board is fantastic, I'll recommend it to other people if they need help with Windows stuff.

 

It is often recommended to turn off antivirus apps while installing service packs, though I've never had to do it. I'd suggest downloading it to your computer and disconnecting from the internet while av is off then install it, rather than being online with av off.

You can download SP2 for offline installation via Windows Update Catalog.

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=8973

 

argh. Every single update failed. Is this where I have to download every update individually and reboot each time?

 

Get Service Pack 2 and install offline, with Avast turned off. It's a cumulative update and should include everything you need up to it.

Let me know what happens. There are some logs we can look at to help determine the problem.

 

Could you point me to a link where I can download SP2 offline?

 

Go to the Windows Update Catalog link I posted 2 posts up. Install the ActiveX if prompted, then search for Service Pack 2. Should be about #5 in the list. Click the link, then add to your download basket. Close the popup window, then click the view basket link in upper right corner. Once you click the download button, you can browse to a location to save it on your computer.

 

ah I didn't see that.
I did all you wrote, after I chose a location and pressed continue it went on to say

The website has encountered a problem and cannot display the page you are trying to view. The options provided below might help you solve the problem.

ohhhh it's tiring.

 

Close out then go back and try again. If you get the same thing, tell me what the options listed are.

 

It happened again. options are

http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Faq.aspx
http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Support.aspx

 

Well thanks Microsoft ......... those aren't very helpful options

I've never used or recommended these before, but they appear to be legitimate SP2 downloads.

http://www.softwarepatch.com/windows/xpsp2.html
http://www.soft32.com/download_992.html

 

I'd be happy to look over your Windows update log to see if I can see a problem if you want to send it to me (it's too big to post). It's located at C:\Windows\windowsupdate.log

Just right click and select Send To>Compressed (zipped) Folder. It will create a zip file of the same name in C:\Windows. Attach the zip to an email to me with a subject line of RE:smitRem

 

I'm going to leave off installing service pack 2 until I can find my Windows XP disk to install back up as that was one of the recommendations.

Plus I think I'm getting Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.