Windows Update problem ["Files required to use Microsoft Update ...."]

I'm having a similar problem. It seems to be related to IE7. I haven't been able to get the Update to work for the past two weeks. When I access the Windows Update site, it appears to be checking for some required software needed to support Update. It appears to download something and then goes back to a screen that says:

"Files required to use Microsoft Update are no longer registered or installed on your computer. "

There are two radio buttons to select from:

"Register or reinstall the files for me now (Recommended)

and

Let me read about more stepsthat might be requiredto solve this problem "

I select the first option and the whole cycle starts over again.

I'm running XP Home/SP2 on a Acer 5004 WLMI.

 

Windows Update problem ( "Files required to use MS Update).

Pete,

Thanks for the fix...it worked perfectly.

Phil