Solved XP Computer Very Slow - Suspect Malware

I go to the Microsoft Windows Update site via "Start" and "All Programs ". On the Update site, I get the following message:

When I click on the "Install Now" button, it appears the the "new version" of the software is downloading. The heading at the top says it is downloading and I see some percentages indicating files being installed and then I get the following message:

I used the links in the above message to get to the Fix It tool - which didn't work. I ran it again a few minutes ago and one of their suggestions was to contact the computer manufacturer.

 

Broni,

I took a quick look at the link and it looks to be a bit involved. It's getting late here on the East Coast so I think I will wait until tomorrow to attack it. Thanks.

 

Broni,

A question before I begin the Repair Installation - which I haven't done before:

My friend doesn't have the disc for her XP (Dell OEM). I have a Dell XP Home SP2 Reinstallation CD. Can I use that for the repair inserting her Key at the appropriate place? I have the Windows XP SP3 CD which I can run after the repair installation.

 

Broni,

Just to give you an update. Dell does provide the "repair" feature which I ran and after it was through, the computer was still the same - couldn't download the updates. It appeared to me that the repair process went too fast for what I had anticipated. I haven't had access to the computer for the past few days but as soon as I do, I plan to try the "repair" again and if still no luck, then I wil go to the recovery console feature and start over.

 

Broni,

I planned to give you an update tomorrow. The friend got a new Windows 8 Gateway yesterday and we were setting it up today. I plan to get the old one (the one you were helping me with) in the next couple of days and continue on with making another attempt at the Repair Reinstallation and if that doesn't work I will do the Recovery Console Reinstallation.

Will let you know how it goes.

 

Broni,

Time for an update and, I assume, resolve this thread. I tried to run the "Repair" process using my XPSP2 reinstall disc again and it wouldn't run. I did run the Reinstall using the Recovery Console. After it finished, I installed SP3 from the Microsoft SP3 Cd that I had. I then held my breath and used the "All Programs" and "Windows Update" which had failed in the past. It went to the website and found 160 updates which it downloaded and installed - all in all about a 4 hour process.

But the machine now seems to be working OK. One thing that was surprising to me is the downoaded programs that remained. I assumed the reinstall would take everything back to day 1 but several programs I installed in the past two or three weeks were still there and operating. I suppose it could have done the repair and I thought it was doing the total reinstall.

In any event, all seems well now and thank you so much for your time and your patience. Once again, I am amazed.