Hi

I've done a search which has thrown up a few people having similar problems. I was going to add my question to another thread, but thought it might be easier here, just in case anyone has a problem identical to this one.

For more than a month, when switching off I have been receiving the 'Switch off to install new updates' message. Every day without fail.

More recently, I have received an additional message, via the yellow shield icon at the foot of my screen. It asks me to install the latest updates, then always tells me I have failed. The 'failed update' is:

Office 2003 Service Pack 3 (SP3)
Update for Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 Junk Email Filter (KB955434)

I don't know if I have two separate problems or if they are related. When powering down, my PC attempts to install two updates, again and again before switching itself off.

I've scanned with AVG, Malware and Spybot and seem to be clean. I've also run CCleaner. I even tried System Restore a while back - when I was first getting the repeated 'Switch off to install updates' problem.

Can anyone help? I'd be very grateful.

James

I was going to add my question to another thread, but thought it might be easier here

It is always better to start a new thread with your own problem. Seeking help for your problem in someone else's thread is considered poor forum etiquette as it can take focus away from the original poster (OP). You can always contribute to the other thread, but the focus should be on fixing the OPs system. Note you can "subscribe" to that other thread from Thread Tools - then if someone replies with a solution, you will get an email notice and you can see if the fix applies to you too.

But more importantly, since no two computers are the same, often with completely different hardware, Windows versions, etc., the cause or course of action may be different. So with your own thread, you receive the advice for your problem, and the focused attention you deserve.

My wife's machine did the same thing a couple weeks ago with 4 updates, all pertaining to Office 2003. What I did was turn off Automatic Updates. Then I went into Control Panel > Add and Remove Software, made sure "Show Updates" was ticked, then scrolled through looking for those failed updates - in your case, look for KB955434 and the identifying number of the other one. If you find them, uninstall them. I found only one, but I suspect it was the problem. Then reboot and see if you get the errors.

If no error, then you can check for updates manually, or enable Automatic Updates (I recommend either setting that does not automatically install the update. Do not use express install - then install the updates one at a time. Hopefully that will work this time.

Many thanks for the advice and help. I thought it might not be the right procedure to start a new thread if there were similar ones around, so I'm glad it was the right thing to do.

I did as you suggested, but couldn't find the update in the list. Lots of others, but not that one.

I switched off Automatic Updates but have not been able to manually update either. When I go to Microsoft I am told to install ActiveX by clicking on the bar below the address bar. However, nothing happens.

I did this via IE7, though generally I use Mozilla. If I go in that way, I'm given other instructions but, basically, I end up at Microsoft's Update site.

I tried downloading and installing this file manually, but though I downloaded it, when I tried to install it I was told, "This update could not be applied". So I seem to be back at square one.

Though I'm not exactly computer-illiterate, I do need to be spoken to slowly, if you see what I mean. That said, any more suggestions/instructions will be gratefully received.

Thanks again,

James

Hello Corinda,

The following procedure has helped so many with your particular problem so I suggest you try it and see how you go.

Go here and see if it works

Genuine Microsoft Software

fix any issues, then validate it.

If it still doesn't work try this

Re-register the Windows Update DLL with the commands below
Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK.
Type the following commands. Press ENTER after each command,

regsvr32 wuapi.dll
regsvr32 wuaueng.dll
regsvr32 wuaueng1.dll
regsvr32 wucltui.dll
regsvr32 wups.dll
regsvr32 wups2.dll
regsvr32 wuweb.dll

Attempt to run Windows Update.

I also suggest you set you Windows Updates to "Notify me but do not download or install them" so you are in full control of what is installed on your system.

Please keep us posted.

kind regards,