I'm back. Did you all fall asleep?

I'm back, need to go jump on that computer, had to grab a bowl of ice cream while you were rollerblading...I will try the next stuff in a moment.

Did what you said, renamed the software dist. folder, running Windows Update again.

FWIW I have about 40-50 files in *blue* text in the WINDOWS directory that are like this: $Nt$UninstallkB920685$ ... etc.

Mean anything? What does blue text mean?

Those are the uninstall files for previously installed updates. The folders and files are compressed and show up blue.

The SoftwareDistribution folder is where downloaded, but uninstalled updates are stored and other files relating to Windows updates.

Hm, if it still does not work, got to the SoftwareDistribution folder and there should be a text file named - ReportingEvents.log. Open and see if there are any error codes in there. Might be easier than the other log file. Again, the error would look similar to this:
0x80072ee2

If you're running a 6 year old machine that has never been wiped/reformatted, its probably time to save your important files and reformat your HD and reinstall windows and other apps.

Dave is the resident expert. Can't go wrong listening to him.

Sorry Dave. This utility makes all that detail registry knowledge pretty much old hat.

Run the "cleaner" part of Ccleaner. It will probably give you back a few gigs. Run the registry part 2 or 3 times, untill it finds no errors. Then try your update.

You can run that scanner until you are blue in the face. It will not work on this issue. I do use a registry scanner from time to time and although it does find and fix things, it also will break working things. This is true of any registry scanner.

It fixed this issue. It has fixed every registry related issue I've tried it on. BG is still not able to update. But I bet that if he runs the clean side of the utility untill it comes up clear & does the same with the registry, that may be fixed too.

It fixed this issue? Really? When?

I guess you do this for a living as well?

I guess you missed this huh?

No I don't do this for a living but I have in the past & could still if I wanted too.

No, I read that. I also read his first sentence. Having run so called registry cleaners numerous times over the years - on this exact problem - with the problem remaining, I can say with 100% certainty, that ccleaner will not fix the problem. BTW, just because BGCarrera32 was able to shut down his computer without the update issue, doesn't mean that the updates installed correctly and in fact, did not.

Correct, I gave him some hints that should get that corrected. If you're all full of 100% certainty, tell him how to fix it.

Update

I was able to free enough space to download and install Win XP Service Pack 3 tonight.

I have a 40 GB hdd, effectively 38 GB. I just don't have *THAT* much loaded on this thing for programs or data, and I'm sitting at 650 MB free, I can't even defrag my drive unless I have 15% free which I don't.

I checked my WINDOWS folder and its at 22 GB. Does that seem excessive to anyone?

I went folder by folder in the WINDOWS directory looking for the culprit and I'm not seeing it. Any ideas...?

Thanks!
BG

22 gigs for the Windows directory is excessive. Open "My Computer", select Tools from the top, then Folder Options... Click on the "View" tab and scroll down and check the radio button "Show hidden files and folders" as well as making sure the next two check boxes under it are checked as well.

Go back to C:\Windows and see how big the temp directory is.

Also, are there any errors being reported in the ReportingEvents.log under C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution?

Mule, ccleaner and all the other registry cleaners out there will not correct corrupt entries. Registry cleaners will go through the registry and remove entries, they cannot reregister corrupt entries.

I gave you the benefit of the doubt and spent a little time reading up on ccleaner. While it does get good remarks from those that use it, the majority say that it is really lacking in the registry cleaning department (no surprise there).

BGCarrera32's problem could have been fixed in very short time, had I been in front of the computer or even log into it remotely. I'll say it again, I do this for a living! I see this problem frequently and in the past have tried various other solutions. They do not work - period. There are error numbers that need to be posted.

Dave

When I open that log I see a whole pile of stuff, but this is an error code that might mean something:

0x80070643

When I show all my hidden files in the WINDOWS directory and look at each folder, I still can't see anything that would be chewing up 22 GB. I'm either blind or there's something I just can't see.

Thanks for all your help by the way.

Really, really agree with both of the above. Personally I format every year or so if not sooner. Also I go to Dave for help and he has been spot on everytime.

Save your data. Then go to Fry's and get a 1 Terrabite hard drive for the computer, partition it into several sections and re-install the OS.

What version of Office are you running? The error you gave is well documented and looks to be related to a corruption with Office.