Windows Update Crashes XP Home Why?

[kkjensen]

Well I just built a new computer and everything was working flawlessly....that was until I performed the windows update function. First off I have built dozens of computers so it definately wasn't user induced but I do think that part of the problem resulted in a dial-up modem??

Update stated there were 26 critical updates for my verson of XP (Home with SP1 imbedded). I started the 30meg download and apparently at about 8 megs into it I lost connection with my modem...I said the heck with it and started back up in the morning. This time I decided to break it up and tried to unpload the 20 smallest files and would put the larger ones in later, I noticed that it started up at 4.4megs already completed and continued with the remaining 8 megs left for the 12 meg total installation (I can't believe it stored everything for over 8 hours while the computer was off <--could be the problem!!). The download and installation portion said it completed and prompted for a reboot. Upon reboot windows opened a window on the desktop that said some of the files installed are not being recognized by Windows XP and I would need to re-install windows (sounded kinda drastic) but I did as it said and it actually required me entering my key and completing the entire installation. (Gets worse) After windows completed the installation it, as always prompted for a reboot and I did....now windows would no longer launch and after the BIOS data posted windows displayed a full page error message telling me that windows was corrupted and could not open and gave me 3 options: 1. reinstall again 2. enter windows in safe mode (never heard of windows xp safe mode before) or 3. continue to launch windows....NOTHING WORKED.

I have subsequently reformatted and reinstalled and everything is up and running but I'm slightly hesitant on the windows update. The computer I replaced it with had all the updates and I have never encountered anything like this before...watcha think??? Below I will list the components I have in the new computer:

Abit NF7-S v.2.0 MB @400mhz
512 megs PC3200 @400mhz
Athlon XP2600 w/ 333mhz FSB
GeForce 4 TI4600 AGP 8X
U.S. Robotics 56K External

BIOS is up to date as is every driver for the system. I'm currently using the on board SoundStorm Audio until is irritates me and I shut it down and install my Audigy 2.

When or if I start the update I might just install one at a time to be safe...or if you know of one recent update that has causing issues tell me what it is...or one that might be conflicting with my system..Remember these were only the "Critical Updates" not drivers or Windows XP enhancements.

Thanks,
Kevin

[trulad]

"Critical" to M Soft may not be critical to you. Best way is to only download those that pertain to problems you are having or security issues. Yes, small bites (bytes) should be better.
Trudy

[Panama Red]

No recent upadate has crashed any of my 3 computers. All are completely updated. Possibly when the connection was lost and you reselected the updates to add, part(s)of previously selected updates were still in your temp folder. Then when you downloaded again, it courrupted the data to be installed.

[pam123]

Earlier this evening the Windows update popped up.
I couldn't tell what the secirity updates were suppose to fix, all 2 of them.
I will await all reviews and clarifications, I don't do the automatic thing.

[Confused]

I load all security updates, any recommended updates that fit my system and also any driver updates that pertain to my system. Only problem I have experienced was the one security patch that caused slowdowns that MS later released a fix for.
Chas