automatic update problem

[loree]

I got this message from my automatic update page that it is not installed properly and I should follow certain instructions to correct it.

They stated that I should go to Advanced Settings and clear the "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended). WHen I attempt to do this I get this warning that I should not do this as my system will become inoperable?

The second thing is that they want me to click START then SEARCH and then MORE ADVANCED OPTIONS. When I click SEARCH I do not have that option. Am I looking at the wrong place?

My OS is Windows XP.

thanks for any help I get..

[Statica]

It seems awful suspicious.
Firstly, there has been no automatic update that I can recall that requires you to do such things (including deleting/checking any files). Believe me that Microsoft knows exactly what files are on your computer and what needs to be updated. Could you check to see what is the update that you are trying to install, and someone here could verify it for you.

It helps if you try to do the update when you are an administrator, but I dont recall anything that forces a computer to do so.

[loree]

Thanks,

I am going to check it when I get home. At work right now. There isn't one specific update but the whole update software is missing, if I can recall.

Here is the exact message I received. It advised me to click on this Microsoft Link.

" Software Update Incomplete, This Windows Update Software DId Not Update Successfully"
Error message when you visit the WIndows Update Web Site.

Article Q319585

then it gives me a list of directions I should follow. I can't seem to be able to follow these directions because when I attempt to do what they tell me to do another error message comes up telling me to stop this attempt?

thanks

[andyms18a]

this is a genuine windows error you knead to follow the instructions on the site http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=319585
any error massages you get when you follow the instructions just hit continue anyway or ignore or yes as you knead to fix this problem