Windows update won't work on 2000 pro

[woody]

Ok, so trying to update an older w2k laptop. Installed SP4 from file then tried to connect to Windows update via the start menu. Microsoft installed the newer version of their update software, then I got the regular 'Express' install or 'Custom' install options. I click on either one and after a short period of time watching the incredible green progress bar (which actually doesn't show the progress) I get an error message.

'Files required to use Microsoft Update are no longer registered or installed on your computer. To continue:

o - Register or reinstall the files for me now (Recommended)

o - Let me read about more steps that might be required to solve this problem'

So I click on the recommended and it goes through downloading, then registering. All 100% complete. Then I get to the original update screen - Express or Custom. When I click on either of these, I'm back to the same error message. AAARRRHH :x

If I choose to 'Let me read about more steps that might be required to solve this problem' it takes me to support website and I have to search the knowledge base for the problem. Of course, no matter what I search for I can't find an article with my symptoms.

Any ideas?

[CyberNerd]

tried offline updates?
http://www.heise.de/ct/ftp/projekte/...tupdate302.zip

or windiz?

http://windowsupdate.62nds.com/whyuse.php

[woody]

Thanks for that Cybernerd. I had tried to re-register all the necessary files manually but even that didn't work. Offline updates seems to be working now. Does it actually install the updates or is it just downloading them for manual install?

[CyberNerd]

I must admit, I've only used that offline scripting tool on virtual test machines.
It downloads all updates for XP/2k/2k3 and wraps them into an iso (dvd for all os). The updates can be installed individually or Insert the disk and it updates windows, it's pretty usefull for one-off machines but not so good on an entire network

[woody]

Fantastic! I have run the CD created from offline updates, and that has fixed Windows Update as well sa installing all the updates manually!

Thanks to Cybernerd!