windows update issue

Hi, I am looking to do a windows update on a single XP SP3 machine. I've used the latest Logistix pack, as well as downloading updates for offline installation using a program from the web. There have been quite a few updates installed, but not via the windows update site. The machine is already SP3, just doing recent updates.

When I go to use windows update via IE8 browser (tools->WU), it does a check for what updates are needed, and the dialog box shows saying 'downloading and installing updates' with the progress bar with about 10 items to download and install, but nothing is ever downloaded, and the downloads eventually all fail. There is definite internet and network access.

Anything I can do to make it download? I'm trying to build an image, and don't want the perfect image never to be able to do an update. BTW, we're not using WSUS yet, still on Win2k server that needs upgrading (but have to wait until next year...).

Only thing I've tried is adding windows update url to secure trusted sites in IE, but this shouldn't make a difference, as I've never had to do it on other pcs.

Other strange thing is the windows update thinks that IE8 needs installing, but I'm using IE8 to check for the updates!! Something fishy going on... Perhaps need to reset windows update?

Thanks in advance.

Do you have a proxy server on site? Is the automatic update service running?

try to reset windows update cache:

* net stop wuauserv
* rename %windir%\SoftwareDistribution to SoftwareDistribution.old
* net start wuauserv

regards
bio..

Thanks again. I've found that automatic update was on. Proxy is the LEA one, so offsite.

Will try and flush WU as suggested, thanks.

It's the same with Birmingham LA's proxies. Windows Update is so slow I just give up with it. You shouldn't need many updates - the remaining updates should be mostly optional or Windows Activation.

If possible, take a machine home and update it this way or even better, if you have a 3G USB stick, update it this way.

As you're still running Windows 2000 Server, you can still install WSUS 2.0. Not as good as WSUS 3.0, but definitely better than nothing. When you eventually upgrade to 2003 Server, you can either update to WSUS 3.0 directly or migrate the database to a different server, then install WSUS 3.0 here.