error on updates

[19september]

Service pack for windows will not update, I get error code80073715, does anyone know how i can get to upload? Remember i am not very computer minded but not stupid,so please keep it plain. i have been on the microsoft site, it seems a common complaint. Probably I'm too old for this technology!!! Thanks in advance

[VHG]

I have had Windows Updates go "bad" on me a couple of times, both on XP and Vista.

To be honest fixing it has not been easy. I am very computer literate and I have had to do some very complex things to try to get it working again.

In fact I still have an XP machine that wont use Windows Updates normally and I have to go to a special web site to get it to work (I will post the web site in a moment when I find it).

Some people running Vista have downloaded a special tool to try to fix problems. If you are running Vista try that.

Go to this web page and scroll down till you find the place where it says to download it.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947821

I have not done this myself so have no idea how good it is.

[VHG]

This is the web page that I go to to use Windows Update on XP. Just select on the link below.

http://update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/v6/d efault.aspx?ln=en-us

It works for me but may not work for everybody

[VHG]

You could do a search in Google on 80073715 as loads of other people are getting the problem.

This below is just one example of a person also getting your problem (with some suggestions)

http://tinyurl.com/aqlr86

Some people suggest downloading this fix (vista only)

http://tinyurl.com/3jczzq

btw It helps a lot if you tell people what version of Windows you are running. I have suggested both XP and Vista fixes as I have no idea what version of Windows you are running.

[19september]

Thanks for your reply. I am running vista home premium. I downloaded your first suggestion, and then tried to update the service pack 3.5, but i just got the same error. Would it make any difference if i just ignored the update,as it seems to run ok?

[VHG]

From your comment about "3.5" I guess it is trying to install NET framework 3.5 service pack 1.

In the past NET framework has been an optional thing so Windows Update did not force you to download it.

Just lately I have noticed my computers (XP and Vista) say it is now "important" but I am not sure why.

Sooner or later you will use a program that needs NET framework 3.5 and then it will probably be installed, but for now i think you can live without it.

[VHG]

I searched on your error number, and NET framework 3.5, and got quite a few hits. Seems a few people are getting the same problem.

No simple answer (there never is for these Windows Update problems).

Here is one person who go it.

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-12546_102-0.html?f orumID=133&threadID=331654&messageID=2986436

If you look at post 3, you see the first link (where it says it will immediately open the download dialogue).

Click on that, then press SAVE, then after the file has downloaded (may take a while) then try to run it (by double clicking on the file on your hard disk).

This should install it (fingers crossed)