Try resetting Windows Update components first, run the fixit at the link below

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058

Joe

Worth a look too :

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=240536.

This post was edited by zep516 on Sun, Oct 20, 13 at 18:13

Check this too,

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/473156/i-did-a-fresh-install-of-windows-xp-and-i-cant-access-windows-update-error-0x8024400a/

You can reset IE to default settings, under Internet Options, Advanced tab, let it remove custom settings. I have honestly seen 'fresh out of the box' computers benefit from an IE reset when other troubleshooting failed.

Do you have a firewall or antivirus running?

This post was edited by pkponder on Sun, Oct 20, 13 at 21:00

I tried all 3 links. First link was an app that did some stuff and I got a screen
shot of the results. It showed that 3 issues remained when it was done.

The second link led me to download and reinstall a version of Windows Update.
This would load the WU page, then refresh and refresh and refresh........

The second link was also for a reinstall of a version of WU (different version).
I went to Windows Update and it is currently checking for Updates.
And checking and checking and checking and checking.........
Gave up. It was at 100% CPU when I Ended Task on IE.

No antivirus running yet. I don't know which one the laptop's owner wants.
Firewall is just windows firewall. I tried resetting the options. No Go.

What now please?

This post was edited by poohbear2767 on Sun, Oct 20, 13 at 21:47

Windows update error 0x800B0100 as shown in the screen shot above, there is yet another fixit for that as shown here, for XP

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/956702

Make sure your time and date are correct too.

Looking at the last 2 errors below for you, have to Google search them. You can try the same.

Service registration is missing or corrupt --Need to google

Cryptographic service components are not registered --Need to Google

For this error,
Service registration is missing or corrupt

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971187

I find above...

Cryptographic service components are not registered

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798

Need a specialist I have one here,

http://www.sysnative.com/forums/forum.php

I re-installed the OS and sp3 and Internet Explorer 8.

I've got it down to this error:
Service registration is missing or corrupt
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971187
The automatic fixer doesn't fixit and I don't understand the manual instructions.
It wants me to look at a registry key but doesn't specify EXACTLY which one.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\(sid)\Patches\(squid)
replaced with ( and ).
How do I find SID and SQUID?

I did install Trend Micro antivirus and activated Office 2003.

Automatic Update seems to be working. 131 updates are being installed.

This post was edited by poohbear2767 on Mon, Oct 21, 13 at 17:50

It wants me to look at a registry key but doesn't specify EXACTLY which one.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\(sid)\Patches\(squid)
replaced with ( and ).
How do I find SID and SQUID?

Let me look at it for you, I don't have an XP so i can't probably look at that key...

I can't understand it either, and I don't have sid or squid. The only thing I can suggest is to visit the forum in the link and post in the windows up date section, they are specialist no fooling around...

Joe

Here is a link that might be useful: sysnative

There was really only one location that matched down to the last number.
But then there was about a dozen SQUIDs listed. Which one?

Thanks for the help.

Pooh Bear

Was trend micro running when you ran the auto fixit

Can you do this, If you have time.

Click Start, and then click Run.
In the Open box, type windowsupdate.log, and then click OK.

Can you post the log somewhere and leave a link for it here.

It would be way to big for here, rather not have it here anyway.

It will probably tell us what we already know

This post was edited by zep516 on Mon, Oct 21, 13 at 23:28

Here it is.

Here is a link that might be useful: Windows Update Log

Big Log,

I don't have the knowledge to advise on it. As i said you can try getting help here--> http://www.sysnative.com/forums/forum.php

There very friendly and highly knowledgeable. If you decide to go there post in the windows up-date section.

This is what they will want from you before you post,

http://www.sysnative.com/forums/windows-update/4736-windows-update-forum-posting-instructions.html

Sorry I could not follow through for you.

Joe

Have you resolved anything ?

I returned the laptop to the owner and told her about the problem.
She was very happy to have a working laptop again.
I don't charge for my work so not being able to fix it was not an issue.