Member Avatar for Tom_2007

Hi,

I’m running windows xp home edition currently with SP1 and when trying to update to Windows XP Sp2 via the windows update site it advised that there were various downloads I needed to install to use the update site but when trying to install these it fails on them all the first two are:
Update for windows xp (KB898461)
Update for background Intelligent transfer service BITS 2.0 (KB42773) in the status windows both have errors code ox8007f0e9 and if I search for these kb installs and try and install them that way I get the error "The updatebr.inf file is invalid.


Any help would be really appreciated


Thanks in advance


Cheers Tom

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Dani AI

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— good call getting SP2 media (and thanks to and for the suggestions). The invalid updatebr.inf message and repeated failures usually mean the update engine or system files are damaged, a background program is blocking setup, or the update package/architecture is wrong. Recommended next steps (in order, from least to most invasive):

  1. quick checks and logs
  • Make sure you’re running an administrator account and temporarily disable any AV/firewall.
  • Check C:\Windows\WindowsUpdate.log for the specific failure entries (that file often shows the installer reason). (ftp.zx.net.nz)
  1. rule out third‑party interference and disk problems
  • Do a clean boot (disable non‑Microsoft services/startup via msconfig), then retry the installer. If it works, re-enable items until you find the conflict. (support.microsoft.com)
  • Run a disk check (for example chkdsk c: /f) and then run sfc /scannow from an elevated prompt to repair protected system files (have your XP CD handy if SFC needs source files). (learn.microsoft.com)
  1. reset the Windows Update / BITS components (common fix for INF/KB install failures)
    Open a command prompt as Administrator and run the basic reset steps below; after these try the SP2/install again. For the full re‑register list and detailed ordering see the Microsoft reset article linked below.
net stop bits
net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptsvc
Del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr*.dat"
Ren %Systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore DataStore.bak
Ren %Systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\Download Download.bak
Ren %Systemroot%\System32\catroot2 catroot2.bak
netsh winsock reset
proxycfg -d           (XP only)
net start bits
net start wuauserv
net start cryptsvc

Follow the full Microsoft procedure to reregister DLLs and reset service ACLs if the basic reset doesn’t fix it. (support.microsoft.com)

  1. last resort: repair install
    If the above fails, a Windows XP in‑place (repair) install will replace corrupted system components while keeping programs and data; back up everything first and be prepared to reapply SP2/updates afterwards. Use the repair/install guidance from Microsoft before proceeding. (support.microsoft.com)

Notes and cautions

  • Confirm you’re using the correct update package (x86 vs x64 and the correct XP edition).
  • If errors persist after the reset steps, capture the latest WindowsUpdate.log and include the exact installer error lines when asking for more help.

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Member Avatar for dcc

You can have M$ send you a CD with the SP2 for two dollars as I recall, even with dial up that is a large download. If you install the SP2 that should update some of the security issues.

Member Avatar for caperjack

if you aren't on dialup get sp2 full and install it that way first .

Member Avatar for Tom_2007

Hi guys thanks for the advice I got hold of a copy of SP2 on CD but even when I run it from there I still get the error "The updatebr.inf file is invalid.

Any more advice would be greatly recieved.

Cheers Tom

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