Windows Update

Microsoft had 5 critical updates this last time around when I went to check for the latest updates for Windows. I proceeded, as always, to download the patches like I have always done in the past. However, 3 out of the 5 updates failed to install. The following are the three updates I was having trouble installing:

Failed Monday, July 19, 2004 Security Update for Windows XP (KB839645)
Failed Monday, July 19, 2004 Security Update for Windows XP (KB841873)
Failed Monday, July 19, 2004 Security Update for Windows XP (KB840315)

After reading the material on the security updates, I cannot find a solution why my computer failed to install these items. I restarted with my original hardware settings to see if my efficient setting was cauging the issue. My efficient hardware setting maximizes performance by turning off many unnecessary services and applications. Guess what? My original setting still failed to install the three updates. I restarted a ffew more times and read the update documentations again. I cannot seem to find a solution.

Then it came to me...maybe the Windows update server was having conflict with my firewall or vice versa. I disabled my firewall and boom...the installation of the three updates was successful. So if you are having trouble installing these last set of critical updates, try disabling your firewall, spyware blocker, or any other software that may be blocking ports or software installs.

Windows...yeah, windows, go figure.