I just re-installed the operating system. I then downloaded the Windows Updates - 89 of them for a total of 59 MBs. The updates failed to install, resulting in the error message highlighted by the red dot with the "X" on it.

I rebooted and got the same result. I then tried to install just one of the updates, and it would not install.

The updates were downloaded and remain available. they just won't install.

Any ideas?

Huh?

Another Possible Cause Of Failed Updates
http://www.noc.utoronto.ca/~mikep/w...
http://www.langa.com/newsletters/20...
You receive errors when you attempt to install Windows XP updates from the Windows Update site?
http://www.jsiinc.com/SUBN/tip6700/...
You cannot install some updates or programs
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798
Lift All Update Restrictions by downloading and running this regfile. For Permission issues read this article.
To get the updates to re-appear and/or to be listed as available again. Go to Start/Run/CMD and type in ( or copy & paste ):
del /q "%SystemRoot%\System32\Catroot2\Edb.log. Then try again.

Updates - Won't Install
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_...
Go to Start/Run and type in: regsvr32 wintrust.dll. If that doesn't help: Go to Start/Run and type in CMD. At the command prompt, type ( or copy & paste ) the following commands, pressing ENTER after each line:
net stop cryptsvc
ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 oldcatroot2
net start cryptsvc
Or run this script, then try the install again.
Correct the Cryptographic Service Error Message
Another issue: When you use the Windows Update scan feature, the scan quickly reaches 100%, and then displays the "There are no updates available at this time" message. To correct this:
Verify that your computer's date and time are accurate and that the Internet Explorer language option is not empty.
To check the language setting in Internet Explorer:
1. Click "Tools" and then choose "Internet Options"
2. Click the "Languages" button
3. Make sure at least one language is listed in the "Language Options" dialog.
If the above hasn't helped: Go to Internet Explorer/Tools/Internet Options/Connections/Lan Settings and uncheck: Automatically detect settings.

Windows Update Site Lists Updates That You Already Installed
http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...

Errors Occur When You Try to Install Updates from the Windows Update Web Site
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=...

Troubleshooting Windows Update Issues:
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.c...
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_...

What anti-virus are you running, and did you install and update that before connecting to the Internet?

Life's more painless for the brainless.

"I just re-installed the operating system."

If by that you mean you ran a Repair Setup procedure, rather than installing your XP from scratch, if you have certain Windows Updates already installed on your hard drive, after you run a Repair Setup, Windows Update can download the Windows Update files to your computer no problem, but NONE of them will install, other than the first few.

Manually registering the windows update related *.dll files solves the problem.

(NOTE that this procedure can do no harm in any case.)

Go to
Start - Run
type: cmd (press Enter)

Type each of these lines one at a time, then press Enter.

The /s switch runs the commands "silently", such that no message is displayed.
If you like, you can leave out the /s and you will then get a message each time after you press Enter that it was successful.

regsvr32 /s wuapi.dll
regsvr32 /s wuaueng1.dll
regsvr32 /s wuaueng.dll
regsvr32 /s wucltui.dll
regsvr32 /s wups2.dll
regsvr32 /s wups.dll
regsvr32 /s wuweb.dll

To save yourself some typing, after you have typed the first line, you can use your right cursor key to display the last line typed again and just alter the last part of it.

When you have finished entering those lines, close the black window by clicking on the X top right.
You don't need to reboot.

Go to the Windows Update web page again, have it find your updates, and choose to install them again.

Windows Update will be able to install all your updates.

After a Repair Setup procedure, you have to re-install many of the updates you installed before, but some you don't - e.g. you won't need to re-install your .NetFramework version(s) and their update(s).

Use this.
http://www.computing.net/windowsxp/...

Well done Per, a short and to the point fix...

And if needed, another way.

Dial-a-fix
http://www.softpedia.com/get/System...
http://wiki.djlizard.net/Dial-a-fix
Dial-a-fix is a collection of 'known fixes' that have been compiled over the past year that really knock out some serious Windows problems, all with one or two clicks. "When in doubt, check 'em all".
Dial-a-fix tackles issues with SSL/Cryptography, Windows Update, Microsoft Installer, and many miscellaneous shell problems. Example: If you get a blank screen when trying to visit Windows Update, simply checkmark the main Windows Update checkmark (in box #3) and click GO. Most issues can be resolved in a similar manner, if not by combinations of fixes. There is also a 'check all' button which is useful as a last ditch effort, or when you don't understand where a particular problem is coming from.
Most of the fixes Dial-a-fix uses are found in various Microsoft Knowledgebase articles, and articles written by Microsoft MVPs. When you see a list of DLLs that need to be registered using REGSVR32.EXE, chances are they are already listed in Dial-a-fix. Mouseover a checkbox or button to obtain more information about what will be executed, or what DLLs will be registered.

Do yourself a b-i-g favor and disable Windows update. Backup using something like Ghost or even just simply copy important records to an external HD.

M$ sucks in more ways than you will ever know. Next OS I get will be Linux!

Regards and hap-e-trails, Steve Hopper