I have both a desktop and a laptop, both running windows XP (pro on the desktop and home on the laptop). My desktop has done a couple of slightly weird things so I'll start with that first. On my desktop the zip file manager built into windows XP does not work properly, in that I can't copy files out of zip files and paste them anywhere, I have to "Extract all" which can be irritating if I only need 1 file out of a 200+ file zip. I realize that installing winzip would fix this problem, but I prefer the regular windows interface and don't want to run a zip manager if possible (kept winrar from taking over .zip for that reason). Second problem with the desktop is more minor, but annoying regardless. When setting wallpaper by right clicking the desktop, hitting properties, and desktop Windows XP is supposed to have any pictures in the "my pictures" folder listed in that list of wallpapers, mine does not, and never has.. Finally the laptop, it was given to me and had a few virus/spyware/adware problems, which I have cleaned up, but windows will not update. I go to download and install updates, and they download onto the system, but when windows update gets ready to install them, it just says install failed, please check update history for details. Update history however, says there is no update history because I have not updated windows. Any help on any of these problems would be greatly appreciated.
I can help you with that last problem. Had happened to me once too. The 'Windows update' installer is a unique one. It probably runs on the Windows Installer engine, so if any other installation is running, it will display that message. Try pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del and under 'Processes', looking for a program called 'msiexec' or ' IS~01Tmp' (notice the SPACE just before the second name. If any of these are running,select them and end them. Now try WU again, Tell me if it works.
