Fixed: Windows Update redirect after a clean install

[Mister Natural]

So I just did a wipe/format/clean install on an old Dell optiplex using the Windows XP oem cd that came with the system. The cd is the most recent version with SP3.

After install finished I went to the windows update site to begin downloading updates and I kept getting re-directed to this site showing a KB article informing me that I need to update to the latest service pack.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2497281


I tried a number of things which didn't work including upgrading the browser and re-installing SP3. What fixed it was I had to manually install the windows update agent from this web site.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949104

Once I did that windows update loaded properly. Obviously this has something to do with Microsoft recently retiring XP SP2 and earlier versions.

 

[pcdave]

Thanks... this fixed my problem after many failed atttempts with other solutions.

 

[pcdave]

This was an Optiplex GX270 but didnt have install disk so used another xp pro sp3 disk (although tried other disks as well that didnt work). Had the same problem with updates not working and telling me about kb/2497281 but could not fix it going by microsoft instructions. Had to follow your directions to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949104 which fixed it for me. Thanks again...