Can't check updates in Office 2003 Windows XP

[Sheelagh]

..MSP files are missing from my computer [apparently]. where do I find new
ones, and what do I do next? I use Windows XP with Office 2003. I get this
message when I ask the system to check for updates:
"Windows Installer patch files (.MSP files) from previously applied Office
updates are missing from the \Windows\Installer hidden directory on your
computer. MSP files are stored on your computer after update installation
completes because they need to be referenced for future update operations. If
the files are missing you will not be able to apply Office updates. You may
also be unable to uninstall Office products as a result of the same problem.
Please contact Microsoft Product Support Services for assistance." [MS
Product Support Services are not contactable by me either...?!]

 

[garfield-n-odie]

See http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=295823 "You receive the 'This
patch package could not be opened' errror message in Office 2003, in
Office XP, or in Office 2000". Use the cleanup utility to remove the
Windows Installer registry entry related to Office 2003, reboot, and
then try checking for updates again.

 

[Sheelagh]

I'm a bit scared of replying in case I get my head bitten off like
poorTomGillane! We are not all expert mechanics and just know how to drive a
car, not tune the carburettor, so please don't be too harsh with us simple
souls. Yes, this did work after 3 tries and thank you for your help. I have
spent 5 hours today working through 8 of 9 methods in Article ID 304498,
learning a lot of mysterious processes assisted by a kind computer
professional interstate - speaker phones hooray! To his puzzlement none of
these methods worked and the method you suggested didn't work either, at
first. So who knows? I have FINALLY uninstalled Office 2003, having been
stuck in some kind of timewarp of being unable to do anything with it and the
next trick is to clean install it so I can get on with some real writing work

See http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=295823 "You receive the 'This
patch package could not be opened' errror message in Office 2003, in
Office XP, or in Office 2000". Use the cleanup utility to remove the
Windows Installer registry entry related to Office 2003, reboot, and
then try checking for updates again.

.MSP files are missing from my computer [apparently]. where do I find new
ones, and what do I do next? I use Windows XP with Office 2003. I get this
message when I ask the system to check for updates:
"Windows Installer patch files (.MSP files) from previously applied Office
updates are missing from the \Windows\Installer hidden directory on your
computer. MSP files are stored on your computer after update installation
completes because they need to be referenced for future update operations. If
the files are missing you will not be able to apply Office updates. You may
also be unable to uninstall Office products as a result of the same problem.
Please contact Microsoft Product Support Services for assistance." [MS
Product Support Services are not contactable by me either...?!]