Office XP Unable to update...THE FIX

[Richard]

I looked high and low for the solution to "Office Update is unable to check
for updates".
I have Office XP Pro version 2002. I have Windows XP Pro SP2.

The fix requires editing the registry, so BE CAREFUL.
The first thing you have to do is export a copy of the current registry to
your desktop.
Start ... Run .... Type regedit ....When it opens up go to File .... Export
.....then you have to choose a name for the file and Desktop as the location.
Towards the bottom of the Save Window you'll see "Export Range" .... choose
the ALL option. Click Save.

Next go up to the EDIT menu and choose FIND. In the Find Box UNCHECK Values
and Data and leave KEYS checked.
Put a checkmark in Match whole string only.
In the Find What box type the word .... Patches

The secret to this fix is deleting all folders and contents call Patches
...... Right Click the Patches folder .... choose Delete.
Hit F3 to Find Next. Patches folder and Delete it and repeat for each
Patches entry. There's about 5 or 6 of them.

Then close the registry ...reboot your machine...go to the Office Update
site .... choose Check for Updates.
The update checker should do it's job and recommend Office XP SP3. Download
and install it.

I can't stress enough that when inside the registry you need to only follow
the above instructions. Do not delete anything else!!
I found the answer at Dell Support Community Forum.

Enjoy,
Richard.

 

[Silver Surfer]

Might I inquire as to what response you were formerly getting when
attempting the automatic update?

In your procedure don't you have to resave the desktop edited version of the
registry back to where it came from to replace the unedited version?

 

[Richard]

I was getting this message ... "Office Update is unable to check for updates".
And in reference to re-saving the registry, I saved the original registry
only as a precaution in case I made a mistake while deleting the Patches
folders. After I was successful after editing the registry I deleted the
original saved copy.