I have been encountering problem with this crap...
The downloads are successful but they just can't be installed,
Tried some of the solutions online but now can't even get to the screen showing the updates...with a stupid error: Error number: 0x80072EFD
Help please! Using windows XP2
I had that problem. My firewall (Comodo) caused that since it prevents what it regards as sensitive system files to be modified, which is what the windows update does.
I disabled my windows firewall but it still give me this problem//
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/836941 ( some solutions here)
Anyways, please check if you have any firewalls from your antivirus suite. They might be causing the problem