Microsoft Security Essentials On Xp - Fails To Update

[Nicki]

I wonder if any of you clever people can help me?



My son is running XP on his netbook. He has numerous problems getting and keeping it online, which I have today mostly resolved (fingers crossed...)



I have been to the windows online protection center and performed an online virus scan, and cleaned up the disk etc. I have removed all other security programs (not sure what has been on it before but I have removed via add/remove progs some Norton stuff).



I have tried to install MSE, which goes on without problems, but when I try to update the definitions I get the following error message...



Error code: 0x80072efe

Error description: Microsoft Security Essentials couldn't install the definition updates. Please try again later.



I have tried several times during the day, and have uninstalled rebooted and reinstalled twice. With no luck...



I have googled this error and have been unable to find the solution online....



Please can anybody help?



TIA



Nicki

 

[System]

Check the system time. Maybe you inadvertently set it ahead. This would cause the update service to fail because it would think you already have the update installed.

 

[Nicki]

No dice - time is accurate. But when I tried to synchronise it to internet time it failed - telling me there was an error. I am thinking this si some sort of updating problem as it appears to be affecting all sorts of updates...