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Error message when you search for updates on the Windows Update Web site in Windows XP: "0xc80003fA"

Article ID: 916258 - View products that this article applies to.

SYMPTOMS

When you search for updates on the Microsoft Windows Update Web site by using a Microsoft Windows XP-based computer, you receive the following error message:

0xc80003fA

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CAUSE

This issue may occur if you cannot access the SoftwareDistribution folder.

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RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

Rename the SoftwareDistribution folder. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, click Run, type services.msc, and then click OK.
2. Right-click the Automatic Update service, and then click Stop.
Rename the SoftwareDistribution folder by changing the name to the SDold folder. The SoftwareDistribution folder is located in the %systemdrive%:\Windows folder.
Restart the Automatic Update service. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, click Run, type services.msc, and then click OK.
2. Right-click the Automatic Update service, and then click Restart.
Clear the cached files from Microsoft Internet Explorer 6. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Start Internet Explorer.
2. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
3. Under the Temporary Internet files section, click Delete Cookies, and then click OK.
4. Click Delete Files, click to select the Delete all offline content check box, and then click OK.
5. Under the History section, click Clear History, click Yes when you are prompted to delete the history, and then click OK.