Check that BITS (background intelligent transfer service) and Windows Update services are both running.

Where will I find that info?

Right-click on "My Computer", "Manage/Services".

Thanks. Both shown as Started and Automatic (delayed start) changed both to just Automatic. No difference.

Do you get an error code (0x........) with the message?

As an aside, it may be worth looking at the System Logs (also from "Manage") to see if there are any messages there about the failure.

Sorry,

In reply to a post by wingco1:

The automatic updates was set to Download but let me choose which to install.

It says that under System Properties, not Services. I'm asking you to check your Services.

How about downloading the Window Update Agent?
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desk...

When i click on windows update, the window opens. I can see a white cross on a red shield background. There is a 'click for updates' box. When I click the box I get another small box with the message "Windows update can not currently check for updates, because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer."

Looking in the Windows System logs there are a number of errors. These may or may not coincide with me checking for updates. One message states, "The Windows Search service terminated unexpectedly. It has done this 2 time(s). The following corrective action will be taken in 30000 milliseconds: Restart the service."

It says that under System Properties, not Services. I'm asking you to check your Services.

Under services it shows Windows Update as started.

You may want to clear the logs, try the update, and have another look. That way you can be fairly sure that the failure is generating the messages. Ones about search don't sound likely.

Tried the update without a firewall enabled?