My PC has Windows XP Professional SP3 and all the automatic updates. However, after suffering from the .NET Framework 1.1, 2.0 and 3.5 security updates failing for the last several months, I finally researched, found this thread and read it and a bunch
of other threads for two days before committing my main production PC to a repair attempt. I used the davelasker method (above) and that worked for me.
Here are some notes:
(1) after using the Aaron Stebner .NET Framework remover I did a restart.
First there was a message from Intuit Sync Manager.exe not being able to initialize. Then I opened a C: drive folder and got a BSOD and automatic restart.
Evidently removing Framework crushed QuickBooks Pro 2009 and Acronis 10 Backup - they both complained after the second restart. Further, QB attempted to do a reinstall and fell into a Windows Installer loop. It took several End Tasks in TaskManager to
kill it dead.
(2) began installing .NET Framework from 1.1 (don't know which app uses it, but since my PC is > 4 years old, I figured it may be vital for some app and started there). I had downloaded all the update files to my network server and installed from that machine.
(3) I ignored any prompts for restart until i finished with the .NET Framework 3.5SP1 install, then I did a restart.
(4) Did Windows Update and that found a NET Framework 3.5 SP1 and NET Faramework 3.5 family (KB951847) update which installed okay. This required a restart.
My PC appears to be back to normal. QB 2009 and Acronis both appear to be operational.
Now it appears I have some VS2008 and SQL2005 update failures, but that's for another thread. Oh, and I talked myself into getting a new Win7 PC just for my web development work and hopefully keep this production PC more stable.
Thanks to everyone for all the posts. This forum is a useful resource.