GUIDES

Cannot Update Windows XP using Windows update, get error code 0xc80003fA

The error code 0xc80003fA your receiving is hrReadVerifyFailure which means it may have not been able to write to the Softwaredistribution folder.

First we need to rename the SoftwareDistribution directory.

Click Start >Run
Type "Services.msc" (w/o quotes)
Press OK
Find "Automatic Update"
Stop the service.
Next, rename the "SoftwareDistribution" directory to "SDOLD". The directory
is located in the c:\Windows  ( or C:\WINNT ) directory
Now, restart the Automatic Update service
Click Start >Run
Type "Services.msc" (w/o quotes)
Press OK
Find "Automatic Update"
Start the service.

Next, Clearing the browser's cache

Depending on your version of Microsoft Internet Explorer may look slightly different.

1. Click Tools > Internet Options
2. In the "Temporary Internet Files" section, click "Delete Cookies"
3. Click "Delete Files" click "Delete all offline content" click OK
4. In the "History" section, click "Clear History".
5. Click "OK".

That's it, close all browsers, and try updating Windows