That's the one.  Both machines were getting hung up on XML Core Services
updates.  I'll try a manual install later today.

Thanks Lyman,
Ernie

On 2/19/2010 9:12 AM, Lyman Ross wrote:
> I had a similar problem this week.  When I looked at the update log
> there was a microsoft xml core services update that had failed
> repeatedly.  I resolved the issue by canceling the update, downloading
> the file directly and installing it by hand.  Since then I've had two
> updates run without a hitch.
>
> -Lyman
>
> Ernie Buford wrote:
>> Anyone else having recent issues with Windows Update?  I'm
>> experiencing some issues this week and currently have 2 typically
>> curious update sessions underway.
>>
>> One workstation, recently upgraded to Windows 7 (clean install) is
>> sitting there "checking for updates".  I opened Windows Update and
>> hit the "check for updates" button about an hour ago, and still the
>> green "progress" bar is in motion (at least the green bar is doing
>> something!).  This happened a day or 2 ago and eventually came to a
>> resolution after a similarly ridiculous amount of time.
>>
>> Meanwhile, over on my Macbook Pro, which has also recently had a
>> Windows 7 upgrade (along with Bootcamp driver upgrades for W7), I
>> have the blue screen that says "installing updates; don't turn off or
>> unplug your computer".  Well, the computer wasn't plugged in when I
>> shutdown, so it shouldn't be trying to install updates in this state
>> anyway.  I plugged in the power, and it's been at it for more than 30
>> minutes.  Same thing happened at home last week.  I was watching TV
>> in the evening at the time, so I just let it go, and it finally
>> powered off after an hour or more.
>>
>> The Windows 7 honeymoon is winding down.
>>
>> Ernie