Hi ravencajun, I found this from one of your sites that you posted. Microsoft said this "When you use the Windows Update Web site or the Microsoft Update Web site to check for and install updates, you may receive one of the errors that are listed in the "Symptoms" section. Important In most cases, these messages are temporary or short-lived issues that are caused by very slight interruptions in communications between the computer that is being updated and the Windows update servers. These issues are generally self-healing. So, before you try the troubleshooting methods in this article, please exit the Windows Update site, wait 10 to 15 minutes, start Windows Update again, and then check for updates. You can also let Windows Automatic Update install the updates on its usual 24-hour cycle. Note These errors can occur even if no changes have been made to network settings" Then I found this one: Resolutions 1. A misconfigured Proxy/Firewall can cause this problem. Double-check the Proxy/Firewall settings. Add the following urls to the exception list within your Firewall/Proxy: http://*.update.microsoft.com https://*.update.microsoft.com http://download.windowsupdate.com For help configuring Proxy/Firewall refer to documentation or contact the manufacturer. My question is: What is a Proxy/Firewall? I just recently downloaded Norton Antivirus 2009 and I understand that it has an inbound firewall. When I went to My security center it shows that the Windows Firewall is on. I shut it off and when I did the red shield with an X in the middle of it(Windows Security Alert) showed up on my taskbar. I can't find anywhere where it says on the box that Norton Antivirus 2009 has a firewall. But I read on another forum that this particular version does have a firewall inbound only. This is very confusing. If I do have a firewall from Norton then I need to shut off the Windows Firewall right? If so then how do I get rid of that red shield with the X in the middle of it? Finally I will let you know that everything is back to normal and I am thinking maybe it was their site? Not sure though. thirdfrt!!! Here is a link that might be useful: Support Microsoft Update Error

Hmm, I had not read the whole MS page but basically you only need to follow the first 2 instructions. I have never had to use those other instructions myself. Remember that if you get flustered just click the Cancel button to get out of where you are. There is nothing to be afraid of when using System File Checker. You It simply goes through your computer checking all the operating system files and replaces those which are corrupt or missing. The need for the CD is so it can get the needed files to install for you. The slight downside is that it takes the computer back to when your particular CD was created which means you will be behind on security updates and possibly a service pack. No big deal there either, you simply go to the windows update site and the computer grabs whatever it needs. You are doing nothing wrong. Who knows why those files went missing. Perhaps/probably it was due to the power outage. You can of course extract and install each of those files if you wish to avoid using SFC. Follow the instructions here to do that for each file. You do not have to do them all at one time. Try one, see how it goes then do others as you feel up to the task.

this is a simple article about firewalls. IF you google what is a firewall you can find out a lot about them, some are very technical, some much easier to understand. Which ever firewall you choose to use find good guides and tutorials on that specific product and learn how to use it. Introduction to Firewalls at that link you will see links to other good articles. What a firewall does Popular Firewalls

Thanks, Zep. Not only does the Family Tree program need NET framework "to take advantage of web enhancements offered," it needs it to actually be able to download the program! LOL I used your words "Setup Error framework 3.5 SP1" in a search engine and got better results than when I originally sought a resolution. Came across some thought-provoking ideas about this NET Framework business -- namely, it sounds like I'd have to download previous ones (2.0 and 3.0) before attempting to get 3.5. Auugh. Sounds like that would potentially lead to more issues that needed resolving. (One discussion said that the complete 3.5 framework takes 50-200 MB!) I did bookmark the excellent WindowsBBS site, as well as printed out the discussion "Unable to Install Microsoft, net framework 3.5 SP1." Honestly, at this point I need to decide if I should leave well enough, but pass on installing the Family Tree Maker program for awhile. Maybe enough other people have run into this situation and the manufacturers will come up with a comfortable solution. Thank you for taking the time to help. I do appreciate it. Kat (Am going now to post a question about something else.:))