Assuming WinXP:

Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from Microsoft
Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP
installation:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144

[Happy Belated Birthday from your DTS-L buddies, Detlev!]
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/


lrh381b2 wrote:
> I think the virus corrupted a critical file in the windows directory, so
> Windows would not boot. After talking to the help desk for the computer
> manufacturer, My only choice was to erase the hard drive and make it like
> a
> new computer. Everything works now except for Windows Update. I get the
> following error message:
>
> "Your computer's date and time appear to be out of sync with an update
> certificate. To fix this:
> 1. In Control Panel, open Date and Time Properties.
> 2. Ensure that the date and time are correct.
>
> Read more about steps you can take to resolve this problem (error number
> 0x80072F8F) yourself."
>
> The clock is set correctly, maybe the update certificate is dated for 2005
> when the computer was purchased. I did all the troubleshooting that was
> suggested by Microsoft, but it still doesn't work. Any/all suggestions
> welcome. Thanks.
>
> "Detlev Dreyer" wrote:
>
>> "lrh381b2" <lrh381b2@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>>
>>> I am working on my friend's computer that got lots of pop-ups, he had
>>> 15
>>> viruses. I removed them using Avast! Anti-virus.
>>
>> ROFL! "Cleaning a Compromised System"
>> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/com...mt/sm0504.mspx
>>
>> --
>> d-d