BleepingComputer.com: Code 646: Windows update encountered an unknown error.

I have the following updates that keep coming up but not installing: KB975960, KB974561, KB973704, KB973709, KB972581, KB973593, KB9774234 (? may have accidentally put an extra number in this one), and KB972363.

I have gotten the error listed in my topic title and this one: Error opening installation log file. Verify that the specified log file location exits and is writable.

I have been to microsoft's site and have tried several of their options, including several downloads that took a few hours to download which didn't help or also would not install. One was: Windows6.0-KB947821-v4-x86. It is on my desktop, but when I open it, it tells me: The update does not apply to my system.

The reason I even knew that I was having problems was my initial search for an explorer problem (it freezes, particularly if I do a google search and click on one of the search result links). I am not sure if these update problems are the source of the problem, but I figure I need to get this resolved if updates are not being accomplished.

Thank you! Adrienne