Live Update Fails

This occurs everytime when there is a large update.  During the last phase of the update when it attempts to apply the updates it will fail.  I have tried this numerous times.  I am doing this on a dial-up connection so I already know that it will take awhile.  Is there another way to update my antivirus definition files, etc.?  I cannot go to hi-speed internet due to some financial issues.  Thank you.