Help!: Windows Update identifies my Windows pc as a Mac!

[Menta]

Beginning today, every time I try to access Windows Update I'm met
with the following message:

"Thank you for your interest in obtaining updates from our site.

This website is designed to work with Microsoft Windows operating
systems only.

To find updates for Microsoft products that are designed for Macintosh
operating systems, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/mac/."

Unfortunately, my computer is a Compaq Presario pc running MS
Windows XP Home Edition Version 2002 Service Pack 2 w/AMD Sempron
3500+ 994MHz 1.43 GB RAM, NOT a Macintosh!

Has anyone here ever heard of such a thing?

I'm scanning my entire system right now with an antivirus program.

I tried getting help from Micro$oft but THEY WANTED ME TO PAY for
any such help (which ironically makes me wish my pc was a Mac, and now
my next computer may very well be a Mac!), so I'm posting here in the
hope that maybe folks here can advise me.

 

[Grand_Poobah]

--->

Beginning today, every time I try to access Windows Update I'm met
with the following message:

"Thank you for your interest in obtaining updates from our site.

This website is designed to work with Microsoft Windows operating
systems only.

To find updates for Microsoft products that are designed for Macintosh
operating systems, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/mac/."

Unfortunately, my computer is a Compaq Presario pc running MS
Windows XP Home Edition Version 2002 Service Pack 2 w/AMD Sempron
3500+ 994MHz 1.43 GB RAM, NOT a Macintosh!

Has anyone here ever heard of such a thing?

I'm scanning my entire system right now with an antivirus program.

I tried getting help from Micro$oft but THEY WANTED ME TO PAY for
any such help (which ironically makes me wish my pc was a Mac, and now
my next computer may very well be a Mac!), so I'm posting here in the
hope that maybe folks here can advise me.

That's outrageous! Did you talk to a human at M$, or just number-button
hell? Sometimes it helps to just NOT press a single button and see if a
human comes on the line.

GP

 

[Menta]

Beginning today, every time I try to access Windows Update I'm met

That's outrageous! Did you talk to a human at M$, or just number-button
hell? Sometimes it helps to just NOT press a single button and see if a
human comes on the line.

No, I went to the MS website and then it's support section, as I
recall, rather thanmake a call. It appeared that even to accept a call
from a Windows user in need of support Microsoft requires up-front
cash via credit card, based on what I saw at its website's Support
section.

Nice customer appreciation, huh?

I suspect someone buying a used car from the stereotypical sleazy
used car lot would receive better customer support from the seller.

 

[Guest]

Merita,
If you have eliminated the possibility of an infected computer, I would (if
it were me) consider that through some unknown happenstance my Windows Update
software had become corrupted. I would try reinstalling Windows Update v3,
which can be obtained from here using whatever computer is required to obtain
the file:
..
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=91237

You might, also, find it necessary to install KB927891

This is my suggestion, based on feminine intuition and bears no resemblance
to expertise. Credit Shenan Stanley for the link listed above.

If you choose to try it, I hope it helps.

 

[Grand_Poobah]

--->

No, I went to the MS website and then it's support section, as I
recall, rather thanmake a call. It appeared that even to accept a call
from a Windows user in need of support Microsoft requires up-front
cash via credit card, based on what I saw at its website's Support
section.

Nice customer appreciation, huh?

I suspect someone buying a used car from the stereotypical sleazy
used car lot would receive better customer support from the seller.

M$ also has been known to waive the fee if it determines that the fix
they supply IS NEEDED by your system to fix the problem. Unfortunately,
THEY are the ones that make that determination.

I'd go with Angie's solution before trying M$ again.

GP