Security update failures

[Guest]

I have been unable to install two security updates for Windows 2000, KB911564
for Windows Media Player Plug-in and KB904706 for DirectX 8. Both have
downloaded but stop halfway into the installation. In both cases I get Error
0x800706BE. Can I consider my pc safe without these two? I have windows 2000
with SP 4 and Media Player 9 on an IBM ThinkPad with a clean Win200 install
and no programs except Zone Alarm firewall. Any suggestions would be
appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Steven L Umbach]

The link below may help you resolve your problem and you could also post in
the Microsoft.public.windowsupdate newsgroup where others may have
experience the same and solved the problem or have tips on how to
troubleshoot. Often some critical updates present a security risk only in
certain situations/configurations but it would be best to try and get it
installed. If you look in the \winnt folder there may be a KB911564.log and
KB904706.log files that may contain information on why the install failed.
You can also read the security bulletin for those updates for more
information. For instance KB911564 is an important versus critical update
that only poses a risk if a non Microsoft web browser is being used.

http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/troubleshoot/
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms05-050.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS06-006.mspx

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the Windows Media Player
plug-in for non-Microsoft Internet browsers because of the way the Windows
Media Player plug-in handles a malformed EMBED element. An attacker could
exploit the vulnerability by constructing a malicious EMBED element that
could potentially allow remote code execution if a user visited a malicious
Web site. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could
take complete control of an affected system.

 

[Guest]

Many thanks for the suggestions. I made quite a few attempts to install the
updates, including upgrading to Media Play 9 and DirectX 9 and downloading the
updates. Finally a MS rep suggested I try installing the updates in Safe
Mode which worked. All is well now.

 

[Steven L Umbach]

Glad you sorted it out and thank for reporting back what worked. My
understanding is that it is best to not apply security updates in Safe Mode
but maybe that has changed or is best used as a last resort and not routine
practice. --- Steve