Windows update OK?

[Jo-Anne Naples]

For several years I never updated Windows on my XP Home computer. A couple
weeks ago I had SP3 installed, and today is the first time since then that
Windows wants to update. I had asked for notification of updates, and I went
to the update website to see what was there. Following is what I found. Does
this appear to be something I should go ahead with? (I won't keep asking
this question, but I'm still nervous about what to allow right away and what
to hang back on.)

<<Update for Windows XP (KB898461) 0 KB , 0 minutes (Downloaded; ready to
install) This update installs a permanent copy of Package Installer for
Windows to enable software updates to have a significantly smaller download
size. The Package Installer facilitates the install of software updates for
Microsoft Windows operating systems and other Microsoft products. After you
install this update, you may have to restart your system.>>

One odd thing (to me) is that, as far as I know, I asked only for
notification, not for downloading.

Thank you!

Jo-Anne

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Crossposted to Windows Update newsgroup.

[Background from previous threads: Jo-Anne had a shop install SP3, IE7, and
NIS 2008. We do not know in what order they were installed or if the shop
reinstalled Windows before installing SP3.]

While the Applies To section of KB898461
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/898461 does not list WinXP SP3 (which leads
us to assume that SP3 includes it), if it's being offered by
Windows/Automatic Update, approve the installation, Jo-Anne. Let us know
how you make out, please.

As to the "Downloaded; ready to install" notice, is Automatic Updates
configured for "Notify Only" or "Download then notify"?

How to configure and use Automatic Updates in WinXP:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525

Windows Update-specific newsgroup:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windowsupdate

 

[Nonny]

For several years I never updated Windows on my XP Home computer. A couple
weeks ago I had SP3 installed, and today is the first time since then that
Windows wants to update. I had asked for notification of updates, and I went
to the update website to see what was there. Following is what I found. Does
this appear to be something I should go ahead with? (I won't keep asking
this question, but I'm still nervous about what to allow right away and what
to hang back on.)

It's all very simple: do a system restore prior to installing
anything. If something goes wrong, you can go back.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

No need: Installing the update will create a Restore Point automatically.

 

[Jo-Anne Naples]

Thank you very much! This is exactly what I wanted to know.

I just looked at System Properties, and I had checked Notify Only. Does this
mean, from what you said below, that SP3 downloaded the update? I'll go
ahead with the install shortly.

Thank you again,

Jo-Anne

Crossposted to Windows Update newsgroup.

[Background from previous threads: Jo-Anne had a shop install SP3, IE7,
and NIS 2008. We do not know in what order they were installed or if the
shop reinstalled Windows before installing SP3.]

While the Applies To section of KB898461
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/898461 does not list WinXP SP3 (which
leads us to assume that SP3 includes it), if it's being offered by
Windows/Automatic Update, approve the installation, Jo-Anne. Let us know
how you make out, please.

As to the "Downloaded; ready to install" notice, is Automatic Updates
configured for "Notify Only" or "Download then notify"?

How to configure and use Automatic Updates in WinXP:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525

Windows Update-specific newsgroup:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windowsupdate
--
~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/

For several years I never updated Windows on my XP Home computer. A
couple
weeks ago I had SP3 installed, and today is the first time since then
that
Windows wants to update. I had asked for notification of updates, and I
went
to the update website to see what was there. Following is what I found.
Does
this appear to be something I should go ahead with? (I won't keep asking
this question, but I'm still nervous about what to allow right away and
what
to hang back on.)

<<Update for Windows XP (KB898461) 0 KB , 0 minutes (Downloaded; ready
to
install) This update installs a permanent copy of Package Installer for
Windows to enable software updates to have a significantly smaller
download
size. The Package Installer facilitates the install of software updates
for
Microsoft Windows operating systems and other Microsoft products. After
you
install this update, you may have to restart your system.>>

One odd thing (to me) is that, as far as I know, I asked only for
notification, not for downloading.

Thank you!

Jo-Anne

 

[Nonny]

Thank you very much! This is exactly what I wanted to know.

I just looked at System Properties, and I had checked Notify Only. Does this
mean, from what you said below, that SP3 downloaded the update? I'll go
ahead with the install shortly.

"Notify Only" means that it only tells you when updates are available.
You have to then tell it to download and install.

Thank you again,

Jo-Anne

Crossposted to Windows Update newsgroup.

[Background from previous threads: Jo-Anne had a shop install SP3, IE7,
and NIS 2008. We do not know in what order they were installed or if the
shop reinstalled Windows before installing SP3.]

While the Applies To section of KB898461
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/898461 does not list WinXP SP3 (which
leads us to assume that SP3 includes it), if it's being offered by
Windows/Automatic Update, approve the installation, Jo-Anne. Let us know
how you make out, please.

As to the "Downloaded; ready to install" notice, is Automatic Updates
configured for "Notify Only" or "Download then notify"?

How to configure and use Automatic Updates in WinXP:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525

Windows Update-specific newsgroup:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windowsupdate
--
~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/

For several years I never updated Windows on my XP Home computer. A
couple
weeks ago I had SP3 installed, and today is the first time since then
that
Windows wants to update. I had asked for notification of updates, and I
went
to the update website to see what was there. Following is what I found.
Does
this appear to be something I should go ahead with? (I won't keep asking
this question, but I'm still nervous about what to allow right away and
what
to hang back on.)

<<Update for Windows XP (KB898461) 0 KB , 0 minutes (Downloaded; ready
to
install) This update installs a permanent copy of Package Installer for
Windows to enable software updates to have a significantly smaller
download
size. The Package Installer facilitates the install of software updates
for
Microsoft Windows operating systems and other Microsoft products. After
you
install this update, you may have to restart your system.>>

One odd thing (to me) is that, as far as I know, I asked only for
notification, not for downloading.

Thank you!

Jo-Anne

 

[Big Al]

Thank you very much! This is exactly what I wanted to know.

I just looked at System Properties, and I had checked Notify Only. Does this
mean, from what you said below, that SP3 downloaded the update? I'll go
ahead with the install shortly.

Thank you again,

Jo-Anne

Crossposted to Windows Update newsgroup.

[Background from previous threads: Jo-Anne had a shop install SP3, IE7,
and NIS 2008. We do not know in what order they were installed or if the
shop reinstalled Windows before installing SP3.]

While the Applies To section of KB898461
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/898461 does not list WinXP SP3 (which
leads us to assume that SP3 includes it), if it's being offered by
Windows/Automatic Update, approve the installation, Jo-Anne. Let us know
how you make out, please.

As to the "Downloaded; ready to install" notice, is Automatic Updates
configured for "Notify Only" or "Download then notify"?

How to configure and use Automatic Updates in WinXP:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525

Windows Update-specific newsgroup:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windowsupdate
--
~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/

For several years I never updated Windows on my XP Home computer. A
couple
weeks ago I had SP3 installed, and today is the first time since then
that
Windows wants to update. I had asked for notification of updates, and I
went
to the update website to see what was there. Following is what I found.
Does
this appear to be something I should go ahead with? (I won't keep asking
this question, but I'm still nervous about what to allow right away and
what
to hang back on.)

<<Update for Windows XP (KB898461) 0 KB , 0 minutes (Downloaded; ready
to
install) This update installs a permanent copy of Package Installer for
Windows to enable software updates to have a significantly smaller
download
size. The Package Installer facilitates the install of software updates
for
Microsoft Windows operating systems and other Microsoft products. After
you
install this update, you may have to restart your system.>>

One odd thing (to me) is that, as far as I know, I asked only for
notification, not for downloading.

Thank you!

Jo-Anne

There is a similar question about 898461 and 924764 in
microsoft.public.windowsxp.general.
Once you install the new installer per KB898461 the next windows update
shows KB924764 is needed.
I'm guessing, but it sounds like the installer was changed, and the
timezone software (924764) was changed too.
Both were offered to me in the Windows updates today in sequence.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

If AU is set to Notify Only, someone would have had to approve the download
of KB898461 at some point, Jo-Anne. If you didn't approve it, other
explanations that it's downloaded could include:

1. Norton Security Center (part of NIS 2008) has overridden your Automatic
Updates setting (especially if Norton Security Center has also overridden
Windows Security Center & settings [another reason I hate Norton apps]);

2. Someone may have changed AU setting to Download Then Notify;

3. KB898461 may have downloaded while the machine was in the shop and before
AU was set to Notify Only or before NIS was installed;

4. The shop did a half-a**ed job installing SP3...and may have reinstalled
Windows before installing SP3.

Again, let us know what happens.
--
~PA Bear

Thank you very much! This is exactly what I wanted to know.

I just looked at System Properties, and I had checked Notify Only. Does
this
mean, from what you said below, that SP3 downloaded the update? I'll go
ahead with the install shortly.
<snip>

Crossposted to Windows Update newsgroup.

[Background from previous threads: Jo-Anne had a shop install SP3, IE7,
and NIS 2008. We do not know in what order they were installed or if the
shop reinstalled Windows before installing SP3.]

While the Applies To section of KB898461
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/898461 does not list WinXP SP3 (which
leads us to assume that SP3 includes it), if it's being offered by
Windows/Automatic Update, approve the installation, Jo-Anne. Let us know
how you make out, please.

As to the "Downloaded; ready to install" notice, is Automatic Updates
configured for "Notify Only" or "Download then notify"?

How to configure and use Automatic Updates in WinXP:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525

Windows Update-specific newsgroup:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windowsupdate
--
~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/

For several years I never updated Windows on my XP Home computer. A
couple
weeks ago I had SP3 installed, and today is the first time since then
that
Windows wants to update. I had asked for notification of updates, and I
went
to the update website to see what was there. Following is what I found.
Does
this appear to be something I should go ahead with? (I won't keep asking
this question, but I'm still nervous about what to allow right away and
what
to hang back on.)

<<Update for Windows XP (KB898461) 0 KB , 0 minutes (Downloaded; ready
to
install) This update installs a permanent copy of Package Installer for
Windows to enable software updates to have a significantly smaller
download
size. The Package Installer facilitates the install of software updates
for
Microsoft Windows operating systems and other Microsoft products. After
you
install this update, you may have to restart your system.>>

One odd thing (to me) is that, as far as I know, I asked only for
notification, not for downloading.

Thank you!

Jo-Anne

 

[Jo-Anne Naples]

Things are getting stranger. First, I clicked on the Updates icon and said
to go ahead--but what went ahead was, it claimed, a download (after I had
been told at the Windows Update website that what it wanted to update had
already been downloaded and just needed to be installed). After the
download, I said OK to the install, and it seemed to install. (I haven't yet
restarted the computer.)

The Update icon, however, immediately began to notify me again that updates
were ready for my computer. I went to the Updates website and was told I
should install the high-priority update KB942763. I haven't done so yet but
assume I should. But why didn't it do all the Updates at once?

Also, Norton would have liked to override my Automatic Updates notify-only
setting, but I unchecked that box, even though it warned me I was making my
computer unsafe. My setting is definitely still notify-only. (The shop where
I had SP3 installed didn't reinstall Windows; that's something I'm sure of.)

Thanks again!

Jo-Anne

If AU is set to Notify Only, someone would have had to approve the
download of KB898461 at some point, Jo-Anne. If you didn't approve it,
other explanations that it's downloaded could include:

1. Norton Security Center (part of NIS 2008) has overridden your Automatic
Updates setting (especially if Norton Security Center has also overridden
Windows Security Center & settings [another reason I hate Norton apps]);

2. Someone may have changed AU setting to Download Then Notify;

3. KB898461 may have downloaded while the machine was in the shop and
before AU was set to Notify Only or before NIS was installed;

4. The shop did a half-a**ed job installing SP3...and may have reinstalled
Windows before installing SP3.

Again, let us know what happens.
--
~PA Bear

Thank you very much! This is exactly what I wanted to know.

I just looked at System Properties, and I had checked Notify Only. Does
this
mean, from what you said below, that SP3 downloaded the update? I'll go
ahead with the install shortly.
<snip>

Crossposted to Windows Update newsgroup.

[Background from previous threads: Jo-Anne had a shop install SP3, IE7,
and NIS 2008. We do not know in what order they were installed or if
the
shop reinstalled Windows before installing SP3.]

While the Applies To section of KB898461
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/898461 does not list WinXP SP3 (which
leads us to assume that SP3 includes it), if it's being offered by
Windows/Automatic Update, approve the installation, Jo-Anne. Let us
know
how you make out, please.

As to the "Downloaded; ready to install" notice, is Automatic Updates
configured for "Notify Only" or "Download then notify"?

How to configure and use Automatic Updates in WinXP:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525

Windows Update-specific newsgroup:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windowsupdate
--
~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/


Jo-Anne Naples wrote:
For several years I never updated Windows on my XP Home computer. A
couple
weeks ago I had SP3 installed, and today is the first time since then
that
Windows wants to update. I had asked for notification of updates, and I
went
to the update website to see what was there. Following is what I found.
Does
this appear to be something I should go ahead with? (I won't keep
asking
this question, but I'm still nervous about what to allow right away and
what
to hang back on.)

<<Update for Windows XP (KB898461) 0 KB , 0 minutes (Downloaded;
ready
to
install) This update installs a permanent copy of Package Installer
for
Windows to enable software updates to have a significantly smaller
download
size. The Package Installer facilitates the install of software updates
for
Microsoft Windows operating systems and other Microsoft products. After
you
install this update, you may have to restart your system.>>

One odd thing (to me) is that, as far as I know, I asked only for
notification, not for downloading.

Thank you!

Jo-Anne

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Short answer: KB898461 needed to be installed before KB942763 could be
offered/installed. Install the latter now.

Sounds like you installed NIS, not the shop.

Things are getting stranger. First, I clicked on the Updates icon and said
to go ahead--but what went ahead was, it claimed, a download (after I had
been told at the Windows Update website that what it wanted to update had
already been downloaded and just needed to be installed). After the
download, I said OK to the install, and it seemed to install. (I haven't
yet
restarted the computer.)

The Update icon, however, immediately began to notify me again that
updates
were ready for my computer. I went to the Updates website and was told I
should install the high-priority update KB942763. I haven't done so yet
but
assume I should. But why didn't it do all the Updates at once?

Also, Norton would have liked to override my Automatic Updates notify-only
setting, but I unchecked that box, even though it warned me I was making
my
computer unsafe. My setting is definitely still notify-only. (The shop
where
I had SP3 installed didn't reinstall Windows; that's something I'm sure
of.)

If AU is set to Notify Only, someone would have had to approve the
download of KB898461 at some point, Jo-Anne. If you didn't approve it,
other explanations that it's downloaded could include:

1. Norton Security Center (part of NIS 2008) has overridden your
Automatic
Updates setting (especially if Norton Security Center has also overridden
Windows Security Center & settings [another reason I hate Norton apps]);

2. Someone may have changed AU setting to Download Then Notify;

3. KB898461 may have downloaded while the machine was in the shop and
before AU was set to Notify Only or before NIS was installed;

4. The shop did a half-a**ed job installing SP3...and may have
reinstalled
Windows before installing SP3.

Again, let us know what happens.
--
~PA Bear

Thank you very much! This is exactly what I wanted to know.

I just looked at System Properties, and I had checked Notify Only. Does
this
mean, from what you said below, that SP3 downloaded the update? I'll go
ahead with the install shortly.
<snip>
Crossposted to Windows Update newsgroup.

[Background from previous threads: Jo-Anne had a shop install SP3, IE7,
and NIS 2008. We do not know in what order they were installed or if
the
shop reinstalled Windows before installing SP3.]

While the Applies To section of KB898461
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/898461 does not list WinXP SP3 (which
leads us to assume that SP3 includes it), if it's being offered by
Windows/Automatic Update, approve the installation, Jo-Anne. Let us
know
how you make out, please.

As to the "Downloaded; ready to install" notice, is Automatic Updates
configured for "Notify Only" or "Download then notify"?

How to configure and use Automatic Updates in WinXP:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525

Windows Update-specific newsgroup:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windowsupdate
--
~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/


Jo-Anne Naples wrote:
For several years I never updated Windows on my XP Home computer. A
couple
weeks ago I had SP3 installed, and today is the first time since then
that
Windows wants to update. I had asked for notification of updates, and
I
went
to the update website to see what was there. Following is what I
found.
Does
this appear to be something I should go ahead with? (I won't keep
asking
this question, but I'm still nervous about what to allow right away
and
what
to hang back on.)

<<Update for Windows XP (KB898461) 0 KB , 0 minutes (Downloaded;
ready
to
install) This update installs a permanent copy of Package Installer
for
Windows to enable software updates to have a significantly smaller
download
size. The Package Installer facilitates the install of software
updates
for
Microsoft Windows operating systems and other Microsoft products.
After
you
install this update, you may have to restart your system.>>

One odd thing (to me) is that, as far as I know, I asked only for
notification, not for downloading.

Thank you!

Jo-Anne

 

[Jo-Anne Naples]

I installed the new Windows update as you suggested and restarted the
computer, and all seems to be OK (I hope). Re Norton, Symantec installed the
program for me after the shop installed SP3. I had had malware that I
couldn't get rid of and paid Symantec to do it (the local shop would have
reinstalled Windows, and I didn't want that). My old subscription was
running out, and I was told if I bought any of the three 2008 programs, they
would install it.

Next year I'll ask for info on other security programs. Not sure which
newsgroup; if you have any suggestions, let me know. Otherwise, I'll look
around for one. (Actually, I could use one now, since I probably should
install at least one anti-spyware program other than Norton.)

Thank you very much for everything!

Jo-Anne

Short answer: KB898461 needed to be installed before KB942763 could be
offered/installed. Install the latter now.

Sounds like you installed NIS, not the shop.

Things are getting stranger. First, I clicked on the Updates icon and
said
to go ahead--but what went ahead was, it claimed, a download (after I had
been told at the Windows Update website that what it wanted to update had
already been downloaded and just needed to be installed). After the
download, I said OK to the install, and it seemed to install. (I haven't
yet
restarted the computer.)

The Update icon, however, immediately began to notify me again that
updates
were ready for my computer. I went to the Updates website and was told I
should install the high-priority update KB942763. I haven't done so yet
but
assume I should. But why didn't it do all the Updates at once?

Also, Norton would have liked to override my Automatic Updates
notify-only
setting, but I unchecked that box, even though it warned me I was making
my
computer unsafe. My setting is definitely still notify-only. (The shop
where
I had SP3 installed didn't reinstall Windows; that's something I'm sure
of.)

If AU is set to Notify Only, someone would have had to approve the
download of KB898461 at some point, Jo-Anne. If you didn't approve it,
other explanations that it's downloaded could include:

1. Norton Security Center (part of NIS 2008) has overridden your
Automatic
Updates setting (especially if Norton Security Center has also
overridden
Windows Security Center & settings [another reason I hate Norton apps]);

2. Someone may have changed AU setting to Download Then Notify;

3. KB898461 may have downloaded while the machine was in the shop and
before AU was set to Notify Only or before NIS was installed;

4. The shop did a half-a**ed job installing SP3...and may have
reinstalled
Windows before installing SP3.

Again, let us know what happens.
--
~PA Bear


Jo-Anne Naples wrote:
Thank you very much! This is exactly what I wanted to know.

I just looked at System Properties, and I had checked Notify Only. Does
this
mean, from what you said below, that SP3 downloaded the update? I'll go
ahead with the install shortly.
<snip>
Crossposted to Windows Update newsgroup.

[Background from previous threads: Jo-Anne had a shop install SP3,
IE7,
and NIS 2008. We do not know in what order they were installed or if
the
shop reinstalled Windows before installing SP3.]

While the Applies To section of KB898461
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/898461 does not list WinXP SP3 (which
leads us to assume that SP3 includes it), if it's being offered by
Windows/Automatic Update, approve the installation, Jo-Anne. Let us
know
how you make out, please.

As to the "Downloaded; ready to install" notice, is Automatic Updates
configured for "Notify Only" or "Download then notify"?

How to configure and use Automatic Updates in WinXP:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525

Windows Update-specific newsgroup:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windowsupdate
--
~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/


Jo-Anne Naples wrote:
For several years I never updated Windows on my XP Home computer. A
couple
weeks ago I had SP3 installed, and today is the first time since then
that
Windows wants to update. I had asked for notification of updates, and
I
went
to the update website to see what was there. Following is what I
found.
Does
this appear to be something I should go ahead with? (I won't keep
asking
this question, but I'm still nervous about what to allow right away
and
what
to hang back on.)

<<Update for Windows XP (KB898461) 0 KB , 0 minutes (Downloaded;
ready
to
install) This update installs a permanent copy of Package Installer
for
Windows to enable software updates to have a significantly smaller
download
size. The Package Installer facilitates the install of software
updates
for
Microsoft Windows operating systems and other Microsoft products.
After
you
install this update, you may have to restart your system.>>

One odd thing (to me) is that, as far as I know, I asked only for
notification, not for downloading.

Thank you!

Jo-Anne

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

So both of 'em installed?

...I had had malware that I
couldn't get rid of and paid Symantec to do it (the local shop would have
reinstalled Windows, and I didn't want that).

You probably didn't need Symantec's assistance to clean up the machine (and
I'd have my doubts that they'd done so, unless they reinstalled Windows as
the shop had wanted to do).

In the future, you can post about any security-related problems & issues
(e.g., uninstalling every trace of NIS when the time comes and replacing it
with something that's not such a memory hog) in
microsoft.public.security.homeusers newsgroup, Jo-Anne. We'll take care of
you.

Speaking of Norton and WinXP SP3, please consider
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9089658
--
~PA Bear

I installed the new Windows update as you suggested and restarted the
computer, and all seems to be OK (I hope). Re Norton, Symantec installed
the
program for me after the shop installed SP3. I had had malware that I
couldn't get rid of and paid Symantec to do it (the local shop would have
reinstalled Windows, and I didn't want that). My old subscription was
running out, and I was told if I bought any of the three 2008 programs,
they
would install it.

Next year I'll ask for info on other security programs. Not sure which
newsgroup; if you have any suggestions, let me know. Otherwise, I'll look
around for one. (Actually, I could use one now, since I probably should
install at least one anti-spyware program other than Norton.)

Thank you very much for everything!

Jo-Anne

Short answer: KB898461 needed to be installed before KB942763 could be
offered/installed. Install the latter now.

Sounds like you installed NIS, not the shop.

Things are getting stranger. First, I clicked on the Updates icon and
said
to go ahead--but what went ahead was, it claimed, a download (after I
had
been told at the Windows Update website that what it wanted to update
had
already been downloaded and just needed to be installed). After the
download, I said OK to the install, and it seemed to install. (I haven't
yet
restarted the computer.)

The Update icon, however, immediately began to notify me again that
updates
were ready for my computer. I went to the Updates website and was told I
should install the high-priority update KB942763. I haven't done so yet
but
assume I should. But why didn't it do all the Updates at once?

Also, Norton would have liked to override my Automatic Updates
notify-only
setting, but I unchecked that box, even though it warned me I was making
my
computer unsafe. My setting is definitely still notify-only. (The shop
where
I had SP3 installed didn't reinstall Windows; that's something I'm sure
of.)

If AU is set to Notify Only, someone would have had to approve the
download of KB898461 at some point, Jo-Anne. If you didn't approve it,
other explanations that it's downloaded could include:

1. Norton Security Center (part of NIS 2008) has overridden your
Automatic
Updates setting (especially if Norton Security Center has also
overridden
Windows Security Center & settings [another reason I hate Norton
apps]);

2. Someone may have changed AU setting to Download Then Notify;

3. KB898461 may have downloaded while the machine was in the shop and
before AU was set to Notify Only or before NIS was installed;

4. The shop did a half-a**ed job installing SP3...and may have
reinstalled
Windows before installing SP3.

Again, let us know what happens.
--
~PA Bear


Jo-Anne Naples wrote:
Thank you very much! This is exactly what I wanted to know.

I just looked at System Properties, and I had checked Notify Only.
Does
this
mean, from what you said below, that SP3 downloaded the update? I'll
go
ahead with the install shortly.
<snip>
Crossposted to Windows Update newsgroup.

[Background from previous threads: Jo-Anne had a shop install SP3,
IE7,
and NIS 2008. We do not know in what order they were installed or if
the
shop reinstalled Windows before installing SP3.]

While the Applies To section of KB898461
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/898461 does not list WinXP SP3 (which
leads us to assume that SP3 includes it), if it's being offered by
Windows/Automatic Update, approve the installation, Jo-Anne. Let us
know
how you make out, please.

As to the "Downloaded; ready to install" notice, is Automatic Updates
configured for "Notify Only" or "Download then notify"?

How to configure and use Automatic Updates in WinXP:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525

Windows Update-specific newsgroup:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windowsupdate
--
~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/


Jo-Anne Naples wrote:
For several years I never updated Windows on my XP Home computer. A
couple
weeks ago I had SP3 installed, and today is the first time since
then
that
Windows wants to update. I had asked for notification of updates,
and
I
went
to the update website to see what was there. Following is what I
found.
Does
this appear to be something I should go ahead with? (I won't keep
asking
this question, but I'm still nervous about what to allow right away
and
what
to hang back on.)

<<Update for Windows XP (KB898461) 0 KB , 0 minutes (Downloaded;
ready
to
install) This update installs a permanent copy of Package Installer
for
Windows to enable software updates to have a significantly smaller
download
size. The Package Installer facilitates the install of software
updates
for
Microsoft Windows operating systems and other Microsoft products.
After
you
install this update, you may have to restart your system.>>

One odd thing (to me) is that, as far as I know, I asked only for
notification, not for downloading.

Thank you!

Jo-Anne

 

[Jo-Anne Naples]

Thank you again! Yes, both of them are installed, and so far so good.

I had a terrible time with the malware, and it took Symantec 3.5 hours to
get rid of it--mainly, I think, because Spybot (which I had on my computer
but no longer do) seems not to play well with Norton. Two malware registry
files that were supposed to have been deleted kept popping back up. I
finally suggested uninstalling Spybot, and that did it.

And then, a few days later, when I had Symantec install NIS, it took another
3 hours. The lady who had control of my computer couldn't seem to get rid of
the old Norton Antivirus--and then couldn't install the new program either.
She ended up doing it in Safe Mode as I recall. Not a great experience. And
omigod, what happened with Norton and SP3 as reported in ComputerWorld is
awful!

Thank you also for the pointer to the security newsgroup. I've subscribed
and am looking forward to learning more.

Jo-Anne

So both of 'em installed?

...I had had malware that I
couldn't get rid of and paid Symantec to do it (the local shop would have
reinstalled Windows, and I didn't want that).

You probably didn't need Symantec's assistance to clean up the machine
(and I'd have my doubts that they'd done so, unless they reinstalled
Windows as the shop had wanted to do).

In the future, you can post about any security-related problems & issues
(e.g., uninstalling every trace of NIS when the time comes and replacing
it with something that's not such a memory hog) in
microsoft.public.security.homeusers newsgroup, Jo-Anne. We'll take care
of you.

Speaking of Norton and WinXP SP3, please consider
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9089658
--
~PA Bear

I installed the new Windows update as you suggested and restarted the
computer, and all seems to be OK (I hope). Re Norton, Symantec installed
the
program for me after the shop installed SP3. I had had malware that I
couldn't get rid of and paid Symantec to do it (the local shop would have
reinstalled Windows, and I didn't want that). My old subscription was
running out, and I was told if I bought any of the three 2008 programs,
they
would install it.

Next year I'll ask for info on other security programs. Not sure which
newsgroup; if you have any suggestions, let me know. Otherwise, I'll look
around for one. (Actually, I could use one now, since I probably should
install at least one anti-spyware program other than Norton.)

Thank you very much for everything!

Jo-Anne

Short answer: KB898461 needed to be installed before KB942763 could be
offered/installed. Install the latter now.

Sounds like you installed NIS, not the shop.


Jo-Anne Naples wrote:
Things are getting stranger. First, I clicked on the Updates icon and
said
to go ahead--but what went ahead was, it claimed, a download (after I
had
been told at the Windows Update website that what it wanted to update
had
already been downloaded and just needed to be installed). After the
download, I said OK to the install, and it seemed to install. (I
haven't
yet
restarted the computer.)

The Update icon, however, immediately began to notify me again that
updates
were ready for my computer. I went to the Updates website and was told
I
should install the high-priority update KB942763. I haven't done so yet
but
assume I should. But why didn't it do all the Updates at once?

Also, Norton would have liked to override my Automatic Updates
notify-only
setting, but I unchecked that box, even though it warned me I was
making
my
computer unsafe. My setting is definitely still notify-only. (The shop
where
I had SP3 installed didn't reinstall Windows; that's something I'm sure
of.)

If AU is set to Notify Only, someone would have had to approve the
download of KB898461 at some point, Jo-Anne. If you didn't approve
it,
other explanations that it's downloaded could include:

1. Norton Security Center (part of NIS 2008) has overridden your
Automatic
Updates setting (especially if Norton Security Center has also
overridden
Windows Security Center & settings [another reason I hate Norton
apps]);

2. Someone may have changed AU setting to Download Then Notify;

3. KB898461 may have downloaded while the machine was in the shop and
before AU was set to Notify Only or before NIS was installed;

4. The shop did a half-a**ed job installing SP3...and may have
reinstalled
Windows before installing SP3.

Again, let us know what happens.
--
~PA Bear


Jo-Anne Naples wrote:
Thank you very much! This is exactly what I wanted to know.

I just looked at System Properties, and I had checked Notify Only.
Does
this
mean, from what you said below, that SP3 downloaded the update? I'll
go
ahead with the install shortly.
<snip>
Crossposted to Windows Update newsgroup.

[Background from previous threads: Jo-Anne had a shop install SP3,
IE7,
and NIS 2008. We do not know in what order they were installed or
if
the
shop reinstalled Windows before installing SP3.]

While the Applies To section of KB898461
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/898461 does not list WinXP SP3
(which
leads us to assume that SP3 includes it), if it's being offered by
Windows/Automatic Update, approve the installation, Jo-Anne. Let us
know
how you make out, please.

As to the "Downloaded; ready to install" notice, is Automatic
Updates
configured for "Notify Only" or "Download then notify"?

How to configure and use Automatic Updates in WinXP:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525

Windows Update-specific newsgroup:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windowsupdate
--
~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/


Jo-Anne Naples wrote:
For several years I never updated Windows on my XP Home computer. A
couple
weeks ago I had SP3 installed, and today is the first time since
then
that
Windows wants to update. I had asked for notification of updates,
and
I
went
to the update website to see what was there. Following is what I
found.
Does
this appear to be something I should go ahead with? (I won't keep
asking
this question, but I'm still nervous about what to allow right away
and
what
to hang back on.)

<<Update for Windows XP (KB898461) 0 KB , 0 minutes (Downloaded;
ready
to
install) This update installs a permanent copy of Package
Installer
for
Windows to enable software updates to have a significantly smaller
download
size. The Package Installer facilitates the install of software
updates
for
Microsoft Windows operating systems and other Microsoft products.
After
you
install this update, you may have to restart your system.>>

One odd thing (to me) is that, as far as I know, I asked only for
notification, not for downloading.

Thank you!

Jo-Anne