halt60 said:
Windows XP will no longer allow updates without requiring
an admin. When logging in as admin it still will not
perform update searches and downloads. I can search for
updates manually and make them. This also affects
Symantec 8.0 from updating. I have looked at group and
local policy but where to change these settings is not
apparent. This problem began sometime in February but was
not apparent until I tried to do updates in late March.
During February, I had to remove a version of office and
install Office 2002 pro. The problem may have occurred at
that time.
Here is a link to the Windows Update Troubleshooter:
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/troubleshoot/
And here is a link to information by MVP Kelly:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/top10faqs.htm
It's the 9th item down.
Windows Update problems shouldn't have anything to do with Symantec
updates. I'm wondering if your computer isn't infected with one of the
viruses that breaks av software. This could happen if you had an older
antivirus version, weren't updating its definitions or didn't renew
your subscription. The usual way to deal with this is to:
1) Take the infected machine off the Internet and any lan immediately.
2) From a different, clean machine download Stinger (http:/
vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/) and run it in Safe Mode. Stinger is a limited
virus checker, but its advantage is that it is standalone and doesn't
need to be installed.
3) Hope that Stinger cleans up the machine enough to be able to
reinstall your av or install a new, current one. Update its definitions
and do a full scan.
(Note: you can also try an online virus scan, but a) I think it is
better to take a questionable machine off the Internet; and b) if you
do have one of those av-breaking viruses, chances are you won't be able
to get to an online scanner.)
4) Continue the cleaning process by removing any spyware with Spybot
Search & Destroy (
http://www.safer-networking.org) and Ad-aware
(
http://www.lavasoftusa.com). Be sure to update these programs before
running them. These programs are free, so run them both since they
complement each other. You may also want to run the latest CWShredder
from
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/index.html. Always read the
instructions before running a spyware removal tool. It is best to run
antivirus and spyware removal tools in Safe Mode.
5) After you've installed your full-featured av, updated its
definitions and run a full system scan.
6) Make sure you are running a firewall.
After you've done that, let us know if you need more help. Make sure you
tell us what you've done.
Malke
