Windows updates screwing up PC?

[BillL]

OK, here's the problem. If I let windows download and install the latest
security updates my PC no longer works. By this I mean I can't run any
programs, the windows key no longer functions and the PC eventually unlocks.
I've temporarily 'fixed' this by restoring to a point before the updates
were installed and switching off. Now I know these updates are important
but a functioning PC is pretty important as well!

Please could someone provide some assisstance with this problem? I'm using
WinXP Home (OEM) with SP2 btw.

TIA

BillL

 

[All Things Mopar]

Today BillL attempted to dazzle everyone with this profound
linguistic utterance

OK, here's the problem. If I let windows download and
install the latest security updates my PC no longer works.
By this I mean I can't run any programs, the windows key no
longer functions and the PC eventually unlocks. I've
temporarily 'fixed' this by restoring to a point before the
updates were installed and switching off. Now I know these
updates are important but a functioning PC is pretty
important as well!

Please could someone provide some assisstance with this
problem? I'm using WinXP Home (OEM) with SP2 btw.

just roll your system back to the RP you created before allowing
Bill the Gates to "screw up" your PC. YOu did create an RP,
didn't you?

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

(cross-posting to windowsupdate)

Hello Bill,

When did these updates get done, and which specific updates are involved?

Does the system work ok, now that you restored it to an earlier point?

 

[Guest]

Yes Windows updates can wreck your computer. It depends on your system, some
systems no problems, other systems - instant dysfunction, sometimes they
won't even start ever again, requiring that the HD be reformatted and Windows
reinstalled. When you fix your system be sure to set Windows Update to
inform you of updates only - not to download or install them behind your
back. If you decide to at least apply the critical updates manually, then
only install 3-5 updates at a time, restarting the computer before installing
any more updates. Never try to install 10-20-40-50 updates at a time, it is
more than likely that such updating will render you PC inoperable.

 

[BillL]

Hi, and tahnks for the reply.

The updates were KB193580 security update for Widows XP & the latest Windows
Genuine Advantage Validation Tool (WGAVT). Interestingly enough I've done a
custom install of just the security update and the PC's fine so I'm guessing
the problem is to do with WGAVT - do I actually require this in order to use
the update service?

Bill


(cross-posting to windowsupdate)

Hello Bill,

When did these updates get done, and which specific updates are involved?

Does the system work ok, now that you restored it to an earlier point?

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

Minor point: I think the security update was for KB 193580
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/913580/

On the WGA validation, report your experience to
Windows Genuine Advantage Talkback
http://forums.microsoft.com/Genuine/default.aspx?ForumGroupID=125&SiteID=25

I don't think the very last WGA was a final product, nor needed. Stay
tuned.

All the best.

 

[Guest]

Can anyone tell me what to do if I need to reinstall windows (oem) but have
no product key. The company who sold it to me is now defunct. CAn I send
the cd back to microsoft for a refund? I registered the copy with them but
they wont give me the product key for it like they did last time. any help
with this would be greatly appreciated.


thanx

p.s. sorry for asking on this thread but I couldn't figure out how to start
a new one,


thanx again

 

[Robin Walker [MVP]]

Can anyone tell me what to do if I need to reinstall windows (oem)
but have no product key. The company who sold it to me is now
defunct. CAn I send the cd back to microsoft for a refund? I
registered the copy with them but they wont give me the product key
for it like they did last time. any help with this would be greatly
appreciated.

All legitimate sales of Windows come with a Product Key and a Certificate of
Authenticity from Microsoft, so it's a bit worrying that you have been sold
Windows without those safeguards.

The best advice is to be prepared before you find you have to do a
re-installation. Find out what your current product key is now, before you
need to know it. See http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml for
more.

p.s. sorry for asking on this thread but I couldn't figure out how to
start a new one,

From the web portals to this newsgroup, you click the "Question" button. A
popup should appear for you to start a new thread. If the popup does not
appear, this indicates that you have a third-party popup-blocker active. So
disable all third-party popup-blockers.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Can anyone tell me what to do if I need to reinstall windows (oem) but
have
no product key. The company who sold it to me is now defunct. CAn I send
the cd back to microsoft for a refund? I registered the copy with them but
they wont give me the product key for it like they did last time. any
help
with this would be greatly appreciated.

There are two things to do. First. check on the computer case for the COA
sticker - this will have the product key.

Second, look here:
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

and use the keyfinder to recover the product key from a running system.
Write this down somewhere secure, perhaps also on a sticker you place on the
computer case.


HTH
-pk