XP Automatic Update kills my computer

[MeteorPunch]

Within the last year I've tried downloading the update files 3 times, each time when I restart (to complete the installation) my computer is totally broken...won't work in anything but Safe Mode. I've had to reformat and reinstall everything 3 times...now it will be 4.

I have a P4 3.0 HT, 1GB DualChannelDDR2 RAM, WinXP Pro.

I'm thinking about giving M$ a call...can they even help?

 

[Speedo]

Which update is causing the problem?

 

[MeteorPunch]

Which update is causing the problem?

I downloaded about 58 updates (66MB) at once (critical updates) - I've never updated my XP Pro Service Pack 1, version 2.

I tried system restore from safe mode twice, both times failed.

From safe mode I deleted about 30 updates and restarted and it worked. I still have a bunch of updates on there. I guess I can never update my computer.

I'm thinking about creating a new system restore point and redownloading things. I want my updates dangit!

 

[Speedo]

Ok, ignore automatic updates for now. Open up IE and go to Tools>Windows Update.

Let it do its thing being sure that you have a legal copy of windows and all, then when you actually get to the list of updates that it's going to apply, deselect everything except Service Pack 2. Let SP2 install, then if that doesn't kill it go back to Windows Update and try installing everything else that's recommended.

 

[MeteorPunch]

I currently have 50 high priority updates available, but none for SP2, although there are some updates specifically for SP1. I think it wants me to totally upgrade SP1 before SP2 is available.

 

[Speedo]

Go to Windows Update.
On the left side of the screen click "Use administrator options"
In page that loads select the top option for "Windows Update catalog"
It will open a new browser window and may need to install an ActiveX control
There will be a link on the left side of the page "Find Microsoft Windows Updates," click it as soon as it's available
You should have a box listing different versions of windows; select "Windows XP SP1" then hit the Search button
In the page that takes you to, click the "Critical Updates and Service Packs" link
SP2 should be at the very bottom of the list.
Click the add button by it, then the Go to Download Basket link.
Enter or browse to a location to save it to, and click "Download Now."

 

[MeteorPunch]

SP2 should be at the very bottom of the list.

It's not there. I saw some .NET SP2 updates in different languages, though.

 

[MeteorPunch]

here's a pic

 

[MeteorPunch]

all the updates except for three are for .NET Framework.

 

[Blazer6]

I would ignore their graphics card update if that is an option.
Update the largest SP1 file and then restart twice. I think SP2 will open up afterwards.
Update a couple files and restart twice each time.
Ignore files you think will not matter and backup all the important files on and off the computer before updating.

 

[Speedo]

Sounds like you when you did the search you chose "Windows XP Pro SP1" rather than "Windows XP SP1."

Using the administrator options, it doesn't care what updates you have installed. Also, the full SP2 package is able to update any level of SP1.

 

[MeteorPunch]

Sounds like you when you did the search you chose "Windows XP Pro SP1" rather than "Windows XP SP1."

Using the administrator options, it doesn't care what updates you have installed. Also, the full SP2 package is able to update any level of SP1.

Yeah, you are right, and it's there.

266MB download. I'll try it out today or tomorrow.

 

[MeteorPunch]

I started downloading SP2 overnight Monday. The update didn't work for some reason, then I forgot about it and this thread.

Anyway, I was using SpyBot today and saw this. Seems very fishy. I removed it.

 

[Speedo]

For some reason Spybot is anal and flags the registry keys for security center settings that are disabled. That's what all 6 of the "windows security center.X" ones are, and they're legit.

It is a bit unusual to have everything disabled though, and that's a symptom of some viruses. Time to visit http://housecall.trendmicro.com

 

[MeteorPunch]

What can I say? Downloaded SP2, ran fine for a day, downloaded the remaining files and haven't had a problem yet. I think there is a spyware that keeps launching IE to www.winfixer.com, but that is something else and things are running great.

Bravo Speedo