How do I install recent updates from MS without crashing my comput

Hi, PA Bear:

As requested, I am starting a new post regarding my issues with the recent
updates from MS:

1. Windows Vista 32-bit SP2

2. My OneCare subscription does not expire until 8/2010. It has never
expired in the past.

3. I believe I had Norton on my laptop before getting OneCare. The Norton
software was uninstalled right before OneCare had been installed. In fact,
the uninstall process was part of the installation process for OneCare (in
other words, it was recommended and done automatically).

4. As mentioned in my original post, the problem began after I installed the
recent updates from MS.

Please scroll down for a copy of my original post. One of the error
messages that I received was in a “Location is not available� dialog window.
The message read, “C\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\Desktop is not
accessible. Access is denied.� This message would pop up each time I tried
to log on to my desktop after the updates were installed.

My only solution has been to use System Restore to restore my system back to
the point before the updates were installed. I have also suspended the
automatic installation of updates via Windows Update. Note also - there are
13 updates in this batch.

Thank you so much in advance for your help!

-------------------------------------
You wrote:

To avoid confusion, please begin a new thread about your specific problem
and computer. In your first post:

1. State your full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3; WinXP 64-bit SP2; Vista
SP1; Vista 64-bit SP2).

2. Tell us when your current OneCare subscription expires and if it had ever
expired in the past (even if only for a few days).

3. Tell us if a Norton or McAfee application had ever been installed on the
computer (e.g., a free trial version which came preinstalled on the computer
when you bought it).

4. Tell us if the behavior you've encountered is a sudden, new problem.

Thank you.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002

-------------------------------
In response to what I wrote:

Hi, PA Bear:

I had the same problem as the original poster. I installed the updates on
4/14 and my laptop went haywire. It is a HP G60 series laptop, running
Windows Vista Home Basic, with SP2, on a 32-bit OS. I am very attentive
about installing Windows updates when they are available, and this is the
first time things went terribly wrong.

So after the updates are installed, my system does its thing by rebooting on
its own. When I log into my computer, I see “Preparing desktop . . .� on my
screen as it attempts to log me on. When I am finally logged in, I get
countless messages, such as “IP Helper stopped working,� “WIN32 system file
not found,� and “Host Process stopped working so Windows shut it down.� The
last two messages are actual error messages, but I forgot to write down the
exact words.

Also, I use Windows Live OneCare as my antivirus software. Each time that I
would reboot and log into my computer, the OneCare icon would be red (meaning
critical action must be taken) and, after opening up the software, I would
find that my firewall protection has been shut off. And I get a message from
Windows Security Center (from the red-X, shield icon in the system tray)
alerting me that there are multiple issues with the security of my system.
When I open Windows Security Center, although the window is frozen, I can see
that almost all of my security settings are off but I cannot make any
changes. At this point, I can only reboot my system.

Note also – I have already installed these latest updates on my work
computer (a Dell desktop running MS Vista Professional, with SP2, on a 64-bit
OS (I believe)). The updates installed perfectly, with absolutely no issues.

So as a temporary resolve to the issues, I decided to use System Restore to
restore my system back to the way it was before the updates. This fixed
everything (of course). But since I have Windows Updates set up to install
automatically, the updates were installed again last night. I encountered the
same issues and had to restore my system again and change my settings for
Windows Update to download, but to not install the updates. I want to be
able to update my system without the issues. Any suggestions? Are there
specific updates from this latest batch that can be installed without the
others? Perhaps MS has found that some updates are causing the issues, not
all.

Nkeirukao wrote:
> As requested, I am starting a new post regarding my issues with the
> recent updates from MS:
>
> 1. Windows Vista 32-bit SP2
>
> 2. My OneCare subscription does not expire until 8/2010. It has
> never expired in the past.
>
> 3. I believe I had Norton on my laptop before getting OneCare. The
> Norton software was uninstalled right before OneCare had been
> installed. In fact, the uninstall process was part of the
> installation process for OneCare (in other words, it was
> recommended and done automatically).
>
> 4. As mentioned in my original post, the problem began after I
> installed the recent updates from MS.
>
> Please scroll down for a copy of my original post. One of the error
> messages that I received was in a "Location is not available"
> dialog window. The message read,
> "C\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\Deskt op is not accessible.
> Access is denied." This message would pop up each time I tried to
> log on to my desktop after the updates were installed.
>
> My only solution has been to use System Restore to restore my
> system back to the point before the updates were installed. I have
> also suspended the automatic installation of updates via Windows
> Update. Note also - there are 13 updates in this batch.
>
> Thank you so much in advance for your help!
>
> -------------------------------------
> You wrote:
>
> To avoid confusion, please begin a new thread about your specific
> problem and computer. In your first post:
>
> 1. State your full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3; WinXP 64-bit
> SP2; Vista SP1; Vista 64-bit SP2).
>
> 2. Tell us when your current OneCare subscription expires and if it
> had ever expired in the past (even if only for a few days).
>
> 3. Tell us if a Norton or McAfee application had ever been
> installed on the computer (e.g., a free trial version which came
> preinstalled on the computer when you bought it).
>
> 4. Tell us if the behavior you've encountered is a sudden, new
> problem.

Suggestions:

1) Uninstall the latest backups and turn off automatic updates for now.
2) Scan your computer for malware using the following method:

Reboot again and logon as an user with administrative priviledges.

Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan with the following
(freeware version):

SuperAntiSpyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/

Reboot and logon as administrative user.

Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan with the following
(freeware version):

MalwareBytes
http://www.malwarebytes.com/

Reboot and logon as administrative user.

Download and run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/ma...e/default.mspx

You may find nothing, you may find only cookies, you may think it is a
waste of time - but if you do all this and report back here with what you
do/don't find as you are doing all of it - you are adding more pieces to
the puzzle and the entire picture just may become clearer and your
problem resolved.

Reboot and logon as administrative user.

3) Download and utilize the Norton Removal Utility to ensure all traces of
Norton are gone.

http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail...a/1169144666/1

Reboot afterwards.

4) Do a little cleanup of unnecessary files...

Download/install the "Windows Installer CleanUp Utility":
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

After installing, do the following:

Start button --> RUN
(no "RUN"? Press the "Windows Key" + R on your keyboard)
--> type in:
"%ProgramFiles%\Windows Installer Clean Up\msizap.exe" g!
--> Click OK.
(The quotation marks and percentage signs and spacing should be exact.)

5) Reset your Windows/Microsoft Updates components...

How do I reset Windows Update components?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058

.... and click on the "Microsoft Fix it" icon. When asked, select "RUN",
both times. Check the "I agree" box and click on "Next". Check the box
for "Run aggressive options (not recommended)" and click "Next". Let
it finish up and follow the prompts until it is done. Close/exit and
reboot when it is.

6) Perform a CHKDSK on your hard disk drive...
http://maximumpcguides.com/windows-v...windows-vista/

7) Turn back on automatic updates.

Machine working any better?

What backups do you have?

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

Ideally you would not use System Restore to "undo" an update, Service Pack,
or IE upgrade! Instead, uninstall the update, Service Pack, or IE upgrade &
reboot. If that doesn't correct the problem, then try System Restore.

=================

See my colleague Shenan's reply & tips regarding checking for hijackware,
etc., infections.

But first see if running the Norton Removal Tool makes any difference.
Norton (and McAfee) applications are notorious for not uninstalling (or
upgrading) cleanly.

1. Download the Norton Removal Tool, saving it to your desktop:
ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/englis...moval_Tool.exe

2. Close all open applications (i.e., anything with an icon on the taskbar).

3. Right-click on the file you saved in #1 above and select Run as
Administrator to run the utility. Don't TOUCH your keyboard until the run
completes, then reboot & test.

======================

If still no joy...

For home users, no-charge support is available by calling 1-866-PCSAFETY
(and/or 1-866-234-6020 and/or 1-800-936-5700) in the United States and in
Canada or by contacting your local Microsoft subsidiary. There is no-charge
for support calls that are associated with security updates. When you call,
clearly state that your problem is related to a Security Update and cite the
update's KB number (e.g., KB979683).

Or you can...

Start a free Windows Update support incident request:
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/de...spx?gprid=6527

Customers who experience issues installing Microsoft security updates also
can visit the following pages for assistance:
https://consumersecuritysupport.microsoft.com/
http://support.microsoft.com/ph/6527#tab3

For more information about how to contact your local Microsoft subsidiary
for security update support issues, visit the International Support Web
site: http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx

For enterprise customers, support for security updates is available through
your usual support contacts.
--
~PA Bear


Nkeirukao wrote:
> Hi, PA Bear:
>
> As requested, I am starting a new post regarding my issues with the recent
> updates from MS:
>
> 1. Windows Vista 32-bit SP2
>
> 2. My OneCare subscription does not expire until 8/2010. It has never
> expired in the past.
>
> 3. I believe I had Norton on my laptop before getting OneCare. The Norton
> software was uninstalled right before OneCare had been installed. In
> fact,
> the uninstall process was part of the installation process for OneCare (in
> other words, it was recommended and done automatically).
>
> 4. As mentioned in my original post, the problem began after I installed
> the
> recent updates from MS.
>
> Please scroll down for a copy of my original post. One of the error
> messages that I received was in a “Location is not available� dialog
> window.
> The message read, “C\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\Desktop is not
> accessible. Access is denied.� This message would pop up each time I
> tried
> to log on to my desktop after the updates were installed.
>
> My only solution has been to use System Restore to restore my system back
> to
> the point before the updates were installed. I have also suspended the
> automatic installation of updates via Windows Update. Note also - there
> are
> 13 updates in this batch.
>
> Thank you so much in advance for your help!
>
> -------------------------------------
> You wrote:
>
> To avoid confusion, please begin a new thread about your specific problem
> and computer. In your first post:
>
> 1. State your full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3; WinXP 64-bit SP2;
> Vista
> SP1; Vista 64-bit SP2).
>
> 2. Tell us when your current OneCare subscription expires and if it had
> ever
> expired in the past (even if only for a few days).
>
> 3. Tell us if a Norton or McAfee application had ever been installed on
> the
> computer (e.g., a free trial version which came preinstalled on the
> computer
> when you bought it).
>
> 4. Tell us if the behavior you've encountered is a sudden, new problem.
>
> Thank you.
<paste>
In response to what I wrote:

Hi, PA Bear:

I had the same problem as the original poster. I installed the updates on
4/14 and my laptop went haywire. It is a HP G60 series laptop, running
Windows Vista Home Basic, with SP2, on a 32-bit OS. I am very attentive
about installing Windows updates when they are available, and this is the
first time things went terribly wrong.

So after the updates are installed, my system does its thing by rebooting on
its own. When I log into my computer, I see “Preparing desktop . . .� on my
screen as it attempts to log me on. When I am finally logged in, I get
countless messages, such as “IP Helper stopped working,� “WIN32 system file
not found,� and “Host Process stopped working so Windows shut it down.� The
last two messages are actual error messages, but I forgot to write down the
exact words.

Also, I use Windows Live OneCare as my antivirus software. Each time that I
would reboot and log into my computer, the OneCare icon would be red
(meaning
critical action must be taken) and, after opening up the software, I would
find that my firewall protection has been shut off. And I get a message
from
Windows Security Center (from the red-X, shield icon in the system tray)
alerting me that there are multiple issues with the security of my system.
When I open Windows Security Center, although the window is frozen, I can
see
that almost all of my security settings are off but I cannot make any
changes. At this point, I can only reboot my system.

Note also – I have already installed these latest updates on my work
computer (a Dell desktop running MS Vista Professional, with SP2, on a
64-bit
OS (I believe)). The updates installed perfectly, with absolutely no
issues.

So as a temporary resolve to the issues, I decided to use System Restore to
restore my system back to the way it was before the updates. This fixed
everything (of course). But since I have Windows Updates set up to install
automatically, the updates were installed again last night. I encountered
the
same issues and had to restore my system again and change my settings for
Windows Update to download, but to not install the updates. I want to be
able to update my system without the issues. Any suggestions? Are there
specific updates from this latest batch that can be installed without the
others? Perhaps MS has found that some updates are causing the issues, not
all.