Microsoft Update Problem: static page & thinks I have vista but I have XP

I tried to go to windows update today manually (I have automatic updates
turned on but I double check every now and then).
I have XP Pro, SP3, IE7. Went to manually update by clicking on IE7, tools,
windows update. This in turn takes me to this page:
http://www.update.microsoft.com/wind....aspx?ln=en-us
This page has a static text that says something like "in the future, go to
start menu, all programs, microsoft update, with a picture of a vista start
menu.
My laptop, which has XP Pro, SP3, IE7, goes to this page:
http://www.update.microsoft.com/micr....aspx?ln=en-us
So, I registered the dll's as mentioned in the MSKB, I have run sfc, I have
done a system restore back to a month ago when I know I could manually
update, nothing is working, I still get the same page.
Short of running ghost and starting over again with my original XP
installation, does anyone have any ideas on what is going on here and how to
fix it. It really is stumping me.
Thanks.
Mark

Are you dual-booting Vista and WinXP on this machine? If so, which was
installed first, Vista or WinXP?

When (date) did you install WinXP SP3?

Did you install WinXP SP3 via Windows Update (webpage), Automatic Updates,
or manually? If the latter, from what source (web-page) did you download
the installer for SP3?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed? What
anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)? What third-party firewall
(if any)?
--
~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/


Mark wrote:
> I tried to go to windows update today manually (I have automatic updates
> turned on but I double check every now and then).
> I have XP Pro, SP3, IE7. Went to manually update by clicking on IE7,
> tools,
> windows update. This in turn takes me to this page:
> http://www.update.microsoft.com/wind....aspx?ln=en-us
> This page has a static text that says something like "in the future, go to
> start menu, all programs, microsoft update, with a picture of a vista
> start
> menu.
> My laptop, which has XP Pro, SP3, IE7, goes to this page:
> http://www.update.microsoft.com/micr....aspx?ln=en-us
> So, I registered the dll's as mentioned in the MSKB, I have run sfc, I
> have
> done a system restore back to a month ago when I know I could manually
> update, nothing is working, I still get the same page.
> Short of running ghost and starting over again with my original XP
> installation, does anyone have any ideas on what is going on here and how
> to
> fix it. It really is stumping me.
> Thanks.
> Mark

1. No, no dual boot. Quad core xenon about 6 months old came from Dell with
XP installed.
2. SP3 installed approximately 1st day it was available for download
(april?).
3. The link was to a microsoft, I do not remember the exact link. It was the
full package, about 300+MB. The checksum was correct.
4. We have Trend Micro. No other anti-spyware except what is in Trend (not
even defender). 3rd party firewall is a checkpoint appliance (Server is
running SBS 2003, Exchange 2003).
Thanks for helping.
Our IT guy said his research shows that vista transformatin pack might cause
this, but I have never installed that.
Mark

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <> wrote in message
news:O3UoazQ%...
> Are you dual-booting Vista and WinXP on this machine? If so, which was
> installed first, Vista or WinXP?

> When (date) did you install WinXP SP3?
>
> Did you install WinXP SP3 via Windows Update (webpage), Automatic Updates,
> or manually? If the latter, from what source (web-page) did you download
> the installer for SP3?
>
> What anti-virus application or security suite is installed? What
> anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)? What third-party
> firewall (if any)?
> --
> ~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/
>
>
> Mark wrote:
>> I tried to go to windows update today manually (I have automatic updates
>> turned on but I double check every now and then).
>> I have XP Pro, SP3, IE7. Went to manually update by clicking on IE7,
>> tools,
>> windows update. This in turn takes me to this page:
>> http://www.update.microsoft.com/wind....aspx?ln=en-us
>> This page has a static text that says something like "in the future, go
>> to
>> start menu, all programs, microsoft update, with a picture of a vista
>> start
>> menu.
>> My laptop, which has XP Pro, SP3, IE7, goes to this page:
>> http://www.update.microsoft.com/micr....aspx?ln=en-us
>> So, I registered the dll's as mentioned in the MSKB, I have run sfc, I
>> have
>> done a system restore back to a month ago when I know I could manually
>> update, nothing is working, I still get the same page.
>> Short of running ghost and starting over again with my original XP
>> installation, does anyone have any ideas on what is going on here and how
>> to
>> fix it. It really is stumping me.
>> Thanks.
>> Mark
>

Ok, I ran dial a fix. rebooted, that didn't do anything. I then went to the
update page i was getting and did a "view source". I'm not an expert, but I
did notice some code that said something like "Windows NT 6.0". I googled
that, and sure enough, that means Vista. XP should be 5.1. So I figured out
where the user agent settings are stored to identify the OS, changed those 2
instances to 5.1 instead of 6.0 and I'm back in business. It would be nice
to know exactly how that got changed.
Mark
"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <> wrote in message
news:O3UoazQ%...
> Are you dual-booting Vista and WinXP on this machine? If so, which was
> installed first, Vista or WinXP?
>
> When (date) did you install WinXP SP3?
>
> Did you install WinXP SP3 via Windows Update (webpage), Automatic Updates,
> or manually? If the latter, from what source (web-page) did you download
> the installer for SP3?
>
> What anti-virus application or security suite is installed? What
> anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)? What third-party
> firewall (if any)?
> --
> ~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/
>
>
> Mark wrote:
>> I tried to go to windows update today manually (I have automatic updates
>> turned on but I double check every now and then).
>> I have XP Pro, SP3, IE7. Went to manually update by clicking on IE7,
>> tools,
>> windows update. This in turn takes me to this page:
>> http://www.update.microsoft.com/wind....aspx?ln=en-us
>> This page has a static text that says something like "in the future, go
>> to
>> start menu, all programs, microsoft update, with a picture of a vista
>> start
>> menu.
>> My laptop, which has XP Pro, SP3, IE7, goes to this page:
>> http://www.update.microsoft.com/micr....aspx?ln=en-us
>> So, I registered the dll's as mentioned in the MSKB, I have run sfc, I
>> have
>> done a system restore back to a month ago when I know I could manually
>> update, nothing is working, I still get the same page.
>> Short of running ghost and starting over again with my original XP
>> installation, does anyone have any ideas on what is going on here and how
>> to
>> fix it. It really is stumping me.
>> Thanks.
>> Mark
>

> 2. SP3 installed approximately 1st day it was available for download
> (april?).

WinXP SP3 was released on 07 May-08, IIRC. Are you sure you didn't
download/install an SP3 beta/Release Candidate?

You could always uninstall it & then reinstall it via Windows
Update/Automatic Updates or manually.

How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249

WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful (un)installation
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron...tallation.aspx

Direct Download (x86) =>
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...8-1e1555d4f3d4

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

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat and
e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada.

• US:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131

• CA:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131

• UK:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131

• AU:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...3&gprid=522131

• Other: http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173 | select
Windows XP | select Windows XP Service Pack 3
--
~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/

Mark wrote:
> 1. No, no dual boot. Quad core xenon about 6 months old came from Dell
> with
> XP installed.
> 2. SP3 installed approximately 1st day it was available for download
> (april?).
> 3. The link was to a microsoft, I do not remember the exact link. It was
> the
> full package, about 300+MB. The checksum was correct.
> 4. We have Trend Micro. No other anti-spyware except what is in Trend (not
> even defender). 3rd party firewall is a checkpoint appliance (Server is
> running SBS 2003, Exchange 2003).
> Thanks for helping.
> Our IT guy said his research shows that vista transformatin pack might
> cause
> this, but I have never installed that.
> Mark
>
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <> wrote in message
> news:O3UoazQ%...
>> Are you dual-booting Vista and WinXP on this machine? If so, which was
>> installed first, Vista or WinXP?
>
>> When (date) did you install WinXP SP3?
>>
>> Did you install WinXP SP3 via Windows Update (webpage), Automatic
>> Updates,
>> or manually? If the latter, from what source (web-page) did you download
>> the installer for SP3?
>>
>> What anti-virus application or security suite is installed? What
>> anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)? What third-party
>> firewall (if any)?
>> --
>> ~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/
>>
>>
>> Mark wrote:
>>> I tried to go to windows update today manually (I have automatic updates
>>> turned on but I double check every now and then).
>>> I have XP Pro, SP3, IE7. Went to manually update by clicking on IE7,
>>> tools,
>>> windows update. This in turn takes me to this page:
>>> http://www.update.microsoft.com/wind....aspx?ln=en-us
>>> This page has a static text that says something like "in the future, go
>>> to
>>> start menu, all programs, microsoft update, with a picture of a vista
>>> start
>>> menu.
>>> My laptop, which has XP Pro, SP3, IE7, goes to this page:
>>> http://www.update.microsoft.com/micr....aspx?ln=en-us
>>> So, I registered the dll's as mentioned in the MSKB, I have run sfc, I
>>> have
>>> done a system restore back to a month ago when I know I could manually
>>> update, nothing is working, I still get the same page.
>>> Short of running ghost and starting over again with my original XP
>>> installation, does anyone have any ideas on what is going on here and
>>> how
>>> to
>>> fix it. It really is stumping me.
>>> Thanks.
>>> Mark

Another possible cause:
If you are running IE7Pro - it has also an option (Preferences->IE
settings->User-Agent)
that can cause the same problem.

And to what and to whom are you posting this post of yours

--
Peter

Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.

"Ido" <> wrote in message news:7579597E-270D-4CF0-86E8-...
> Another possible cause:
> If you are running IE7Pro - it has also an option (Preferences->IE
> settings->User-Agent)
> that can cause the same problem.
>
>