Problems with Windows XP updates

Downloaded automatic updates have (4) times caused my computer to not
restart. Could not start in safe mode to access restore point. Could not
reboot to last known good configuration. Had to repair OS and decided to
turn off auto updates. I'm now missing too many updates but it's pointless
to download updates - mess up my computer - do repair and have the same thing
happen again. Any suggestions?

The original Windows XP came installed on my computer, but I did buy a
backup CD from Microsoft - this is the CD I've used to do OS repairs. My
computer summary is listed below:

OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Manufacturer Lan Plus
System Model KM400-8235
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 6 Model 10 Stepping 0 AuthenticAMD ~1826 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date Phoenix Technologies, LTD 6.00 PG, 2/26/2004
SMBIOS Version 2.2
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2111)"
Total Physical Memory 1,536.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 786.29 MB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 3.29 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

*Specifically*, which updates caused the system to fail to boot ?

99% of past *Security* updates will *not* cause boot failures unless
there's security software installed that is not compatible with Windows
or malware is present.
So, the questions are :

1) What is the installed security software ?
2) When was the last time the system was scanned for the presence of
malware, what was used for said scan, and was any malware detected ?

> I'm now missing too many updates but it's pointless
> to download updates - mess up my computer - do repair and have the same thing
> happen again. Any suggestions?

Define " too many ". And, please post back with the answers to the 2
questions.

An unpatched XP system can be compromised by malware that requires *no*
interaction from the User.


MowGreen
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============

banthecheck.com
"Security updates should *never* have *non-security content* prechecked"



Dfed wrote:

> Downloaded automatic updates have (4) times caused my computer to not
> restart. Could not start in safe mode to access restore point. Could not
> reboot to last known good configuration. Had to repair OS and decided to
> turn off auto updates. I'm now missing too many updates but it's pointless
> to download updates - mess up my computer - do repair and have the same thing
> happen again. Any suggestions?
>
> The original Windows XP came installed on my computer, but I did buy a
> backup CD from Microsoft - this is the CD I've used to do OS repairs. My
> computer summary is listed below:
>
> OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
> Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
> OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
> System Manufacturer Lan Plus
> System Model KM400-8235
> System Type X86-based PC
> Processor x86 Family 6 Model 10 Stepping 0 AuthenticAMD ~1826 Mhz
> BIOS Version/Date Phoenix Technologies, LTD 6.00 PG, 2/26/2004
> SMBIOS Version 2.2
> Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
> System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
> Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
> Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2111)"
> Total Physical Memory 1,536.00 MB
> Available Physical Memory 786.29 MB
> Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
> Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
> Page File Space 3.29 GB
> Page File C:\pagefile.sys
>

> ...Had to repair OS and decided to turn off auto updates.

Bad idea.

Had IE7 or IE8 been installed before you did the first Repair Install (cf.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/917964)?

What anti-virus application or security suite was installed before your did
these Repair Installs and were your subscriptions current?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed now and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
it which would have been reinstalled BUT INVALID when you reinstalled
Windows)?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
www.banthecheck.com




Dfed wrote:
> Downloaded automatic updates have (4) times caused my computer to not
> restart. Could not start in safe mode to access restore point. Could not
> reboot to last known good configuration. Had to repair OS and decided to
> turn off auto updates. I'm now missing too many updates but it's
> pointless
> to download updates - mess up my computer - do repair and have the same
> thing happen again. Any suggestions?
>
> The original Windows XP came installed on my computer, but I did buy a
> backup CD from Microsoft - this is the CD I've used to do OS repairs. My
> computer summary is listed below:
>
> OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
> Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
> OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
> System Manufacturer Lan Plus
> System Model KM400-8235
> System Type X86-based PC
> Processor x86 Family 6 Model 10 Stepping 0 AuthenticAMD ~1826 Mhz
> BIOS Version/Date Phoenix Technologies, LTD 6.00 PG, 2/26/2004
> SMBIOS Version 2.2
> Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
> System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
> Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
> Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2111)"
> Total Physical Memory 1,536.00 MB
> Available Physical Memory 786.29 MB
> Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
> Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
> Page File Space 3.29 GB
> Page File C:\pagefile.sys

IE7 was one of the eight downloaded updates when it would not restart. When I
did repair install, I was now missing over 50 updates. My OS and norton
antivirus are legal/authenticated copies. I used the Norton removal tool to
get rid of my Norton Antivirus 2010 (from what I read online, figured it was
culprit).I downloaded free trial Avast antivirus, installed updates and my
system restarted Ok. When I tried to open IE7, got error message that OS
cannot run %1. I ran the uninstall IE command to remove IE7. I can now get
online with IE6 or Firefox.

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> > ...Had to repair OS and decided to turn off auto updates.
>
> Bad idea.
>
> Had IE7 or IE8 been installed before you did the first Repair Install (cf.
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/917964)?
>
> What anti-virus application or security suite was installed before your did
> these Repair Installs and were your subscriptions current?
>
> What anti-virus application or security suite is installed now and is your
> subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
> What third-party firewall (if any)?
>
> Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
> computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
> it which would have been reinstalled BUT INVALID when you reinstalled
> Windows)?
> --
> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
> www.banthecheck.com
>
>
>
>
> Dfed wrote:
> > Downloaded automatic updates have (4) times caused my computer to not
> > restart. Could not start in safe mode to access restore point. Could not
> > reboot to last known good configuration. Had to repair OS and decided to
> > turn off auto updates. I'm now missing too many updates but it's
> > pointless
> > to download updates - mess up my computer - do repair and have the same
> > thing happen again. Any suggestions?
> >
> > The original Windows XP came installed on my computer, but I did buy a
> > backup CD from Microsoft - this is the CD I've used to do OS repairs. My
> > computer summary is listed below:
> >
> > OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
> > Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
> > OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
> > System Manufacturer Lan Plus
> > System Model KM400-8235
> > System Type X86-based PC
> > Processor x86 Family 6 Model 10 Stepping 0 AuthenticAMD ~1826 Mhz
> > BIOS Version/Date Phoenix Technologies, LTD 6.00 PG, 2/26/2004
> > SMBIOS Version 2.2
> > Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
> > System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
> > Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
> > Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2111)"
> > Total Physical Memory 1,536.00 MB
> > Available Physical Memory 786.29 MB
> > Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
> > Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
> > Page File Space 3.29 GB
> > Page File C:\pagefile.sys
>
> .
>

Please see my response to PA Bear. Thanks.

"MowGreen" wrote:

> *Specifically*, which updates caused the system to fail to boot ?
>
> 99% of past *Security* updates will *not* cause boot failures unless
> there's security software installed that is not compatible with Windows
> or malware is present.
> So, the questions are :
>
> 1) What is the installed security software ?
> 2) When was the last time the system was scanned for the presence of
> malware, what was used for said scan, and was any malware detected ?
>
> > I'm now missing too many updates but it's pointless
> > to download updates - mess up my computer - do repair and have the same thing
> > happen again. Any suggestions?
>
> Define " too many ". And, please post back with the answers to the 2
> questions.
>
> An unpatched XP system can be compromised by malware that requires *no*
> interaction from the User.
>
>
> MowGreen
> ===============
> *-343-* FDNY
> Never Forgotten
> ===============
>
> banthecheck.com
> "Security updates should *never* have *non-security content* prechecked"
>
>
>
> Dfed wrote:
>
> > Downloaded automatic updates have (4) times caused my computer to not
> > restart. Could not start in safe mode to access restore point. Could not
> > reboot to last known good configuration. Had to repair OS and decided to
> > turn off auto updates. I'm now missing too many updates but it's pointless
> > to download updates - mess up my computer - do repair and have the same thing
> > happen again. Any suggestions?
> >
> > The original Windows XP came installed on my computer, but I did buy a
> > backup CD from Microsoft - this is the CD I've used to do OS repairs. My
> > computer summary is listed below:
> >
> > OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
> > Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
> > OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
> > System Manufacturer Lan Plus
> > System Model KM400-8235
> > System Type X86-based PC
> > Processor x86 Family 6 Model 10 Stepping 0 AuthenticAMD ~1826 Mhz
> > BIOS Version/Date Phoenix Technologies, LTD 6.00 PG, 2/26/2004
> > SMBIOS Version 2.2
> > Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
> > System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
> > Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
> > Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2111)"
> > Total Physical Memory 1,536.00 MB
> > Available Physical Memory 786.29 MB
> > Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
> > Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
> > Page File Space 3.29 GB
> > Page File C:\pagefile.sys
> >
> .
>

I asked several very specific questions and you haven't answered several of
them.

Repost:

1. Had IE7 or IE8 been installed before you did the first Repair Install?
(cf.http://support.microsoft.com/kb/917964)

2. What anti-virus application or security suite was installed before your
did these Repair Installs and were your subscriptions current?

3. Did a Norton or McAfee free-trial come preinstalled on the computer when
you bought it?


Dfed wrote:
> IE7 was one of the eight downloaded updates when it would not restart.
> When
> I did repair install, I was now missing over 50 updates. My OS and norton
> antivirus are legal/authenticated copies. I used the Norton removal tool
> to
> get rid of my Norton Antivirus 2010 (from what I read online, figured it
> was
> culprit).I downloaded free trial Avast antivirus, installed updates and my
> system restarted Ok. When I tried to open IE7, got error message that OS
> cannot run %1. I ran the uninstall IE command to remove IE7. I can now
> get
> online with IE6 or Firefox.
>
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
>
>>> ...Had to repair OS and decided to turn off auto updates.
>>
>> Bad idea.
>>
>> Had IE7 or IE8 been installed before you did the first Repair Install
>> (cf.
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/917964)?
>>
>> What anti-virus application or security suite was installed before your
>> did
>> these Repair Installs and were your subscriptions current?
>>
>> What anti-virus application or security suite is installed now and is
>> your
>> subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than
>> Defender)? What third-party firewall (if any)?
>>
>> Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
>> computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you
>> bought
>> it which would have been reinstalled BUT INVALID when you reinstalled
>> Windows)?
>> --
>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
>> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
>> www.banthecheck.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Dfed wrote:
>>> Downloaded automatic updates have (4) times caused my computer to not
>>> restart. Could not start in safe mode to access restore point. Could
>>> not
>>> reboot to last known good configuration. Had to repair OS and decided
>>> to
>>> turn off auto updates. I'm now missing too many updates but it's
>>> pointless
>>> to download updates - mess up my computer - do repair and have the same
>>> thing happen again. Any suggestions?
>>>
>>> The original Windows XP came installed on my computer, but I did buy a
>>> backup CD from Microsoft - this is the CD I've used to do OS repairs. My
>>> computer summary is listed below:
>>>
>>> OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
>>> Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
>>> OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
>>> System Manufacturer Lan Plus
>>> System Model KM400-8235
>>> System Type X86-based PC
>>> Processor x86 Family 6 Model 10 Stepping 0 AuthenticAMD ~1826 Mhz
>>> BIOS Version/Date Phoenix Technologies, LTD 6.00 PG, 2/26/2004
>>> SMBIOS Version 2.2
>>> Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
>>> System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
>>> Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
>>> Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2111)"
>>> Total Physical Memory 1,536.00 MB
>>> Available Physical Memory 786.29 MB
>>> Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
>>> Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
>>> Page File Space 3.29 GB
>>> Page File C:\pagefile.sys
>>
>> .

1. IE6 was installed before repair. IE7 was included in the updates I
installed that caused the restart problem.

2.Norton Antivirus 2009

3.I purchased the Norton Antivirus directly from Norton. Was not
preinstalled. Before Norton I had Avast antivirus installed. I used the
Avast uninstall tool to remove that software then installed Norton.

My subscription was current and product keys for my softwares were accepted
when I had to reinstall them.


"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> I asked several very specific questions and you haven't answered several of
> them.
>
> Repost:
>
> 1. Had IE7 or IE8 been installed before you did the first Repair Install?
> (cf.http://support.microsoft.com/kb/917964)
>
> 2. What anti-virus application or security suite was installed before your
> did these Repair Installs and were your subscriptions current?
>
> 3. Did a Norton or McAfee free-trial come preinstalled on the computer when
> you bought it?
>
>
> Dfed wrote:
> > IE7 was one of the eight downloaded updates when it would not restart.
> > When
> > I did repair install, I was now missing over 50 updates. My OS and norton
> > antivirus are legal/authenticated copies. I used the Norton removal tool
> > to
> > get rid of my Norton Antivirus 2010 (from what I read online, figured it
> > was
> > culprit).I downloaded free trial Avast antivirus, installed updates and my
> > system restarted Ok. When I tried to open IE7, got error message that OS
> > cannot run %1. I ran the uninstall IE command to remove IE7. I can now
> > get
> > online with IE6 or Firefox.
> >
> > "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
> >
> >>> ...Had to repair OS and decided to turn off auto updates.
> >>
> >> Bad idea.
> >>
> >> Had IE7 or IE8 been installed before you did the first Repair Install
> >> (cf.
> >> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/917964)?
> >>
> >> What anti-virus application or security suite was installed before your
> >> did
> >> these Repair Installs and were your subscriptions current?
> >>
> >> What anti-virus application or security suite is installed now and is
> >> your
> >> subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than
> >> Defender)? What third-party firewall (if any)?
> >>
> >> Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
> >> computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you
> >> bought
> >> it which would have been reinstalled BUT INVALID when you reinstalled
> >> Windows)?
> >> --
> >> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> >> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
> >> www.banthecheck.com
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Dfed wrote:
> >>> Downloaded automatic updates have (4) times caused my computer to not
> >>> restart. Could not start in safe mode to access restore point. Could
> >>> not
> >>> reboot to last known good configuration. Had to repair OS and decided
> >>> to
> >>> turn off auto updates. I'm now missing too many updates but it's
> >>> pointless
> >>> to download updates - mess up my computer - do repair and have the same
> >>> thing happen again. Any suggestions?
> >>>
> >>> The original Windows XP came installed on my computer, but I did buy a
> >>> backup CD from Microsoft - this is the CD I've used to do OS repairs. My
> >>> computer summary is listed below:
> >>>
> >>> OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
> >>> Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
> >>> OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
> >>> System Manufacturer Lan Plus
> >>> System Model KM400-8235
> >>> System Type X86-based PC
> >>> Processor x86 Family 6 Model 10 Stepping 0 AuthenticAMD ~1826 Mhz
> >>> BIOS Version/Date Phoenix Technologies, LTD 6.00 PG, 2/26/2004
> >>> SMBIOS Version 2.2
> >>> Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
> >>> System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
> >>> Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
> >>> Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2111)"
> >>> Total Physical Memory 1,536.00 MB
> >>> Available Physical Memory 786.29 MB
> >>> Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
> >>> Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
> >>> Page File Space 3.29 GB
> >>> Page File C:\pagefile.sys
> >>
> >> .
>
> .
>

Did the computer come with WinXP SP3 preinstalled when you bought it?

Has the computer ever been connected to the internet or any networks,
however briefly, without a functional, fully-updated anti-virus application
installed and/or without being fully patched at Windows Update?

Have you ever inserted anything but a brand-new or freshly formatted flash
drive or SDCard without a functional, fully-updated anti-virus application
installed and/or without being fully patched at Windows Update?

Has your NAV subscription ever expired, if only for a day or two?

Have you ever formatted the HDD and done a clean install? (If not, I think
you're gonna be doing one very soon if that computer's not fully-patched at
Windows Update.)

Related:

Microsoft Security Advisory (979267): Vulnerabilities in Adobe Flash Player
6 Provided in Windows XP Could Allow Remote Code Execution
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec...ry/979267.mspx

Microsoft Security Advisory: Vulnerability in Internet Explorer could allow
remote code execution:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/979352

Dfed wrote:
> 1. IE6 was installed before repair. IE7 was included in the updates I
> installed that caused the restart problem.
>
> 2.Norton Antivirus 2009
>
> 3.I purchased the Norton Antivirus directly from Norton. Was not
> preinstalled. Before Norton I had Avast antivirus installed. I used the
> Avast uninstall tool to remove that software then installed Norton.
>
> My subscription was current and product keys for my softwares were
> accepted
> when I had to reinstall them.
>
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
>> I asked several very specific questions and you haven't answered several
>> of
>> them.
>>
>> Repost:
>>
>> 1. Had IE7 or IE8 been installed before you did the first Repair Install?
>> (cf.http://support.microsoft.com/kb/917964)
>>
>> 2. What anti-virus application or security suite was installed before
>> your
>> did these Repair Installs and were your subscriptions current?
>>
>> 3. Did a Norton or McAfee free-trial come preinstalled on the computer
>> when
>> you bought it?
>>
>>
>> Dfed wrote:
>>> IE7 was one of the eight downloaded updates when it would not restart.
>>> When
>>> I did repair install, I was now missing over 50 updates. My OS and
>>> norton
>>> antivirus are legal/authenticated copies. I used the Norton removal tool
>>> to
>>> get rid of my Norton Antivirus 2010 (from what I read online, figured it
>>> was
>>> culprit).I downloaded free trial Avast antivirus, installed updates and
>>> my
>>> system restarted Ok. When I tried to open IE7, got error message that
>>> OS
>>> cannot run %1. I ran the uninstall IE command to remove IE7. I can now
>>> get
>>> online with IE6 or Firefox.
>>>
>>> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
>>>
>>>>> ...Had to repair OS and decided to turn off auto updates.
>>>>
>>>> Bad idea.
>>>>
>>>> Had IE7 or IE8 been installed before you did the first Repair Install
>>>> (cf.
>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/917964)?
>>>>
>>>> What anti-virus application or security suite was installed before your
>>>> did
>>>> these Repair Installs and were your subscriptions current?
>>>>
>>>> What anti-virus application or security suite is installed now and is
>>>> your
>>>> subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than
>>>> Defender)? What third-party firewall (if any)?
>>>>
>>>> Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
>>>> computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you
>>>> bought
>>>> it which would have been reinstalled BUT INVALID when you reinstalled
>>>> Windows)?
>>>>
>>>> Dfed wrote:
>>>>> Downloaded automatic updates have (4) times caused my computer to not
>>>>> restart. Could not start in safe mode to access restore point. Could
>>>>> not
>>>>> reboot to last known good configuration. Had to repair OS and decided
>>>>> to
>>>>> turn off auto updates. I'm now missing too many updates but it's
>>>>> pointless
>>>>> to download updates - mess up my computer - do repair and have the
>>>>> same
>>>>> thing happen again. Any suggestions?
>>>>>
>>>>> The original Windows XP came installed on my computer, but I did buy a
>>>>> backup CD from Microsoft - this is the CD I've used to do OS repairs.
>>>>> My
>>>>> computer summary is listed below:
>>>>>
>>>>> OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
>>>>> Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
<SNIP>