Security Update KB972260-Site don't work

PA Bear wrote:
"You do NOT want to be connected to the internet without the most recent
Cumulative Security Update for IE (e.g., KB972260) installed."

I'm searching for tires for my car and this update prevented me from using
the Michelin tire site. There were no results after entering the year, make,
model, etc. of my car. It made that error sound with an error window about
not be able to access it, or something like that. So I uninstalled it and it
works fine. It seems that every IE Cummulative Update kills something on my
computer. The last one I installed in Dec. killed my Help and Support and I
can't fix it because I only have the OEM reinstallation CD and cannot
reinstall Help and Support with that (which also includes not being able to
use Help and Support with the Event Viewer, its blank). And MS says they
cannot provide me an "installation" CD. And Dell only sends me another
"reinstallation" CD. So I guess I take my chances.

Dell, Windows XP SP2 IE6.

Judy wrote:

> [...] It seems that every IE Cummulative Update kills something on my
> computer. The last one I installed in Dec. killed my Help and Support and I
> can't fix it because I only have the OEM reinstallation CD and cannot
> reinstall Help and Support with that (which also includes not being able to
> use Help and Support with the Event Viewer, its blank). And MS says they
> cannot provide me an "installation" CD. And Dell only sends me another
> "reinstallation" CD. So I guess I take my chances.

Dell usually provides real Windows installation media as well as system restore
media, or at least they always have when I've purchased from them. Have you
checked through the media that were provided with your machine?

Harry.

Hi Harry,

Thanks for your reply. I was under the impression that they did have &
provide the real installation CD. I've read somewhere on MS site that the
OEMs have them. (My sister got one from HP when she needed it.)

I called MS (1-800-PCSAFETY) and they said the same thing. I also emailed
MS support and was told the same thing. So I called Dell and the guy said
yes we'll send one. But it was the "reinstallation" CD, not a real
installation CD. So I called them back and was told this is all they
provide, and kept insisting that it is a installation CD. Duh. Dell! I
told them no its not. MS says that you can provide me the real
'installation" CD. And Dell said that is what they provide (reinstallation).
Maybe I should write Mr. Dell again. It seems to be the only way to get
anything done.

Judy

"Harry Johnston [MVP]" wrote:

> Judy wrote:
>
> > [...] It seems that every IE Cummulative Update kills something on my
> > computer. The last one I installed in Dec. killed my Help and Support and I
> > can't fix it because I only have the OEM reinstallation CD and cannot
> > reinstall Help and Support with that (which also includes not being able to
> > use Help and Support with the Event Viewer, its blank). And MS says they
> > cannot provide me an "installation" CD. And Dell only sends me another
> > "reinstallation" CD. So I guess I take my chances.
>
> Dell usually provides real Windows installation media as well as system restore
> media, or at least they always have when I've purchased from them. Have you
> checked through the media that were provided with your machine?
>
> Harry.
>

Judy,

You're absolutely sure the CD they sent wasn't the right one? They're Dell
branded, and they might very well be called "reinstallation" rather than
"installation" CDs. What files and folders do you see on the CD?

Harry.

Judy wrote:

> Thanks for your reply. I was under the impression that they did have &
> provide the real installation CD. I've read somewhere on MS site that the
> OEMs have them. (My sister got one from HP when she needed it.)
>
> I called MS (1-800-PCSAFETY) and they said the same thing. I also emailed
> MS support and was told the same thing. So I called Dell and the guy said
> yes we'll send one. But it was the "reinstallation" CD, not a real
> installation CD. So I called them back and was told this is all they
> provide, and kept insisting that it is a installation CD. Duh. Dell! I
> told them no its not. MS says that you can provide me the real
> 'installation" CD. And Dell said that is what they provide (reinstallation).
> Maybe I should write Mr. Dell again. It seems to be the only way to get
> anything done.
>
> Judy
>
> "Harry Johnston [MVP]" wrote:
>
>> Judy wrote:
>>
>>> [...] It seems that every IE Cummulative Update kills something on my
>>> computer. The last one I installed in Dec. killed my Help and Support and I
>>> can't fix it because I only have the OEM reinstallation CD and cannot
>>> reinstall Help and Support with that (which also includes not being able to
>>> use Help and Support with the Event Viewer, its blank). And MS says they
>>> cannot provide me an "installation" CD. And Dell only sends me another
>>> "reinstallation" CD. So I guess I take my chances.
>> Dell usually provides real Windows installation media as well as system restore
>> media, or at least they always have when I've purchased from them. Have you
>> checked through the media that were provided with your machine?
>>
>> Harry.
>>

Hi Harry,

Thanks for your reply. Yes, its Dell branded but it doesn't have the
holograms, its their purple label.

When the Reinstallation CD starts it says:
Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP
What do you want to do?
Install Windows XP
Learn more about the setup process
Install Optional Windows Compnents
Perform additional tasks
Check system compatability

Under "Perform additional tasks", "Browse this CD", and the folder "I386"
has the file needed, dataspec.xml. But instead of the "l", it has an
underscore. .xm_

In C:\WINDOWS\inf\pchealth.inf and right-click install, it says the file
dataspec.xml on Windows XP Home Edition SP2 CD is needed. It says to put the
installation CD in. Type the path where the file is located and then click
OK. Copy files from: (Highlighted is) C:\WINDOWS\INF\i386. In D:\i386
(on the CD) there is the file dataspec.XM_ . I point to that and open it and
something seems to happen and a small black window flashes. But Help and
Support is not repaired. The Index is still blank. And "related links"
still don't work. And Help and Support using Event Viewer is still blank.
Even after restarting the computer.

The CD Dell sent is titled "Reinstallation CD Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition Service Pack 2". And says above that, "already installed on your
computer". Of course, not this CD is installed because I got my computer in
2002 and the CD that came with it was SP1.

So obviously, this is not a real installation CD or it would be fixed. No?
Then maybe something else is wrong. But then the update that killed H&S is
still installed, 958215.

Thanks for your help.

Judy






"Harry Johnston [MVP]" wrote:

> Judy,
>
> You're absolutely sure the CD they sent wasn't the right one? They're Dell
> branded, and they might very well be called "reinstallation" rather than
> "installation" CDs. What files and folders do you see on the CD?
>
> Harry.
>
> Judy wrote:
>
> > Thanks for your reply. I was under the impression that they did have &
> > provide the real installation CD. I've read somewhere on MS site that the
> > OEMs have them. (My sister got one from HP when she needed it.)
> >
> > I called MS (1-800-PCSAFETY) and they said the same thing. I also emailed
> > MS support and was told the same thing. So I called Dell and the guy said
> > yes we'll send one. But it was the "reinstallation" CD, not a real
> > installation CD. So I called them back and was told this is all they
> > provide, and kept insisting that it is a installation CD. Duh. Dell! I
> > told them no its not. MS says that you can provide me the real
> > 'installation" CD. And Dell said that is what they provide (reinstallation).
> > Maybe I should write Mr. Dell again. It seems to be the only way to get
> > anything done.
> >
> > Judy
> >
> > "Harry Johnston [MVP]" wrote:
> >
> >> Judy wrote:
> >>
> >>> [...] It seems that every IE Cummulative Update kills something on my
> >>> computer. The last one I installed in Dec. killed my Help and Support and I
> >>> can't fix it because I only have the OEM reinstallation CD and cannot
> >>> reinstall Help and Support with that (which also includes not being able to
> >>> use Help and Support with the Event Viewer, its blank). And MS says they
> >>> cannot provide me an "installation" CD. And Dell only sends me another
> >>> "reinstallation" CD. So I guess I take my chances.
> >> Dell usually provides real Windows installation media as well as system restore
> >> media, or at least they always have when I've purchased from them. Have you
> >> checked through the media that were provided with your machine?
> >>
> >> Harry.
> >>
>

Sounds like you've had a hijackware problem for quite some time, Judy.

Backup your personal data, format your HDD then use that Dell CD (or the
hidden Recovery partition) to do a clean install of Windows. Please note
that a Repair Install will NOT fix this! Contact Dell Support for
assistance with this or post in the appropriate Dell Community forum.

After the clean install, you'll have the equivalent of a "new computer" so
take care of everything on the following page before otherwise connecting
the machine to the internet or a network and before using a USB key that
isn't brand-new or hasn't been freshly formatted:

5 steps to help protect your new computer before you go online
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/com...nced/xppc.mspx

HOW TO get a computer running WinXP Gold (no Service Packs) fully patched
(after a clean install)
http://groups.google.com/group/micro...5afa8ed33e121c

HOW TO get a computer running WinXP SP1(a) or SP2 fully patched (after a
clean install)
http://groups.google.com/group/micro...66ae41add7dd2b

Also see:

Steps To Help Prevent Spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/com...e/prevent.mspx

Rogue Security Software - Microsoft Security:
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/com...ses/rogue.mspx

--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
www.banthecheck.com

Judy wrote:
> I'm searching for tires for my car and this update prevented me from using
> the Michelin tire site. There were no results after entering the year,
> make, model, etc. of my car. It made that error sound with an error
> window
> about not be able to access it, or something like that. So I uninstalled
> it and it works fine. It seems that every IE Cummulative Update kills
> something on my computer. The last one I installed in Dec. killed my Help
> and Support... <SNIP>
>
> PA Bear wrote:
>> "You do NOT want to be connected to the internet without the most recent
>> Cumulative Security Update for IE (e.g., KB972260) installed."

Hi PA Bear,

Oh happy day. I'm on dialup. I've always had a firewall: Norton and
when that messed up and Symantec blamed MS and MS blamed Symantec, I switched
to Zone Alarm, and when an MS update last year stopped ZA from working and
ZA's fixed version locked up my computer, I switched to and now use Comodo.
I've always had an antivirus, Symantec. I use Spybot S&D, Malwarebytes, (I
used to have Ad-Aware). HijackThis doesn't show anything strange. I don't
download music or share anything. Don't get popups. Just problems with IE
Cummulative updates.

But I will follow your links and have my computer-guy do this I guess. I've
already had a windows repair when SP2 gave me a BSOD so that's why I haven't
installed SP3.

Thanks for your help.

Judy

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> Sounds like you've had a hijackware problem for quite some time, Judy.
>
> Backup your personal data, format your HDD then use that Dell CD (or the
> hidden Recovery partition) to do a clean install of Windows. Please note
> that a Repair Install will NOT fix this! Contact Dell Support for
> assistance with this or post in the appropriate Dell Community forum.
>
> After the clean install, you'll have the equivalent of a "new computer" so
> take care of everything on the following page before otherwise connecting
> the machine to the internet or a network and before using a USB key that
> isn't brand-new or hasn't been freshly formatted:
>
> 5 steps to help protect your new computer before you go online
> http://www.microsoft.com/protect/com...nced/xppc.mspx
>
> HOW TO get a computer running WinXP Gold (no Service Packs) fully patched
> (after a clean install)
> http://groups.google.com/group/micro...5afa8ed33e121c
>
> HOW TO get a computer running WinXP SP1(a) or SP2 fully patched (after a
> clean install)
> http://groups.google.com/group/micro...66ae41add7dd2b
>
> Also see:
>
> Steps To Help Prevent Spyware
> http://www.microsoft.com/protect/com...e/prevent.mspx
>
> Rogue Security Software - Microsoft Security:
> http://www.microsoft.com/protect/com...ses/rogue.mspx
>
> --
> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
> www.banthecheck.com
>
> Judy wrote:
> > I'm searching for tires for my car and this update prevented me from using
> > the Michelin tire site. There were no results after entering the year,
> > make, model, etc. of my car. It made that error sound with an error
> > window
> > about not be able to access it, or something like that. So I uninstalled
> > it and it works fine. It seems that every IE Cummulative Update kills
> > something on my computer. The last one I installed in Dec. killed my Help
> > and Support... <SNIP>
> >
> > PA Bear wrote:
> >> "You do NOT want to be connected to the internet without the most recent
> >> Cumulative Security Update for IE (e.g., KB972260) installed."
>
>

YW, Judy, and thanks for your feedback.

Comments:

> ...I've always had a firewall: Norton and
> when that messed up and Symantec blamed MS and MS blamed Symantec, I
> switched to Zone Alarm...

Norton applications are notorious for not uninstalling cleanly. You should
always download/run the Norton Removal Tool
(http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...05033108162039)
prior to installing a replacement anti-virus app or security suite
(including a new Norton application or upgrade).

> I already had a windows repair when SP2 gave me a BSOD

If you'd installed IE7 (or IE8) and did not uninstall it prior to doing the
Repair Install, doing so only made matters worse. See...

How to perform a repair installation of Windows XP if a later version of
Internet Explorer is installed:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/917964

Good luck!
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
www.banthecheck.com


Judy wrote:
> Hi PA Bear,
>
> Oh happy day. I'm on dialup. I've always had a firewall: Norton
> and
> when that messed up and Symantec blamed MS and MS blamed Symantec, I
> switched to Zone Alarm, and when an MS update last year stopped ZA from
> working and ZA's fixed version locked up my computer, I switched to and
> now
> use Comodo. I've always had an antivirus, Symantec. I use Spybot S&D,
> Malwarebytes, (I used to have Ad-Aware). HijackThis doesn't show anything
> strange. I don't download music or share anything. Don't get popups.
> Just
> problems with IE Cummulative updates.
>
> But I will follow your links and have my computer-guy do this I guess.
> I've
> already had a windows repair when SP2 gave me a BSOD so that's why I
> haven't
> installed SP3.
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
>> Sounds like you've had a hijackware problem for quite some time, Judy.
>>
>> Backup your personal data, format your HDD then use that Dell CD (or the
>> hidden Recovery partition) to do a clean install of Windows. Please note
>> that a Repair Install will NOT fix this! Contact Dell Support for
>> assistance with this or post in the appropriate Dell Community forum.
>>
>> After the clean install, you'll have the equivalent of a "new computer"
>> so
>> take care of everything on the following page before otherwise connecting
>> the machine to the internet or a network and before using a USB key that
>> isn't brand-new or hasn't been freshly formatted:
>>
>> 5 steps to help protect your new computer before you go online
>> http://www.microsoft.com/protect/com...nced/xppc.mspx
>>
>> HOW TO get a computer running WinXP Gold (no Service Packs) fully patched
>> (after a clean install)
>> http://groups.google.com/group/micro...5afa8ed33e121c
>>
>> HOW TO get a computer running WinXP SP1(a) or SP2 fully patched (after a
>> clean install)
>> http://groups.google.com/group/micro...66ae41add7dd2b
>>
>> Also see:
>>
>> Steps To Help Prevent Spyware
>> http://www.microsoft.com/protect/com...e/prevent.mspx
>>
>> Rogue Security Software - Microsoft Security:
>> http://www.microsoft.com/protect/com...ses/rogue.mspx
>>
>> Judy wrote:
>>> I'm searching for tires for my car and this update prevented me from
>>> using
>>> the Michelin tire site. There were no results after entering the year,
>>> make, model, etc. of my car. It made that error sound with an error
>>> window
>>> about not be able to access it, or something like that. So I
>>> uninstalled
>>> it and it works fine. It seems that every IE Cummulative Update kills
>>> something on my computer. The last one I installed in Dec. killed my
>>> Help
>>> and Support... <SNIP>
>>>
>>> PA Bear wrote:
>>>> "You do NOT want to be connected to the internet without the most
>>>> recent
>>>> Cumulative Security Update for IE (e.g., KB972260) installed."

Judy wrote:

> Thanks for your reply. Yes, its Dell branded but it doesn't have the
> holograms, its their purple label.
>
> When the Reinstallation CD starts it says:
> Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP [...]

That's the right disk.

I see Windows is asking for the SP2 CD; have you tried using the one they sent
instead of the one that came with your computer?

Sounds to me like the component reinstallation is "working" but not actually
fixing your problem. At this point, I suggest you follow PA Bear's advice and
reinstall your system. (I'd recommend using the disk they sent you, so that
you're at least at SP2 to start with and have a clean installation without any
preinstalled Dell bits.)

Assuming this is a home machine, I'd suggest using a free antivirus product
instead of Symantec; I personally use Avast and find it entirely satisfactory.

Harry.

> What do you want to do?
> Install Windows XP
> Learn more about the setup process
> Install Optional Windows Compnents
> Perform additional tasks
> Check system compatability
>
> Under "Perform additional tasks", "Browse this CD", and the folder "I386"
> has the file needed, dataspec.xml. But instead of the "l", it has an
> underscore. .xm_
>
> In C:\WINDOWS\inf\pchealth.inf and right-click install, it says the file
> dataspec.xml on Windows XP Home Edition SP2 CD is needed. It says to put the
> installation CD in. Type the path where the file is located and then click
> OK. Copy files from: (Highlighted is) C:\WINDOWS\INF\i386. In D:\i386
> (on the CD) there is the file dataspec.XM_ . I point to that and open it and
> something seems to happen and a small black window flashes. But Help and
> Support is not repaired. The Index is still blank. And "related links"
> still don't work. And Help and Support using Event Viewer is still blank.
> Even after restarting the computer.
>
> The CD Dell sent is titled "Reinstallation CD Microsoft Windows XP Home
> Edition Service Pack 2". And says above that, "already installed on your
> computer". Of course, not this CD is installed because I got my computer in
> 2002 and the CD that came with it was SP1.
>
> So obviously, this is not a real installation CD or it would be fixed. No?
> Then maybe something else is wrong. But then the update that killed H&S is
> still installed, 958215.
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
> Judy
>
>
>
>
>
>
> "Harry Johnston [MVP]" wrote:
>
>> Judy,
>>
>> You're absolutely sure the CD they sent wasn't the right one? They're Dell
>> branded, and they might very well be called "reinstallation" rather than
>> "installation" CDs. What files and folders do you see on the CD?
>>
>> Harry.
>>
>> Judy wrote:
>>
>>> Thanks for your reply. I was under the impression that they did have &
>>> provide the real installation CD. I've read somewhere on MS site that the
>>> OEMs have them. (My sister got one from HP when she needed it.)
>>>
>>> I called MS (1-800-PCSAFETY) and they said the same thing. I also emailed
>>> MS support and was told the same thing. So I called Dell and the guy said
>>> yes we'll send one. But it was the "reinstallation" CD, not a real
>>> installation CD. So I called them back and was told this is all they
>>> provide, and kept insisting that it is a installation CD. Duh. Dell! I
>>> told them no its not. MS says that you can provide me the real
>>> 'installation" CD. And Dell said that is what they provide (reinstallation).
>>> Maybe I should write Mr. Dell again. It seems to be the only way to get
>>> anything done.
>>>
>>> Judy
>>>
>>> "Harry Johnston [MVP]" wrote:
>>>
>>>> Judy wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> [...] It seems that every IE Cummulative Update kills something on my
>>>>> computer. The last one I installed in Dec. killed my Help and Support and I
>>>>> can't fix it because I only have the OEM reinstallation CD and cannot
>>>>> reinstall Help and Support with that (which also includes not being able to
>>>>> use Help and Support with the Event Viewer, its blank). And MS says they
>>>>> cannot provide me an "installation" CD. And Dell only sends me another
>>>>> "reinstallation" CD. So I guess I take my chances.
>>>> Dell usually provides real Windows installation media as well as system restore
>>>> media, or at least they always have when I've purchased from them. Have you
>>>> checked through the media that were provided with your machine?
>>>>
>>>> Harry.
>>>>