To sum up...

A lot of XP users have posted problems on this newsgroup lately and there
have been some useful replies. Can anyone now summarise what we need to do
by way of setup etc to ensure that we stand the best chance of both
downloading and installing updates successfully without failure warnings,
error warnings, crashes, BSOD, password problems, etc?

John

Just the usual stuff. Keep your system clean and tidy. Protect it from
malware of all kinds. Don't download and install updates that do not apply
to you or your situation and needs. The .NET Framework software comes
immediately to mind. Make sure that driver updates you may download are
actually the correct driver for the piece of hardware you are trying to
update. Unless your system is not working at all, never fool around with
the BIOS. As for passwords, I have never set up any of my systems to use
any kind of password. The same goes for user accounts. The easiest way to
get into trouble is to start setting up multiple user accounts with
passwords. A great idea on paper, a real mess in practice.

"John Rampling" <> wrote in message
news:G4e3e.592$...
> A lot of XP users have posted problems on this newsgroup lately and there
> have been some useful replies. Can anyone now summarise what we need to do
> by way of setup etc to ensure that we stand the best chance of both
> downloading and installing updates successfully without failure warnings,
> error warnings, crashes, BSOD, password problems, etc?
>
> John
>
>

Kevin;
I would disagree with that.
What you suggest is a tremendous security problem.
Since you are defeating a lot of the security in Windows XP, perhaps you
should stay with Windows 9x and save $.
Defeating security is easy on paper and a mess in practice.

Most have no problems with what you suggest to bypass.
If you have problems, you would be better off posting them to an appropriate
newsgroup, possibly security related.
You can then solve the problem instead of ignoring the problem.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol
http://www.dts-l.org


"Kevin" <> wrote in message
news:ODA%...
SNIPPED
>As for passwords, I have never set up any of my systems to use
> any kind of password. The same goes for user accounts. The easiest way
> to
> get into trouble is to start setting up multiple user accounts with
> passwords. A great idea on paper, a real mess in practice.

"Kevin" <> wrote in message
news:ODA%...
> Just the usual stuff. Keep your system clean and tidy. Protect it from
> malware of all kinds. Don't download and install updates that do not
> apply
> to you or your situation and needs. The .NET Framework software comes
> immediately to mind. Make sure that driver updates you may download are
> actually the correct driver for the piece of hardware you are trying to
> update. Unless your system is not working at all, never fool around with
> the BIOS. As for passwords, I have never set up any of my systems to use
> any kind of password. The same goes for user accounts. The easiest way
> to
> get into trouble is to start setting up multiple user accounts with
> passwords. A great idea on paper, a real mess in practice.
>
Thanks for your answer Kevin. I hope Jupiter Jones' patronising answer
didn't offend you. However I am not sure you grasp the point of my problem.
I actually DO want to install all updates but am prevented from doing so by
errors and system crashes that invariably arise. This is not unique to my
computer as the large number of problems posted on this NG will testify. I
am just looking for a method that will work.

Like you I never use passwords unless I have to. My login never uses a
password for example. This didn't stop my system demanding a password after
I downloaded the notorious KB885835 (Which the MVPs STILL refuse to
recognise as a fundamental Micro$oft blunder requiring an urgent fix). I
lost a lot of sleep that night trying to recover my system.

I was hoping that someone would reply suggesting something like the
following:

1 Turn off Windows Automatic Update
2 Register all vital services as recommended by Deerbuck:
click start, run
type the following
net.exe stop wuauserv
click OK
type the following
regsvr32.exe wuapi.dll
click OK
type the following:
regsvr32.exe wups.dll
click OK
type the following:
regsvr32.exe wuaueng.dll
click OK
type the following:
regsvr32.exe wucltui.dll
click OK
type the following:
regsvr32.exe MSXML3.dll
click OK
type the following:
net.exe start wuauserv
click OK
restart computer

3 Download manually (but do not install) all updates from the M$ site.
Use IE for this (even if you prefer a different browser) and make sure your
security settings are not too restrictive.
4 Set a System Restore point
5 Install downloaded Updates one by one making a note of the update
number each time. If any fail for any reason, try again but be prepared to
abandon that particular update.
6 If the system falls over, restore it from Boot menu 'last settings that
worked'
7 If it still won't work, go back to your Restore Point.
8 If that won't work either, carry out a Repair install of Windows. This
will of course lose all your updates and you will have to start all over
again.

I am not a techie so I do not know if the above will work, or if I have
covered everything. I am reluctant to try this until someone more
knowledgeable has verified it. In the meantime I use my own security
precautions which include:
Never use Internet Explorer (I use Firefox at the moment)
Disable popups etc
Use three firewalls
Use AV software
Use Spyware/malware software

John

"John Rampling" <> wrote in message
news:c3t3e.4146$...
>
<snip>
> I was hoping that someone would reply suggesting something
<snip>
> John
John, I think sensible people are using Ghost. It's a clean installation
without the time and pull-it-together costs of a clean installation.
Symantec's Norton Ghost is probably the next unwanted necessity.

Mike