Updates were unable to be successfully installed

Hi,

We have a computer running Windows XP Pro and we are having trouble
installing updates. It started with just 3 updates that everytime I tried to
install them I got the "Updates were unable to be successfully installed".
Since there were only 3 of them I downloaded them seperately and installed
them. I had hoped that maybe getting those installed would fix the problem,
but it hasn't. Now there are 53 updates that need to be installed and
everytime I try and install them I get the same "Updates were unable to be
successfully installed" message. Downloading and installing them by hand is
not pratical at this point.

My pending updates are:

Security Update for Windows XP (KB890859)
Security Update for Windows Messenger (KB887472)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB914389)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB920683)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB908519)
Update for Windows XP (KB835409)
Microsoft GDI+ Detection Tool (KB873374)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB896428)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB913580)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB905749)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB908531)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB904706)
Cumulative Security Update for Outlook Express 6 Service Pack 1 (KB911567)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB912919)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB900725)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB888302)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB892944)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB917422)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB901214)
Security Update for Windows Media Player 8 for Windows XP (KB917734)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB917953)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB905414)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB917344)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB914388)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB899589)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB890046)
Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 (KB918899)
816093: Security Update Microsoft Virtual Machine (Microsoft VM)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB891781)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB920670)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB902400)
Security Update for Windows Media Player Plug-in (KB911564)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB905495)
Update for Windows XP (KB910437)
Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - August 2006 (KB890830)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB896358)
Security Update for Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 (KB918439)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB921398)
Windows Genuine Advantage Notification (KB905474)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB914798)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB873339)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB917159)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB896423)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB911562)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB911280)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB893756)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB896424)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB899591)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB901017)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB922616)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB835732)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB911927)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB921883)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB885836)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB885835)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB899587)

and looking at the log file for one of them (KB890859 - they all look pretty
similar) I see a lot of lines like this:

1.522: ref tag c:\windows\driver cache\i386\sp4.cab does not exist
1.522: ref tag c:\windows\system32\sp4.cab does not exist
1.522: ref tag c:\windows\driver cache\i386\sp3.cab does not exist

and a lot like this:

4.928: KB890859 Setup encountered an error: The update.ver file is not
correct.

Does anybody have any ideas on how to fix this? Rebuilding the system would
be a major undertaking because the computer is connected to an instrument and
we would need to have a technician from the company that makes the instrument
set it up again. So we'd like to fix it without reinstalling Windows.

Thanks

"wjousts" <> wrote in message
news:BEB5C7DA-A72C-485F-ACAF-
....
> I see a lot of lines like this:
....

Unfortunately I don't think you are showing us anything useful.

However, often I find there isn't that much useful in most install logs
anyway even with a /verbose switch activated--just an opportunity
to try to "read between the lines". To supplement that type of inference
what I do is Run... FileMon and RegMon concurrently.

See some of my other posts for details if you are interested
in trying that technique. Briefly, the type of thing that that you could
expect to find using those tools are indications of permissions problems,
which, I admit, often you can infer from the install log messages too.
The difference is that the tools give specific indications of what needs
to be changed, thus eliminating a great deal of uncertainty and guesswork.


Good luck

Robert Aldwinckle
---


> Hi,
>
> We have a computer running Windows XP Pro and we are having trouble
> installing updates. It started with just 3 updates that everytime I tried to
> install them I got the "Updates were unable to be successfully installed".
> Since there were only 3 of them I downloaded them seperately and installed
> them. I had hoped that maybe getting those installed would fix the problem,
> but it hasn't. Now there are 53 updates that need to be installed and
> everytime I try and install them I get the same "Updates were unable to be
> successfully installed" message. Downloading and installing them by hand is
> not pratical at this point.
>
> My pending updates are:
>
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB890859)
> Security Update for Windows Messenger (KB887472)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB914389)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB920683)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB908519)
> Update for Windows XP (KB835409)
> Microsoft GDI+ Detection Tool (KB873374)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB896428)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB913580)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB905749)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB908531)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB904706)
> Cumulative Security Update for Outlook Express 6 Service Pack 1 (KB911567)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB912919)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB900725)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB888302)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB892944)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB917422)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB901214)
> Security Update for Windows Media Player 8 for Windows XP (KB917734)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB917953)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB905414)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB917344)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB914388)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB899589)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB890046)
> Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 (KB918899)
> 816093: Security Update Microsoft Virtual Machine (Microsoft VM)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB891781)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB920670)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB902400)
> Security Update for Windows Media Player Plug-in (KB911564)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB905495)
> Update for Windows XP (KB910437)
> Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - August 2006 (KB890830)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB896358)
> Security Update for Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 (KB918439)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB921398)
> Windows Genuine Advantage Notification (KB905474)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB914798)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB873339)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB917159)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB896423)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB911562)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB911280)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB893756)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB896424)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB899591)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB901017)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB922616)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB835732)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB911927)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB921883)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB885836)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB885835)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB899587)
>
> and looking at the log file for one of them (KB890859 - they all look pretty
> similar) I see a lot of lines like this:
>
> 1.522: ref tag c:\windows\driver cache\i386\sp4.cab does not exist
> 1.522: ref tag c:\windows\system32\sp4.cab does not exist
> 1.522: ref tag c:\windows\driver cache\i386\sp3.cab does not exist
>
> and a lot like this:
>
> 4.928: KB890859 Setup encountered an error: The update.ver file is not
> correct.
>
> Does anybody have any ideas on how to fix this? Rebuilding the system would
> be a major undertaking because the computer is connected to an instrument and
> we would need to have a technician from the company that makes the instrument
> set it up again. So we'd like to fix it without reinstalling Windows.
>
> Thanks

I believe this is due to Microsofts Genuine Advantage technology. It may be
that Microsoft thinks your copy of windows may not be genuine and now you can
no longer update. Microsoft has allowed non genuine computers to update in
the past but I think that has now changed. If your copy of XP is genuine you
may have corrupted files and may need to repair your copy of XP. You can do
this by reinstalling XP using your original XP disc without losing all of
your installed programs. The way to do this is found easily on the internet.

"wjousts" wrote:

> Hi,
>
> We have a computer running Windows XP Pro and we are having trouble
> installing updates. It started with just 3 updates that everytime I tried to
> install them I got the "Updates were unable to be successfully installed".
> Since there were only 3 of them I downloaded them seperately and installed
> them. I had hoped that maybe getting those installed would fix the problem,
> but it hasn't. Now there are 53 updates that need to be installed and
> everytime I try and install them I get the same "Updates were unable to be
> successfully installed" message. Downloading and installing them by hand is
> not pratical at this point.
>
> My pending updates are:
>
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB890859)
> Security Update for Windows Messenger (KB887472)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB914389)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB920683)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB908519)
> Update for Windows XP (KB835409)
> Microsoft GDI+ Detection Tool (KB873374)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB896428)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB913580)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB905749)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB908531)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB904706)
> Cumulative Security Update for Outlook Express 6 Service Pack 1 (KB911567)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB912919)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB900725)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB888302)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB892944)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB917422)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB901214)
> Security Update for Windows Media Player 8 for Windows XP (KB917734)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB917953)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB905414)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB917344)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB914388)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB899589)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB890046)
> Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 (KB918899)
> 816093: Security Update Microsoft Virtual Machine (Microsoft VM)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB891781)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB920670)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB902400)
> Security Update for Windows Media Player Plug-in (KB911564)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB905495)
> Update for Windows XP (KB910437)
> Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - August 2006 (KB890830)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB896358)
> Security Update for Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 (KB918439)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB921398)
> Windows Genuine Advantage Notification (KB905474)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB914798)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB873339)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB917159)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB896423)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB911562)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB911280)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB893756)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB896424)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB899591)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB901017)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB922616)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB835732)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB911927)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB921883)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB885836)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB885835)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB899587)
>
> and looking at the log file for one of them (KB890859 - they all look pretty
> similar) I see a lot of lines like this:
>
> 1.522: ref tag c:\windows\driver cache\i386\sp4.cab does not exist
> 1.522: ref tag c:\windows\system32\sp4.cab does not exist
> 1.522: ref tag c:\windows\driver cache\i386\sp3.cab does not exist
>
> and a lot like this:
>
> 4.928: KB890859 Setup encountered an error: The update.ver file is not
> correct.
>
> Does anybody have any ideas on how to fix this? Rebuilding the system would
> be a major undertaking because the computer is connected to an instrument and
> we would need to have a technician from the company that makes the instrument
> set it up again. So we'd like to fix it without reinstalling Windows.
>
> Thanks

mikemoorey wrote:
> I believe this is due to Microsofts Genuine Advantage technology. It may be
> that Microsoft thinks your copy of windows may not be genuine and now you can
> no longer update. Microsoft has allowed non genuine computers to update in
> the past but I think that has now changed.

False. You can still get them through Automatic Updates.

Alias

Try this link to Fix
http://update.microsoft.com/windowsu...&IsMu=False%3E

"wjousts" wrote:

> Hi,
>
> We have a computer running Windows XP Pro and we are having trouble
> installing updates. It started with just 3 updates that everytime I tried to
> install them I got the "Updates were unable to be successfully installed".
> Since there were only 3 of them I downloaded them seperately and installed
> them. I had hoped that maybe getting those installed would fix the problem,
> but it hasn't. Now there are 53 updates that need to be installed and
> everytime I try and install them I get the same "Updates were unable to be
> successfully installed" message. Downloading and installing them by hand is
> not pratical at this point.
>
> My pending updates are:
>
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB890859)
> Security Update for Windows Messenger (KB887472)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB914389)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB920683)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB908519)
> Update for Windows XP (KB835409)
> Microsoft GDI+ Detection Tool (KB873374)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB896428)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB913580)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB905749)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB908531)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB904706)
> Cumulative Security Update for Outlook Express 6 Service Pack 1 (KB911567)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB912919)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB900725)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB888302)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB892944)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB917422)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB901214)
> Security Update for Windows Media Player 8 for Windows XP (KB917734)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB917953)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB905414)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB917344)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB914388)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB899589)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB890046)
> Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 (KB918899)
> 816093: Security Update Microsoft Virtual Machine (Microsoft VM)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB891781)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB920670)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB902400)
> Security Update for Windows Media Player Plug-in (KB911564)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB905495)
> Update for Windows XP (KB910437)
> Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - August 2006 (KB890830)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB896358)
> Security Update for Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 (KB918439)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB921398)
> Windows Genuine Advantage Notification (KB905474)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB914798)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB873339)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB917159)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB896423)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB911562)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB911280)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB893756)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB896424)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB899591)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB901017)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB922616)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB835732)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB911927)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB921883)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB885836)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB885835)
> Security Update for Windows XP (KB899587)
>
> and looking at the log file for one of them (KB890859 - they all look pretty
> similar) I see a lot of lines like this:
>
> 1.522: ref tag c:\windows\driver cache\i386\sp4.cab does not exist
> 1.522: ref tag c:\windows\system32\sp4.cab does not exist
> 1.522: ref tag c:\windows\driver cache\i386\sp3.cab does not exist
>
> and a lot like this:
>
> 4.928: KB890859 Setup encountered an error: The update.ver file is not
> correct.
>
> Does anybody have any ideas on how to fix this? Rebuilding the system would
> be a major undertaking because the computer is connected to an instrument and
> we would need to have a technician from the company that makes the instrument
> set it up again. So we'd like to fix it without reinstalling Windows.
>
> Thanks

The mentioned artical stated that if you are getting this eror then you need
to follow the procedure mentioned in the artical but it did not say that if
you are gettting some of the updates but not all then what should you do.
I am also facing the same issue that is what i am getting some of the
updates but not all reamining are failed to install it means there genunie
license issue in which we need to look into.

Thanks..

"mikemoorey" wrote:

> Try this link to Fix:
> http://update.microsoft.com/windowsu...&IsMu=False%3E
>
> "wjousts" wrote:
>
> > Hi,
> >
> > We have a computer running Windows XP Pro and we are having trouble
> > installing updates. It started with just 3 updates that everytime I tried to
> > install them I got the "Updates were unable to be successfully installed".
> > Since there were only 3 of them I downloaded them seperately and installed
> > them. I had hoped that maybe getting those installed would fix the problem,
> > but it hasn't. Now there are 53 updates that need to be installed and
> > everytime I try and install them I get the same "Updates were unable to be
> > successfully installed" message. Downloading and installing them by hand is
> > not pratical at this point.
> >
> > My pending updates are:
> >
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB890859)
> > Security Update for Windows Messenger (KB887472)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB914389)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB920683)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB908519)
> > Update for Windows XP (KB835409)
> > Microsoft GDI+ Detection Tool (KB873374)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB896428)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB913580)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB905749)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB908531)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB904706)
> > Cumulative Security Update for Outlook Express 6 Service Pack 1 (KB911567)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB912919)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB900725)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB888302)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB892944)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB917422)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB901214)
> > Security Update for Windows Media Player 8 for Windows XP (KB917734)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB917953)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB905414)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB917344)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB914388)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB899589)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB890046)
> > Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 (KB918899)
> > 816093: Security Update Microsoft Virtual Machine (Microsoft VM)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB891781)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB920670)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB902400)
> > Security Update for Windows Media Player Plug-in (KB911564)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB905495)
> > Update for Windows XP (KB910437)
> > Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - August 2006 (KB890830)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB896358)
> > Security Update for Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 (KB918439)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB921398)
> > Windows Genuine Advantage Notification (KB905474)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB914798)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB873339)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB917159)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB896423)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB911562)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB911280)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB893756)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB896424)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB899591)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB901017)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB922616)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB835732)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB911927)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB921883)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB885836)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB885835)
> > Security Update for Windows XP (KB899587)
> >
> > and looking at the log file for one of them (KB890859 - they all look pretty
> > similar) I see a lot of lines like this:
> >
> > 1.522: ref tag c:\windows\driver cache\i386\sp4.cab does not exist
> > 1.522: ref tag c:\windows\system32\sp4.cab does not exist
> > 1.522: ref tag c:\windows\driver cache\i386\sp3.cab does not exist
> >
> > and a lot like this:
> >
> > 4.928: KB890859 Setup encountered an error: The update.ver file is not
> > correct.
> >
> > Does anybody have any ideas on how to fix this? Rebuilding the system would
> > be a major undertaking because the computer is connected to an instrument and
> > we would need to have a technician from the company that makes the instrument
> > set it up again. So we'd like to fix it without reinstalling Windows.
> >
> > Thanks

<snipped>
Entire *old* conversation:
http://groups.google.com/group/micro...1deab7283a14a/

Nishant Rapate wrote:
> The mentioned artical stated that if you are getting this eror then
> you need to follow the procedure mentioned in the artical but it
> did not say that if you are gettting some of the updates but not
> all then what should you do.
> I am also facing the same issue that is what i am getting some of
> the updates but not all reamining are failed to install it means
> there genunie license issue in which we need to look into.

Are we to assume that you have the same operating system and same issues
with the same updates or did you have the intention of updating this
conversation (3 years 5 months+ old) or starting your own with details for
your situation?

Let's assume you at least have the same operating system (some 32-bit
version of Windows XP) - however - if you would like (advised) you could go
ahead and clear up the confusion by providing those details:. Ift may be
that yhou don't know *how* to do this - fine - here's how:

Start button --> RUN
(no "RUN"? Press the "Windows Key" + R on your keyboard)
--> type in:
winver
--> Click OK.

The picture at the top of the window that opens will give you the general
(Operating System name and edition) while the line starting with the word
"version" will give you the rest of the story. Post _both_ in response
to this message verbatim. No paraphrasing - instead - ensure
character-for-character copying.

What version of Internet Explorer are you currently using? Easy to find
out. Open Internet Explorer and while that is in-focus, press and hold
the "ALT" key on your keyboard. With the "ALT" key still pressed, press
(just once, no holding) the "H" key. Now, with the "ALT" key still
pressed, press (just once, no holding) the "A" key. That will bring up
the "About Internet Explorer" window. It will give you the exact version
you are using - repeat what you see there in response to this message.

How to determine whether a computer is running a 32-bit version or
64-bit version of the Windows operating system
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827218

Still assuming you have 32-bit Windows XP...

Reboot and logon as administrative user.

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.

Visit this web page:

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.

You should now perform a full CHKDSK on your system drive (C...

How to scan your disks for errors
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265
* will take time and a reboot

You should now perform a full Defragment on your system drive (C...

How to Defragment your hard drives
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314848
* will take time

Reboot.

Uninstall any and all third-party firewall applications (ZoneAlarm, etc)
and utilize the built-in WIndows Firewall only.

Reboot.

Log on as an user with administrative rights and open Internet Explorer
and visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and select to do a
CUSTOM scan...

Every time you are about to click on something while at these web pages -
first press and hold down the CTRL key while you click on it. You can
release the CTRL key after clicking each time.

Once the scan is done, select just _ONE_ of the high priority updates
(deselect any others) and install it.

Reboot again.

If it did work - try the web page again - selecting no more than 3-5 at a
time. Rebooting as needed.

The Optional Software updates are generally safe - although I recommend
against the "Windows Search" one and any of the "Office Live" ones or
"Windows Live" ones for now. I would completely avoid the
Optional Hardware updates. Also - I do not see any urgent need to
install Internet Explorer 8 at this time.

Seriously - do all that. This is like antibiotics - don't skip a single
step, don't quit because you think things will be okay now - go through
until the end, until you have done everything given in the order given. If
you have a problem with a step come ask and let someone here get you
through that step. If you don't understand how to do a step, come back
and ask here about that step and let someone walk you through it.

Then - when done - let everyone here know if it worked for you - or if
you have more issues.

If you still believe you have a 'genuine software' issue...

Please visit http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/ and click on the Validate
Windows and/or Validate Office button then restart your computer.

If you weren't able to Validate, proceed as follows:

1. Download this diagnostic tool, saving it to your desktop:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=56062

=> WinXP: Double-click on the executable to run the tool.

=> Vista & Win7: Right-click on the executable and select Run as
Administrator to run the tool.

2. After running the tool, click on the Windows and/or Office tab as
appropriate and then click on Copy to Clipboard.

NB: You may want to open a new Notepad file, paste the contents of your
clipboard into it & save for future reference.

3. Begin a new post in the appropriate Microsoft Genine Advantage forum and
paste the results of the WGA Diagnostic Data in a detailed post:
http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/e...tegory/genuine (i.e., NOT this
newsgroup)

4. A troubleshooting specialist will analyze the data and recommend an
appropriate solution.

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