XP Pro updates...

[casey]

I'm being told I have one update and when I download it everythings fine and it looks like it will install but when It's all finished it tells me that it failed the installation. The update is one of the "Window Genuine Advantage Notification KB905474" This is a valid XP Pro
install and I even went to Microsoft where you can validate if your copy is legal and I was told everything was fine. Anybody have any ideas?

[Seth]

Hi Casey.

Have a look at this (http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/en-us/default.aspx?dg=microsoft.public.windowsupdate&tid=97297c92-9b1d-43f9-8e2f-08c39bec95a9&p=1) fix.

[casey]

Both places had administrator s allowed full control permission checked. Thanks Seth..

[Seth]

Well, you don't need that update anyway. It's just a notification about genuine software. I would just hide it provided that your other updates install fine.

[casey]

I just looked back in the history and found the same update was successfully loaded on May24,2006. I am using automatic updates and that was when it was installed. Now to stop it telling me I have a critical update.

I found in custom that they have a place to select "don't show this update again" which I checked. The only problem is now it tells me I have a critical update hidden and they want to know if they should show it..

[Seth]

I just looked back in the history and found the same update was successfully loaded on May24,2006. I am using automatic updates and that was when it was installed.

Interesting. On this current update, was it through Automatic Updates or did you manually go to Windows update?

There's only two ways that I can see this happening:

1) The original update has been corrupted (for whatever reason), causing Windows Update not to see it.

2) It's an update to an update (meaning that this notification update isn't exactly like the previous).

Either way, you don't need it. Although if you wish to pursue it, you might want to remove the update and try again, or your security software is preventing the installation.

[Seth]

You editted while I was typing. Just don't allow it to show.

[casey]

I read your post and went to delete the update and try again but it just happens to be an update you can't remove. I guess I'll just let it alone.. Thanks

[Seth]

You're welcome.

If it was a needed update I'd pursue it. Since it's not, hide it and forget about it.

[RAK]

This does get a litle ridiculous . Why would it be critical to the User whether their copy of Windows is genuine or not? I'm certain that they already are aware if it is not. And like Larry, I've validated my copy a while ago in the M$ sight. You would think that once would be enough. What can an update to a question you already answered possibly be? "ARE YOU SURE THAT YOUR COPY IS GENUINE? ARE YOU REALLY, REALLY, SURE? WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRY AGAIN? ARE YOU CERTAIN YOU ARE NOT REALLY A THIEF?" Man, enough is enough. :der: All this continuous nagging will do is create more Mac users in the long run.

[Seth]

I couldn't agree more Rak.

Doug just posted a thread in regards to the WGAN phoning home on a daily basis. Hmmm, no wonder why XP's firewall doesn't monitor outgoing traffic.:D

Furthermore, I confirmed casey's failed attempt at removing the wgan. "The update cannot be removed".

Really? We'll see about that.:evil:

[PeteF]

I'm certain that they already are aware if it is not. And like Larry, I've validated my copy a while ago in the M$ sight. You would think that once would be enough. What can an update to a question you already answered possibly be? "ARE YOU SURE THAT YOUR COPY IS GENUINE? ARE YOU REALLY, REALLY, SURE? WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRY AGAIN? ARE YOU CERTAIN YOU ARE NOT REALLY A THIEF?"

Listen, I'm not defending MS or this Genuine Advantage thing, but I
can tell you that since they it's been introduced in recent months,
I'm finding quite a few honest folks who are finding out that they
have pirated versions after I look at their computers. The way I
find out is by attempting to do the Windows Updates manualy and
I get various messages denying access to the updates. I also look
to see if SP1 or SP2 is NOT installed even though they have Windows
Updates set to automatically DL and install.

One scenario, is where they bought a custom built PC and
the builder used pirating techniques to install WinXP. So the
customer had no idea that their automatic updates were not
coming in becasue they don't have a clue about how to check
the status of the updates.

Another scenario is with an organizaton that hires an IT person
to handle all their comuters. This IT person pirates WinXP, perhaps
to save the company money, or maybe working within a limited
budget, as a few custom PCs are put together. Then the IT
person finds another job. The owners/management don't have
a clue what's going on until someone like me notifies them.

If genuine advantage routinely checks for pirated versions and
pops up a notification message it would serve to inform people
who don't have a clue that they are running with pirated software.
MS knows, the only way this will be effective at getting people
to act is to annoy the hell out of them. This is probably Microsoft's
way to squeeze out some more revenue from WinXP before Vista
is released. It also might explain why, in recent months, we can
get rebates & special deals on WinXP in the $50 range.

---pete---

[casey]

Microsoft has a page where it checks if you have a valid copy or not. I went to this page and was told I had a valid copy but the update still would not install since I already had a file on my computer...