Problems with Windows Critical Security Updates

[JLA]

I'm using Windows XP Pro on a Dell Dimension XPS with a 1 gig processor. I'm
on a LAN through a cable router, and I use NAV 2003.

After installing the Windows critical (security) updates on 7/17, I could
reboot to the desktop, but NO applications were available, including System
Restore (I had set a restore point before installing the updates). The usual
icons were on the desktop, except for NAV 2003, which didn't load at all.

After numerous reboots I contacted MS and was turned over to a tech support
person who was totally unaware of the updates, the date they were first
offered, or how to fix my problem, which I had described in detail. After an
hour investigating hard drive issues, cable modem issues, and attempting to
reboot into safe mode, my problem was logged as "unresolved" and I was told
I could phone back later without charge. Later that day NAV loaded when I
rebooted and things worked normally. Then this morning the same problems
recurred and I decided to restore my system to the state it was in before
the updates.

I don't want to risk installing these updates again. Are they essential for
me as a home user?

Thanks,
JLA

 

[JLA]

Since Windows Update notified me that these were ready to install, I didn't
jot down the numbers; I had never had this sort of problem before. There
were two security updates whose labels included the term "critical."

After I restored my system to an earlier date this morning, Windows Update
installer attempted to install four security updates; so I selected the
"remind me in three days" option. The updates that are indicated as ready to
install when I run the system check at the MS site are these:

Security Update for Windows XP (823980)
821557: Security Update (Windows XP)
823559: Security Update for MS Windows
817606: Security Update (Windows XP)

My computer DID reboot immediately after the troublesome installation last
Thursday. It was part of the installation process. I wasn't able to access
any applications after that reboot.

Thanks very much,
JLA

 

[Maurice N]

Since Windows Update notified me that these were ready to install, I
didn't jot down the numbers; I had never had this sort of problem
before. There were two security updates whose labels included the
term "critical."

After I restored my system to an earlier date this morning, Windows
Update installer attempted to install four security updates; so I
selected the "remind me in three days" option. The updates that are
indicated as ready to install when I run the system check at the MS
site are these:

Security Update for Windows XP (823980)
821557: Security Update (Windows XP)
823559: Security Update for MS Windows
817606: Security Update (Windows XP)

My computer DID reboot immediately after the troublesome installation
last Thursday. It was part of the installation process. I wasn't able
to access any applications after that reboot.

Thanks very much,
JLA

It looks "Automatic Updates" is the way you got yours; and not from "your" pressing Windows Update function on the menus or the IE menu.
It should not make a difference how the updates are gotten. But in your case it appears to complicate things.

Options are: Turn off Automatic Updates (My Computer, then Properties, then look at your settings for "Automatic Updates".

You may want to hold off on those updates for a while. Or if you really want them, get them 1 at a time, from a "manual" selection by "your" invoking Windows Update.

Gotta let you know: I have all 4 of those updates on my XP Pro & on a XP Home edition --- without ill effects.
All four taken thru Windows Update process. Not Automatic Updates.

Do a cleanup. Delete your temporary internet cache. Recommend you do that from Disk Cleanup program.

Bring up Windows Explorer / Tools / Folder Options/ select VIEW Tab and look at all of settings listed.

"CHECK" (turn on) Display the contents of system folders.
Under column, Hidden files and folders----choose ( *select* ) Show hidden files and folders.
Next, un-check Hide extensions for known file types.
Next un-check Hide protected operating system files.

Use Windows Explorer. Go to C:\Windows\System32
If you have a sub-folder called * Catroot2 * (not Catroot) rename the
folder to CR2OLD. Or delete everything in that folder. Just make sure you do the right one.

Find all folders (there may be multiples ---but usually only 1) named \WUTemp and delete all its contents.

Recheck your FREE space on each volume --- to insure System Restore has plenty of room.
Recheck all options in Symantec/Norton AV looking for a place where you can list some Microsoft Windows Update sites as "trusted".
Another thing, possibly, is to close all programs & NAV, and select 1 update (starting with the oldest) at a time.

My notes on when I took these updates:
Thursday, July 10, 2003 817606: Security Update for XP
Thursday, July 10, 2003 823559: Security Update for Windows
Saturday, July 19, 2003 823980 Security Update for Windows XP
Saturday, July 19, 2003 821557: Security Update (Windows XP)

 

[JLA]

Thank you, Maurice. I followed your instructions, then ran chkdsk again and
found that my file system had errors that couldn't be fixed, so I restored
the system to Jun 8 (a new hard drive was installed on May 20), and chkdsk
ran smoothly after this rollback.

I thought I'd better run my computer as is for a few days before attempting
to install the Windows Updates using the method you prescribed.

Again, thanks.

JLA

Since Windows Update notified me that these were ready to install, I
didn't jot down the numbers; I had never had this sort of problem
before. There were two security updates whose labels included the
term "critical."

After I restored my system to an earlier date this morning, Windows
Update installer attempted to install four security updates; so I
selected the "remind me in three days" option. The updates that are
indicated as ready to install when I run the system check at the MS
site are these:

Security Update for Windows XP (823980)
821557: Security Update (Windows XP)
823559: Security Update for MS Windows
817606: Security Update (Windows XP)

My computer DID reboot immediately after the troublesome installation
last Thursday. It was part of the installation process. I wasn't able
to access any applications after that reboot.

Thanks very much,
JLA

It looks "Automatic Updates" is the way you got yours; and not from "your"
pressing Windows Update function on the menus or the IE menu.
It should not make a difference how the updates are gotten. But in your
case it appears to complicate things.

Options are: Turn off Automatic Updates (My Computer, then Properties,
then look at your settings for "Automatic Updates".

You may want to hold off on those updates for a while. Or if you really
want them, get them 1 at a time, from a "manual" selection by "your"
invoking Windows Update.

Gotta let you know: I have all 4 of those updates on my XP Pro & on a XP
Home edition --- without ill effects.
All four taken thru Windows Update process. Not Automatic Updates.

Do a cleanup. Delete your temporary internet cache. Recommend you do
that from Disk Cleanup program.

Bring up Windows Explorer / Tools / Folder Options/ select VIEW Tab and
look at all of settings listed.

"CHECK" (turn on) Display the contents of system folders.
Under column, Hidden files and folders----choose ( *select* ) Show hidden
files and folders.
Next, un-check Hide extensions for known file types.
Next un-check Hide protected operating system files.

Use Windows Explorer. Go to C:\Windows\System32
If you have a sub-folder called * Catroot2 * (not Catroot) rename the
folder to CR2OLD. Or delete everything in that folder. Just make sure you
do the right one.

Find all folders (there may be multiples ---but usually only 1) named
\WUTemp and delete all its contents.

Recheck your FREE space on each volume --- to insure System Restore has
plenty of room.
Recheck all options in Symantec/Norton AV looking for a place where you can
list some Microsoft Windows Update sites as "trusted".
Another thing, possibly, is to close all programs & NAV, and select 1 update
(starting with the oldest) at a time.

My notes on when I took these updates:
Thursday, July 10, 2003 817606: Security Update for XP
Thursday, July 10, 2003 823559: Security Update for Windows
Saturday, July 19, 2003 823980 Security Update for Windows XP
Saturday, July 19, 2003 821557: Security Update (Windows XP)