Windows Update Downtime

[fightcancer]

[edited]

1 Install Windows XP Pro with SP2 (formatting the PC).
2 Run Windows Update (always using Express option and restarting when prompted to).
3 Run Windows Update again allowing the OS to preselect all critical updates (27).
4 Your PC should now automatically restart just before the logon screen appears--infinitely and forever.

I have verified this operation now 7 times on 2 different PC's on 4 different hard drives. As long as I don't use Windows Update I can run my copy of XP. The only common denominator among all 7 attempts was my roommate's authentic Windows XP Professional CD which reports NO ERRORS during installation or otherwise.

This issue occurs regardless of the CD Key used and regardless of whether or not you allow Windows Update to validate your copy of XP Pro as "genuine".

Is anyone else experiencing this issue? Can anyone else duplicate this issue?

 

[talyn00]

you sure your machine wasn't infected during the time between formatting and running updates?

 

[fightcancer]

infected with a virus, I presume you mean.

No. I'm not sure. However, I wasn't surfing, installing other programs, etc. I can duplicate this issue 100% of the time without exception.

The first 3 of 6 times I experienced this issue I had even installed NAV 2005, run a complete scan, and left it enabled while running Windows Updates. The last 2 of 6 times were fresh installs w/NO programs installed. I went straight to Windows Update and it crashed 2 different PC's.

 

[PKing1977]

why did your copy fail at validating your genuine copy of MS Windows XP?

PKing

 

[minofifa]

ya, why are people deactivating the genuine advantage check? where did you get your copy of XP that it is not being validated? maybe you can get a new one form the place where you got it.

 

[fightcancer]

It's my roommate's copy from Fry's Electronics. Regardless of the source of the software, I find it interesting that this issue can be duplicated w/o fail. I wonder if Microsoft is crashing people's hard drives on purpose.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: fightcancer
It's my roommate's copy from Fry's Electronics. Regardless of the source of the software, I find it interesting that this issue can be duplicated w/o fail. I wonder if Microsoft is crashing people's hard drives on purpose.

No, they are not. Second, your copy is not valid so you won't receive any help here.

 

[minofifa]

this is kindof interestig that it happens without fail.

Personally, i don't have a huge problem with it... afterall you are using illegal software. I don't see a problem with microsoft trying to avoid theft of its software. I'm probably missing part of the big picture though as so many people are opposed to the validation steps MS is taking.

I'm really trying to switch to linux so that when the next version of MS comes out i won't have to upgrade.

 

[fightcancer]

Originally posted by: bsobel

Originally posted by: fightcancer
It's my roommate's copy from Fry's Electronics. Regardless of the source of the software, I find it interesting that this issue can be duplicated w/o fail. I wonder if Microsoft is crashing people's hard drives on purpose.

No, they are not. Second, your copy is not valid so you won't receive any help here.

I'm not sure why you assume you know everything, but this copy of Windows XP Pro IS valid.

furthermore, I tried a 7th time w/o deactivating the validation add-on. It still crashed the OS and restarts infinitely.

maybe you wouldn't mind offering a few suggestions now?

 

[bsobel]

I'm not sure why you assume you know everything, but this copy of Windows XP Pro IS valid.

"I have verified this operation 6 times on 2 different PC's on 4 hard drives. As long as I don't use Windows Update I can run my copy of XP." ... "It's my roommate's copy from Fry's Electronics"

furthermore, I tried a 7th time w/o deactivating the validation add-on.

Maybe you should have done that before posting your Microsoft Conspiracy?

It still crashed the OS and restarts infinitely. maybe you wouldn't mind offering a few suggestions now?

Sure, install an 8th time and install the updates 1 by 1 until we know which one is causing the failure. Then we'll use the recovery console to roll that one back (so install the recovery console too!) and finally figure out why that particular update doesn't like your hardware.

Billl

 

[fightcancer]

Originally posted by: bsobel
Maybe you should have done that before posting your Microsoft Conspiracy?

Maybe you should have not posted your false assumptions without more information.

Originally posted by: bsobel
Sure, install an 8th time and install the updates 1 by 1 until we know which one is causing the failure. Then we'll use the recovery console to roll that one back (so install the recovery console too!) and finally figure out why that particular update doesn't like your hardware.

Billl

Thanks. I'll try to figure out the Recovery Console now and roll back updates one at a time, unless you think a reinstall & subsequent 1-by-1 patching is faster. Any more tips would be appreciated.

BTW, the only common hardware between the 2 PC's on which I've seen this issue is the CPU (Athlon XP 1700+). Different mobo, RAM, floppy, etc. wait, the NIC is the same, a 3COM something.

 

[GregMal]

I just upgraded my PC yesterday. New MB, CPU, harddrive.
Installed XP Home new.
When I went to install critical updates (27) it said that I had to activate first.
I activated, then the updates went smoothly (even with only dialup at home).
It authenticated thru activation................

 

[fightcancer]

maybe it's my copy of XP then.

I wouldn't think there's that much difference between XP Pro and Home to cause this issue. I just find it funny that this copy of XP has worked for my roommate and I for years...and now this headache.

Thanks for letting me know. do you have any ideas of stuff I might try??

TIA,

 

[spyordie007]

Sounds like you've covered the basics, at this point I would call Microsoft PSS. Windows Update related issues are generally free of charge.

 

[AiponGkooja]

Maybe you should install and update everything OFFLINE before you connect your computer to the mightily infested internet?

 

[fightcancer]

'fraid not.

we already know what happens on that hypothetical future morning when, in a sleep-induced stupor, I accidentally click to allow Windows Update to install "necessary" updates.

RUH ROH!

 

[bsobel]

Any progress?

 

[Toolsac]

Like the moderater will tell you, a ish load of people that use this site work for microsoft and other big software/hardware business, and if they (microsoft) wanted your info from anand to track ur ass down and sue you they could, easily. So, I suggest that you go on-line and find yourself a cheap oem version for like 100 bucks and go legit. Microsoft Corp.=Umbrella Corp. Think about it.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: Toolsac
Like the moderater will tell you, a ish load of people that use this site work for microsoft and other big software/hardware business, and if they (microsoft) wanted your info from anand to track ur ass down and sue you they could, easily. So, I suggest that you go on-line and find yourself a cheap oem version for like 100 bucks and go legit. Microsoft Corp.=Umbrella Corp. Think about it.

Well he says he's legit, and he said on the last install he did include the Windows Genuine Advantage stuff (which was originally what he suspected was causing the problem). So I don't think it's likely related anylonger, he just needs to go thru those 22 updates and determine whats really the problem one....

 

[stash]

Originally posted by: spyordie007
Sounds like you've covered the basics, at this point I would call Microsoft PSS. Windows Update related issues are generally free of charge.

:thumbsup: Winnar.

 

[fightcancer]

well, I'm running on the new installation of XP. I went out and got another last night. I buzzed right through the genuine validation, the 27 updates, and am doing 7 more as I type this. Knock on wood!

I guess it was our XP CD. We'll request a replacement CD through them.

Thanks again to everyone who posted suggestions and suffered through this nightmare w/me. This board is so great.

 

[dawks]

Originally posted by: AiponGkooja
Maybe you should install and update everything OFFLINE before you connect your computer to the mightily infested internet?

Doh, i need to read properly. sorry

So you've been using an XP SP2 disc the entire time and still troubles.. At least the problem is solved with a new disc?

 

[Nocturnal]

I fix computers for a living. I download and install MS Updates including the 27 you mentioned to most of my clients' units. I've yet to come across some type of error or screw up like this.

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: bsobel
Well he says he's legit,

I just find it funny that this copy of XP has worked for my roommate and I for years

 

[raftman]

hey maybe they share a computer? i don't see the need to keep implying he's not legit. he went through the MS validation and got the updates...seems to be working now.