Please Help: "How to perform Windows Update?"

[Beajoan]

After my computer crashed I reinstalled Windows XP. Ever
since I have been unable to perform Windows Update.
I am getting a message:
"Thank you for
your interest in updating Windows Operating System. In
order to perform an update you need to be running Windows
XP"

Well, Windows XP is running. The Microsoft Website does
not recognize it somehow. In addition to that problem my
Microsoft Explorer browser does not display the pages
like it should, for example in my web based e-mail I can
no longer include attachments. I am getting a message
that I should upgrade my browser, but after downloading
the Explorer 6 upgrade my machine won't run it saying
Newer software is already installed. I am at my wit's
end. I do not know what to do. Please let me know if you
can think of something that coiuld help.I would
appreciate if someone could e-mail me.
Thanks a lot,
Beajoan

[Naresh Kumar]

This problem occurs may occur due to any of the following reasons:

1. If you are behind a firewall or if NIS(Norton Internet Security is
enabled)
2. If you are behind a proxy, which is configured not to perform a update on
your system. If your system is in a network, please contact the system
administrator or uninstall the proxy server.

To solve this problem perform the steps given below:

Workaround for Case 1 & 2: Disable the Windows in-built Internet Connection
Firewall and any third-party firewall applications and uninstall NIS from
your system.

To disable the inbuilt Windows Internet Firewall, perform the steps given
below:

1. Click Start and select Control Panel.
2. Double-click Networking and Internet Connections and then click
Network Connections.
3. Right-click the connection on which you would like to disable ICF
and then click Properties.
4. On the Advanced tab, deselect the "Protect my computer or network"
option.

The Internet Connection Firewall will now be disabled.

1. Uninstall the third party firewall from your system and then restart the
system before performing the update again.

If the problem persists, perform the steps given below:

NOTE: Backup the registry by the steps given below before accessing the
registry:

1. Click Start and choose Run.
2. Type Regedit and click OK.
3. Make sure there is only one entry called " My Computer " in the left
window if not click the ( - ) sign to bring it .
4. Click File and then click Export Registry File.
5. In the Export Registry File window select Save In as Desktop and type the
file name as Regbackup.
6. Make sure the " Export Range All option " is selected under Export
Registry Window while saving the registry.

1. Click Start
2. Click Run
3. Type regedit and press enter.
4. Browse to the following path by clicking the (+) sign before the parent
keys.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Internet
Settings\User Agent\Post Platform

Once you are at the Post Platform key click that key and press the delete
button the keyboard. Confirm if prompted.

-----------------------

NaresH KumaR


"Beajoan" > wrote in message
...
> After my computer crashed I reinstalled Windows XP. Ever
> since I have been unable to perform Windows Update.
> I am getting a message:
> "Thank you for
> your interest in updating Windows Operating System. In
> order to perform an update you need to be running Windows
> XP"
>
> Well, Windows XP is running. The Microsoft Website does
> not recognize it somehow. In addition to that problem my
> Microsoft Explorer browser does not display the pages
> like it should, for example in my web based e-mail I can
> no longer include attachments. I am getting a message
> that I should upgrade my browser, but after downloading
> the Explorer 6 upgrade my machine won't run it saying
> Newer software is already installed. I am at my wit's
> end. I do not know what to do. Please let me know if you
> can think of something that coiuld help.I would
> appreciate if someone could e-mail me.
> Thanks a lot,
> Beajoan
>

[Maurice N]

Naresh Kumar wrote:
> This problem occurs may occur due to any of the following reasons:
>=20
> 1. If you are behind a firewall or if NIS(Norton Internet Security is
> enabled)
> 2. If you are behind a proxy, which is configured not to perform a
> update on your system. If your system is in a network, please contact
> the system administrator or uninstall the proxy server.
>=20
> To solve this problem perform the steps given below:
>=20
> Workaround for Case 1 & 2: Disable the Windows in-built Internet
> Connection Firewall and any third-party firewall applications and
> uninstall NIS from your system.
>=20
> To disable the inbuilt Windows Internet Firewall, perform the steps
> given below:
>=20
> 1. Click Start and select Control Panel.
> 2. Double-click Networking and Internet Connections and then click
> Network Connections.
> 3. Right-click the connection on which you would like to disable ICF
> and then click Properties.
> 4. On the Advanced tab, deselect the "Protect my computer or network"
> option.
>=20
> The Internet Connection Firewall will now be disabled.
>=20
> 1. Uninstall the third party firewall from your system and then
> restart the system before performing the update again.
>=20
> If the problem persists, perform the steps given below:
>=20
> NOTE: Backup the registry by the steps given below before accessing
> the registry:
>=20
> 1. Click Start and choose Run.
> 2. Type Regedit and click OK.
> 3. Make sure there is only one entry called " My Computer " in the
> left window if not click the ( - ) sign to bring it .
> 4. Click File and then click Export Registry File.
> 5. In the Export Registry File window select Save In as Desktop and
> type the file name as Regbackup.
> 6. Make sure the " Export Range All option " is selected under Export
> Registry Window while saving the registry.
>=20
> 1. Click Start
> 2. Click Run
> 3. Type regedit and press enter.
> 4. Browse to the following path by clicking the (+) sign before the
> parent keys.
>=20
> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Internet
> Settings\User Agent\Post Platform
>=20
> Once you are at the Post Platform key click that key and press the
> delete button the keyboard. Confirm if prompted.
>=20
> -----------------------
>=20
> NaresH KumaR

I happen to have the above-mentioned key in my registry, but it is NOT =
causing any problems with or at Windows Updates.

--=20
Maurice N
MVP Windows - Shell / User
-----

[Maurice N]

Beajoan wrote:
> After my computer crashed I reinstalled Windows XP. Ever
> since I have been unable to perform Windows Update.
> I am getting a message:
> "Thank you for
> your interest in updating Windows Operating System. In
> order to perform an update you need to be running Windows
> XP"
>=20
> Well, Windows XP is running. The Microsoft Website does
> not recognize it somehow. In addition to that problem my
> Microsoft Explorer browser does not display the pages
> like it should, for example in my web based e-mail I can
> no longer include attachments. I am getting a message
> that I should upgrade my browser, but after downloading
> the Explorer 6 upgrade my machine won't run it saying
> Newer software is already installed. I am at my wit's
> end. I do not know what to do. Please let me know if you
> can think of something that coiuld help.I would
> appreciate if someone could e-mail me.
> Thanks a lot,
> Beajoan

Hello Beajoan,

Following is usual, standard advice, but ultimately, you'll have to look =
into contents of your log file (see below).

A browser add-on, such as AdShield, is only the latest current example =
of a utility causing a blockage.
IF that's what you have, then, add Microsoft update site onto its =
exclusion list (similar to a safe sites list).

Go thru this checklist. If you have any ad-blocker program, disable or =
exit it before going to Windows Update; at least until after you have =
your situation fixed.=20

Make very sure your pc has the **correct & current date [MONTH DAY YEAR] =
& local time**. Having incorrect date will give the W U processes a =
hiccup.=20

You may get to the windows update site, but yet a setting in IE could be =
the blocker.
Recheck your Security & Privacy settings AND the ADVANCED settings in =
I.E.

1. In Internet Explorer> Tools, click Internet Options, and then click =
Languages....
If this box is empty, add at least one language -- your usual language.
If you happen to have 2 or more, move English up on this list.

2. Disengage your Discussion Bar in Internet Explorer: Click View on =
main IE menu. =20
Point to Explorer Bar. If "Discuss" has a check mark, click Discuss to =
*remove the check mark* and clear it.
You may note, if the discussion bar is active, it would appear near the =
bottom of IE window.

3. I. E. Tools >Internet Options > Advanced Tab > (scroll down thru =
the list)

These are "some" of the items that I do have CHECKed (selected):
Under HTTP 1.1 settings --
Use HTTP 1.1 (ON / Selected)
+ Enable / check to use HTTP 1.1 with proxy servers **** <<----

and under Security :
Clear (un-check) the check box next to "Check for server certificate =
revocation" . ( *OFF* )

Use SSL 2.0 (ON / selected)
Use SSL 3.0 (ON)
=20
4. Internet Explorer > Tools > Internet Options > Connections Tab
Click on LAN Settings > * Uncheck* the Automatically detect settings. =

Make sure _no other_ settings on this screen are enabled.

5. Internet Explorer > main menu /Tools/Internet Options >

Security Tab/ click on green icon Trusted Sites/click Sites button.
Click "Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone" =
to *clear* the selection.=20

In the "Add this Web site to the zone:" field, add these entries to =
list of "Trusted Sites" --=20

type =20
http://www.download.windowsupdate.com (and then click Add )

http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com (click Add)

https://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com (yes with HTTPS)

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

http://download.windowsupdate.com

*.akamai.net (yes, akamai.net -- since =
August 15-16, 2003 )

Click OK.=20

- - - -
Make sure you are not *disabling* any scripting capabilities in I.E.

Recheck ActiveX acceptance. Instead of disable, try using "prompt".

On the SECURITY Tab > Custom level button > recheck all entries
under Settings. Review items that you may have disabled.

You need to be sure to delete your temp internet cache files on a =
regular & consistent basis. =20
I.E. Tools>Internet Options >Advanced --scroll list. =20
Advanced Tab>>Security sub-section:
"Enable" (click on to activate or tick) "Empty Temporary Internet =
Files folder when browser is closed".

Apply changes to I.E. & exit out of it. Retry Windows Update from the =
main Windows Start menus.

If it still does not work, a) The update log file would indicate if & =
why each failed ---should have error code + some text ---again, for each =
1.
You need to find & "isolate" the section of the log for that "fail =
date".
Use Windows' Notepad to open this log: =20
C:\Windows\Windows Update.log (for Win XP & Win98/Me)

Having found the "error" , then do a "search" on this MS page. See MS =
Windows Update Troubleshooter=20
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/troubleshoot/

and B) as a last resort. type in or click this HTTPS address=20
https://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com =20
--=20
Maurice N
MVP Windows - Shell / User
-----