Windows "trying" to update

[ihaterouters]

I've had this problem for a few days now. I'm on XP. I try to shut down, it tells me that there are updates that will be installed (not abnormal). But I get this message every time now, its not installing for some reason. I went and downloaded them manually, it listed 3 updates that I didn't have. So I tried to install them, I got 2 out of 3, one of them failed. Apparently it was the "Windows genuine advantage notification". What the hell is this? If my computer wasn't genuine I wouldn't be able to update it... Anyway, it doesn't look like the microsoft site is any help (its crap). Any ideas? Is there a way I can bypass this update without it telling me every time I try to shut down? Or *sigh* is there a way I can download the genuine advantage notifier without it failing?

On a side note, I'm guessing it failed because my computer IS genuine. I'm concerned if I download this update it is going to start screwing with me again about getting genuine (I've been down this road before, not fun).

[YARDofSTUF]

What happened before? have you always owned this copy of XP or did you buy it from someone else that has used it in the past?

[The Dude]

Go to windows update and click "custom". On the next screen go to the update that is giving you problems and click the + box. Then check the box for "Don't show this update again". That should stop it from trying to install again. I don't know what the consequences of not installing the WGA patch are but this should stop the nag screen until you sort out why it fails to install.

[ihaterouters]

My copy of windows used to be from my father's pc, then they did the whole genuine advantage bs so I had to get a new key (which came at a bad time because my comp was having a crapload of problems ontop of windows nagging me). I've been getting updates since I got the new key, no problems at all, about 4-6 months now. I got everything squared away and for whatever reason I can't get the "genuine advantage notifier" now, just doesn't sound very good to me.

[ihaterouters]

Go to windows update and click "custom". On the next screen go to the update that is giving you problems and click the + box. Then check the box for "Don't show this update again". That should stop it from trying to install again. I don't know what the consequences of not installing the WGA patch are but this should stop the nag screen until you sort out why it fails to install.

Thats the strange thing, I was able to update everything else but the genuine advantage crap. I'll try this out, thanks.

[YARDofSTUF]

Is your father still using the copy of windows as well?

[ihaterouters]

Is your father still using the copy of windows as well?

His copy of windows always worked, never any problems. I'm assuming hes still using the same copy.

[YARDofSTUF]

His copy of windows always worked, never any problems. I'm assuming hes still using the same copy.

Sounds like thats your problem. He gave you a copy that he was already using, you needed to call and got a new key as MS assumed that you were only usign it on your PC now, and when both try to grab updates the genuine tool sees a connection between the 2 installs.

I can't guarantee thats whats happening as it shouldn't let you DL updates in that case.

[Sava700]

Sounds like thats your problem. He gave you a copy that he was already using, you needed to call and got a new key as MS assumed that you were only usign it on your PC now, and when both try to grab updates the genuine tool sees a connection between the 2 installs.



That isn't his problem, I use my OEM key on 4 different computers never had a single problem with updates. Also the college I work at has their key used on prob 4000+ computers and not any issues either.

He just really needs to do a manual update by sliding over to windowsupdate.com and do a "Custom" search/update which should remove any that the system is trying to update from.

[YARDofSTUF]

That isn't his problem, I use my OEM key on 4 different computers never had a single problem with updates. Also the college I work at has their key used on prob 4000+ computers and not any issues either.



... Wait a minute, you're saying your college has only bought 1 copy of XP and is using the same key on all its systems?

[ihaterouters]

That isn't his problem, I use my OEM key on 4 different computers never had a single problem with updates. Also the college I work at has their key used on prob 4000+ computers and not any issues either.

He just really needs to do a manual update by sliding over to windowsupdate.com and do a "Custom" search/update which should remove any that the system is trying to update from.

Yea I just did that like advised. I'm going to reboot my computer soon, see if it goes away.

[Sava700]

... Wait a minute, you're saying your college has only bought 1 copy of XP and is using the same key on all its systems?

its licensed that way... you should really read up on how they license the versions. But let me also add that the key can only be used with certain ISO's of XPpro...as in you can't just use any OEM disk and that key to make it work.

[YARDofSTUF]

its licensed that way... you should really read up on how they license the versions. But let me also add that the key can only be used with certain ISO's of XPpro...as in you can't just use any OEM disk and that key to make it work.

I'm not familiar with a package like that. I know theres the volume license version for large companies that doesn't require activation, but I've not seen one that uses the same key on each system.

[Sava700]

I'm not familiar with a package like that. I know theres the volume license version for large companies that doesn't require activation, but I've not seen one that uses the same key on each system.

I'm not sure how they set it up..but that number I gave might be very low. There may be as many as 5000+ computers running that key now as its pretty much placed per our image on the Dell latitude models that are suggested that the students purchase and use. Some get them some don't and on top of that they are not sure how they will support Vista like that with having to setup a central license server etc which is a pain so another reason why large companies and schools dislike vista.

[ihaterouters]

Well it appears that there is another update it wants me to download.

"Microsoft XML Core Services 4.0". Its a security package, I've "downloaded and installed" it like 3 times already but it keeps coming back. I'm not really sure if its "really" installed but I'm about to just block it like the WGA update. I don't know what else to do.

[YeOldeStonecat]

That isn't his problem, I use my OEM key on 4 different computers never had a single problem with updates. Also the college I work at has their key used on prob 4000+ computers and not any issues either.

Genuine Advantage" is a constantly updated database of "serial keys"...what may have worked for someone last month (installing and activating a 'bad' key"...may stop the next time you try.

And what did the college use..an OEM from a sticker? Or an actual eOpen or Volume license key..which would not be on a sticker.

[YeOldeStonecat]

Well it appears that there is another update it wants me to download.

"Microsoft XML Core Services 4.0". Its a security package, I've "downloaded and installed" it like 3 times already but it keeps coming back. I'm not really sure if its "really" installed but I'm about to just block it like the WGA update. I don't know what else to do.

Inside of your "Windows" directory..is a "WindowsUpdate.Log" file...which can give you a more accurate error and help you see which one is failing and why.

[The Dude]

Sounds like thats your problem. He gave you a copy that he was already using, you needed to call and got a new key as MS assumed that you were only usign it on your PC now, and when both try to grab updates the genuine tool sees a connection between the 2 installs.

I can't guarantee thats whats happening as it shouldn't let you DL updates in that case.

I'm not 100% sure on this but if I remember correctly WGA won't block you from windows update, security updates anyway. It only stops you from downloading extras like MP11, and at one time IE7. You have to hit the validate button to continue the download. I think his windows update mechanism is broken since he now has another update that fails.
This may help: Unable to install Windows updates (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555461) Isn't the WGA update that he is trying to download the one that puts the "Your Version of Windows is not legal" nag balloon on your screen?

[The Dude]

Sava I don't know if this is the version of XP that you are using but there is what is referred to as an academic version of XP Pro that is sold at collages. It's actually a just corporate version and they all use the same product code. There is no activation and the product code is white listed at Microsoft so it won't fail WGA. lol, It's a big hit on bit-torrent sites. There are also SLP versions of XP pro that are tied to the computers BIOS. Install it on the correct PC and its preactivated and you don't have to enter any product code. My fathers Dell laptop works that way. Do you have to activate windows after the install?

[Sava700]

Do you have to activate windows after the install?

Yeah I looked into it this morning and thats how it works..and no, no activation required. But yeah its pretty much a unlimited key/iso...

[Rainbow]

... Wait a minute, you're saying your college has only bought 1 copy of XP and is using the same key on all its systems?

Yep, 5000+ here, and if your staff you can use it as well at home on 1pc. :thumb:

XP Pro Corporate License

[The Dude]

Hmm... I wonder why the corporate versions of vista still have to be activated. ;)