Windows XP Update failure, July 11, 2007

[PhotonBoy]

I tried installing the latest Microsoft Windows XP updates very early this morning and the second of two updates continuously fails after repeated attempts. Here's the error message that appears in a popup:

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

Automatic Updates

Some updates could not be installed

The following updates were not installed:

Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework, Version 1.1 Service Pack 1 (KB928366)

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

I have a valid copy of Windows XP on my Compaq PC which I bought at Staples about two years ago.

Anyone else getting the same error? Looking up the error code KB928366 gives an unhelpful answer. I now have an apparently permanent update icon in my system tray I can't get rid of. Sheesh.

 

[Empath]

I had a similar situation one time. I don't remember where, but somewhere on Microsoft's site is a customer service area. I explained my problem, and was surprised with the level of assistance they offered. They identified where the stand-alone file was that I needed to install. Installing it that way solved the problem.

 

[PhotonBoy]

Thanks for the quick response Empath. I'll follow up on the tip.

 

[LuxLuthor]

Same problem...but my Zone Alarm popped up asking if I wanted to let ASPI or .Net delete a driver. I blocked it. Then went to Microsoft Update and it updated my genuine advantage tool, had me reboot, then it installed ok.

Same thing happened on both computers.

 

[DM51]

MS push out Windows updates on the 2nd Tuesday of every month. Sometimes they have bugs. It is better to disable automatic update and wait for 2 weeks before downloading and installing them when the bugs have been fixed.

 

[PhotonBoy]

I'm glad I'm not alone. I think I'll just sit tight and wait for the next automatic update. I have my Google calendar set to remind me monthly via email so we'll see what happens. Anything else is too much work for very little gain if it's a minor issue.

When it it's available, I'm thinking of buying the Linux-based Asus eee $200 laptop. Later, when my main machine starts to die, I'll think seriously of bailing out of Windows and converting to Linux entirely.

 

[eluminator]

I wonder if you need .net framework 1.1. I guess it depends on what programs you run. I checked 3 of my XP machines and I have it installed on only one of them. All 3 have .net framework 2.0 installed.

Note that version 2.0 is not necessarily a replacement for 1.1. Apparently some older programs require 1.1.

I seem to remember uninstalling 1.1 and re-installing it once. I don't remember why, but it may have been to get the updates to work. I may have used the Windows installer cleanup utility also. That thing has come in handy several times. Anyway I installed the updates yesterday to the machine with 1.1 and it went okay.

I think others have found that they needed to uninstall and reinstall to get the update. Personally I would try uninstalling and if everything worked, I wouldn't bother reinstalling.

 

[Fallingwater]

I've gone the drastic way and completely removed the automatic updates service from my system.
I use autopatcher now, and all is good (well, as good as it can get on a windows system, anyway).

 

[bitslammer]

There are sporadic reports of issues with the latest patch for MS07-040.

If you want a little more info see here: http://isc.sans.org/diary.html?storyid=3132

It's very murky at this point but it would appear that patch can cause issues.

As stated before patching is a damned if don't and maybe damned if you do too soon kind of thing. It's good to keep current but being first is not always fun. I usually wait 3-5 days before I patch my PC.

 

[PhotonBoy]

Thanks for the additional info everyone. Other than Windows itself, I don't use any Microsoft programs at all -- I intentionally avoid it. I'm not sure what the .NET framework is; near as I know, it's the replacement for Visual Basic. I'll just ignore the error and see what happens next month. I haven't decided yet whether I should disable automatic windows upgrades.

 

[bitslammer]

Thanks for the additional info everyone. Other than Windows itself, I don't use any Microsoft programs at all -- I intentionally avoid it. I'm not sure what the .NET framework is; near as I know, it's the replacement for Visual Basic. I'll just ignore the error and see what happens next month. I haven't decided yet whether I should disable automatic windows upgrades.

Don't completely disable them, just set them to alert you or to download and prompt you for install. Just don't set them to silently download and install.

 

[eluminator]

Don't completely disable them, just set them to alert you or to download and prompt you for install. Just don't set them to silently download and install.

I like the "silent" download thing because it doesn't interfere with web browsing on my dial-up connection.

My settings sometimes gets switched to automatic install behind my back though. I guess some of the updates do this. This month two of my XP machines did the install without asking. I've since changed the settings back to ask before installing.

I don't think it makes much difference actually. Sooner or later I will have it attempt an install. I just like to see what's being updated.

For those that don't know, the automatic updates are just for the critical (high priority) updates. The "software" and "hardware" updates aren't included. That's a good thing. I wouldn't touch a hardware update with a ten foot pole unless I had problems and most of the software updates aren't worth the trouble.

 

[dano]

About 6 months ago, I downloaded the latest super-hi priority XP update, and it crashed my Windows Kernal. The only fix was a complete re-install.

Since then, I won't do any more updates. I don't care what the update is regarding...I'm not going thru that mess, again...

-dan

 

[PhotonBoy]

This is interesting:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/07/12/ms_patch_problems/

MS Update sends PCs 'haywire' - The Register

'Applying the MS07-040 patch for the .NET framework, which as luck would have it is probably Redmond's most important security fix this month, can lead to systems going "haywire", the SANS Institute's Internet Storm Centre reports.'

 

[meuge]

I tried installing the latest Microsoft Windows XP updates very early this morning and the second of two updates continuously fails after repeated attempts. Here's the error message that appears in a popup:

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

Automatic Updates

Some updates could not be installed

The following updates were not installed:

Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework, Version 1.1 Service Pack 1 (KB928366)

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

I have a valid copy of Windows XP on my Compaq PC which I bought at Staples about two years ago.

Anyone else getting the same error? Looking up the error code KB928366 gives an unhelpful answer. I now have an apparently permanent update icon in my system tray I can't get rid of. Sheesh.

If you're not afraid of a long-running (but largely false) stigma associated with free software, then you're welcome to take a dip in the Linux pool.

You can get a free CD at www.ubuntu.com and try it out without installing. Or, if you're going to be purchasing additional or replacement computers, you can check out the new Dell PCs with Linux pre-installed at www.dell.com/open

I tried it out of curiosity, and installed it alongside Windows (automatically does it). It took (and keep in mind that I am not a programmer and have no experience with Linux at all) less than 2 weeks for me to stop booting into Windows altogether. It's been 6 months now, and I can tell you that I would never go back.

 

[PhotonBoy]

Thanks Meuge, I'm seriously considering that as the next step. I *will NOT* buy Vista. I'm thinking of first buying a $200-$300 Asus laptop running Ubuntu to get my feet wet. Later, when my 2 year old XP-box begins to die, I'll replace it with a Linux-based machine.