S
Shenan Stanley
microsoft.news.com wrote:
> Is it safe to install this update now
>
> I am using a Dell XPS9150 with Windows XP Pro SP2 (SP3 refuses to
> complete .
>
> Having suffered the BSOD caused by KB977165 and it's apparent
> interaction with a virus (W32/Alureon?) I need to know if I can now
> _safely_ install the update?
>
> How (other than a reinstall) can I be sure my system is clean?
>
> I use Windows Firewall and AV, AVG free, Spybot Search & Destroy
> and Trend Housecall.
>
> AVG, Spybot and Trend Housecall had found one or two infections,
> (why didn't the Windows AV and firewall stop them?) but a retest
> gives the all clear now.
>
> Incidentally, after the BSOD was fixed by uninstalling the update,
> I set Automatic
> Updates to *Inform only*. Two days later it had reset _itself_ back
> to *Automatically
> download and install* _WHICH IT DID! Fortunately, I noticed the *Do
> you want to
> restart* message, said NO! and did a System Restore.
>
> Pls excuse typos/formattig, I am nearly blind.
No malware, no issues.
You said, "I use Windows Firewall and AV, AVG free, Spybot Search & Destroy
and Trend Housecall."
What is "Windows Firewall and AV"? There is a built in Windows XP firewall,
but natively, Windows XP does not come with any AV (antivirus).
You then mention AVG Free (antivirus) - and if you have misspoke and
actually have some other antivirus installed - having two antivirus
applications installed can be very bad. Not to mention that as of the
latest few versions, AVG has become bloated in most people's opinions. I
recommend you drop AVG and whatever that "Windows AV" might be and either
get Avira AntiVir (free) or eSet NOD32 (antivirus only, not the suite - at a
cost of under $60 U.S. for two years.)
Drop Sypobot Search and Destroy. Uninstall it. It's a good cleanup tool,
but others have proven themselves better, IMHO.
You also do not need Trend Housecall unless things are needing cleanup - not
all the time.
With the Windows Firewall enabled (and as few exceptions, if any allowed)
and a decent antivirus (I mentioned two, there are others) and an
occassional scan with MalwareBytes (or purchase it for under $30 U.S. for
life and run it resident for protection) you have done a good amount in
improving overall system performance and protection, IMO.
Want to get SP3 installed? (I believe you should, you are behind and soon
will not be getting as many/any updates for your unsupported operating
system.) I'd print this out if you plan on doing it.
First - please verify the exact edition, version and architecture of
Windows XP you have:
Press and hold down the Windows key on your keyboard and then press the
"Pause/Break" key. Let go of both. This is equivalent in Windows XP to
having right-clicked on the "My Computer" icon and chosen "Properties"
from the menu that appears. When the new window appears - ensure you are
under the "General" tab. Is there *anything* in there to indicate you
have a 64-bit version of Windows XP, like the words, "Windows XP
Professional x64 Edition Version"?
If there is, let everyone here know this and stop the quest - as you have no
SP3 for your operating system.
If there is not, let everyone here know this and continue the quest.
Next question has to do with what type of computer you own and what type
of processor it has. It's pretty straight forward: Is it an HP branded
computer and does it have an AMD processor installed?
If the answer to BOTH of those is YES, then you need to prevent a known
issue with that combination using the following instructions:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com:80/ewfrf/...ex?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&softwareitem=pv-60484-2
If the answer to EITHER of those is NO, then you are generally safe in
continuing on. But either way - answer back here so everyone can know
what you are doing/what you have step-by-excruciating-step.
What version of Internet Explorer are you currently using? Easy to find
out. Open Internet Explorer and while that is in-focus, press and hold
the "ALT" key on your keyboard. With the "ALT" key still pressed, press
(just once, no holding) the "H" key. Now, with the "ALT" key still
pressed, press (just once, no holding) the "A" key. That will bring up
the "About Internet Explorer" window. It will give you the exact version
you are using - repeat what you see there in response to this message.
Let's look at your copy/license of Windows XP now - validate it if you
will. Visit the following web site in Internet Explorer:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/diag/
and locate/click on the "Start Diagnostics" blue button on the left side
of the web page. Does everything pass? If not - what are the diagnostic
steps they have you go through?
Next, download/run:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012
You will be prompted to either Run or Save the tool. Choose to Run the
tool and follow the on-screen prompts. You will receive an Internet
Explorer-Security Warning dialog box for the Windows Genuine Advantage
Diagnostic Tool you must choose to Run this tool when prompted.
Once you are presented with the Diagnostics tool choose Continue to run
the diagnostic report. If the RESOLVE button is available after running
the diagnostics, please click RESOLVE to allow the diagnostic tool to
attempt a repair.
1. After running the MGA Diagnostic tool, click on the Windows tab and
then click on Copy.
2. Please return to this post and paste the results here for additional
review.
Now that we have some base information, let's cleanup and get ready to
install Windows XP SP3 onto your Windows XP system.
Reboot so you start with a fresh machine. For everything here you will
need to logon as an user with administrative (installation) priviledges.
Fix your file/registry permissions...
Ignore the title and follow the sub-section under
"Advanced Troubleshooting" titled,
"Method 1: Reset the registry and the file permissions"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377
*will take time
** Ignore the last step (6) - you'll install SP3 shortly, but not now.
You will likely see errors pass by if you watching, even count up. No
worries *at this time*.
*After* that is done, continue on to the next part where you clean off
some excess (unnecessary) files. It only removes those you definitely
do not need, if you follow the directions *as given* and do not deviate.
So reboot (for each of these steps, it is just best to reboot right
before - but I will continue to point that out) and logon as an user with
administrative priviledges.
Download/install the "Windows Installer CleanUp Utility":
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301
After installing, do the following:
Start button --> RUN
(no "RUN"? Press the "Windows Key" + R on your keyboard)
--> type in:
"%ProgramFiles%\Windows Installer Clean Up\msizap.exe" g!
--> Click OK.
(The quotation marks and percentage signs and spacing should be exact.)
It will flash by *quick*, don't expect much out of this step to get
excited about. But the cleaner your machine is to start with, the
better your luck will be later (not really luck - more like preparedness,
but that's not as fun to think about, eh?)
Yeah - you will get tired of rebooting - but let's soldier on and reboot
again and logon as an user with administrative priviledges.
This time (and this is one of the more time-consuming steps) you will be
running (one at a time with reboots in-between each) three different
anti-spyware/anti-malware applications to ensure you come up clean.
Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan with the following
(freeware version):
SuperAntiSpyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/
Reboot and logon as administrative user.
Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan with the following
(freeware version):
MalwareBytes
http://www.malwarebytes.com/
Reboot and logon as administrative user.
Download and run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
You may find nothing, you may find only cookies, you may think it is a
waste of time - but if you do all this and report back here with what you
do/don't find as you are doing all of it - you are adding more pieces to
the puzzle and the entire picture just may become clearer and your
problem resolved.
Reboot and logon as administrative user.
Download/Install the latest Windows Installer (for your OS):
( Windows XP 32-bit : WindowsXP-KB942288-v3-x86.exe )
http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/...6F-60B6-4412-95B9-54D056D6F9F4&displaylang=en
Reboot and logon as administrative user.
Download the latest version of the Windows Update agent from here (x86):
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=91237
.... and save it to the root of your C:\ drive. After saving it to the
root of the C:\ drive, do the following:
Close all Internet Explorer windows and other applications.
Start button --> RUN and type in:
%SystemDrive%\windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe /WUFORCE
--> Click OK.
(If asked, select "Run.) --> Click on NEXT --> Select "I agree" and click on
NEXT --> When it finishes installing, click on "Finish"...
Reboot and logon as administrative user.
Visit this web page:
How do I reset Windows Update components?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058
.... and click on the "Microsoft Fix it" icon. When asked, select "RUN",
both times. Check the "I agree" box and click on "Next". Check the box
for "Run aggressive options (not recommended)" and click "Next". Let
it finish up and follow the prompts until it is done. Close/exit and
reboot when it is.
Now for SP3...
Download the full SP3 installation file.
Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for
IT Professionals and Developers (works just as well for you.)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=5B33B5A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4
You are just saving it right now - not running it yet. There will be no
file size deviation - it is 316.4MB.
You should now perform a full CHKDSK on your system drive (C
...
How to scan your disks for errors
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265
* will take time and a reboot
You should now perform a full Defragment on your system drive (C...
How to Defragment your hard drives
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314848
* will take time
Reboot right before you try to install SP3.
Disconnect from the internet before installing (physically disconnect -
pull the network cable or disable the router/modem.)
Uninstall any and all third-party firewall applications (ZoneAlarm, etc)
and utilize the built-in WIndows Firewall only.
Disable your antivirus and antispyware applications when you are about to
install SP3. Usually right-click on the icon in the taskbar gives you
a choice to do so.
Install SP3 by running the downloaded executable.
Reboot when requested to do so.
Logon and let the machine 'settle' for about 10 minutes.
Reboot.
Give it 5 minutes after logon to 'settle' - reboot.
After that - there will be more updates.
Log on as an user with administrative rights and open Internet Explorer
and visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and select to do a
CUSTOM scan...
Every time you are about to click on something while at these web pages -
first press and hold down the CTRL key while you click on it. You can
release the CTRL key after clicking each time.
Once the scan is done, select just _ONE_ of the high priority updates
(deselect any others) and install it.
Reboot again.
If it did work - try the web page again - selecting no more than 3-5 at a
time. Rebooting as needed.
The Optional Software updates are generally safe - although I recommend
against the "Windows Search" one and any of the "Office Live" ones or
"Windows Live" ones for now. I would completely avoid the
Optional Hardware updates. Also - I do not see any urgent need to
install Internet Explorer 8 at this time.
Seriously - do all that. This is like antibiotics - don't skip a single
step, don't quit because you think things will be okay now - go through
until the end, until you have done everything given in the order given. If
you have a problem with a step come ask and let someone here get you
through that step. If you don't understand how to do a step, come back
and ask here about that step and let someone walk you through it.
Then - when done - let everyone here know if it worked for you - or if
you have more issues.
--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
> Is it safe to install this update now
>
> I am using a Dell XPS9150 with Windows XP Pro SP2 (SP3 refuses to
> complete .
>
> Having suffered the BSOD caused by KB977165 and it's apparent
> interaction with a virus (W32/Alureon?) I need to know if I can now
> _safely_ install the update?
>
> How (other than a reinstall) can I be sure my system is clean?
>
> I use Windows Firewall and AV, AVG free, Spybot Search & Destroy
> and Trend Housecall.
>
> AVG, Spybot and Trend Housecall had found one or two infections,
> (why didn't the Windows AV and firewall stop them?) but a retest
> gives the all clear now.
>
> Incidentally, after the BSOD was fixed by uninstalling the update,
> I set Automatic
> Updates to *Inform only*. Two days later it had reset _itself_ back
> to *Automatically
> download and install* _WHICH IT DID! Fortunately, I noticed the *Do
> you want to
> restart* message, said NO! and did a System Restore.
>
> Pls excuse typos/formattig, I am nearly blind.
No malware, no issues.
You said, "I use Windows Firewall and AV, AVG free, Spybot Search & Destroy
and Trend Housecall."
What is "Windows Firewall and AV"? There is a built in Windows XP firewall,
but natively, Windows XP does not come with any AV (antivirus).
You then mention AVG Free (antivirus) - and if you have misspoke and
actually have some other antivirus installed - having two antivirus
applications installed can be very bad. Not to mention that as of the
latest few versions, AVG has become bloated in most people's opinions. I
recommend you drop AVG and whatever that "Windows AV" might be and either
get Avira AntiVir (free) or eSet NOD32 (antivirus only, not the suite - at a
cost of under $60 U.S. for two years.)
Drop Sypobot Search and Destroy. Uninstall it. It's a good cleanup tool,
but others have proven themselves better, IMHO.
You also do not need Trend Housecall unless things are needing cleanup - not
all the time.
With the Windows Firewall enabled (and as few exceptions, if any allowed)
and a decent antivirus (I mentioned two, there are others) and an
occassional scan with MalwareBytes (or purchase it for under $30 U.S. for
life and run it resident for protection) you have done a good amount in
improving overall system performance and protection, IMO.
Want to get SP3 installed? (I believe you should, you are behind and soon
will not be getting as many/any updates for your unsupported operating
system.) I'd print this out if you plan on doing it.
First - please verify the exact edition, version and architecture of
Windows XP you have:
Press and hold down the Windows key on your keyboard and then press the
"Pause/Break" key. Let go of both. This is equivalent in Windows XP to
having right-clicked on the "My Computer" icon and chosen "Properties"
from the menu that appears. When the new window appears - ensure you are
under the "General" tab. Is there *anything* in there to indicate you
have a 64-bit version of Windows XP, like the words, "Windows XP
Professional x64 Edition Version"?
If there is, let everyone here know this and stop the quest - as you have no
SP3 for your operating system.
If there is not, let everyone here know this and continue the quest.
Next question has to do with what type of computer you own and what type
of processor it has. It's pretty straight forward: Is it an HP branded
computer and does it have an AMD processor installed?
If the answer to BOTH of those is YES, then you need to prevent a known
issue with that combination using the following instructions:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com:80/ewfrf/...ex?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&softwareitem=pv-60484-2
If the answer to EITHER of those is NO, then you are generally safe in
continuing on. But either way - answer back here so everyone can know
what you are doing/what you have step-by-excruciating-step.
What version of Internet Explorer are you currently using? Easy to find
out. Open Internet Explorer and while that is in-focus, press and hold
the "ALT" key on your keyboard. With the "ALT" key still pressed, press
(just once, no holding) the "H" key. Now, with the "ALT" key still
pressed, press (just once, no holding) the "A" key. That will bring up
the "About Internet Explorer" window. It will give you the exact version
you are using - repeat what you see there in response to this message.
Let's look at your copy/license of Windows XP now - validate it if you
will. Visit the following web site in Internet Explorer:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/diag/
and locate/click on the "Start Diagnostics" blue button on the left side
of the web page. Does everything pass? If not - what are the diagnostic
steps they have you go through?
Next, download/run:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012
You will be prompted to either Run or Save the tool. Choose to Run the
tool and follow the on-screen prompts. You will receive an Internet
Explorer-Security Warning dialog box for the Windows Genuine Advantage
Diagnostic Tool you must choose to Run this tool when prompted.
Once you are presented with the Diagnostics tool choose Continue to run
the diagnostic report. If the RESOLVE button is available after running
the diagnostics, please click RESOLVE to allow the diagnostic tool to
attempt a repair.
1. After running the MGA Diagnostic tool, click on the Windows tab and
then click on Copy.
2. Please return to this post and paste the results here for additional
review.
Now that we have some base information, let's cleanup and get ready to
install Windows XP SP3 onto your Windows XP system.
Reboot so you start with a fresh machine. For everything here you will
need to logon as an user with administrative (installation) priviledges.
Fix your file/registry permissions...
Ignore the title and follow the sub-section under
"Advanced Troubleshooting" titled,
"Method 1: Reset the registry and the file permissions"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377
*will take time
** Ignore the last step (6) - you'll install SP3 shortly, but not now.
You will likely see errors pass by if you watching, even count up. No
worries *at this time*.
*After* that is done, continue on to the next part where you clean off
some excess (unnecessary) files. It only removes those you definitely
do not need, if you follow the directions *as given* and do not deviate.
So reboot (for each of these steps, it is just best to reboot right
before - but I will continue to point that out) and logon as an user with
administrative priviledges.
Download/install the "Windows Installer CleanUp Utility":
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301
After installing, do the following:
Start button --> RUN
(no "RUN"? Press the "Windows Key" + R on your keyboard)
--> type in:
"%ProgramFiles%\Windows Installer Clean Up\msizap.exe" g!
--> Click OK.
(The quotation marks and percentage signs and spacing should be exact.)
It will flash by *quick*, don't expect much out of this step to get
excited about. But the cleaner your machine is to start with, the
better your luck will be later (not really luck - more like preparedness,
but that's not as fun to think about, eh?)
Yeah - you will get tired of rebooting - but let's soldier on and reboot
again and logon as an user with administrative priviledges.
This time (and this is one of the more time-consuming steps) you will be
running (one at a time with reboots in-between each) three different
anti-spyware/anti-malware applications to ensure you come up clean.
Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan with the following
(freeware version):
SuperAntiSpyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/
Reboot and logon as administrative user.
Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan with the following
(freeware version):
MalwareBytes
http://www.malwarebytes.com/
Reboot and logon as administrative user.
Download and run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
You may find nothing, you may find only cookies, you may think it is a
waste of time - but if you do all this and report back here with what you
do/don't find as you are doing all of it - you are adding more pieces to
the puzzle and the entire picture just may become clearer and your
problem resolved.
Reboot and logon as administrative user.
Download/Install the latest Windows Installer (for your OS):
( Windows XP 32-bit : WindowsXP-KB942288-v3-x86.exe )
http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/...6F-60B6-4412-95B9-54D056D6F9F4&displaylang=en
Reboot and logon as administrative user.
Download the latest version of the Windows Update agent from here (x86):
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=91237
.... and save it to the root of your C:\ drive. After saving it to the
root of the C:\ drive, do the following:
Close all Internet Explorer windows and other applications.
Start button --> RUN and type in:
%SystemDrive%\windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe /WUFORCE
--> Click OK.
(If asked, select "Run.) --> Click on NEXT --> Select "I agree" and click on
NEXT --> When it finishes installing, click on "Finish"...
Reboot and logon as administrative user.
Visit this web page:
How do I reset Windows Update components?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058
.... and click on the "Microsoft Fix it" icon. When asked, select "RUN",
both times. Check the "I agree" box and click on "Next". Check the box
for "Run aggressive options (not recommended)" and click "Next". Let
it finish up and follow the prompts until it is done. Close/exit and
reboot when it is.
Now for SP3...
Download the full SP3 installation file.
Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for
IT Professionals and Developers (works just as well for you.)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=5B33B5A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4
You are just saving it right now - not running it yet. There will be no
file size deviation - it is 316.4MB.
You should now perform a full CHKDSK on your system drive (C
...How to scan your disks for errors
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265
* will take time and a reboot
You should now perform a full Defragment on your system drive (C
...How to Defragment your hard drives
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314848
* will take time
Reboot right before you try to install SP3.
Disconnect from the internet before installing (physically disconnect -
pull the network cable or disable the router/modem.)
Uninstall any and all third-party firewall applications (ZoneAlarm, etc)
and utilize the built-in WIndows Firewall only.
Disable your antivirus and antispyware applications when you are about to
install SP3. Usually right-click on the icon in the taskbar gives you
a choice to do so.
Install SP3 by running the downloaded executable.
Reboot when requested to do so.
Logon and let the machine 'settle' for about 10 minutes.
Reboot.
Give it 5 minutes after logon to 'settle' - reboot.
After that - there will be more updates.
Log on as an user with administrative rights and open Internet Explorer
and visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and select to do a
CUSTOM scan...
Every time you are about to click on something while at these web pages -
first press and hold down the CTRL key while you click on it. You can
release the CTRL key after clicking each time.
Once the scan is done, select just _ONE_ of the high priority updates
(deselect any others) and install it.
Reboot again.
If it did work - try the web page again - selecting no more than 3-5 at a
time. Rebooting as needed.
The Optional Software updates are generally safe - although I recommend
against the "Windows Search" one and any of the "Office Live" ones or
"Windows Live" ones for now. I would completely avoid the
Optional Hardware updates. Also - I do not see any urgent need to
install Internet Explorer 8 at this time.
Seriously - do all that. This is like antibiotics - don't skip a single
step, don't quit because you think things will be okay now - go through
until the end, until you have done everything given in the order given. If
you have a problem with a step come ask and let someone here get you
through that step. If you don't understand how to do a step, come back
and ask here about that step and let someone walk you through it.
Then - when done - let everyone here know if it worked for you - or if
you have more issues.
--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html