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General discussion

Unable to Update Windows XP Pro

by drmonty Nov 26, 2004 2:20AM PST

Spent too much time yesterday trying and failing to update old computer with XP SP1a using widows update. Haven't updated in over 2 months as computer has not been used. Tried to turn on automatic updates and download all new updates. Was able to download and install MS Networking and other programs (adaware, atomic clock) with no problems. Each time the error message says I do not have permission to update--I do have administrative priviledges and XP has been registered and activated. I have checked all the security and local policy entries under administrative tools. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

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5 Posts
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Re: Unable to Update Windows XP Pro
by M_LeeDG Nov 26, 2004 3:20AM PST

Have had the same problem, with both XP Pro and Home, and what I found was that if the older computer is under 700MHZ speed and has less then 256M of memory SP2 will not load and causes all sorts of problems. So I have the older computer running without SP2 until I upgrade the CPU and memory, or get a new computer.

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Re: Unable to Update Windows XP Pro
by drmonty Nov 26, 2004 8:22AM PST

Running XP on P3 600 with 512 RAM. However, I have another machine on the network with same configuration that I was able to update with no problem.
I was planning to give to my niece anyway--she want it for games and word processing. So it isn't mandatory that I get the update, but I would prefer to give it to her with it.
Thanks for the info.
mm

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Re: Unable to Update Windows XP Pro
by David Chan Nov 26, 2004 8:30AM PST

Have you checked for Spyware & Viruses/Trojans?

It seems wierd that you've lost your Computer Administrator powers.

Can you log on as the Administrator and try and apply the updates again?

Or if you are giving the PC to your niece why not do a clean install with a slipstreamed SP2 XP CD?

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Re: Unable to Update Windows XP Pro
by drmonty Nov 28, 2004 2:05PM PST

David,
Have already removed spyware and using McAfee av. Could try new install, but this install was a clean install which I was trying to update. My version of XP is has sp1 only.
Any other ideas?

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Re: Unable to Update Windows XP Pro
by billzhills Nov 28, 2004 10:12PM PST

drmonty,

Followed the other posts and see that you removed spy-ware/virus. That may have not been enough.

Have had two systems develop this issue. Both badly infected by virus/spy-ware. Used every tool listed in this forum and some that where not and was unable to access the update site.

Been awhile but, If I didn't do a clean re-install I cleared the SSL State in IE Properties.

Bill
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