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Framework 3.5 Upgrade Problem

B

Bob

Flightless Bird
I have Windows XP Home SP2.

I did a Windows Update and it wanted me to install Framework 3.5 SP1
before doing any other updates.

On the first Restart after installation, it said there was a problem
with my logon profile (possibly corrupt), and it logged me on with a
temporary profile. The desktop was completely different from my
usual desktop. I restarted again and didn't have a problem with my
profile. I saw my usual desktop.

However, every time right after logging in, I also saw a Windows
Installer dialog saying that the feature I was trying to install was
not available and to insert the "Update Manager" disk and click OK. I
clicked Cancel several times before the dialog would go away.

I tried various things to eliminate the dialog, but nothing worked.
Sometimes if I stayed in the Windows session for more than a few
minutes, it would come back, and again I'd have to click Cancel
multiple times to eliminate it.

I then tried "repairing" 3.5 SP1, which supposedly put it back to its
"original state," whatever that was. That didn't help.

I then removed 3.5 entirely. I didn't realize, though, that MS had
also installed 3.0 as part of going to 3.5 (apparently I had been at
2.0). So, I hadn't removed 3.0, just 3.5. In any event, the Windows
Installer dialog wouldn't go away.

Finally, I did a Restore back to just before I installed 3.5. That
got rid of 3.0 and got rid of the Windows Installer dialog. I believe
I am back to 2.0 now.

I have looked all over for a problem similar to mine. I found two
instances. In one, the recommendation was to do some very
time-consuming complicated things, including removing Framework
completely. Far too much work. I'd rather just stay with 2.0. I
should have never upgraded in the first place.

The second was easier. They just said to remove ISUSPM from the
System Configuration Utility. The person reporting the problem said
that worked.

Even assuming I could just uncheck ISUSPM and the problem would have
gone away, what was causing InstallShield to think something was
amiss? (I don't particularly feel like reinstalling 3.5. It took a
VERY long time to do.)

Thanks for any help.
 
P

PA Bear [MS MVP]

Flightless Bird
[crosspost to Windows Update newsgroup]

Windows Installer and InstallShield are not the same application.

Did Windows Update offer .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 or KB951847? Open IE to
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com, select the CUSTOM option & scan: Is the
update still being offered and/or does the Update History section (left-hand
side) show that it was originally installed successfully?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
it)?

May I ask why SP3 hasn't been installed yet? [Extended Support for WinXP
SP2 ends on 10 July 2010. After that date, computers running WinXP SP2 will
NOT be offered any further critical security updates, Automatic Updates will
not work, and Windows Update website will not be available until SP3 is
installed.]
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002


Bob wrote:
> I have Windows XP Home SP2.
>
> I did a Windows Update and it wanted me to install Framework 3.5 SP1
> before doing any other updates.
>
> On the first Restart after installation, it said there was a problem
> with my logon profile (possibly corrupt), and it logged me on with a
> temporary profile. The desktop was completely different from my
> usual desktop. I restarted again and didn't have a problem with my
> profile. I saw my usual desktop.
>
> However, every time right after logging in, I also saw a Windows
> Installer dialog saying that the feature I was trying to install was
> not available and to insert the "Update Manager" disk and click OK. I
> clicked Cancel several times before the dialog would go away.
>
> I tried various things to eliminate the dialog, but nothing worked.
> Sometimes if I stayed in the Windows session for more than a few
> minutes, it would come back, and again I'd have to click Cancel
> multiple times to eliminate it.
>
> I then tried "repairing" 3.5 SP1, which supposedly put it back to its
> "original state," whatever that was. That didn't help.
>
> I then removed 3.5 entirely. I didn't realize, though, that MS had
> also installed 3.0 as part of going to 3.5 (apparently I had been at
> 2.0). So, I hadn't removed 3.0, just 3.5. In any event, the Windows
> Installer dialog wouldn't go away.
>
> Finally, I did a Restore back to just before I installed 3.5. That
> got rid of 3.0 and got rid of the Windows Installer dialog. I believe
> I am back to 2.0 now.
>
> I have looked all over for a problem similar to mine. I found two
> instances. In one, the recommendation was to do some very
> time-consuming complicated things, including removing Framework
> completely. Far too much work. I'd rather just stay with 2.0. I
> should have never upgraded in the first place.
>
> The second was easier. They just said to remove ISUSPM from the
> System Configuration Utility. The person reporting the problem said
> that worked.
>
> Even assuming I could just uncheck ISUSPM and the problem would have
> gone away, what was causing InstallShield to think something was
> amiss? (I don't particularly feel like reinstalling 3.5. It took a
> VERY long time to do.)
>
> Thanks for any help.
 
S

Shenan Stanley

Flightless Bird
Bob wrote:
> I have Windows XP Home SP2.
>
> I did a Windows Update and it wanted me to install Framework 3.5 SP1
> before doing any other updates.
>
> On the first Restart after installation, it said there was a problem
> with my logon profile (possibly corrupt), and it logged me on with a
> temporary profile. The desktop was completely different from my
> usual desktop. I restarted again and didn't have a problem with my
> profile. I saw my usual desktop.
>
> However, every time right after logging in, I also saw a Windows
> Installer dialog saying that the feature I was trying to install was
> not available and to insert the "Update Manager" disk and click OK.
> I clicked Cancel several times before the dialog would go away.
>
> I tried various things to eliminate the dialog, but nothing worked.
> Sometimes if I stayed in the Windows session for more than a few
> minutes, it would come back, and again I'd have to click Cancel
> multiple times to eliminate it.
>
> I then tried "repairing" 3.5 SP1, which supposedly put it back to
> its "original state," whatever that was. That didn't help.
>
> I then removed 3.5 entirely. I didn't realize, though, that MS had
> also installed 3.0 as part of going to 3.5 (apparently I had been at
> 2.0). So, I hadn't removed 3.0, just 3.5. In any event, the
> Windows Installer dialog wouldn't go away.
>
> Finally, I did a Restore back to just before I installed 3.5. That
> got rid of 3.0 and got rid of the Windows Installer dialog. I
> believe I am back to 2.0 now.
>
> I have looked all over for a problem similar to mine. I found two
> instances. In one, the recommendation was to do some very
> time-consuming complicated things, including removing Framework
> completely. Far too much work. I'd rather just stay with 2.0. I
> should have never upgraded in the first place.
>
> The second was easier. They just said to remove ISUSPM from the
> System Configuration Utility. The person reporting the problem said
> that worked.
>
> Even assuming I could just uncheck ISUSPM and the problem would have
> gone away, what was causing InstallShield to think something was
> amiss? (I don't particularly feel like reinstalling 3.5. It took a
> VERY long time to do.)
>
> Thanks for any help.


First, IMHO, you should have gone to SP3 long ago. Not that it would have
helped in this situation (although it might have considering how many
hundreds of updates you are missing because you are SP2 and not SP3 and the
fact that SP2 is no longer supported - nor is the WIndows XP installations
that are only installed up to that level) - but you are behind in patches
for no good reason other than probably FUD.

Now - what needs to be done is a bit of a cleanup, a repair of all of your
..NET stuff (1.1, 2.0, 30., 3.5 and soon 4.0 - none have been cumulative in
every way - sometimes you need one or the other depending on what software
you have and what it was written for), windows update repairs and - as I
said, IMHO - you should get SP3 installed.

This will take time, effort and your full attention at times - but in the
end you should have a fully patched WIndows XP machine that probably runs
better than the first day you received it. ;-)

Make sure your backups are current. Lightning does strike in one place
twice, computers are prone to mistakes, even more so when used by people.
Backups are not required, not having them is unwise at best. An image of
your computers hard drive before you start is even better.

Reboot and logon as administrative user.

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 - you'll install SP3 shortly, but not now.

Reboot and logon as administrative user.

Download/install this:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

After installing, do the following:

Start button --> RUN --> type in:
"%ProgramFiles%\Windows Installer Clean Up\msizap.exe" g!
--> Click OK.
(The quotation marks and percentage signs and spacing should be exact.)

Reboot and logon as administrative user.

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.

Reboot and logon as administrative user.

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

Reboot and logon as administrative user.

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 and logon as administrative user.

Now for SP3...

1) 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.

2) Ensure your hardware drivers are up to date (from the hardware
manufacturer's respective web pages.) Never get hardware drivers
for hardware that was not created/sold by Microsoft from Microsoft.

3) Reboot right before you try to install SP3.

4) Disconnect from the internet before installing (physically disconnect -
pull the network cable or disable the router/modem.)

5) Uninstall any and all third-party firewall applications (ZoneAlarm, etc)
and utilize the built-in Windows Firewall only.

6) 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
 
B

Bob

Flightless Bird
On Sun, 31 Jan 2010 10:42:46 -0500, "PA Bear [MS MVP]"
<PABearMVP@gmail.com> wrote:

>Did Windows Update offer .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 or KB951847? Open IE to
>http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com, select the CUSTOM option & scan: Is the
>update still being offered and/or does the Update History section (left-hand
>side) show that it was originally installed successfully?


This is what it offers me now and what I was offered before:

"Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 and .NET Framework 3.5
Family Update for .NET versions 2.0 through 3.5 (KB951847) x86"

The history shows it was installed successfully.

>What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
>subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
>What third-party firewall (if any)?


I have no antivirus programs currently installed, nor any anti-malware
programs, including Defender.

No third-party firewall software, although I have a router, which I
think has some rudimentary firewall installed.

>Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
>computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
>it)?


I don't remember. The computer is 4.5 years old. If there was a
trial version, I uninstalled it fairly quickly. Hate that stuff.

>May I ask why SP3 hasn't been installed yet? [Extended Support for WinXP
>SP2 ends on 10 July 2010.


Sure, you can ask. :) One reason is I have an AMD processor, and
problems have been reported with SP3 and AMD. I know there's fix for
it, but it makes me nervous. Another reason is I have no real
problems with my system, which is why I shouldn't have even installed
Framework 3.5. It was a mistake, and I wasted over an hour installing
and removing it.
 
B

Bob

Flightless Bird
On Sun, 31 Jan 2010 09:55:33 -0600, "Shenan Stanley"
<newshelper@gmail.com> wrote:

>First, IMHO, you should have gone to SP3 long ago.
>
>Now - what needs to be done is a bit of a cleanup, a repair of all of your
>.NET stuff (1.1, 2.0, 30., 3.5 and soon 4.0 - none have been cumulative in
>every way - sometimes you need one or the other depending on what software
>you have and what it was written for), windows update repairs and - as I
>said, IMHO - you should get SP3 installed.
>
>This will take time, effort and your full attention at times - but in the
>end you should have a fully patched WIndows XP machine that probably runs
>better than the first day you received it. ;-)

[snip]

I appreciate your good intentions, but there's no way I'm going to do
what you suggest when my system runs just fine.

At some point I will either install SP3 (when MS stops supporting
SP2), or I will be buying a new computer with a new OS on it. My
current computer is about 4.5 years old, and I generally replace my
computer about every 5 years.

In the meantime, I will continue to selectively install patches,
mostly security updates. I won't make the mistake again of installing
a gargantuan upgrade that arguably does me little or no good. I'm not
sure what possessed me to do it, but it was clearly a mistake.

Nonetheless, thanks again for the trouble you took in your response.
 
S

Shenan Stanley

Flightless Bird
Bob wrote:
> I have Windows XP Home SP2.
>
> I did a Windows Update and it wanted me to install Framework 3.5 SP1
> before doing any other updates.
>
> On the first Restart after installation, it said there was a problem
> with my logon profile (possibly corrupt), and it logged me on with a
> temporary profile. The desktop was completely different from my
> usual desktop. I restarted again and didn't have a problem with my
> profile. I saw my usual desktop.
>
> However, every time right after logging in, I also saw a Windows
> Installer dialog saying that the feature I was trying to install was
> not available and to insert the "Update Manager" disk and click OK.
> I clicked Cancel several times before the dialog would go away.
>
> I tried various things to eliminate the dialog, but nothing worked.
> Sometimes if I stayed in the Windows session for more than a few
> minutes, it would come back, and again I'd have to click Cancel
> multiple times to eliminate it.
>
> I then tried "repairing" 3.5 SP1, which supposedly put it back to
> its "original state," whatever that was. That didn't help.
>
> I then removed 3.5 entirely. I didn't realize, though, that MS had
> also installed 3.0 as part of going to 3.5 (apparently I had been at
> 2.0). So, I hadn't removed 3.0, just 3.5. In any event, the
> Windows Installer dialog wouldn't go away.
>
> Finally, I did a Restore back to just before I installed 3.5. That
> got rid of 3.0 and got rid of the Windows Installer dialog. I
> believe I am back to 2.0 now.
>
> I have looked all over for a problem similar to mine. I found two
> instances. In one, the recommendation was to do some very
> time-consuming complicated things, including removing Framework
> completely. Far too much work. I'd rather just stay with 2.0. I
> should have never upgraded in the first place.
>
> The second was easier. They just said to remove ISUSPM from the
> System Configuration Utility. The person reporting the problem said
> that worked.
>
> Even assuming I could just uncheck ISUSPM and the problem would have
> gone away, what was causing InstallShield to think something was
> amiss? (I don't particularly feel like reinstalling 3.5. It took a
> VERY long time to do.)
>
> Thanks for any help.


Shenan Stanley wrote:
> First, IMHO, you should have gone to SP3 long ago. Not that it
> would have helped in this situation (although it might have
> considering how many hundreds of updates you are missing because
> you are SP2 and not SP3 and the fact that SP2 is no longer
> supported - nor is the WIndows XP installations that are only
> installed up to that level) - but you are behind in patches for no
> good reason other than probably FUD.
>
> Now - what needs to be done is a bit of a cleanup, a repair of all
> of your .NET stuff (1.1, 2.0, 30., 3.5 and soon 4.0 - none have
> been cumulative in every way - sometimes you need one or the other
> depending on what software you have and what it was written for),
> windows update repairs and - as I said, IMHO - you should get SP3
> installed.
>
> This will take time, effort and your full attention at times - but
> in the end you should have a fully patched WIndows XP machine that
> probably runs better than the first day you received it. ;-)
>
> Make sure your backups are current. Lightning does strike in one
> place twice, computers are prone to mistakes, even more so when
> used by people. Backups are not required, not having them is unwise
> at best. An image of your computers hard drive before you start is
> even better.
>
> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>
> 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 - you'll install SP3 shortly, but not now.
>
> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>
> Download/install this:
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301
>
> After installing, do the following:
>
> Start button --> RUN --> type in:
> "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Installer Clean Up\msizap.exe" g!
> --> Click OK.
> (The quotation marks and percentage signs and spacing should be
> exact.)
>
> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>
> 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.
>
> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>
> 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
>
> Reboot and logon as administrative user.
>
> 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 and logon as administrative user.
>
> Now for SP3...
>
> 1) 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.
>
> 2) Ensure your hardware drivers are up to date (from the hardware
> manufacturer's respective web pages.) Never get hardware drivers
> for hardware that was not created/sold by Microsoft from
> Microsoft.
>
> 3) Reboot right before you try to install SP3.
>
> 4) Disconnect from the internet before installing (physically
> disconnect - pull the network cable or disable the router/modem.)
>
> 5) Uninstall any and all third-party firewall applications
> (ZoneAlarm, etc) and utilize the built-in Windows Firewall only.
>
> 6) 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.


Bob wrote:
> I appreciate your good intentions, but there's no way I'm going to
> do what you suggest when my system runs just fine.
>
> At some point I will either install SP3 (when MS stops supporting
> SP2), or I will be buying a new computer with a new OS on it. My
> current computer is about 4.5 years old, and I generally replace my
> computer about every 5 years.
>
> In the meantime, I will continue to selectively install patches,
> mostly security updates. I won't make the mistake again of
> installing a gargantuan upgrade that arguably does me little or no
> good. I'm not sure what possessed me to do it, but it was clearly
> a mistake.
>
> Nonetheless, thanks again for the trouble you took in your response.


If your system was running 'just fine' - you would have had no trouble. ;-)

Your car will run just fine for many many miles without ever changing the
oil or doing other common maintenance tasks. Your house will stand for many
years without a fresh coat of paint or a new roof. However - the little
maintenance tasks one does *will* extend the life of the product(s).

BTW - I forgot to add the cleanup of the .NET stuff - my bad - here it is.

At this point - if the machine was mine - I would follow these directions:
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistawu/thread/ea20ba99-017e-4ae0-975b-1ef8b771dff8

In other words... Use the .NET Cleanup Tool (Method 2), reboot and install
the .NET Updates in this order:

- .Net Framework 3.5
(http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=333325FD-AE52-4E35-B531-508D977D32A6)
- .Net Framework 1.1
(http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=262D25E3-F589-4842-8157-034D1E7CF3A3&amp;)
- .Net Framework 1.1 SP1
(http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=A8F5654F-088E-40B2-BBDB-A83353618B38&amp;)

Should be good to go.

Needs repeating in full?
When installing updates using Windows update or Microsoft Update you may
receive Error 0x643 or 0x80070643 (23 Oct-09)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/976982

=====================

Step #1 => Before doing anything else, write down what .NET Framework
versions are currently installed:

How to determine which versions of the .NET Framework are installed and
whether service packs have been applied
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/318785

Step #2 => Now see Resolution Method 2 in this related KB article...

When you try to install an update for the .NET Framework 1.0, 1.1, 2.0, 3.0,
or 3.5, you may receive Windows Update error code "0x643" or Windows
Installer error code "1603" (ignore the title, if need be)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923100

After running the .NET Framework Cleanup Tool, reinstall all .NET Framework
versions (but only the ones you wrote down in #1 above) manually using the
download links on the page then run Windows Update manually to install
security updates for same.

NB: If you remove .NET Framework 3.5 (SP1) using the tool, reinstalling .NET
Framework 3.5 will also install .Net Framework 2.0 SP2 and 3.0 SP2; then
Windows Update will offer .NET Framework 3.5 SP1.

IMPORTANT! => If you remove .NET Framework 3.5 (SP1), reinstall your .NET
Framework versions in the following order:

1. .Net Framework 3.5, then...
2. .Net Framework 1.1, then...
3. .Net Framework 1.1 SP1

NB: KB923100 references this page:
http://blogs.msdn.com/astebner/archive/2006/05/30/611355.aspx. Please read
ALL of it as well as the related page
http://blogs.msdn.com/astebner/pages/8904493.aspx before using the .NET
Framework Cleanup Tool.

In the end - I don't really care what you do with your system and we all
know this - no one else here really cares either.

You asked for the experienced assistance and you have received some of it
here and elsewhere in this indefinitely archived conversation. Whether you
choose to follow the experienced and well-intentioned advice is up to you -
but given you asked, I figured it wise to give you the best advice I could
that should improve your computing experience and fix your system that
*does* have something wrong with it that you have already noticed.

As I have said elsewhere before again and again - your system, you get to
choose what you want to do and what you don't want to do. However - when
you ask people who get paid to fix systems with problems like yours, who
make their livings off doing so and/or keep many others up in the same
manner for free and offer their advice freely to you - I wouldn't expect a
half-a$$ answer, but the full-out truth and best method they could offer.
Sure - you get to choose whether or not to follow said advice inthe end -
just like you would with your doctor. ;-)

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
 
K

Ken Blake, MVP

Flightless Bird
On Sun, 31 Jan 2010 08:16:45 -0800, Bob <x.x@xxx.com> wrote:

> On Sun, 31 Jan 2010 09:55:33 -0600, "Shenan Stanley"
> <newshelper@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >First, IMHO, you should have gone to SP3 long ago.
> >
> >Now - what needs to be done is a bit of a cleanup, a repair of all of your
> >.NET stuff (1.1, 2.0, 30., 3.5 and soon 4.0 - none have been cumulative in
> >every way - sometimes you need one or the other depending on what software
> >you have and what it was written for), windows update repairs and - as I
> >said, IMHO - you should get SP3 installed.
> >
> >This will take time, effort and your full attention at times - but in the
> >end you should have a fully patched WIndows XP machine that probably runs
> >better than the first day you received it. ;-)

> [snip]
>
> I appreciate your good intentions, but there's no way I'm going to do
> what you suggest when my system runs just fine.



Your choice of course, but SP3, like all service packs, includes a
significant number of security updates. Your system may run "just
fine," but without SP3 you are exposing yourself to potential security
issues.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
Please Reply to the Newsgroup
 
P

PA Bear [MS MVP]

Flightless Bird
> I have no antivirus programs currently installed, nor any anti-malware
> programs, including Defender.


Sorry, your on you own here, Bob.

Bob wrote:
> On Sun, 31 Jan 2010 10:42:46 -0500, "PA Bear [MS MVP]"
> <PABearMVP@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Did Windows Update offer .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 or KB951847? Open IE to
>> http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com, select the CUSTOM option & scan: Is
>> the
>> update still being offered and/or does the Update History section
>> (left-hand side) show that it was originally installed successfully?

>
> This is what it offers me now and what I was offered before:
>
> "Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 and .NET Framework 3.5
> Family Update for .NET versions 2.0 through 3.5 (KB951847) x86"
>
> The history shows it was installed successfully.
>
>> What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
>> subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than
>> Defender)? What third-party firewall (if any)?

>
> I have no antivirus programs currently installed, nor any anti-malware
> programs, including Defender.
>
> No third-party firewall software, although I have a router, which I
> think has some rudimentary firewall installed.
>
>> Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
>> computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you
>> bought
>> it)?

>
> I don't remember. The computer is 4.5 years old. If there was a
> trial version, I uninstalled it fairly quickly. Hate that stuff.
>
>> May I ask why SP3 hasn't been installed yet? [Extended Support for WinXP
>> SP2 ends on 10 July 2010.

>
> Sure, you can ask. :) One reason is I have an AMD processor, and
> problems have been reported with SP3 and AMD. I know there's fix for
> it, but it makes me nervous. Another reason is I have no real
> problems with my system, which is why I shouldn't have even installed
> Framework 3.5. It was a mistake, and I wasted over an hour installing
> and removing it.
 
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