Urgent Warning To Windows Xp Users

[basjke]

Good to know.I have the message appearing for the past 3 or 4 days that updates are ready to be downloaded.I was a bit hesitant to download them yet because I had a similar problem about a month ago from which I was not sure why but mysteriously it appeared right after the download of a bunch of updates.

I know now which button I will click in the message.

[Supernova]

It seems quite a few people are having problems with updates which has got me thinking... When updates become available, do you install every single one? Or do you pick and choose? Windows updates are categorized into four Severity Ratings: (1) Critical; (2) Important; (3) Moderate; (4) Low.

I only choose to install updates addressing critical vulnerabilities that can be exploited without user interaction. The others I simply don't bother with. I just think blindly installing every single patch that comes your way is asking for trouble.

Just my two cents.

[britmaveric]

^never had an issue, I install them all.

[MikeWill]

I can't help but wonder if those who no problems had "legal" copies of XP and those who had problems didn't ?

You may have hit the nail on the head here as I too had no problems. Too many folks using dodgy software and then screaming Ya boo .

You just do not know what you're speaking about. So, better save your comments for when you're up to the task.

[Thongkorn]

Sounds like a fake Windows Bug, Its called INTERNET virus. I got it last year had to wipe everything and start again. if it is it you can go on you tube and type in fake Windows Internet virus it will tell you how to delete it.

[basjke]

I can't help but wonder if those who no problems had "legal" copies of XP and those who had problems didn't ?

You may have hit the nail on the head here as I too had no problems. Too many folks using dodgy software and then screaming Ya boo .

You must be wrong because according to this topic only 28% of the TV members runs a pirated operation system.

[toptuan]

Ten years ago, did an MS update for my Windows operating system on a nearly-new HP desktop PC. The entire system crashed and wouldn't even reboot. Two weeks of calling MS and HP, and all I got was finger-pointing, the software guys blaming the hardware guys, and vice versa. Neither would take responsibility. HP claimed I had violated my warranty by messing with the pre-installed MS OP. (<deleted>??).

Finally had to take it to a shop to have the entire system wiped off and reinstalled (of course, losing a ton of data which I had not backed up yet--I know, my bad), and costing around $100 US.

1999: That was the last MS software update I ever installed. No problems since.

Security patches are necessary to keep the computer from being hacked. Computer Security is a layered defense where the O/S is an important part. Skipping MS updates leaves the computer vulnerable.

While you may find the computer works well, so may many others without your knowledge.

So you leave me with two choices: 1) a computer that is vulnerable, or 2) a computer that does not work at all.

Which would YOU choose?

[astral]

My Windows version is 100% genuine.

It came with the notebook, loaded by HP

and with the support disks.

[Supernova]

Ten years ago, did an MS update for my Windows operating system on a nearly-new HP desktop PC. The entire system crashed and wouldn't even reboot. Two weeks of calling MS and HP, and all I got was finger-pointing, the software guys blaming the hardware guys, and vice versa. Neither would take responsibility. HP claimed I had violated my warranty by messing with the pre-installed MS OP. (<deleted>??).

Finally had to take it to a shop to have the entire system wiped off and reinstalled (of course, losing a ton of data which I had not backed up yet--I know, my bad), and costing around $100 US.

1999: That was the last MS software update I ever installed. No problems since.

Security patches are necessary to keep the computer from being hacked. Computer Security is a layered defense where the O/S is an important part. Skipping MS updates leaves the computer vulnerable.

While you may find the computer works well, so may many others without your knowledge.

So you leave me with two choices: 1) a computer that is vulnerable, or 2) a computer that does not work at all.

Which would YOU choose?

A lot has changed since 1999... The least you could do to protect your computer is choose to only install critical updates (like I do). Leaving your system completely unpatched is just plain foolish.

[parryhandy]

No problems here with the updates but had the same problem with the sp3 update many moons ago. Took my pc to the shop where I bought it and they put another copy of xp on it and saved all my games, music pics etc.. for free !! Gave them some beer money for their troubles.

[toptuan]

Ten years ago, did an MS update for my Windows operating system on a nearly-new HP desktop PC. The entire system crashed and wouldn't even reboot. Two weeks of calling MS and HP, and all I got was finger-pointing, the software guys blaming the hardware guys, and vice versa. Neither would take responsibility. HP claimed I had violated my warranty by messing with the pre-installed MS OP. (<deleted>??).

Finally had to take it to a shop to have the entire system wiped off and reinstalled (of course, losing a ton of data which I had not backed up yet--I know, my bad), and costing around $100 US.

1999: That was the last MS software update I ever installed. No problems since.

Security patches are necessary to keep the computer from being hacked. Computer Security is a layered defense where the O/S is an important part. Skipping MS updates leaves the computer vulnerable.

While you may find the computer works well, so may many others without your knowledge.

So you leave me with two choices: 1) a computer that is vulnerable, or 2) a computer that does not work at all.

Which would YOU choose?

A lot has changed since 1999... The least you could do to protect your computer is choose to only install critical updates (like I do). Leaving your system completely unpatched is just plain foolish.

One thing that remains unchanged since 1999: The finger-pointing between hardware and software people, which leaves the consumer (in the middle) totally vulnerable. Back to my abacus. Anyone know how to logon to email from an abacus?

[garyh]

You will need to go to see the Wun Hung Low Abacus factory, they have a new EAbacus, these are now able to send messages between Abacuses up to a distance of 15 metres (this varies with the users eyesight) also networking is available at a similar distance with abacus wireless 1.01 although they have a another version called shoutnet soon to be released, some tests have achieved succesful connections over 1 KM with fishwife hardware. This is dependant on signal to noise ratio's, there is also a talk of Clive Sinclair coming of retirment to help the Wun Hung Low Abacus factory to develop a kit version.

[sammycic]

My Windows version is 100% genuine.

It came with the notebook, loaded by HP

and with the support disks.

so was my windows "genuine" that i bought direct from HP in phuket until i put in the genuine xp pro upgrade that i bought in Aus.

thailand the land of copy even HP

[CosmicSurfer]

You will need to go to see the Wun Hung Low Abacus factory, they have a new EAbacus, these are now able to send messages between Abacuses up to a distance of 15 metres (this varies with the users eyesight) also networking is available at a similar distance with abacus wireless 1.01 although they have a another version called shoutnet soon to be released, some tests have achieved succesful connections over 1 KM with fishwife hardware. This is dependant on signal to noise ratio's, there is also a talk of Clive Sinclair coming of retirment to help the Wun Hung Low Abacus factory to develop a kit version.

GREAT.. I love it!

CS

[krading]

I'd like to know which of the updates contains the bit that gives you the black screen and pirated version message.

This is the second computer I bought from Pantip with 'genuine' XP on it. The first had another system but I asked them to put XP on it. After SP3 I got 'The Message' and lost Office.

This computer came with XP already installed but with a trial version of Office which I replaced with a friends copy.

Which update should I leave out?

SP3 seemed to cause all the trouble last time.

[Mcnerge]

That's it, I'm going back to Commodore 64 with an 8mb floppy disk, and a 64mb hard drive, that's got enough memory for 1 photo of the missis's and me and 1 message in the My Documents.

Mcnerge

[trogers]

That's it, I'm going back to Commodore 64 with an 8mb floppy disk, and a 64mb hard drive, that's got enough memory for 1 photo of the missis's and me and 1 message in the My Documents.

Mcnerge

Ah...that's the grandson of my 8 bit Apple running Wordstar and Multiplan spread sheets.

[CosmicSurfer]

I'd like to know which of the updates contains the bit that gives you the black screen and pirated version message.

This is the second computer I bought from Pantip with 'genuine' XP on it. The first had another system but I asked them to put XP on it. After SP3 I got 'The Message' and lost Office.

This computer came with XP already installed but with a trial version of Office which I replaced with a friends copy.

Which update should I leave out?

SP3 seemed to cause all the trouble last time.

And are you sure that your friends copy of Office wasn't a pirated version???

This could cause you problems also on an update.

CS

[MikeWill]

And are you sure that your friends copy of Office wasn't a pirated version???

This could cause you problems also on an update.

CS

I doubt it.

[Supernova]

I'd like to know which of the updates contains the bit that gives you the black screen and pirated version message.

This is the second computer I bought from Pantip with 'genuine' XP on it. The first had another system but I asked them to put XP on it. After SP3 I got 'The Message' and lost Office.

Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA)

KB892130 - This is the validation tool and it must be installed for you to be able to use Microsoft Update (click at your own risk). It is not required for Automatic Updates. This component is updated on regular basis.

KB905474 - WGA Notifications is not the same as KB892130 and is not needed to use Microsoft Update. However, this component is responsible for the (annoying) popup messages.

Note: Both these items cannot be uninstalled.

[Mobi]

If you Google you can find out how to get rid of the WGA files in your registry, by going into safe mode and following the instructions.

I did it sometime ago and never had any more problems.

But obviouisly you have to be very careful you don't corrupt your registry,. A good idea to back up first and create a restore point.

And always opt to download updates manually, and never download any which have a reference connected with WGA or Windows Genuine Advantage.

For those who think I am a cheap Charlie, I would add that I have two genuine versions of XP a but balked at a third, because I believe the cost in this market is far too high, and in any case I will switch to genuine Windows 7 in due course.

[krading]

I'd like to know which of the updates contains the bit that gives you the black screen and pirated version message.

This is the second computer I bought from Pantip with 'genuine' XP on it. The first had another system but I asked them to put XP on it. After SP3 I got 'The Message' and lost Office.

Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA)

KB892130 - This is the validation tool and it must be installed for you to be able to use Microsoft Update (click at your own risk). It is not required for Automatic Updates. This component is updated on regular basis.

KB905474 - WGA Notifications is not the same as KB892130 and is not needed to use Microsoft Update. However, this component is responsible for the (annoying) popup messages.

Note: Both these items cannot be uninstalled.

Neither of these are among the 12 updates in the list.

I'll give it a go and see what happens after I update my restore point.

Wish me luck.

[nikster]

A lot has changed since 1999... The least you could do to protect your computer is choose to only install critical updates (like I do). Leaving your system completely unpatched is just plain foolish.

^^^ very important. A lot of people don't realize this. The way it works is the minute Microsoft releases the patches, hackers around the world get going on analyzing the vulnerabilities patched that day, and release exploits for them. Call it preying on the weak and the lazy. Practically the next day, malware around the world is loaded with this knowledge. Therefore if you leave your machine unpatched, you expose yourself to lots of real life malware out there.

As soon as a patch is released, the importance of the patched vulnerability goes up by a magnitude. Before it may have been a zero day exploit known to only a few, or it may even have been a white hat hacker tip-off to Microsoft that nobody else knew about. But after the patch is released, the exploit becomes common knowledge, everyone that wants to can use it, basically.

Keep your automatic updates on, people.

Microsoft once debated turning off auto updates for pirated systems but they then realized that that would only unleash 100s of thousands or even millions of infected machines onto the web, spreading malware that much faster, and infecting genuine windows systems faster too. They can't afford to do it, they need to protect their customers.

If you want to have a stable Windows, don't install software that buries itself deep in the system. You don't need a 3rd party firewall, all it does it throw up lots of alerts in order to convince you of its own importance. In reality the Windows firewall works just fine. Same for AV software - choose the one that's least intrusive, or none at all. On the latter, there are ways to keep your system virus free even without AV software, you just need to be a bit careful. And not use IE