Re: Windows Genuine Advantage Notification (KB905474)

Tech Tip: Click here to run a free scan for Windows Errors and optimize PC performance

David wrote:
I have basically the same problem..........

It will not install the update.....it fails every time it tries to
install......

What is this software for anyway? My copy is genuine.

You may have genuine software - but you are having an issue with the
installation of an update.

The description of any update you have the KB ###### for is not more than a
web page away:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/######
--> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/905474

Description of the Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications application
Last Review: March 30, 2009

"Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications for Windows XP notifies you if a
copy of Windows XP is not genuine. The notification messages only appear on
computers that have failed the WGA validation process and that are running a
copy of Windows XP that is not genuine. If you are running a validated,
genuine copy of Windows XP, you will not receive notification messages."

My suggestion might seem like overkill - but it will ensure your update
system is clean and up to date and should clear up your problems with the
update system in Windows XP...

Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan (separately) with the
following two applications (freeware versions are the ones to use for this):

SuperAntiSpyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/

MalwareBytes
http://www.malwarebytes.com/

After performing a full scan with one and then the other and removing
whatever they both find completely, you may uninstall these products,
if you wish.

Download and run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

Reboot.

Search your registry for %fystem and replace the "f" with an "s". May be
three or four matches, may be none. You may have to take ownership.

Download/Install the latest Windows Installer (for your OS):
( Windows XP 32-bit : WindowsXP-KB942288-v3-x86.exe )
http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/details.aspx?familyid=5A58B56F-60B6-4412-95B9-54D056D6F9F4&displaylang=en

Reboot.

and...

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.

Then follow the instructions here:

How do I reset Windows Update components?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058

and..

Download and install the update you had trouble with earlier - manually:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=78651

Reboot.

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.

The Optional Software updates are generally safe - although I recommend
against the "Windows Search" one and any of the "Office 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.

Come back - let us know if that worked.
.... Really - come back and let everyone know if that worked.

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


.

Quantcast