I’m using Avast 4.6 Home Ed. Win XP Pro without service packs.
I’ve constantly been getting these entries in my Avast logviewer and Windows Event viewers:
I would love to update my PC with the service packs for Win XP.
I even ordered the SP2 CD.
When I tried to install SP2, it would not allow me to install…
It scanned my license code number for XP and informed me that it was invalid. I purchased my PC from a little used computer shop that went out of business so there is not a thing I can do about it.
I plan on buying a new Operating System but I’m holding out for the new one from Microsoft.
I’ve been getting all the updates one at a time, right along from the Windows Update website though.
Still trying to find the answer to my original question…
you can get a new license code from microsoft if you post/email/ the bill (from the purchased PC from the computer store) to microsoft. To work without servicepacks are very dangerous.
Try contacting microsoft!
How did you try to install it? - I take it you mean that you were trying to update it (not install) using windows update and you weren’t off-line. So try note 1. above.
Once you have SP2 downloaded and installed, you will continue to have the problems with windows update as it will continue to detect your copy of XP Pro as bad and you will have to do what you have been doing, download things one at a time (not using windows update), a painfully slow experience.
As has been suggested you can get your bad copy replaced but you will have to provide information and shop (squeal, grass) the place that sold it to you.
I am still able to get all the security updates using the Windows Update website, in fact, it is always nagging for me to download SP2. I use dial-up so I ordered the SP2 CD and when it arrived , I tried installing it … then, and only then is when I was informed of my bogus license number. Other than that I have no problem using the Windows Update.
I assumed that all these downloads that I’ve been getting have at least took care of the more critical security flaws.
I have my automatic updates set to inform me when and which downloads are available. Then I pick which ones I want. When deselecting the SP2 download, (after it bitches about me un-checking it) a larger list of individual downloads are listed for me to choose from.
And believe me when I say that there have been lots and lots of them installed. When I view my Add/Remove list, it scrolls a long time to get to the bottom of the page because every one of the windows updates are there. I can’t imagine there being that many more updates to get.
I may take your advice about presenting my receipt for my PC to Microsoft. Never heard of that until now.
I just cannot see that working.
Thank you everyone for your help.
Nancy
(I cannot figure out how to show the “Quotes” like you guys do so please forgive how this turns out.)
The problem of still using windows update without SP2 installed, there are some updates that you won’t be offered since you don’t have SP2, catch 22. You can’t get the latest IE6 SP2 unless you have XP SP2 installed, etc.
