computer help: My computer has been messed up since some recent Windows XP automatic updates. - Help.com

My computer has been messed up since some recent Windows XP automatic updates.

Now the Generic Win 32 keeps shutting down; when that happens the audio driver stops working (my computer says I don’t have one after the error but sees it fine before the error) and the Security Center shuts down and if I try to go back to the windows update site, it just freezes up. AAaagh.

This open post was written 2 years, 5 months ago | V/U/S: 700, 4, 4 | Edit Post | Leave a reply | Subscribe to Replies | Report Post


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Since writing this post torrti may have helped people, but has not within the last 4 days. torrti is a verified member, has been around for 2 years, 5 months and has 1 posts and 1 replies to their name.

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computer, Microsoft Windows, Sound recording and reproduction, Microsoft Update, Error, Security, working, Has Been, Fine, Automatic (Edit Tags) (How Tags Affect Reciprocity)

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Torquin offline Verified User (2 years, 5 months) Long Term User Shouts: 0 Add Friend #
Milwaukee, WI, US | 2 years, 5 months ago (3 minutes after post)

Sounds like you have a virus or trojan on your computer. Try scanning it or using a webscan service at trendmicro.com, mcaffee.com, or one of the others.

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GuruPepsi offline Verified User (4 years, 1 month) Long Term User Shouts: 0 Add Friend #
CT, US | 2 years, 5 months ago (19 hours, 16 minutes after post)

WinXP automatic updates is a huge PROBLEM. I would suggest turning it off and never updating it and instead relying on a 3rd party anti-spyware and firewall application (think AVG Antivirus and ZoneAlarm for two excellent free software choices).

Thesame thing happened to me when I selected and allowed automatic updates, everything stopped working - all my peripheral drivers were corrupted - and finally I had to reformat my hard drive and re-install everything again. Now I have Windows automatic updates turned off and the reminder is a nuisance but it is better than having to go thru a nightmare once again.

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fal_sentine offline Unverified User #
An Unknown Location | 2 years, 1 month ago (3 months, 3 weeks after post)

I suggest that you format your hard disk and install windows again. after installation turn off your automatic updates. for advance users select the option “download updates but let me choose when to install them.” Suggested anti-virus: Avast or Nod32. Top 2 anti-virus. Good luck!

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torrti offline Verified User (2 years, 5 months) Long Term User Shouts: 0 Add Friend #
Fairfax, VA, US | 2 years, 1 month ago (3 months, 4 weeks after post)

I reinstalled windows and turned off automatic updates. Not ideal because some updated software out there (like Adobe) won’t install without SP2 but it meets my needs for now and until I get a new computer. I’ve killed a trojan horse and I have a better virus and spyware protection now, too. Thanks those who suggested solutions.

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