Thread: Windows XP updates

Do you get any error messages?
Has something on your system changed since the last successful update?

EDIT: I just tried an update on an XP system and the connection to the Microsoft update page, fails. Is this your problem too?

Microsoft has now stopped supporting XP which is why Updates will not work.

Support for XP finishes in 2014 - Support ends in 2014 for Windows XP and Office 2003!

I've just tried again and was able to access the Microsoft update site, 6 updates were applied (I don't use XP much except for Sketchup and my weatherstation)

Originally Posted by snowyskiesau

Support for XP finishes in 2014 - Support ends in 2014 for Windows XP and Office 2003!

I've just tried again and was able to access the Microsoft update site, 6 updates were applied (I don't use XP much except for Sketchup and my weatherstation)

Opps my bad! must have mis-read the article I read recently

Damn, that's a pity because I really like Windows XP and don't want to upgrade.

If I'm forced to go to Windows 7 for example, can I just upgrade from XP, or do I have to fork out more dough?

Ken

Hmmm. Both. You will be able to just upgrade from XP, but you will need to buy Windows 7. I suspect that will be an ebay transaction because I think you will only find Windows 8 in shops now. Only go for Windows 8 if you have no other options. It is that bad.

Originally Posted by neksmerj

Damn, that's a pity because I really like Windows XP and don't want to upgrade.

If I'm forced to go to Windows 7 for example, can I just upgrade from XP, or do I have to fork out more dough?

Ken

You don't have to stop using XP, though there will be a point in the future where security updates are stopped being rolled out.

Windows 7 is now heading for end of life now that windows 8 is out. Unfortunately you've missed the boat on cheap updates (it was $40 earlier this year) and I think it's now around $200.

The windows 8 start menu is bit of a pain, especially at the beginning, though there's a few third party programs that put the start menu back.

I am going to keep using XP until I don't have any choice (I upgraded to XP when WIndows 98 wouldn't actually support a piece of hardware that I needed to add to the system).

Windows 8 isn't too bad, once you've installed Classic Shell to get rid of the drooling idiocy that is metro (sure, I really want to go out and replace my 27 inch monitor with one that needs me to wipe my cheetos covered fingers all over it just so using a PC feels 'natural'.)

If you're a frequent copier of files to USB, the file copy process dialog is much less frustrating than the one in Windows 7 (you know how that goes - "Copied 5 meg, 5 seconds remaining...er, sorry make that 20 seconds...2 minutes...sorry, that's 3 hours, 17 and one-half seconds....no, only 26 seconds left now....errr come back next week...oh, its done now")

OK, so we seem to be back to the original issue, unless it is just an internal connection issue at the MS Update end.

One of my 4 XP units will no longer update as it now fails the Genuine Advantage Test. In the explanation provided, the key which the install used is a corporate bulk license version and license holder has reliquished the XP licence due to upgrading beyond XP. MS has then pulled the plug on upgrades for all machinery using that licence block, without taking into account that the machinery licenced has legitamately moved to the second hand market.

If you a getting a Genuine Advantage fail message, you could have a similar problem. Personally I am not worrying about at the moment.

At the time I tried it (see previous post in this thread), it seemed to be a connection to MS issue.

I've since been able to update the one XP vm I use for my weatherstation. I don't bother updating my Mach 3 installation.

If you have installed Service Pack 3 it's likely there are no more updates.

Gene

the next update for windows 8 is going to include a normal type shell. Start button etc.
There are already third party ones around.

A lot of big companies have not gone past Xp yet either.
Vista was a dog.
they are waiting till 7 becomes real stable, no-one moves to it until at least sp1 or sp2 and then they test it to death that all apps still work or make changes so it does for their own software.
8 may be ok for tablets and phones but not if you using a desktop (ATM).

Run a couple of anti-virus programs other than what you use normally. There are a bunch of Malware apps that try to block security upgrades and also fudge the anti-virus lookup tables or the web address for the updates.