My vista auto updates now shows the KB977165 unchecked in the list of autoupdates to install after a reinstall of vista. It also showed KB968389 unchecked - I went ahead and installed that one, but not the 977165. All other 'auto updates' are or were checked to install - which install with the time of day install settings, or manually. Before I restored vista with the 977165 installed it would try to start windows then reboot to automatic StartUpRepair which would find an ACL change and repair it on windows\system32\KGyGaAvL.sys .. then fail windows start up again over and over. StartUp Repair would again do its thing and say couldnt start because of configuration changes. Another attempt would say a Patch was keeping windows from starting. I kept increasing the reserved size of avail win restore space to not lose an old one that worked to get me into win - But would only get me in with limited off/on lan/internet connection to the router both wifi and wired nic. Pita. But wow.. so far I'm 17GB lighter on the hard drive with my basic most used programs. And I dont have that file with the ACL error... I'll have to spend time trying to figure out where it came from and avoid installing that program for a while hopefully. And wait a while for the offending update to be updated before installing 977165 You can tell I'm bored and writing too much but maybe someone will benefit or be wiser than I.

have you tried turning on your auto updates and see if it will get them through the auto updater? in control panel security center automatic updates set it to automatically get and install updates. What do you happen to have it set to currently by the way? you said you have xp but which service pack do you have sp2 or sp3? and you are using IE to go to windows updates right not firefox? Have you tried microsoft updates instead of the windows update? this site explains the differences and how to use them. Windows Update Frequently Asked Questions you can also try using the fix it tool by microsoft to see if it might fix the problem you are having Windows Update and Automatic Update Reset (Fix It) Tool

I get the paid version of Windows Secrets and I would guess you are talking about the article on Windows Genuine Advantage? They should be called on the carpet for making us continue to go through that over and over it is ridiculous, make us do it once and be done with it. I did not see any mention of this last patch Tuesdays updates causing any problems, they do mention the patches for IE and their importance. I have only seen on a few forums some very minor issues but none like this 98 thing. I have run this windows 98 issue by a few MS MVP's and no one has seen or hear of it happening and all want to know the outcome so please arkie62 keep us posted on what you do and your outcomes please. For those who want to view the latest windows secrets here is the link, this however will not contain the paid content, it is an excellent newsletter and well worth subscribing to whether the pay or free version. Here is a link that might be useful: windows secrets newsletter

The kb90830 is the monthly trojan scan/definitions. The other is to replace expired updates you already have installed. Just a more current version. So it should be fine.