Windows update problem

Lou[NE] · Post by **Lou[NE]** » 16 Jun 2001 7:23 pm

Here's hopin' someone can point me in the right direction with this.

I have a Compaq DeskPro EN Series PII running Win98 (upgraded from Win95) that I purchased as surplus from my bankrupt ex-employer. When I go to Windows Update I get the following message -

"Your organization has decided to provide software updates internally rather than through Windows Update. To download updates for your Windows computer, please see your network administrator"

I assume, but don't know for sure, that it wants to get updates from a now non-existant corporate server. The address displayed is windowsupdate.microsoft.com. The network administrator is long gone.

Does anyone have a cure for this one? Thanks for all help - past, present and future.

Lou Miller

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 17 Jun 2001 2:50 am

That machine must have had a customized version of Windows loaded on it that was controlled internally within the company. You might have to dump the windows that is on there now and reload a "clean" version.

There may be something deep in the bowels of the registry that is controlling this, but unless you can find someone that uses the Windows customization options and configures systems you are back to reloading the PC with new software.

Ernie Renn · Post by **Ernie Renn** » 18 Jun 2001 5:14 am

Lou;
I don't know about your particular problem, but I found out the hard way not to download anything for a Compac computer from Microsoft. My sister-in-law has a Compac Presario. I downloaded IE for her and installed it. It locked everything up. COMPLETELY! It wouldn't start back up or anything. I called the Compac help desk and after a little talking with the tech, the only solution was to open up the computer and disconnect the internal battery and re-install Windows. The tech said to go to the Compac site to download Compac versions of Microsoft software. There must be some conflicting codes there somewhere.
So for MS updates I might check the Compac site first. (Couldn't hoit!)

------------------
My best,
Ernie

The Official Buddy Emmons Website
www.buddyemmons.com

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 18 Jun 2001 7:55 am

Ernie, that is not correct. I have a Compaq Presario and except for specific drivers, for Compaq supplied devices, everything else I've got from the Microsoft update site. I've downloaded I.E versions, Windows Media player, Windows updates etc. I've worked on several Compaq's and the same thing - specific drivers but nothing else has to be downloaded from Compaq - in fact I've never seen any windows operating system updates on the Compaq download site.

Some Compaq tech, that that doesn't know his rear for a hole in the ground, may tell you that but it's not the case. The "reload" the computer is a typical help desk "fix all" approach. It's easier and faster to tell someone to reload the computer rather than try and troubleshoot or fix a problem. This is done by all vendors and many help desks for speed and the fact the technical ability of many help desk techs is very limited. The hardware help desk I managed, reloading was a last resort, since it wipes out user files and configurations.

sorry for getting off on one of my pet peeves - poor tech support...

Ernie Renn · Post by **Ernie Renn** » 19 Jun 2001 4:15 am

Jack;
This happened about three years ago. Things might have changed. The only reason I mentioned it at all was that right after IE was downloaded and installed the computer quit working. I couldn't even get into the safe mode. It wouldn't load the Windows CD, either. It was a nightmare, to say the least. The tech and I tried about twenty different things to get it up and running, to no avail. I am glad to hear that things have progressed from that time.

------------------
My best,
Ernie

The Official Buddy Emmons Website
www.buddyemmons.com

Vernon Hester · Post by **Vernon Hester** » 19 Jun 2001 11:40 am

open up the box,unplug the fan and the proc-chip,plug everything back in and reload windows.unit proably had win-NT on it for bussiness operation.

Lou[NE] · Post by **Lou[NE]** » 19 Jun 2001 5:57 pm

Thanks for all your replies. The box was used by my supervisor - I was there when we got them and know for sure that it never had NT installed. It came with 95, and I upgraded to 98. There is a jumper on the motherboard to clear out supervisor and power-on passwords, etc. but I've already done that. As Jack suggested, I suspect there is a registry entry that's causing this, but I'm not going there without detailed instructions. I'll reload 98 from scratch if I have to.

Thanks again for your help, and for a great forum.

Lou

Everett Cox · Post by **Everett Cox** » 19 Jun 2001 7:39 pm

Lou-- The Microsoft Knowledge Base provides an answer for you at the following link:

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q283/2/88.ASP?

If you wish more assistance, drop me a note.
--Everett

Lou[NE] · Post by **Lou[NE]** » 21 Jun 2001 6:50 am

Problem solved - I should have checked here first and saved everyone the trouble. Thank you Mr. Cox, and all.

Lou