Windows XP forum: Solution to XP Update problems

Oddly enough, and I don't know why, but this only affects some computers not all. For instance my computer has the updates but it still works, but my other 2 computers are affected, I've been trying to narrow it down, no luck. Also the reinstall is not at all drastic considering when this happens you cannot boot in any mode other than start from cd.

This problem has not been acknowledged by Microsoft but they are aware of it. I've been to many newsgroups and have found many complaints re these updates. Like I stated, 12 of my customers have had the same problem, and a couple of them did the updates again with the same result.

I don't know what to tell you. If you look at Microsoft's newsgroups you will find several complaints re: this exact issue. I've also searched the web and found others with the exact problem as well. Not sure why just yet...

There is a possibility that KB893066 will cause a problem in XP that has only SP1 installed, since SP1 has the Internet Connection Firewall disabled and the Security update was made for SP2 that has the ICF enabled, it changes the way connections are made to the internet. There is a work around if this occurres. See the documentation:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/893066
" MS05-019: Vulnerabilities in TCP/IP could allow remote code execution and denial of service


897656 Networking programs that send TCP packets or UDP packets over raw IP sockets may stop working after you apply security update MS05-019 to a computer that is running Windows XP with Service Pack 1

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/897656/

SYMPTOMS
After you apply security update MS05-019 to a computer that is running Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 1 (SP1), networking programs and tools that send manually crafted Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) packets over raw Internet Protocol (IP) sockets may stop working. This behavior may also affect programs and tools that send User Datagram Protocol (UDP) packets.

CAUSE
This behavior occurs because security update MS05-019 changes the way raw sockets work when Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) is disabled. By default, ICF is disabled in Microsoft Windows XP with SP1."

I would not remove this update as it protects the machine from take over.

Come on people.. do a little research on the subject before you go around reinstalling Windows. What a pain.
The solution (At least for the KB893066 problem.. I've never experienced the other one) is really freakin' easy.

Delete the folder C:\Windows\$hf_mig$\KB893066
If this doesn't work, delete the whole $hf_mig$ folder.
Install your updates.
Done!
(Note: Sometimes these updates will just plain disappear from automatic updates... be sure to write down the updates you have no installed. Manually download and install them from this list: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=31886&mode=threaded