Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss

I cannot access Windows Update

2 views
Skip to first unread message

Davy-D

unread,
Jan 14, 2008, 10:02:02 AM1/14/08
to
Happy New Year to all.

Has anyone got any ideas on this problem please?

If I click on Windows Update on my PC, I now get this message:-

"Thank you for your interest in obtaining updates from our site.

This website is designed to work with Microsoft Windows operating systems
only.
To find updates for Microsoft products that are designed for Macintosh
operating systems, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/mac/"

As I AM running Windows XP Home Edition SP2 etc, with automatic updating I
am slightly bemused/amused..??

However I attempt to reach Windows Update directs me to this page?

Davy-D.

--
If tha'''''''' does ''''''''owt for nowt, tha'''''''' does it for
thi''''''''sen.

Davy-D

unread,
Jan 14, 2008, 10:31:06 AM1/14/08
to
As a postscript to my above post, I have 2 pc's wired to an ADSL modem/router
and my 2nd pc has no problem locating the Microsoft Update page.

Davy-D.
--
If tha' does 'owt for nowt, tha' does it for thi' sen.

Davy-D

unread,
Jan 14, 2008, 10:36:02 AM1/14/08
to
As a postscript to my above question, I have 2 pc's connected to the internet
via an ADSL modem/router. However my 2nd pc can connect to the Microsoft
Update website no problem?

Davy-D


--
If tha' does 'owt for nowt, tha' does it for thi' sen.

Elmo

unread,
Jan 14, 2008, 11:42:35 AM1/14/08
to
Davy-D wrote:
> Happy New Year to all.
>
> Has anyone got any ideas on this problem please?
>
> If I click on Windows Update on my PC, I now get this message:-
>
> "Thank you for your interest in obtaining updates from our site.
>
> This website is designed to work with Microsoft Windows operating systems
> only.
> To find updates for Microsoft products that are designed for Macintosh
> operating systems, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/mac/"
>
> As I AM running Windows XP Home Edition SP2 etc, with automatic updating I
> am slightly bemused/amused..??
>
> However I attempt to reach Windows Update directs me to this page?
>
> Davy-D.

You'd think they would have a link to the fix on that announcement
page.. something like, "If you actually have a Windows OS, try the
suggestions on this page:"

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/817144

--
Joe =o)

Davy-D

unread,
Jan 14, 2008, 12:06:06 PM1/14/08
to
Hi
I looked at the site.
But, I am using a OK version of XP.
I am using IE7.
I do not at this stage want to change the registry.
However, yesterday I was offered the chance to join a beta version called
"Silverlight." I tried the link but no .exe file download arrived.
Since then I cannot access Windows Update.
However I have installed the Firefox browser gone to the Silverlight link
installed the .exe file and CAN access the new Silverlight Download Centre
from there.
Do you think that this might be the cause/reason?
Davy-D.

--
If tha' does 'owt for nowt, tha' does it for thi'sen.

Elmo

unread,
Jan 14, 2008, 12:15:50 PM1/14/08
to
Davy-D wrote:
> Hi
> I looked at the site.
> But, I am using a OK version of XP.
> I am using IE7.
> I do not at this stage want to change the registry.

Run regedit and see if that's the problem. Don't change anything, if
you'd prefer not to.

> However, yesterday I was offered the chance to join a beta version called
> "Silverlight." I tried the link but no .exe file download arrived.
> Since then I cannot access Windows Update.
> However I have installed the Firefox browser gone to the Silverlight link
> installed the .exe file and CAN access the new Silverlight Download Centre
> from there.
> Do you think that this might be the cause/reason?
> Davy-D.

That shouldn't change the ID on your system.

--
Joe =o)

Davy-D

unread,
Jan 14, 2008, 2:26:00 PM1/14/08
to
OK, I ran regedit, but apart from staring uncomprehending at what I got, I
could not say anymore.
Sorry but my pc knowledge ends here.

Davy-D.
--
If tha' does 'owt for nowt, tha' does it for thi' sen.

Elmo

unread,
Jan 14, 2008, 3:33:03 PM1/14/08
to
Davy-D wrote:
> OK, I ran regedit, but apart from staring uncomprehending at what I got, I
> could not say anymore.
> Sorry but my pc knowledge ends here.
>
> Davy-D.

You have to thread your way to to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet
Settings\User Agent\Post Platform

.. kinda' like opening folders.. you click the + to the left of each
"folder" till you come down to "Post Platform" folder. Click it and in
the r-h pane, see what values are there. Mine has two, Default, and SV1
(if I remember correctly.. I got busy.). Neither has a value entered.

--
Joe =o)

PA Bear [MS MVP]

unread,
Jan 14, 2008, 5:21:04 PM1/14/08
to
See http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/35/1/
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

Davy-D

unread,
Jan 14, 2008, 6:41:01 PM1/14/08
to
Gentlemen, thank you. Wasn't sure I could do that, but hey you learn
something new everyday don't you.
OK, question, how on earth do you keep track of all of the help sites. I
tried to find help myself, but didn't find those?
Second question what caused the problem in the first place please?
So thanks again and if there's anything I can do for you, please ask.

Davy-D.
--
If tha' does 'owt for nowt, tha' does it for thi' sen.

PA Bear [MS MVP]

unread,
Jan 14, 2008, 7:22:23 PM1/14/08
to
Third-party firewalls (e.g., Comodo; ZA) are among the Usual Suspects,
Davy-D...

<QP>
Windows Update incorrectly detects that you are not running a released
version of Internet Explorer 5 or later on a supported Windows operating
system. This may occur if you access the Internet through a firewall or
proxy that does not allow the Windows Update Web site to receive the correct
HTTP user-agent request header ("HTTP_USER_AGENT") for Internet Explorer.
Windows Update uses the operating system information that the
navigator.userAgent property returns to determine if you are running a
supported operating system. Some firewalls or proxy servers may send
user-agent information that is incorrect or difficult to interpret.
</QP>
Source: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/817144
--
~PA Bear


Davy-D wrote:
> Gentlemen, thank you. Wasn't sure I could do that, but hey you learn
> something new everyday don't you.
> OK, question, how on earth do you keep track of all of the help sites. I
> tried to find help myself, but didn't find those?
> Second question what caused the problem in the first place please?
> So thanks again and if there's anything I can do for you, please ask.
> Davy-D.
>

0 new messages