Windows Update thinks my PC is a Mac

When I go to the MS Update site, it says my PC is a mac thus I cannot update. (My PC is xp but looks like vista!)

Screenshot:
[external image: Posted Image]

Please help - thx.

Hello Vista,

I am sorry you are having problems with your Windows Updates. Please do the following steps and see if it improves your WU. Maybe the registry needs rebuilding if the correct items have inadvertently been deleted.

Rebuild registry if inadvertedly delete items

Try this:

Close IE and go to Start > Run and run the following commands one after the other and press Enter after each line.

regsvr32 shdocvw.dll
regsvr32 urlmon.dll
regsvr32 comcat.dll
regsvr32 actxprxy.dll
regsvr32 Shell32.dll
regsvr32 Oleaut32.dll
regsvr32 Mshtml.dll
regsvr32 jscript.dll
regsvr32 vbscript.dll

Run each line individually. After each run, you should see a short message stating the command was successful. Now reboot and let us know if this helped.

Please post back with more questions if need be also giving us feed back as to how you are progressing.

Kind regards,

Hello Vista,

I am sorry you are having problems with your Windows Updates. Please do the following steps and see if it improves your WU. Maybe the registry needs rebuilding if the correct items have inadvertently been deleted.

Rebuild registry if inadvertedly delete items

Try this:

Close IE and go to Start > Run and run the following commands one after the other and press Enter after each line.

regsvr32 shdocvw.dll
regsvr32 urlmon.dll
regsvr32 comcat.dll
regsvr32 actxprxy.dll
regsvr32 Shell32.dll
regsvr32 Oleaut32.dll
regsvr32 Mshtml.dll
regsvr32 jscript.dll
regsvr32 vbscript.dll

Run each line individually. After each run, you should see a short message stating the command was successful. Now reboot and let us know if this helped.

Please post back with more questions if need be also giving us feed back as to how you are progressing.

Kind regards,

I did exactly as you said but I still have the same problem - just like shown on the screenshot in post #1.

I sure don't know but I would try this: User Agent

Here's some more stuff to read:

MSKP 555527

Similar Problem.

Hi Vista,

I thought my last post may help………..sorry it did not.

I hope that the information Digerati provided will help you, but if it does not, please try the following:

Step 1:
Verify that your computer's date and time are accurate and that Internet Explorer language option is not empty.
To check the language setting in Internet Explorer:
1. Click "Tools" and then choose "Internet Options"
2. Click the lanuage button
3. Make sure at least one language is listed in the "Language Options" dialog.

When checking your date (including the year) and time, also check the Internet Time and Time Zone. Double click on the date/time in the notification/system tray area (near the clock) select Internet Time Tab and then select update now. If it's not already checked, check automatically synchronize with an internet Time Server - WinXP.

Step 2:
Also check these settings:
1. Tools>Internet Options> Advanced
2. Scroll down to the Security Settings.
3. Make sure that the two boxes are checked that say "Enable SSL 2" or "Enable SSL 3".
4. Uncheck "Check for server certificate revocation".

Step 3:
Also delete Temporary Internet Files
1. Tools>Internet Options >General
2. Under Temporary Internet files, click Delete Files, Clck OK

Step 4:
1. Tools> Internet Options > Security
Click Trusted sites, click Default level.
Click the sites button and clear the checkbox "Require server verification"
(http:) for all sites in this zone."
Now add the following:
http://*.windowsupdate.microsoft.com
https://*.windowsupdate.microsoft.com
http://download.windowsupdate.com

If required, reboot and try Windows Update again.
_________________________________________

Make sure you haven't got anything blocking Windows Update like
Nortons,
Zonealarm etc
Also make sure you don't have a Web Accelerator working in the backgound such as
Net Zero
HiSpeed
Speedband etc

Clear out your temporary internet cache

Try a reboot and then try WU again.

Still no joy, then try Renaming the SoftwareDistribution folder

Click START, Choose Run
In the Run box, type "services.msc. " (without the quotes)
Click OK
Right click the Automatic Updates service,
Click stop.
Stopping the service will take a moment.

Rename the "SoftwareDistribution" folder :
a. Click Start, click Run, type "%systemroot%" (without the quotes" and then click OK.
b. Right click the SoftwareDistribution folder, and then click Rename
c. Type SoftwareDistribution.old, and then press ENTER to rename this folder.

Click START
Choose Run
In the Run box, type "services.msc." without the quotes"
Click OK
Right -click the Automatic Updates service
Click Start.
Starting the service will take a moment.

Reboot if appropriate and try WU again.

Note when you rename the SoftwareDistribution folder - you will loose your history but not important.
____________

Edit: Found this link that may help if no joy above.

Please post back and tell us how you progress with the above.

kind regards,

I used to have Free Download Manager installed but I removed soon as I got a bit cheesed of with it.

Also, are you sure, I should carry out this procedure as pointed out by Digerati (User Agent)?

I used to have Free Download Manager installed but I removed soon as I got a bit cheesed of with it.

Also, are you sure, I should carry out this procedure as pointed out by Digerati (User Agent)?

Hi Vista,

Have you gone through step by step my further suggestions contained in my last post?

Digerati would not advise a suggested procedure if it was not to help you correct your WU problem. It is of course up to you to decide what you will do regarding all offers suggested by our volunteers here on WhatThetec. Digerati is very experienced and we are lucky to have him helping on this forum.

kind regards,

Well I am certainly not infallible but I am certain the User Agent suggestion would cause no further harm. But it does suggest to mess with the registry so you are wise to be concerned. I might suggest you create a System Restore Point before starting. That is, if tallins suggestions do not help.

Hi Vista,

I thought my last post may help………..sorry it did not.

I hope that the information Digerati provided will help you, but if it does not, please try the following:

Step 1:
Verify that your computer's date and time are accurate and that Internet Explorer language option is not empty.
To check the language setting in Internet Explorer:
1. Click "Tools" and then choose "Internet Options"
2. Click the lanuage button
3. Make sure at least one language is listed in the "Language Options" dialog.

When checking your date (including the year) and time, also check the Internet Time and Time Zone. Double click on the date/time in the notification/system tray area (near the clock) select Internet Time Tab and then select update now. If it's not already checked, check automatically synchronize with an internet Time Server - WinXP.

Step 2:
Also check these settings:
1. Tools>Internet Options> Advanced
2. Scroll down to the Security Settings.
3. Make sure that the two boxes are checked that say "Enable SSL 2" or "Enable SSL 3".
4. Uncheck "Check for server certificate revocation".

Step 3:
Also delete Temporary Internet Files
1. Tools>Internet Options >General
2. Under Temporary Internet files, click Delete Files, Clck OK

Step 4:
1. Tools> Internet Options > Security
Click Trusted sites, click Default level.
Click the sites button and clear the checkbox "Require server verification"
(http:) for all sites in this zone."
Now add the following:
http://*.windowsupdate.microsoft.com
https://*.windowsupdate.microsoft.com
http://download.windowsupdate.com

If required, reboot and try Windows Update again.
_________________________________________

Make sure you haven't got anything blocking Windows Update like
Nortons,
Zonealarm etc
Also make sure you don't have a Web Accelerator working in the backgound such as
Net Zero
HiSpeed
Speedband etc

Clear out your temporary internet cache

Try a reboot and then try WU again.

Still no joy, then try Renaming the SoftwareDistribution folder

Click START, Choose Run
In the Run box, type "services.msc. " (without the quotes)
Click OK
Right click the Automatic Updates service,
Click stop.
Stopping the service will take a moment.

Rename the "SoftwareDistribution" folder :
a. Click Start, click Run, type "%systemroot%" (without the quotes" and then click OK.
b. Right click the SoftwareDistribution folder, and then click Rename
c. Type SoftwareDistribution.old, and then press ENTER to rename this folder.

Click START
Choose Run
In the Run box, type "services.msc." without the quotes"
Click OK
Right -click the Automatic Updates service
Click Start.
Starting the service will take a moment.

Reboot if appropriate and try WU again.

Note when you rename the SoftwareDistribution folder - you will loose your history but not important.
____________

Edit: Found this link that may help if no joy above.

Please post back and tell us how you progress with the above.

kind regards,

I've still got the same problem.

I don't know if this helps but I have AVG Anti Virus Free and Windows Defender (which relies on Windows Updates).

I don't know if this helps but I have AVG Anti Virus Free and Windows Defender (which relies on Windows Updates).

Hi Vista,

Windows defender does rely on Windows Updates, but not AVG Antivirus Free. I am sorry I have not been able to assist you.

I will call in a colleague to help you here as I am all out of ideas at this stage.

kind regards,

Hi vista?, it looks like you are still using IE6, is that correct (that's a good thing in my book ).

If so, try disabling all Add-ons and see if that resolves the problem. Yes, then you can go back and enable them a few at a time till you find the one that is causing the problem, othewise just re-enable all of them.

From IE, click on Tools, the Manage Add-ons.
Disable all the ad-ons. Close IE and try Windows Update again.

Hi again Vista,

Here is a link courtesy of Tashi that I am sure will help your WU problem…………..

Let us know how you progress with it.

Please backup your registry before making any changes.

kind regards,

Hi again Vista,

Here is a link courtesy of Tashi that I am sure will help your WU problem…………..

Let us know how you progress with it.

Please backup your registry before making any changes.

kind regards,

After a brave decision to "tackle with the registry" as pointed out in the instructions - I've fixed it.
Thanks ever so much!

I was wondering though, how did the user agent thing change in the first place?

After a brave decision to "tackle with the registry" as pointed out in the instructions - I've fixed it.

Super, thanks for the update. As far as what changed it, I don't know. It could have been simply corrupted, or maybe even malware.

I would make sure your system is, and remains clean. Here's a link to my canned text on Cleaning Out Malware. Use it if you don't already have a complete security suite and disk cleaning utilities to rid your system of malware and clutter. You can also use it as a guide to build your own security suite, and to help you develop or enhance a "Practicing Safe Computing" self-discipline.

How does anything in XP get changed without your doing it? Magic, smoke and mirrors, phase of the moon I believe computers are based on magic and deception but I've not been able to prove it yet! Bill Gates is really David Blane in a Halloween mask.