Old Vaio, new HDD, fresh install, no WinUpdate

P4 3GHz, 512M RAM, WinXPH SP2 with SP3 installed, IE6,
BelArc profile below...

This box has always been problematic, but it has always been hardware-related. It was bought new in ~'03, and the HDD crashed in-warranty. Last month, I could hear what sounded like the heads beating against the case, and the SMART status was BAD, and it was difficult to get Windows to start, and agonizingly slow when it did, so I put in a new bare WD 320G. But the WD edition of HDD utility (I forget the name now) wouldn't recognize the new drive, so it wouldn't work. Neither that software's support nor WD's would lift a finger, so I pulled out the Sony recovery CD that I bought before the first replacement.

I'm guessing it ghosts the HDD because I didn't have to install the OS - just go thru the welcome setup junk, then wait for it to reinstall all the 3rd-party crap. Then I UNinstalled most of that, tweaked some settings (which might be my entire problem), and tried to start doing updates. But every time the browser opens, it either freezes with a white page, gives an IE error (maybe 404), or analyzes the system and then gives a WinUpdate error.

That page says WinUpdate repairs are no-cost, so I tried following that link to a live chat, but both techs kept telling me I had to pay $99 and let them fix it remotely. They refused to tell me what to do. One said some services weren't running right before I installed SP3, and it had to be reinstalled, but he wouldn't say which or how to check.

So I used an old WD install disk to format the HDD and started over. I've reinstalled SP3, done fewer tweaks, but I still get the frozen white page instead of WinUpdate. I used the problem system to make this post so I could add the BelArc profile, and I had problems even getting BelArc downloaded. Turns out I had disabled InstallOnDemand(Other), so I re-checked it (and IE), and got BelArc.

But I also have 3rd-party cookies blocked (since I have no protection installed yet), and it was VERY difficult to get some of the MG pages to load long enough to click something. I'd get most of the page, then a dialogue saying IE couldn't get the page, then what I had would disappear and it switched to a resident error page. So that's probably a result of ME screwing something up. Is that also what's interfering with the WinUpdate site?

Question #2 (after the above problems are resolved) will be: what should I install to make this box just a decent browser & home computer? No gaming; no wild apps; just a lot of scanning, photos, printing, and a few retail knife-plotters (CriCut). She also uses it to VPN into her computers at work.

__________________________________________________
Computer Profile Summary
Computer Name: LisasVaio (in WORKGROUP) — Lisa's Vaio
Profile Date: Sunday, October 27, 2013 2:19:48 PM
Advisor Version: 8.4


Operating System System Model
Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 3 (build 2600)
Install Language: English (United States)
System Locale: English (United States)
Installed: 10/27/2013 11:07:20 AM
Boot Mode: BIOS (Secure Boot not supported) Sony Corporation PCV-RS710G(UC)
Enclosure Type: Desktop
Processor a Main Circuit Board b
3.00 gigahertz Intel Pentium 4
16 kilobyte primary memory cache
1024 kilobyte secondary memory cache
Hyper-threaded (2 total) Board: ASUSTek Computer Inc. P4SD-VL
Bus Clock: 200 megahertz
BIOS: American Megatrends Inc. 2002 06/17/2004
Drives Memory Modules c,d
320.07 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
312.45 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

HL-DT-ST DVD-ROM GDR8162B [Optical drive]
PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-108 [Optical drive]
3.5" format removeable media [Floppy drive]

WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 [Hard drive] (320.07 GB) -- drive 0, s/n WD-WCAV2CD56371, rev 01.03E01, SMART Status: Healthy 512 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory

Slot 'DIMM0' has 256 MB
Slot 'DIMM1' is Empty
Slot 'DIMM2' has 256 MB
Slot 'DIMM3' is Empty
Local Drive Volumes

c: (NTFS on drive 0) 320.07 GB 312.45 GB free

Network Drives
None discovered

Controllers Display
Standard floppy disk controller
Intel(R) 82801EB Ultra ATA Storage Controllers
Primary IDE Channel [Controller]
Secondary IDE Channel [Controller] NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 [Display adapter]
Sony SDM-HS73 [Monitor] (17.1"vis, s/n 1487975, July 2004)
Bus Adapters Multimedia
Intel(R) 82801EB USB Universal Host Controller - 24D2
Intel(R) 82801EB USB Universal Host Controller - 24D4
Intel(R) 82801EB USB Universal Host Controller - 24D7
Intel(R) 82801EB USB Universal Host Controller - 24DE
Intel(R) 82801EB USB2 Enhanced Host Controller - 24DD Sony MPEG RealTime encoder board
SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio
Virus Protection [Back to Top] Group Policies
No details available None discovered
Communications Other Devices
Agere Systems AC'97 Modem


1394 Net Adapter
↑ Intel(R) PRO/100 VE Network Connection
NEC OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller
Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
Microsoft PS/2 Mouse
Generic USB Hub
USB Root Hub (5x)
USB Storage Use in past 30 Days (mouse over last used for details) Hosted Virtual Machines (mouse over name for details)
None discovered None discovered


Missing Security Updates new – for Adobe, Apple, Java, Microsoft and more [Back to Top]

Hotfixes from Windows Update (agent version 5.4.3790.5512) install automatically.


These security updates apply to this computer but are not currently installed (using Advisor definitions version 2013.10.16.4), according to the 10/08/2013 Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary and bulletins from other vendors. Note: Security benchmarks require that Critical and Important severity security updates must be installed.

Hotfix Id Severity Description (click to see security bulletin)
EOL-Adobe End of Life Adobe Reader 6.0.2.126 is vulnerable and no security updates are provided by the vendor
CpuOct2013-1899837 Critical Oracle Java SE Critical Patch Update for Java 6.0.450.6 32-bit
Q923561 Important Microsoft security update (KB923561)
Q923723 Important Microsoft security update (KB923723)
Q946648 Important Microsoft security update (KB946648)
Q950762 Important Microsoft security update (KB950762)
Q950974 Important Microsoft security update (KB950974)
Q951376 Critical Microsoft security update (KB951376)
Q952004 Important Microsoft security update (KB952004)
Q952069 Important Microsoft security update (KB952069)
Q952954 Critical Microsoft security update (KB952954)
Q954155 Critical Microsoft security update (KB954155)
Q954157 Unrated Microsoft security advisory (KB954157)
Q956572 Important Microsoft security update (KB956572)
Q956802 Critical Microsoft security update (KB956802)
Q956844 Critical Microsoft security update (KB956844)
Q959426 Moderate Microsoft security update (KB959426)
Q960803 Critical Microsoft security update (KB960803)
Q960859 Important Microsoft security update (KB960859)
Q969059 Important Microsoft security update (KB969059)
Q971657 Important Microsoft security update (KB971657)
Q972270 Low Microsoft security update (KB972270)
Q973507 Critical Microsoft security update (KB973507)
Q973540 Critical Microsoft security update (KB973540)
Q973815 Critical Microsoft security update (KB973815)
Q973869 Critical Microsoft security update (KB973869)
Q973904 Important Microsoft security update (KB973904)
Q974112 Critical Microsoft security update (KB974112)
Q974318 Moderate Microsoft security update (KB974318)
Q974392 Important Microsoft security update (KB974392)
Q974571 Important Microsoft security update (KB974571)
Q975025 Critical Microsoft security update (KB975025)
Q975558 Critical Microsoft security update (KB975558)
Q975560 Critical Microsoft security update (KB975560)
Q975713 Critical Microsoft security update (KB975713)
Q977816 Critical Microsoft security update (KB977816)
Q977914 Critical Microsoft security update (KB977914)
Q978338 Moderate Microsoft security update (KB978338)
Q978542 Critical Microsoft security update (KB978542)
Q978695 Critical Microsoft security update (KB978695)
Q978706 Moderate Microsoft security update (KB978706)
Q979309 Critical Microsoft security update (KB979309)
Q979482 Critical Microsoft security update (KB979482)
Q979687 Important Microsoft security update (KB979687)
Q981997 Important Microsoft security update (KB981997)
Q982132 Critical Microsoft security update (KB982132)
Q982665 Critical Microsoft security update (KB982665)
Q2115168 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2115168)
Q2229593 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2229593)
Q2296011 Important Microsoft security update (KB2296011)
Q2347290 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2347290)
Q2378111 Important Microsoft security update (KB2378111)
Q2387149 Moderate Microsoft security update (KB2387149)
Q2393802 Important Microsoft security update (KB2393802)
Q2419632 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2419632)
Q2423089 Important Microsoft security update (KB2423089)
Q2440591 Important Microsoft security update (KB2440591)
Q2443105 Important Microsoft security update (KB2443105)
Q2478960 Important Microsoft security update (KB2478960)
Q2478971 Important Microsoft security update (KB2478971)
Q2479943 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2479943)
Q2481109 Important Microsoft security update (KB2481109)
Q2483185 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2483185)
Q2485663 Important Microsoft security update (KB2485663)
Q2506212 Important Microsoft security update (KB2506212)
Q2507938 Important Microsoft security update (KB2507938)
Q2508429 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2508429)
Q2509553 Important Microsoft security update (KB2509553)
Q2510581 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2510581)
Q2535512 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2535512)
Q2536276 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2536276)
Q2544893 Important Microsoft security update (KB2544893)
Q2564958 Important Microsoft security update (KB2564958)
Q2566454 Important Microsoft security update (KB2566454)
Q2570947 Important Microsoft security update (KB2570947)
Q2584146 Important Microsoft security update (KB2584146)
Q2585542 Important Microsoft security update (KB2585542)
Q2592799 Important Microsoft security update (KB2592799)
Q2598479 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2598479)
Q2603381 Important Microsoft security update (KB2603381)
Q2618451 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2618451)
Q2619339 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2619339)
Q2620712 Important Microsoft security update (KB2620712)
Q2631813 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2631813)
Q2653956 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2653956)
Q2655992 Important Microsoft security update (KB2655992)
Q2659262 Important Microsoft security update (KB2659262)
Q2661637 Important Microsoft security update (KB2661637)
Q2676562 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2676562)
Q2686509 Important Microsoft security update (KB2686509)
Q2691442 Important Microsoft security update (KB2691442)
Q2698365 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2698365)
Q2705219 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2705219)
Q2712808 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2712808)
Q2719985 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2719985)
Q2723135 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2723135)
Q2727528 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2727528)
Q2757638 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2757638)
Q2758857 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2758857)
Q2770660 Important Microsoft security update (KB2770660)
Q2780091 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2780091)
Q2798897 Unrated Microsoft security advisory (KB2798897)
Q2802968 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2802968)
Q2803821 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2803821)
Q2807986 Important Microsoft security update (KB2807986)
Q2813345 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2813345)
Q2820197 Unrated Microsoft security advisory (KB2820197)
Q2820917 Moderate Microsoft security update (KB2820917)
Q2834886 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2834886)
Q2845187 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2845187)
Q2847311 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2847311)
Q2849470 Important Microsoft security update (KB2849470)
Q2850869 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2850869)
Q2859537 Important Microsoft security update (KB2859537)
Q2862330 Important Microsoft security update (KB2862330)
Q2862335 Important Microsoft security update (KB2862335)
Q2864063 Important Microsoft security update (KB2864063)
Q2868038 Important Microsoft security update (KB2868038)
Q2876217 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2876217)
Q2879017 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2879017)
Q2883150 Critical Microsoft security update (KB2883150)

Software Versions & Usage (mouse over i for details, click i for location) [Back to Top]
ı i Adobe Systems - Reader Version 6.0.2.2004051800
ı i Belarc - Advisor Version 8.4
i Cinematronics - 3D Pinball Version 5.1.2600.5512
i InterVideo - WinDVD Application Version 5.0
i Macromedia - Shockwave Flash Version 7,0,19,0
i Microsoft - .NET Framework Version 1.1.4322.573
i Microsoft - Data Access Components Version 3.525.1132.0
i Microsoft - Interactive Training Version 3, 5, 0, 116
ı i Microsoft - Internet Explorer Version 6.00.2900.5512
ı i Microsoft - Windows Installer - Unicode Version 3.1.4001.5512
i Microsoft - Windows Media Player Version 9.00.00.4503
i Microsoft - Windows Movie Maker Version 2.1.4026.0
i Microsoft - Windows NetMeeting Version 3.01
i Microsoft - Windows Script Host Version 5.7.0.16599
i Microsoft - Zone.com Version 1.2.626.1
i No Company Name - javaw.exe
i No Company Name - PictureGear Studio Version 2.0
i No Company Name - RecordNow Version 7.0.0
i No Company Name - Wizards to adjust .NET Framework security, assign trust to assemblies, and fix broken .NET applications. Version 1.0.5000.0
ı i NVIDIA - Driver Helper Service, Version 46.63 Version 6.14.10.4663
i Sony - CDBackup Version 2.8.00
i Sony - Click to DVD Version 2.0.00
i Sony - Click to DVD Version 2.1
i Sony - DVgate Plus Version 1.3.00.06290 i Sony - File Conversion Tool Version 1.0.00
i Sony - Giga Pocket Version 2. 1
i Sony - Giga Pocket Version 5, 5, 5, 0
i Sony - Giga Pocket Version 5.5.07
i Sony - PictureGear Studio Version 2, 0
i Sony - PictureGear Studio Version 2.0
ı i Sony - remote commander driver Version 6, 2, 2
i Sony - SonicStage Version 2.8.00
i Sony - SONY MemoryStick Formatter Version 2.1.0
i Sony - SV_Httpd.exe Version 3.0.00.13260
i Sony - UPnPFramework.exe Version 6.0.00.06220
i Sony - VAIO Entertainment Version 1.1.00.07080
i Sony - VAIO Media 3.1 Version 3.1.00
i Sony - VAIO Media Integrated Server Version 3.0.00.00000
i Sony - VAIO Media Integrated Server Version 3.1.00.07090
i Sony - VAIO Media Version 2, 6, 0, 0
i Sony - VAIO System Information Version 1.03.03S
ı i Sony - VAIO Update Version 2, 0, 1, 01160
i Sony - VmGateway.exe Version 3.1.00.15040
i Sony - VmpClient Version 3, 1, 0, 0
ı i Sony Electronics - NewSurvey Version 1.00
ı i Sony Electronics - PartSeal Application Version 1.0.2
i Sun Microsystems - Java Platform SE 6 U45 Version 6.0.450.6
ı i Sun Microsystems - Java Platform SE Auto Updater 2 0 Version 2.0.7.2

 

Hey Steve, this maybe along shot but, I recently reinstalled XP Pro and IE6 was very slow or would give me the blank corner icon and would freeze and I couldn't get Windows Update to send updates even after waiting for 24 hours, so I went to the Microsoft website and installed IE8,, uncheck the install with updates box, INSTALL IT WITHOUT UPDATES, after about 1/2 hour my updates came in and everything runs just great.

 

What happens if I install IE8 with updates? I haven't been waiting for the WinUpdate icon to appear - I've been triggering updates from the START menu. And I'm trying to update Windows; not just IE6.

 

A guy on another discussion forum told me the whole problem was the antique ActiveX in IE6 not working with the WinUpdates site. He was right. Installing IE8 was all it took to get everything updated.

Now, I'm moving on to the next step, which is to reinstall everything, make a few tweaks, back it up (preferrably so that I can just drop the backup onto any future replacement HDD without going thru all this again), and let her start using it again.

I've read chaslang's "How to Protect Yourself from Malware" thread, and the "...Like New in 4 Steps" guide, but I have a question:

In chaslang's Step 7, he says to clear the Java cache occasionally. Does CCleaner or any of the other cleanup tools do that automatically?