Windows Update Thinks My OS Is A Mac

DaffyD® · External Since: Sep 26, 2003 Posts: 76

I have tried logging onto the WU website and I consistently see the
following 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/."

I am running the same Win 98SE that I've always run and have never had any
problems with this site before. Is MS now considering the older versions of
Windows "non-Windows" software?

Why is this happening?
--
{ : [|]=( DaffyD®

If I knew where I was I'd be there now.

philo · External Since: Mar 05, 2004 Posts: 338

"DaffyD®" <daffyd DeleteThis @woohoo.com> wrote in message
news:OO5MtwuYHHA.3968@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> I have tried logging onto the WU website and I consistently see the
> following 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/."
>
> I am running the same Win 98SE that I've always run and have never had any
> problems with this site before. Is MS now considering the older versions
of
> Windows "non-Windows" software?
>
> Why is this happening?

Don't know why but it doesn't matter as MS is not comming out with any more
windows updates

glee1 · External Since: Dec 15, 2003 Posts: 3729

"Friendly fire mixup: MS identifies Windows as Mac"
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/03/09/friendly_fire_virtual_pc/

Microsoft is apparently still insisting it's a client-side issue, when it is clearly
a server-side issue. It may get fixed if the Windows Update team ever gets past the
Denial stage. Sad

In the meantime, it is a major pain to those who are reinstalling and need to
re-update.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

"DaffyD®" <daffyd RemoveThis @woohoo.com> wrote in message
news:OO5MtwuYHHA.3968@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>I have tried logging onto the WU website and I consistently see the
> following 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/."
>
> I am running the same Win 98SE that I've always run and have never had any
> problems with this site before. Is MS now considering the older versions of
> Windows "non-Windows" software?
>
> Why is this happening?
> --
> { : [|]=( DaffyD®
>
> If I knew where I was I'd be there now.
>
>

Bob Harris · External Since: Feb 22, 2006 Posts: 47

Perhaps Microsoft is subconsciously trying to do you a favor by suggesting
that you should get a MAC?

Check out those MAC vs PC-with-Vista commercials at:

http://www.apple.com/getamac/

More seriously, I have heard that this behavior might be caused by having
too old a version of Internet Explorer. If you have not yet done so, try
upgrading to version 6.

"DaffyD®" <daffyd.DeleteThis@woohoo.com> wrote in message
news:OO5MtwuYHHA.3968@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>I have tried logging onto the WU website and I consistently see the
> following 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/."
>
> I am running the same Win 98SE that I've always run and have never had any
> problems with this site before. Is MS now considering the older versions
> of
> Windows "non-Windows" software?
>
> Why is this happening?
> --
> { : [|]=( DaffyD®
>
> If I knew where I was I'd be there now.
>
>

philo · External Since: Mar 05, 2004 Posts: 338

"glee" <glee29.RemoveThis@spamindspring.com> wrote in message
news:e7$ldp1YHHA.1296@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Bull. First of all, my reply states the main reason this issue is
occurring
> at_the_current_time, with the misidentification as a Mac.....it is a
server issue,
> despite MS' belief that it is a client-side issue.
>
> Secondly, although custom security settings can affect the ability to get
anywhere
> on WU in general, with default security settings one should be able to get
into WU
> without the procedures you describe. Number 2 should not ever be
necessary ("click
> on the "custom level" button and allow all actions").
>
> As Gary mentioned, following your procedure does not allow entry to WU at
this time,
> because it is a server issue, as I stated.
>
> BTW, you left out the *most* important step "for new installations of 98,"
quoting
> your reply (which BTW is not what the OP asked about in particular), which
is to
> first install IE6. All the fiddling with security setting and cookies and
the TIF
> is a waste of time if IE6 is not installed after a new 98 installation and
prior to
> going to WU, as WU will not let one in with an older browser.

Yep...that's quite true...
A fresh install of win98 should only need IE6 installed to get to the update
page...
all that other stuff mentioned is fairly useless.

However I have seen some win98 systems that have been running for a while
with some registry problems...
not be able to get into the update site...
There's not usually an easy fix unless the problem has been caught recently
and a registry restore could do the trick

98 Guy · External Since: Mar 12, 2005 Posts: 420

glee wrote:

> Bull.

A week ago I posted my experience that I was sitting in front of 4
win-98 machines within the span of a few minutes, and the WU site
functioned for 2 of them and for the other two I got the "mac"
message.

I performed the 4 steps I mentioned in the previous post (and deleted
my hosts file - I doubt that was necessary but I did it anyways) and I
got it to work on a third machine, and I did it several days later on
the fourth.

So my experience as of a week ago was that (a) win-98 machines do not
universally encounter this issue, and (b) I have MADE it work on 2
machines where they were experiencing that issue. That tells me that
while there may be a problem on MS's server, that there ARE things
that can be done on the client machine to remedy the situation.

> BTW, you left out the *most* important step "for new
> installations of 98," quoting your reply (which BTW
> is not what the OP asked about in particular), which is to
> first install IE6.

My response was not intended to be even a basic guide to "how to
perform a new install of win-98".

You are referring to that portion of my response where I was
countering other's comments (philo I think) where they were saying
that there are no new (and never going to be any new) updates for
win-98. I was countering by saying that it is still useful, if not
preferred, to be able to access the WU site when performing a new
install of 98 as part of bringing the OS up to date, hence it IS
relavent to explore and correct the "mac message" situation.

glee1 · External Since: Dec 15, 2003 Posts: 3729

Right, I understand, but unfortunately, your result may very well have been due to
fortunate timing rather than the procedure actually helping. I can't say....some
*are* reporting that it works for them, but.....

Reports I am getting from trusted sources are:

"98 SE that got the "You're a Mac" message for the last two days is now getting to
Windows Update. 98 Original that was getting to Windows Update is now getting the
"You're a Mac" message."

"Started getting the "You're a Mac" message on a WinME computer that was getting
updates successfully an hour ago. After deleting TIF and cookies on ME, Windows
Update is working again, but deleting TIF and cookies on W98 doesn't fix the
problem."

"I boot the same computer twice, without making any changes on it. The first time,
it's a Macintosh. The next time, Windows Update works."

One report stated the issue was fixed on an ME system by going to
download.microsoft.com and installing Internet Explorer 6 Security Patch for Windows
98, NT 4.0, and Me: VBScript Handling Can Allow Web Pages to Read Local Files=>
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=4F728263-83A3...4B-BCC0

So, while the procedure worked for you, it does not work for others. Certainly
worth a try though..... Smile

--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

"98 Guy" <98 RemoveThis @Guy.com> wrote in message news:45F327B9.5F2D8C43@Guy.com...
> glee wrote:
>
>> Bull.
>
> A week ago I posted my experience that I was sitting in front of 4
> win-98 machines within the span of a few minutes, and the WU site
> functioned for 2 of them and for the other two I got the "mac"
> message.
>
> I performed the 4 steps I mentioned in the previous post (and deleted
> my hosts file - I doubt that was necessary but I did it anyways) and I
> got it to work on a third machine, and I did it several days later on
> the fourth.
>
> So my experience as of a week ago was that (a) win-98 machines do not
> universally encounter this issue, and (b) I have MADE it work on 2
> machines where they were experiencing that issue. That tells me that
> while there may be a problem on MS's server, that there ARE things
> that can be done on the client machine to remedy the situation.
>
>> BTW, you left out the *most* important step "for new
>> installations of 98," quoting your reply (which BTW
>> is not what the OP asked about in particular), which is to
>> first install IE6.
>
> My response was not intended to be even a basic guide to "how to
> perform a new install of win-98".
>
> You are referring to that portion of my response where I was
> countering other's comments (philo I think) where they were saying
> that there are no new (and never going to be any new) updates for
> win-98. I was countering by saying that it is still useful, if not
> preferred, to be able to access the WU site when performing a new
> install of 98 as part of bringing the OS up to date, hence it IS
> relavent to explore and correct the "mac message" situation.

DaffyD® · External Since: Sep 26, 2003 Posts: 76

Glen was right--it was a server-based issue. I just tried logging onto the
site and all is well. I think that the server problem is something that
never should have happened. As it is, WU found I needed two critical
updates which have already been installed. What is wrong at Microsoft?

"DaffyD®" <daffyd.DeleteThis@woohoo.com> wrote in message
news:OO5MtwuYHHA.3968@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> I have tried logging onto the WU website and I consistently see the
> following 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/."
>
> I am running the same Win 98SE that I've always run and have never had any
> problems with this site before. Is MS now considering the older versions
of
> Windows "non-Windows" software?
>
> Why is this happening?
> --
> { : [|]=( DaffyD®
>
> If I knew where I was I'd be there now.
>
>

philo · External Since: Mar 05, 2004 Posts: 338

"DaffyD®" <daffyd DeleteThis @woohoo.com> wrote in message
news:eKWC0e4YHHA.992@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Glen was right--it was a server-based issue. I just tried logging onto
the
> site and all is well. I think that the server problem is something that
> never should have happened. As it is, WU found I needed two critical
> updates which have already been installed. What is wrong at Microsoft?
>

Of course it was a server based issue...
your question would be easier to answer if you would have asked:

what is right at microsoft!

98 Guy · External Since: Mar 12, 2005 Posts: 420

First, I'm pretty sure you need to do the following:

1) add *.microsoft.com to your trusted zone list
2) enable everything (all actions) for the trusted zone
3) clear IE cache (including off-line content)

Then close IE and open it again.

Enter this in the address bar:

javascript:navigator.userAgent

You should see this:

Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 9 Cool

If you don't, then you have a wrong entry in your registry (so fix
it).

These are related URLs (for those that are interested):

http://www.fiddlertool.com/useragent.aspx
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/workshop/author/dht...overvie

Next, according to this:

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

You might have an entry in your registry called "post platform".
Search your registry for "post platform". If you have it, then read
the above MS kb article. If not, then continue.

Another tangent. According to this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Internet_Explorer

There is an SP1 and SP2 for IE6. I don't know if that is relavant or
not to this WU issue.

Finally, here is what will probably fix it for you.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/193385

Navigate to your C:\Program Files\WindowsUpdate directory.

You will probably see a V4 and a Cabs subdirectory in addition to
maybe a few dozen files.

Delete all files (don't delete the V4 and the Cabs directory). If
you're nervous about doing that, then make a backup directory there
and move the files into it.

So there should be no files in C:\Program Files\WindowsUpdate.

Go into the V4 directory. There might be a few files there, and maybe
a temp directory. Delete everything (including the temp directory)
EXCEPT for the file iuhist.xml. Then go back into C:\Program
Files\WindowsUpdate. MS says you can delete the Cabs directory, but I
just went into the cabs directory and deleted what was there (1 file I
think).

That's it. Close all IE windows and then open IE and try Windows
Update.

melee5 · External Since: Dec 12, 2004 Posts: 145

<snip>
I'm sorry it's none of those. I'm running IE 5.5 SP2 and sometimes I
get in and sometimes I don't all depending on the redirect.js files.
There is this copy:
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/shared/js/redirect.js
which is a 17k text file and then there is this one:
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/redirect.js
which is a 4k binary and NOT a text file at all when the site is
broken for 98 like right now. Using either the WinUP site or the
Catalog gets both files, exactly why I have no clue but there they are
in your TIF folder - take a look.

When the site works I suspect that the second link above is to a valid
16k text file that is slightly different than the first file, but the
site has not been working when I've tried it to verify that as it
appears to still be catch as catch can since 2/27/07 when I first came
across this problem. The WinUP folks sadly appear to be completely in
the dark this time around, we didn't have much time left at WinUP site
anyway...

Things I've learned reading the redirect.js file.
Win2K is NT 5.0
WinXP is NT 5.1
Win2003 is NT 5.2
Longhorn is NT 6.0
or
Vista is NT 6.0
all depending on which version of redirect.js file you are reading.
They really should get on the same page I would think, use one or the
other but not both.

philo · External Since: Mar 05, 2004 Posts: 338

<snip>
>
> There is an SP1 and SP2 for IE6. I don't know if that is relavant or
> not to this WU issue.
>
> Finally, here is what will probably fix it for you.
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/193385
>
> Navigate to your C:\Program Files\WindowsUpdate directory.
>
> You will probably see a V4 and a Cabs subdirectory in addition to
> maybe a few dozen files.
>
> Delete all files (don't delete the V4 and the Cabs directory). If
> you're nervous about doing that, then make a backup directory there
> and move the files into it.
>
> So there should be no files in C:\Program Files\WindowsUpdate.
>
> Go into the V4 directory. There might be a few files there, and maybe
> a temp directory. Delete everything (including the temp directory)
> EXCEPT for the file iuhist.xml. Then go back into C:\Program
> Files\WindowsUpdate. MS says you can delete the Cabs directory, but I
> just went into the cabs directory and deleted what was there (1 file I
> think).
>
> That's it. Close all IE windows and then open IE and try Windows
> Update.

I think that's a good one there!!!

98 Guy · External Since: Mar 12, 2005 Posts: 420

Lee wrote:

> I'm running IE 5.5 SP2

If you're not going to run IE6 (and at this point I don't know why
someone would be running 5.5 and not 6) then at least modify your
browser string in the registry so that you *appear* to be running
IE6. That might make WU work more reliably for you.

Here's a few more observations.

I just went to WU and did the check for updates and viewed the items
to be downloaded and then cancelled the session without downloading
anything.

I then went back to WU and got the mac message. I cleared the cache
and was able to get back into WU. I then exited and went back in, and
got the mac message, etc.

I did that a few times until clearing the cache didn't work.

So basically don't mess with it too much. If you get in, then get
your stuff and don't play with it.

Does anyone know if there is an ActiveX cache? There are references
to it on the net, but if anyone knows where it is, or how to clear it,
then please tell. If something called an ActiveX cache does exist,
and if it's not cleared as part of clearing the IE temp files, then
maybe that's the answer to this WU thing.

Or maybe it's an active-x plugin that needs to be un-installed /
deleted?

One other thing. Java cache? Does WU use java? What about jscript?
Does that have a cache? How to you clear it?

glee1 · External Since: Dec 15, 2003 Posts: 3729

FWIW, MVP Brian Sesko reports that his experience thus far has been that if he
copy/pastes the URL below to his browser address box, he consistently (so far) gets
through successfully:
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp

He states, do not use the Windows Update icon in the Start menu, use only the link
above. It would seem a good thing to test.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

"Lee" <melee5.RemoveThis@my-deja.com> wrote in message
news:1173666273.672064.123560@n33g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
> <snip>
> I'm sorry it's none of those. I'm running IE 5.5 SP2 and sometimes I
> get in and sometimes I don't all depending on the redirect.js files.
> There is this copy:
> http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/shared/js/redirect.js
> which is a 17k text file and then there is this one:
> http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/redirect.js
> which is a 4k binary and NOT a text file at all when the site is
> broken for 98 like right now. Using either the WinUP site or the
> Catalog gets both files, exactly why I have no clue but there they are
> in your TIF folder - take a look.
>
> When the site works I suspect that the second link above is to a valid
> 16k text file that is slightly different than the first file, but the
> site has not been working when I've tried it to verify that as it
> appears to still be catch as catch can since 2/27/07 when I first came
> across this problem. The WinUP folks sadly appear to be completely in
> the dark this time around, we didn't have much time left at WinUP site
> anyway...
>
> Things I've learned reading the redirect.js file.
> Win2K is NT 5.0
> WinXP is NT 5.1
> Win2003 is NT 5.2
> Longhorn is NT 6.0
> or
> Vista is NT 6.0
> all depending on which version of redirect.js file you are reading.
> They really should get on the same page I would think, use one or the
> other but not both.
>

Ian H · External Since: Dec 13, 2006 Posts: 62

> FWIW, MVP Brian Sesko reports that his experience thus far has been that
if he
> copy/pastes the URL below to his browser address box, he consistently (so
far) gets
> through successfully:
> http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp

If you use any other browser than I/E, (like me), then use this link,
because
you will get redirected to it anyway..::
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/Search.aspx?displaylang=en

Ian H
>
> He states, do not use the Windows Update icon in the Start menu, use only
the link
> above. It would seem a good thing to test.
> --
> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+

Jeff · External Since: Jul 12, 2006 Posts: 34

I had this same issue and this was after a fresh install of 98 and an install
of IE 6. I reinstalled IE 6 and was sucesfuly able to search and download the
updates.

"DaffyDÂ®" wrote:

> I have tried logging onto the WU website and I consistently see the
> following 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/."
>
> I am running the same Win 98SE that I've always run and have never had any
> problems with this site before. Is MS now considering the older versions of
> Windows "non-Windows" software?
>
> Why is this happening?
> --
> { : [|]=( DaffyDÂ®
>
> If I knew where I was I'd be there now.
>
>
>

melee5 · External Since: Dec 12, 2004 Posts: 145

Thanks, Glen. Like Brian, I have noticed that some urls work better
than others but currently when broken (like now)none get me in ever.
Just like the weather in Colorado, wait 5 minutes and it might be an
entirely different story. Oddly for me it's the v5 and v6 urls that
work best!
var V5Site = "http://v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.com";
var V6Site = "http://update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate";

Also the first try is almost always a wash but the second or more
tries even with the same url or other shortcut method may work
perfect. There is also the Windows Update link in Tools of the
toolbar to try in addition to the Start Menu|Settings|Windows Update
shortcut. I need to backdate my problem's start date - it's the same
date as redirect.js file - 2/22/07 at 5:56 PM, that's three thursdays
as of tomorrow and I'm begining to believe that this is way it ends at
WinUP for 9x boxes. RIP <sniffle>

Lee

On Mar 12, 10:18 pm, "glee" <gle....DeleteThis@spamindspring.com> wrote:
> FWIW, MVP Brian Sesko reports that his experience thus far has been that if he
> copy/pastes the URL below to his browser address box, he consistently (so far) gets
> through successfully:http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp
>
> He states, do not use the Windows Update icon in the Start menu, use only the link
> above. It would seem a good thing to test.
> --
> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+http://dts-l.org/http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>
> "Lee" <mel....DeleteThis@my-deja.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1173666273.672064.123560@n33g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
> > <snip>
> > I'm sorry it's none of those. I'm running IE 5.5 SP2 and sometimes I
> > get in and sometimes I don't all depending on the redirect.js files.
> > There is this copy:
> >http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/shared/js/redirect.js
> > which is a 17k text file and then there is this one:
> >http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/redirect.js
> > which is a 4k binary and NOT a text file at all when the site is
> > broken for 98 like right now. Using either the WinUP site or the
> > Catalog gets both files, exactly why I have no clue but there they are
> > in your TIF folder - take a look.
>
> > When the site works I suspect that the second link above is to a valid
> > 16k text file that is slightly different than the first file, but the
> > site has not been working when I've tried it to verify that as it
> > appears to still be catch as catch can since 2/27/07 when I first came
> > across this problem. The WinUP folks sadly appear to be completely in
> > the dark this time around, we didn't have much time left at WinUP site
> > anyway...
>
> > Things I've learned reading the redirect.js file.
> > Win2K is NT 5.0
> > WinXP is NT 5.1
> > Win2003 is NT 5.2
> > Longhorn is NT 6.0
> > or
> > Vista is NT 6.0
> > all depending on which version of redirect.js file you are reading.
> > They really should get on the same page I would think, use one or the
> > other but not both.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

glee1 · External Since: Dec 15, 2003 Posts: 3729

Hi Lee,
Yep, I got to WU with no problem a little while ago, but then got the Mac message a
while after that. Similarly, at work, I got to WU and also to the WU Corporate
site, where I downloaded some updates for offline installation, but then shortly
after that I got the Mac message on the same system, and none of the suggested
workarounds worked.

FWIW, the word I got was that when some MVPs asked some folks at MS about this
issue, they were unaware of it. Why does that not surprise me......
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

"Lee" <melee5.TakeThisOut@my-deja.com> wrote in message
news:1173922818.129263.278080@y66g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> Thanks, Glen. Like Brian, I have noticed that some urls work better
> than others but currently when broken (like now)none get me in ever.
> Just like the weather in Colorado, wait 5 minutes and it might be an
> entirely different story. Oddly for me it's the v5 and v6 urls that
> work best!
> var V5Site = "http://v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.com";
> var V6Site = "http://update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate";
>
> Also the first try is almost always a wash but the second or more
> tries even with the same url or other shortcut method may work
> perfect. There is also the Windows Update link in Tools of the
> toolbar to try in addition to the Start Menu|Settings|Windows Update
> shortcut. I need to backdate my problem's start date - it's the same
> date as redirect.js file - 2/22/07 at 5:56 PM, that's three thursdays
> as of tomorrow and I'm begining to believe that this is way it ends at
> WinUP for 9x boxes. RIP <sniffle>
>
> Lee
>
> On Mar 12, 10:18 pm, "glee" <gle....TakeThisOut@spamindspring.com> wrote:
>> FWIW, MVP Brian Sesko reports that his experience thus far has been that if he
>> copy/pastes the URL below to his browser address box, he consistently (so far)
>> gets
>> through successfully:http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp
>>
>> He states, do not use the Windows Update icon in the Start menu, use only the
>> link
>> above. It would seem a good thing to test.
>> --
>> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+http://dts-l.org/http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>>
>> "Lee" <mel....TakeThisOut@my-deja.com> wrote in message
>>
>> news:1173666273.672064.123560@n33g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
>>
>>
>>
>> > <snip>
>> > I'm sorry it's none of those. I'm running IE 5.5 SP2 and sometimes I
>> > get in and sometimes I don't all depending on the redirect.js files.
>> > There is this copy:
>> >http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/shared/js/redirect.js
>> > which is a 17k text file and then there is this one:
>> >http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/redirect.js
>> > which is a 4k binary and NOT a text file at all when the site is
>> > broken for 98 like right now. Using either the WinUP site or the
>> > Catalog gets both files, exactly why I have no clue but there they are
>> > in your TIF folder - take a look.
>>
>> > When the site works I suspect that the second link above is to a valid
>> > 16k text file that is slightly different than the first file, but the
>> > site has not been working when I've tried it to verify that as it
>> > appears to still be catch as catch can since 2/27/07 when I first came
>> > across this problem. The WinUP folks sadly appear to be completely in
>> > the dark this time around, we didn't have much time left at WinUP site
>> > anyway...
>>
>> > Things I've learned reading the redirect.js file.
>> > Win2K is NT 5.0
>> > WinXP is NT 5.1
>> > Win2003 is NT 5.2
>> > Longhorn is NT 6.0
>> > or
>> > Vista is NT 6.0
>> > all depending on which version of redirect.js file you are reading.
>> > They really should get on the same page I would think, use one or the
>> > other but not both.- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
>

linarms · External Since: Mar 20, 2007 Posts: 1

I wonder if this might not be an issue with transparent proxies,
recent M$ server changes and cache time-outs.

I've just been trying to update a fresh Windows 98SE installation (on
an old machine that can't run anything newer) and found that when I
changed to an open proxy (the Telstra one, if you're in Australia),
everything suddenly started working. I suspect therefore that my ISP
(WestNet) is running a transparent proxy that has been breaking
Windows Update. Could others be having the same problem without
realising it?

(Yes, I upgraded IE, hacked my registry, played with trusted sites,
killed cookies + downloaded files, rebooted several hundred times,
etc. before making this discovery.)

Gary S. Terhune · External Since: Feb 28, 2007 Posts: 110

Could be... All I know is that perseverance pays off. If I hit the error, I
close all instances of IE and try again. Usually get in within four or five
tries.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com

<linarms.TakeThisOut@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1174448865.655537.8940@e65g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...
>I wonder if this might not be an issue with transparent proxies,
> recent M$ server changes and cache time-outs.
>
> I've just been trying to update a fresh Windows 98SE installation (on
> an old machine that can't run anything newer) and found that when I
> changed to an open proxy (the Telstra one, if you're in Australia),
> everything suddenly started working. I suspect therefore that my ISP
> (WestNet) is running a transparent proxy that has been breaking
> Windows Update. Could others be having the same problem without
> realising it?
>
> (Yes, I upgraded IE, hacked my registry, played with trusted sites,
> killed cookies + downloaded files, rebooted several hundred times,
> etc. before making this discovery.)
>