KB979683 & KB978601 Windows won't load

After I download these two updates and do the restart Windows won't load but
just does the off and on loop. I then uninstall them from Safe Mode and
everything works fine. I'm running windows 2000 (I know, I know, time to
upgrade but..)

For KB978601, is * KB979309 * listed as installed in Add/Remove Programs ?
If yes, then uninstall it, and restart the system.
Install KB978601 first, restart if requested to, then install KB979309.

For KB979863, suggest you first try to configure the system to Clean boot:

How to perform clean-boot troubleshooting for Windows 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/281770

Once the system is in the clean boot state, then try to install
KB979863. If no joy, you can try the steps laid out here:

You cannot install some updates or programs
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798

OR, you can get *** no-charge ***support for getting BOTH Security
updates installed from Microsoft:

" How to obtain help and support for this security update

For home users, no-charge support is available by calling 1-866-PCSAFETY
in the United States and Canada or by contacting your local Microsoft
subsidiary. For more information about how to contact your local
Microsoft subsidiary for support issues with security updates, visit the
Microsoft International Support Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/common/....aspx?rdpath=4

North American customers can also obtain instant access to unlimited
no-charge e-mail support or to unlimited individual chat support by
visiting the following Microsoft Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?&prid=7552

For enterprise customers, support for security updates is available
through your usual support contacts. "

Excellent. Thank you so much. I did the first part and everything still
works. Interestingly, or maybe not, when I downlaoaded KB978601 alone it
also downloaded KB979309. I now just need to go read up on the clean boot
deal for KB979683

You're most welcome. Glad that it worked or is working <w>.
It appears that KB978601 and KB979309, which *must both* be installed to
mitigate the vulnerability shown here:
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS10-019 - Critical
Vulnerabilities in Windows Could Allow Remote Code Execution (981210)
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec.../ms10-019.mspx

need to be installed in a specific order, eg. KB978601 needs to be
installed prior to the installation of KB979309.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for KB979683 <w>

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
it)?

Did a Norton or McAfee application come preinstalled on the computer
when you bought it?

When this "someone" uninstalled/reinstalled NAV 2006, did they download/run
the Norton Removal Tool *before* they reinstalled NAV?

When (approx. date) does your NAV subscription expire?

I have Norton Antivirus 2006 subscripion up to date and Zonealarm firewall
(free version). I don't believe anything else has ever been installed.

Also, I use Advanced Systemcare Version 3.5.1 if that's anything?

Also, a couple days ago I had a problem with my LiveUdate not working and so
yesterday someone from Norton uninstalled and reinstalled my Norton 2006 for
me.

Yes, Norton came preinstalled on the computer when I bought it 8 years ago.
When I had the Liveupdate problem a few days ago I signed on to the Norton
Live chat and a technician remotely unintalled/reinstalled NAV 2006 for me.
Can't really say what tool they actually ran. My Nav expires app. March 2,
2011.

Is W2K SP4 loading OK now?
Has KB979683 been successfully installed yet?
Can you successfully run (Norton) LiveUpdate manually & repeatedly?

Your injudicious use of (IObit) Advanced Systemcare may have caused your
problems! If you ever think your Registry needs to be cleaned, repaired,
boosted, tuned-up, cured, tweaked, fixed, or optimized (it doesn't), read
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28099 and draw your own conclusions.

KB979683 is the most recent in a long series of Windows Kernel updates.
While most Kernel updates are not Critical updates, they're still
security-related Important updates (vs Optional updates).

The #1 cause of Kernel updates failing to install these days is a Trojan
W32/Alureon-variant rootkit infection (which cannot be detected by any
anti-virus or anti-spyware application nor by 99.9% of anti-rootkit
applications). The very distinct possiblity of such an infection should not
be taken lightly, Brett.

That being said, what result do you get after running the Fix It in
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/980966? (Ignore the title and/or references
to KB977165...unless KB977165 failed to install, too.)

OK. You can tell that to MS Support when you open your no-charge support
incident.

W2K is loading fine now because I haven't tried installing KB978683 again. I
looked at the whole clean boot deal and it scared the heck out of me to even
think about trying it. Since KB978683 is listed as important and not
critical and I'm the only person using this computer I've decided to just
leave it . Plus I will be getting a new computer in the next several months.
My Liveupdate works fine. I will take a look at your suggested reading.

Okay I took your suggestion and ran the Fix It program. It said that my
computer appears to be compatible.

[jpsarge]

I was able to overcome the problem with KB979683 by downloading Microsoft Security Essentials and running a full scan on my computer. It found a rootkit virus that none of the other free AV products (tried Avast, Antimalware, a2squared) could detect. After rebooting, I tried running the security patch again, and it went right in. Hope this helps!