1. Open a Command Prompt. Click Start > Run and type “cmd” then hit “OK” This should bring up the black box that is the Command Prompt.
2. Type “net stop wuauserv”. This shuts down the windows update service so you can delete the files.
3. Still on the Command Prompt, type “cd /d %windir%” or “cd\windows” If you have problems at this step type “cd..” until you only have C:\ then type “cd windows” and you’ll be in the right directory.
4. Type “rd /s SoftwareDistribution”
5. And you’re done. We just need to restart the windows automatic update service again by typing “net start wuauserv” so that the downloads that were stuck will re-download.

This is my first post as a guest blogger on Summeylabs.com   I’d like to thank Ryan for the opportunity to share some knowledge.  -Andrew

QUESTION:
I have a problem. I installed Vista on my XP computer, to dual boot. But I don’t like Vista and went back to using XP. The problem is that when I reboot, it automatically starts up Vista unless I’m paying attention and choose the “Previous operating system” in the bootup menu. How can I make it automatically go into XP again?

ANSWER:
Luckily that’s an easy one to fix, although the answer isn’t very intuitive. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Click Start | Control Panel and open the System applet.
2. Click the Advanced tab.
3. At the bottom, under “Startup and Recovery,” click the Settings button.
4. At the top of the dialog box, under “System Startup,” click the down arrow and select the operating system that you want to be the default (the one that starts automatically after a set amount of time).
5. You can also modify the number of seconds the list will display before going into your default OS, if you want.
6. Click OK twice to close out the dialog boxes.

Now when you boot up, the system should automatically load XP unless you select Vista from the boot menu list.

-summey

If you prefer to install security updates from a DVD, Microsoft is making an ISO image of its monthly security updates for XP and Vista available through the Download Center. The February 2009 ISO image is available now. Read more here:

http://www.wxpnews.com/AJB4NJ/090224-Security-Release

-Summey