Windows Genuine Advantage Question

[boffo]

I have two computers that I installed the same copy of Win XP on.

When I check for Microsoft updates on the Microsoft update site for both computers it says that I need to install Windows Genuine Advantage (KB905474).

But, computer #1 already installed KB905474 on June 30, 2006. I reviewed the update history of the computer. So, I don't understand why it wants to install the program all over again.

Computer #2 intalled Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool (KB892130) when I first set up the computer and downloaded Explorer 7.0 and MediaPlayer 11.
Now updates wants to install Windows Genuine Advantage (KB905474) for the first time on that computer.

Re. first PC: I don't understand why it needs to download KB905474 for a second time on that PC.

For the second PC why are there two different WGA downloads (KB892130) and (KB905474). It already has KB892130, but now it wants to do KB905474. Anyone know how safe KB905474 is to download?

Out of curiosity when people click on custom updates on the link below do they get a note saying that they need to download KB905474?
Thanks for any info.

http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us

 

[thirdtime]

Microsoft updated the Windows Genuine Advantage tool as there were too many hacks out for the original.
You need to install it get the updates.
If you've already registered and activated XP on one system, it will crap out on the second system saying 'the key is already in use' if you've used the same copy of XP (and serial) for both systems.

 

[boffo]

I think I read somewhere that KB905474 wants to make note of what your processor is and it's serial number, what hard drive you have, what your IP address is etc.

That sounds a little too intrusive to me.
Of my two PC's with same copy of XP on them, one has a P4 630 processor and the other is a core2duo E6300; so, I'm thinking I better not let them download KB905474 onto my PC's.

Thanks for your inputs.

 

[chuck007]

If you use Firefox, you can download your MS Windows updates (without WGA) from http://windowsupdate.62nds.com/. Works great.

 

[SilentLeviathan]

It is scanning the system and realizes that the WGA update is not installed. Even if it records you having downloaded it, if it's not detected then it will want to reinstall it.