Need Help With MS Update

Hello All,
Can anybody explain this info to me?...I'm having a hard time understanding it...I downloaded the new security update that was posted in the latest Windows-Help.NET Newsletter, but I can't make head or tails out of this followup info below........


Critical Update for Microsoft XML 3.0 Service Pack 2

This update contains Microsoft XML (MSXML) functionality that will allow applications using MSXML to continue to function correctly after the Security Update for Internet Explorer (listed above), has been applied.


Critical Update for Microsoft XML 3.0 Service Pack 4
Critical Update for Microsoft XML 3.0 Service Pack 3
Critical Update for Microsoft XML 3.0 Service Pack 2

To determine the version of MSXML parser installed on a computer, read Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 278674

 

James Martin--Do you have Microsoft XML 3.0 Service Pack 2, 3 or 4 installed? If no, then you do not have to worry about the Update offered for XML.
If yes, it sounds like a patch to the latest Cumulative Update for IE. The latter (mentioned in the previous paragraph of the newsletter) apparently disables some functions of the Microsoft XML 3.0 Service Pack 2. I should think you could just follow directions and install the patch offered.
Have you looked at http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=278674 ?
There is more info offered on XML in the right column.

 

Hi WJim,
I read the link you posted, but I'm not sure about what to download...I have Microsoft XML parser and SDK installed, at least according to Add/Remove programs...I'm not sure which tool I'm supposed to use to identify the parser?

Thanks

 

Since I do not have XML Parsers on my PC, I can offer nothing based on experience. But that article
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=278674
seems to go into great detail about how to determine what version(s) of parser you have on your PC. I presume that includes telling you what Service Packs are installed. When you determine that, presumably you download and install the appropriate Updates mentioned in
http://www.windowsnewsletter.com/current-issue.html
Note all this seems to apply only to XML 3.0.
Quoting from kb27864
"There are two versions of this tool. Xmlversion.exe contains a built-in user interface (UI) for the .ocx file; Xmlversiontext.exe does not. Xmlversiontext.exe was created because some computers do not have the minimum requirements for Xmlversion.exe. The minimum requirements for Xmlversion.exe are Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01, Microsoft Script Runtime (Scrrun.dll), and Microsoft Windows Common Controls 1 and 2. The minimum requirement for Xmlversiontext.exe is Internet Explorer 4.01. "
So you use either xmlversion.exe or xmlversiontext.exe to determine the version depending on which criteria your system satisfies.
I am not completely sure about versions.exe file. It seems to be more a source of information about available XML versions than a diagnostic tool. But I could be very wrong about that.
Maybe someone else will join in and help if you still have questions or I have said something incorrect.

 

Thanks for the help WJim...I have tried to understand all of the documents, but this seems to be over my head for now...Is the extra download for security reasons?...If not, I may just forget the whole thing...I don't even know what a parser is to begin with...

 

I would get the update, it is listed as critical, usually relating to security.

http://networking.webopedia.com/TERM/P/parser.html
http://networking.webopedia.com/TERM/P/parse.html

 

Thanks Mark...I'll reexamine the documents again.

 

Can anybody break these instructions down into plain english?...I'm stumped!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


How to Use the Tool
Extract the file to a folder and register the Xmlversion.ocx or Xmlversiontext.ocx file. Make sure that you see the message box that confirms that the .ocx registration was successful. To register the Xmlversion.ocx file, click Start, click Run, and then type regsvr32 <pathofocx>\xmlVersion.ocx (where <pathofocx> is the path to the .ocx file).

To register the Xmlversiontext.ocx file, click Start, click Run, and then type regsvr32 <pathofocx>\xmlVersionText.ocx (where <pathofocx> is the path to the .ocx file).

NOTE: If <pathofocx> contains spaces, you must enclose the path and the .ocx file in quotation marks ( ").


In Internet Explorer, open Xmlversion.htm or Xmlversiontext.htm.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I've tried to do the register thing, but the computer can't find anything...I wonder why MS would make something so technical that beginners & intermediates would have such a hard time using it?...Just my .02 worth.

 

example
regsvr32 c:\windows\system\Xmlversion.ocx
That is only if the file is in the C:\Windows\System folder. Insert proper folder name in place of bold type above.
You'll get confirmation or error message, whichever applies.
If that doesn't work do this:
c:\windows\system\regsvr32 c:\windows\system\Xmlversion.ocx

 

James Martin--Here is another MSKB article which suggests that unless you have the problem(s) mentioned, there is no need for you to install the MSXML fixes
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=832414
The latest IE Cumulative Update made a change to IE which no longer permits certain addresses to be used in the Address line. These addresses included userID's and passwords in a site's URL (address).

 

Hi All,
Mark, I tried to apply your info, but I got error messages saying: LoadLibrary(...................) failed-One of the library files needed to run this application cannot be found.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WJim,
Sorry, but I'm having trouble understanding the KB article...To be honest with you, I think their KB articles are rather tech heavy to begin with...I sent MS a feedback letter to voice my opinion on the matter...

Thanks All.

 

James Martin--You may not have to understand the MSKB article, since " unless you have the problem(s) mentioned, there is no need for you to install the MSXML fixes. "
So if you are not getting the error message, rest easy.
P.S. Most people do not understand most MSKB articles. I sometimes wonder if the guys that write them do either.

 

Thanks WJim,
My browser seems to be working OK, so I'll try not to worry about this too much...I will spend more time with it later on, to see if I can make more sense of it all...Your's & Mark's help was much appreciated...