KB954156

[gr8newme]

Hi. Belarc Advisor says I need the above security fix installed on my XP Home system. I've downloaded and tried to install from my desktop, KB954156-32bit-x64-ENU.exe and get the error message: "Update\update.exe is not a valid Win32 application." I also downloaded and tried to install KB954156-32bit-x84-ENU.exe from my desktop and received the following error: "Windows Media Encoder must be on your machine before this software can be installed. Please install Windows encoder and launch this software update again."

I am not a professional. I have Windows Media Player 11 on my computer. It's used solely for viewing video files. I don't know if KB954156, a security fix for Windows Media Encoder 9 is part of Media Player 11, or if it's a separate application. Windows Media Encoder 9 does not show up under Add/Remove Programs so I have no idea if it's installed. I assume it is or Belarc Advisor would not tell me I need this Critical Update.

Although I'm a novice, my research before finding this site leads me to believe Encoder 9 is necessary if I want to convert files and use my video cam for making streaming video. I do not. I use my webcam only through Yahoo Messenger as part of chat. However, if Media Encoder 9 IS on my computer, I certainly want this Security Update.

I'm very concerned my computer has a security deficiency but am at a loss as to how to fix it. I attempted to contact Microsoft Support through their website but the process hung up on "Loading........." my computer information after I outlined this problem. I assume my request for help was not sent or received.

I'd really appreciate your help in easy to understand layman's terms. Thank you very much.

[cluberti]

Does Windows Update say you need the hotfix? Also, look for a file "wmex.dll" on your system in the C:\Program

Files\Windows Media Components\Encoder folder, as well as searching the entire hard drive as well, to be safe (mostly to make sure some other program didn't install the file into their installation folder - Adobe Premier is one of the apps that will install a version of this file, for instance, if you install the Windows Media Encoder plug-in). If you do not have wmex.dll on your system, you do not need the update. If you have wmex.dll on your system and it is version 9.0.0.3359 (24th June 2008) or newer, you do not need the update. If you have wmex.dll on your system and it is older than this version, only then do you need the update. Also, you need the x86 version of the update, not the x64 version if this is the case (the error message tells me you are not running a 64bit version of Windows XP).

[gr8newme]

Hi Cluberti. Thanks for getting back to me. To answer your first question, no. Windows Update did not say I needed the hotfix, but then I rarely get notification of updates even though automatic Windows Update is turned on and set to notify me. It was through Belarc Advisor that I became aware I needed the hotfix.

I checked and I DO have wmex.dll version 7.1.0.3055. I again tried to install the x86 version of the update and received the same error message: "Windows Media Encoder must be on your machine before this software update can be installed. Please install windows media encoder and launch this software update again." Could the hotfix I downloaded be corrupt? I don't know what to do now. Please help.

[cluberti]

Hi Cluberti. Thanks for getting back to me. To answer your first question, no. Windows Update did not say I needed the hotfix, but then I rarely get notification of updates even though automatic Windows Update is turned on and set to notify me. It was through Belarc Advisor that I became aware I needed the hotfix.

I checked and I DO have wmex.dll version 7.1.0.3055. I again tried to install the x86 version of the update and received the same error message: "Windows Media Encoder must be on your machine before this software update can be installed. Please install windows media encoder and launch this software update again." Could the hotfix I downloaded be corrupt? I don't know what to do now. Please help.

Well, considering 7.1.0.3055 is Windows Media Encoder 7, not 9, I don't expect a hotfix for WME 9.0 to update a 7.0 file.

[gr8newme]

I understand what you are saying. However, I am trying to follow your directions. You said if I have a version of Encoder older than the 9 series that I should install the hotfix. Are you familiar with Belarc Advisor? I believe there's a reason why it's stating I need the Encoder9 hotfix. Should I install Encoder9? With my previously stated usage, would you advise that I need it I must say, I'm confused. I've said I'm a novice but I believe your last answer was really flippant and not at all helpful. If you're having a bad day, I hope it improves.

[cluberti]

I understand what you are saying. However, I am trying to follow your directions. You said if I have a version of Encoder older than the 9 series that I should install the hotfix. Are you familiar with Belarc Advisor? I believe there's a reason why it's stating I need the Encoder9 hotfix. Should I install Encoder9? With my previously stated usage, would you advise that I need it I must say, I'm confused. I've said I'm a novice but I believe your last answer was really flippant and not at all helpful. If you're having a bad day, I hope it improves.

Yes, older than 9.0.0.3359, but I made the assumption you would understand that since it's a 9.x update only, that this only applied to files older than 9.0.0.3359, but newer than (or equal to) 9.0.0.0. This security bulletin does not include any affected WME7 binaries - the hotfix is *specifically* for WME9. It will NOT update a 7.x file (which is why you see the error message you do - WME9 is, in fact, not installed - the error is accurate). Notice in the affected software list for the update, it does not include WME 7.x at all as affected by this.

Also, I have to ask - is there any specific reason as to why you would not have upgraded to WME9 as of yet? WME7 was released for Win98, WinME, and W2K. WME9 was released in January of 2003, so unless you have the need to use the encoder to encode files that are compatible with Media Player 6 or older, I can't see a reason not to upgrade (and install this hotfix, of course).

As to the Belarc advisor, since Windows Update doesn't show the update, and you do not have a 9.x version of the file on the system, the warning that you need the hotfix is inaccurate. The only thing at fault here is the Belarc advisor.

[gr8newme]

I have not upgraded to WE9 because it has not been offered through Windows update. As I said, I have problems getting updates. But assuming an update was offered to me, perhaps I didn't think it was an essential update. I've looked at the description of WE9 and it sounds like it's for people who do streaming video work. Do you suggest I install WE9 and then apply the hotfix? Thanks again for your help.

[puntoMX]

I've looked at the description of WE9 and it sounds like it's for people who do streaming video work. Do you suggest I install WE9 and then apply the hotfix?

If you do not need it than leave it as it is, so there is also no use of installing an update for something that is not installed. Just uncheck it in the updates list and check when prompted if windows update needs to ask for that specific update again.

[gr8newme]

Hello again. In "Search", I found wmex.dll file version: 9.0.0.3359 (as well as the older 7.1.0.3055 dated 5/9/2001). The description is: WM Encoder Extensions and is dated 6/24/08. In search it shows:

C:\\Windows\Software Distribution|download\d8c31dad31d8ff7642244bfeb1f25bc7\wm9l. I believe this changes things. Now that I know Encoder 9 apparently IS on my computer somewhere, why am I unable to install the hotfix? Please help. Thank you.

[cluberti]

C:\\Windows\Software Distribution\download\d8c31dad31d8ff7642244bfeb1f25bc7\wm9l. I believe this changes things.

That is the location where hotfixes are downloaded/extracted before they're installed. It's likely there because you tried to install the hotfix. Unless you can find it elsewhere, it is *not* on your system.

[gr8newme]

OK. I give up. I'm going to assume Belarc Advisor has made it's first mistake in 4+ years monitoring my system and will disregard it's urgent recommendation that I need to install the KB654156 Security Hotfix. Thank you Cluberti and PuntoMX for helping me. Have a great day.