Contact Forum Editor

Send an email to our Forum Editor:

PLEASE NOTE: Your name is used only to let the Forum Editor know who sent the message. Both your name and email address will not be used for any other purpose.

Tech Helproom

It's free to register, to post a question or to start / join a discussion

View Forum Rules | Contact Forum Editor

 

Windows Update. Warning!

« previous 1 2 4

Flak999

Likes # 0

Posted February 16, 2007 at 6:58PM

A word to the wise, if you use the windows update site today and you are offered optional hardware updates do not install the "Via primary ide channel" and Via secondary IDE channel" updates! They will trash your computer!

I have just had a very worrying few moments, I installed them and rebooted as instructed, only to be greeted with a blue screen stop error before windows starts.

The solution is to restart and select "last known good configuration" from the menu you are presented with. The only problem with this is if your machine has been left on its default settings to reboot on error you will be in an endless reboot loop!

Fortunately for me I had disabled this and set a restore point before installing the offending updates. So I am back up and running again. There are also several threads about this problem on the windows update newsgroup, looks like a lot of people have been hit!

Like this post
Arnie

Likes # 0

Posted February 20, 2007 at 9:58AM

It is safer to procure a hardware driver from the equipment manufacturer's or safe mirror site.

Just download the security updates from Microsoft's
site.
When your computer is WGA verified, click on 'Custom' and hide the other unwanted items. If a revue of these items is required, they can always be restored.

Like this post
eedcam

Likes # 0

Posted February 20, 2007 at 12:39PM

Arnie even the security updates gave me problems unless I allowed express instal.I dont think there is a fixed symptom with these problems they appear to foul up different pc's and programmes perhaps we need a list from everyone regarding how and what it affected

Like this post
Arnie

Likes # 0

Posted February 20, 2007 at 1:21PM

I have never had a problem here on my or my wife's computer.

I; Windows XP SP2.
Wife; Windows 2000 with all SP's.

Like this post
eedcam

Likes # 0

Posted February 20, 2007 at 3:32PM

Well it caught me out Arnie always the same lose the sound and get no audio mixer device fitted . Took me 2 days the first time found someone with identical prob on google. I uninstalled and reinstalled the drivers came up ok 10 mins later gone again First time roll back did'nt sort it had to disallow auto update and reboot.

Like this post
Arnie

Likes # 0

Posted February 20, 2007 at 6:39PM

I can only think it may be a different combination of different software and hardware, to those installed on my computer.

My system runs very lean.

I don't use games.
All mp3s are accessible on backed up DVD discs.
The same with all photos and video files.
It's so easy to pop in a disc when I need to access something.

It also makes my drive imaging, (Acronis 8.)
complete the job faster.

Windows XP SP2.

Like this post
eedcam

Likes # 0

Posted February 20, 2007 at 10:26PM

I dont run games dont touch mp3 dont download music or vids . You may be right but dont think its as straight forward as that. I am heavy on software video and sound wise still no reason for windows updates to go foul.

Like this post
Arnie

Likes # 0

Posted February 21, 2007 at 12:22AM

I quite agree with you there eedcam. Very strange indeed.

Like this post

« previous 1 2 4

Reply to this topic

This thread has been locked.



Check out PC Advisor's other tech forums

Send to a friend

Email this article to a friend or colleague:

PLEASE NOTE: Your name is used only to let the recipient know who sent the story. Both your name and the recipient's name and address will not be used for any other purpose.