…until they get this one fixed. This from CNN: apparently a new Windows security update is returning a black screen, no controls on some systems. Microsoft is working with great urgency to figure out fix this, but right now, I wouldn’t permit my system to update, period, if you have to leave it running to prevent it, if the thing has already entered your system and is half-installed. I’m NOT a computer expert, and don’t like to give computer advice, but this one sounds like a really frustrating, difficult to fix situation once you get into it. Comments and explanations, anyone hear this? GO into Control Panel, look for Scheduled Updates and set “Automatic Updates” to “notify me but don’t install” until they get this one solved…
Microsoft update problem: UPDATE: MISCHIEF MANAGED: READ WYVERN’S COMMENT
by CJ | Dec 1, 2009 | Journal | 12 comments
12 Comments
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Something is going on, but MS is denies it’s due to the update: http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/12/microsoft-denies-blacksod-reports-after-windows-patches.ars
Certainly worth waiting for a few days to let things settle out. And I’d recommend reviewing updates before allowing them on your system.
Too late!! I let a moderator on CNet(who was horrified to discover that my XP had service pk 1)
talk me into allowing updates to bring me up to
ser.pk.3 four days ago. I got a notice today about
the ‘Black Screen of Death’. Fingers and toes are
crossed. That tears it for me!!! No more updates,I
was right way back when I stopped the darn things.
apple 🙂 Apple 😀 APPLE 😆
I haven’t had any problem with the updates. This was the security update of Nov 9th that gave problems to some folks. XP and Vista Home Premium are fine here.
Yup. My one apple problem was a kernel failure (God, was that frightening), but nothing since.
This report of updates leading to problems, which was started by the security company Prevx, has turned out NOT TO BE TRUE.
According to Computerworld:
The inner blockquote in my post above should actually be outside and below the main blockquote box.
CJ, would it be possible to enable previews for users when posting on this blog? Or even editing? That way you can fix minor typos in your posts before they become permanent. Most blogs allow previews before you finalize your post, so there must be a setting for it somewhere.
Thank you, Green Wyvern! We can all breathe easier!
Re the other one..I’ve hunted everywhere for a toggle to allow users to edit their posts. I know there must be some kind of plugin, but I haven’t found it yet.
Regardless of the truth of Prevx jumping the gun (thanks for that GreenWyvern) — just remember folks, Windows 7 means no more of the problems that Windows has had in the past!
Emilyrin…I’m still fairly new to using “modern” apples. What is a kernel failure? Can I find more info somewhere on the Apple site? Thanks.
I seriously doubt Win 7 will change the corporate culture of MS to the point they are flawless saints.
I find this works. Go through the Control Panel and access the Windows Security Center. Click on Manage Security Settings for … Automatic Updates. Select “Download updates for me, but let me choose when to install them.” This will turn the Automatic Updates tab yellow (amber?) to warn you that you’re not allowing MS to scribble on your system whenever they like.
When an update is available, a shield will appear in your tool tray (the area by the clock in XP). Clicking on this will activate the update installation. It will ask you if you want to install everything or pick and choose. I suggest the latter, not to pick and choose, but so you can see the list of what it’s doing and judge the severity of the update. At first cancel the update. This should be safe if you have a firewall and a virus program running. MS doesn’t fix problems instantly; you don’t need the solutions instantly.
Wait until at least Wednesday, and check your favorite Windows news site, independent of MS. If the MS patch is fine, you’ll see no article or an article explaining the patch: install the patch now. If the patch has a problem, you’ll see an explanation of the problem, and probably advice on whether you should install it.
FYI, “Microsoft Genuine Advantage” (or some such) is MS checking to see if, despite you having a legitimate copy of Windows in all previous updates, you have gone rogue and substituted a counterfeit (pirate) copy of Windows in place of the legitimate copy you had last time they looked. :/
I know it’s hard for lots of people to believe but the guys at M$ are pretty darn keen on making their products reiliable and the best that is possible. They really do bust a gut (to use an English expression) to ensure that what they put out goes through very stringent checks. The guys at the security side are even more focused on protecting the software and the end users and their customers systems. But when you have the biggest eco-system by far, you get all the bad guys going after you.
Sad but true.