[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Windows Users Shrug Off Patches here

[number6]

I got my patch hours after it was released. How's that?

[coastie65]

I got it but don't know exactly when. The yellow shield stays in my tray as it contains SP3 which I have yet to download and install, so I rarely pay attention to it. I just swing over to Windows update and see whats there fro time to time. coastie65

[number6]

Do you know you can disable the notification for specific updates at the Windows Update site?

[coastie65]

Yep, I just don't really care and besides, some times I find some hardware driver updates over there, so I don't mind taking a couple of minutes to have a look.. coastie

[number6]

I go over there sometimes for the same reason. I have four hardware updates waiting for me, but last time I installed them I had to use System Restore and I'm not sure which one caused the problem. Too bad.

[coastie65]

Install them one at a time, until you find the one that gives you problems. coastie

[number6]

I don't know if it's worth the trouble. Good idea, though. Thanks.

[coastie65]

It can be. I like to keep my drivers up to date, but most times It is done through the vendor of the hardware. Occasionally though, I will find one at Micro$oft. coastie

[Adama]

IMO, it would be more helpful if the authors of these articles would mention the number of the MSFT update.


When I received notice of this patch I created a thread right away, to alert PCW members about this threat. I really don't know how many people read it, nor how many heeded the urgency of the threat.


Message was edited by: Adama

[Adama]

I installed my patches right away, as I felt this was really important.

[bobone]

Hmmmm considering how many winblow patches have trashed perfectely good installs of the earily adapters it no wonder peeps hold off on installing the latest and greatest patch upgrade or service pack. I too have xp sp3 waiting in my tray to be installed but Ive heard so many systems have been killed by the upgrade Im in no rush to do it because I dont have the time to do a fresh install if it fails. So thats why I wait. Besides I got a good anti virus, fire wall and router and dont open stupid attachments.

[dennisl59]

Here's an idea...Instead of Microsoft referencing the Knowledge Base Articles in the "view available updates" screen how about the patch number(with the link to the article) so us humans don't have to manually cross-reference everything. Is that too much to ask?

[coastie65]

I may be wrong, but I think you can do that if you use custom install rather than express install and you will get the links to the knowledge base. coastie65

[peterblaise]

.

Peter Blaise responds:

(a) There's no way I can find ONE patch via Microsoft or even the news stories, and

(b) Microsoft patches tend to be buggy, requiring subsequent patches, and

© Microsoft patches tend to irretrievably crash computers every day, requiring reformatting and re installation of SP1 or SP2 or whatever was on there previously, so the virus is then gone anyway.

What a Rube Goldberg company, Microsoft.

I say: install (and reinstall) from the original CDs only, and never patch, never upgrade, never play with the Operating System or major utilities like Anti Virus programs - leave them as they came out of the box, and just use the dang computer until it dies and you replace the whole thing. We don't co around incessantly changing the engine in our cars, or upgrading the cooling system in our refrigerator, or tweaking the tubes in our TVs (tubes?), so why do we think we need to cripple our computers by mixing and matching hardware systems and operating system programs for that system will nilly? Mind bogglingly stoopid of us to play that way. A computer is an appliance; use it for what we bought it for, and buy another if we need to do other things than the first computer will do. Geesh!

Hey, I make my money supporting people's chageability and wishful thinking - "Can't I put Vista on my 300 MHz portable?" No. Buy a new PC or used PC tha tis newer to you - cheaper and more reliable than playing around with the old one.

Me? I play all the time, but I can't expect to PAY anyone to explore for me, nor can I expect my computers to then be RELIABLE!

=8^o

Click!
Love and hugs,
Peter Blaise
http://www.peterblaise.com/

[coastie65]

Hi peter, I sure hope this was written with tongue firmly planted in cheek, otherwise, in my opinion, it would be some pretty sorry advice. :D coastie65

[peterblaise]

.

Peter Blaise responds: No, it's true. A 300 MHz with Win98SE (or ANY PC as delivered with it's original OS Operating System) and a factory version of Norton Antivirus should STAY that way, just buy the Norton update subscription, but NOT the Norton Upgrade to a newer version ... unless you want to go through hell trying to pry one out and install the other. Norton took 1 hours of web time trying to accomplish such an upgrade, not for the faint of heart, and certainly not recommendable. Want a newer operating system? By a newer system. And yes, people are so ardent to avoid Vista that they are scooping up every used Windows XP Pro machine around here so they can continue to use their existing software and peripherals and skill set to operate their computers!

.

[Adama]

Hi Peter,

May I ask you something? Why do you refer to yourself in the 3rd person?

[coastie65]

Hey Peter, :D I can relate. I remember "Uninstalling" Norton from this thing. I went to Avast! as it plays nicer than Norton. coastie

[peterblaise]

.

I don't refer to myself in the third person, not that I know of. Can you quote what I wrote that made you think that? This is kind of off topic, so personal email is fine if you want to pursue this. removed




Edited by MPHEnterprises - Please do not post your personal information within the forums for your own security and privacy. That includes phone your email address(es), your address, your phone number, the serial number to your computer, or any product keys related to software or the Operating System.