Tue 27 Feb 2007
Tip For Windows Users: Check The Optional Updates
Posted by Bashar under Hardware, Microsoft, OS, Technology
A while back, I posted the Bye Bye Windows article, which got the most views and unique comments so far. The problem I had was that suddenly, my computer went on restarting every few minutes. I had no time to update, backup or do anything. Even Check Volume for errors could not finish successfully for most of the time. I am still looking for Leopard release of Mac Book Pro to move away from Windows, however for people who will keep using Windows, I got my part of the story to share for end user benefit. After several attempts of restore, and update, Windows Error Reporting finally gave back useful hints. I think they had it with my Send Error every few minutes so they decided to help me out. The problem turned out to be a conflict with my ATI Radeon X600 PRO video card. There was an optional update on Windows Update that was more crucial than all other critical updates, at least to me, and possibly other thousands of users around the world. Getting the update, after knowing it was tough by it self, since my PC kept restarting all the time, until I managed to get it right, and after then everything went fine.
This is awkward however. I had this PC for almost two years with no such incident, not that obvious at least. Why all of a sudden it started hammering me? Was it something I installed? Not manually definitely for the past few weeks. Checking the logs I noticed that one week back, Windows had two automatic mass critical updates, and logic conclusion is that, only those updates must have caused the problem. I had a habit of disallowing automatic updates, but using Firefox seems to have kept me safe so I let it go this time, and this was the result. The problem is, the only critical updates are Microsoft security patches, and Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA), which is an anti-piracy program for Microsoft products. Question mark on why is that marked as critical, big question mark. They even give you an option to show you why this is useful upon installation! Anyhow, the problem is that, those critical service affecting updates are not marked by Windows as critical, but rather as optional, which most people will ignore. Specially those who has Windows set on automatic update. Right now, I switch it back to alert before install. I suggest all users to check all updates before installation, and see what they might affect. See also if there are related optional updates that might be needed.
The funny side of the story is, once I restored my PC to a working state, and had automatic Windows update disabled, Windows started threatening me that your computer might be at risk. Well I prefer to be at risk rather than safely offline!
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February 27th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
Thanks for sharing. I would suggest that you turn the Automatic Updates off, and every month run Windows Update manually. That way you can decide which “critical” update you want to download and install before it even get to your PC. I was able to avoid installing IE 7 because it was set as a critical update. They now moved it to the optionl software update. Also, if Windows keeps giving you those stupid warnings that your machine might be at risk, you can disable those messages by going to the Security Center (under Control Panel), click on Change the way Security Center alerts me, and deselect Automatic Updates.
February 27th, 2007 at 10:03 pm
man hathiii 3en bill gate :/ . u are cursed now
February 27th, 2007 at 11:19 pm
“man hathiii 3en bill gate”
huh? what language is that?
February 27th, 2007 at 11:28 pm
You mentioned switching to mac OS X well here are some tips that might guide you:
You can easily switch when:
1- You use ur machine for surfing the net checking email
2- Listen to music and watch video/anime/manga
3- You use video/Music/picture editting tools there are some nice suits including Final cut and most popular software are there except 3d max but maya can cover that
4- You know how to work with linux/Unix OS then you have a super big advantage in using mac os X darwin
You will rethink switching when:
1- You are a hardcore gamer since almost 90% doesn’t have mac OS X support, you can install windows on mac mashine intel based but still the games will not work or might not work properly (Have been tested)
2- You have a crucail application that only work with window e.g. 3d max for 3d animation creation and handling
Any other issues i might forgot are not that crucail and have alternatives in both sides.
Personaly i have both i use mac for surfing and entertainment stuff and i use windows for gaming and mono applications
February 28th, 2007 at 6:05 am
Dagger: Thanks for your input. You are absolutely right. I just had it with configuration and wanted to use the PC for some real work for few days, as long as it doesn’t crash.
Hohi: Thanks. I needed some second opinion on this. Installing Windows on Mac is something I will try to avoid, as this is the idea of buying Mac. I am a heavy Open Source user, so no critical Windows only application I believe. But for games, yes I will have it ready. But it’s much easier to recover games than programs and configurations.
Jim: Well, never mind him. Just a friend of mine. This is english arabic custom IRC language mix :).
February 28th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
Ahhh. My bad.
Ya know, I switched from IE because of that last buggy update. ‘Tis why I use Firefox.
Firefox FTW.
February 28th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
Well, I only moved to Firefox to attempt escape slavery. Never actually thought I am gonna find it 10 times better!
February 28th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
Do you notice something bad? Even when I am writing against Microsoft, Google Ad sense displays related Microsoft ads!
Maybe they should include intelligent algorithm that displays Firefox and Linux ads when I am writing against Microsoft.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:43 pm
That’s a bit of an impossibility, though.
March 1st, 2007 at 7:03 am
:) I know. Just letting it go to my imagination