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Other => General Topics => Topic started by: lees4 on April 14, 2004, 03:04:43 AM

Title: Windows critical update note
Post by: lees4 on April 14, 2004, 03:04:43 AM
Update your windows OS people.



http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=575&e=2&u=/nm/tech_microsoft_security_dc (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=575&e=2&u=/nm/tech_microsoft_security_dc)
Title: Re:Windows critical update note
Post by: CharleyO on April 14, 2004, 04:01:30 AM

Thank you, lees4, for the update info. I read the articale in the link, visited MS Windows Update, got the 2 patches, and now my W98SE is fully patched once again!    :)  


Title: Re:Windows critical update note
Post by: lees4 on April 14, 2004, 04:05:03 AM
Just thought I would pass it on ;D windows XP users also should update...
Title: Re:Windows critical update note
Post by: Steele on April 14, 2004, 04:49:54 PM
Yup!
Looks like there are 5 new Windows XP Pro updates for my machine. They were not there before.

Looks like automatic updating takes too long to scan for updates as opposed to a manual push.

Thanks!  ;D
Title: Re:Windows critical update note
Post by: MikeBCda on April 14, 2004, 06:23:30 PM
I had a heck of a time downloading and installing them, even at 3 AM EDT -- they all eventually downloaded ok, I finally got 2 installed online, and managed the other 3 offline (by running them from their TempWU folder).  The site must have been a madhouse.

Problem is, in the Installation History at Win Update those 3 are showing simply as "failed" because not installed on-site.  Is there any way to force a refresh of the history so "everyone" agrees on what I do or don't have installed?  (XP-Home, IE-6, both with -- hopefully -- all critical upgrades.)

Thanks and best,
Mike
Title: Re:Windows critical update note
Post by: Steele on April 14, 2004, 06:30:58 PM
You see... this is why the Windows Update site sucks.

For one thing... it can't tell what updates you already have on your PC unless you can maintain an active internet connection.

I've been able to update my processor driver through device manager yet Windows Update records it in the history section. Instead of calling it a "web site" install... it places the term "device manager" in the history.

As for the offline updates... you may need to be connected to the net as I notice that when installing ANY critical update... there is internet activity AFTER the patch is applied.

Probably to update your history settings.
That really sucks.

Microsoft will probably be busy over the next week or so with people clogging their servers. I wish they could use some of their monopoly money to develop a better Windows Update Server.  >:(

It's time to replace the outdated v4 address with a the new v5!  ;)
Title: Re:Windows critical update note
Post by: CharleyO on April 14, 2004, 07:55:55 PM
Mike - Next time you visit Windows Update, your Windows files will be scanned again to see what is there and what needs to be there.

Whether or not those 3 patches show up as a "web site update" matters little at all. What is important is that they show up regardless of what "tag" is placed by them in the history.    :)  

By the way, I visit Windows Update site at least once a month so that I have no more than one or two patches (or none at all) anytime I visit.     :)  


Title: Re:Windows critical update note
Post by: MikeBCda on April 14, 2004, 09:27:06 PM
By the way, I visit Windows Updates site at least once a month so that I have no more than one or two patches (or none at all) anytime I visit.     :)  

Hi and thanks, Charley.  Hopefully you're right, although after downloading last night Update was showing nothing available even though I hadn't yet installed the last three.

I generally check Updates every week or two myself -- last night was unusual (at least recently), as you may have seen earlier in this thread MS released 5 critical upgrades for XP all at once.

Best,
Mike
Title: Re:Windows critical update note
Post by: CoJo on April 15, 2004, 03:11:22 AM
By the way, I visit Windows Updates site at least once a month so that I have no more than one or two patches (or none at all) anytime I visit.     :)  

Hi and thanks, Charley.  Hopefully you're right, although after downloading last night Update was showing nothing available even though I hadn't yet installed the last three.

I generally check Updates every week or two myself -- last night was unusual (at least recently), as you may have seen earlier in this thread MS released 5 critical upgrades for XP all at once.

Best,
Mike


FIVE????
I only got three :o
should I panic?? should I hide my computer from creepy crawlies?? ;D
sorry...got carried away there ;)
anyway...2 were XP, the other was for OE...I won't install the one for NVIDIA drivers...so, what was the fifth one?

cojo
Title: Re:Windows critical update note
Post by: Awake on April 15, 2004, 03:33:42 AM
Yep I got the notice of 5 critical updates for XP and had a heck of a time downloading them early this morning ...had to wait until I got home this afternoon before finally getting them installed ...I usally check for updates once a week ...
Title: Re:Windows critical update note
Post by: Lisandro on April 15, 2004, 03:38:03 AM
2 were XP, the other was for OE...I won't install the one for NVIDIA drivers...so, what was the fifth one?

Numbers of them: 831167 / 837001 / 835732 / 837009 / 828741
If anybody searchs the Microsoft Database could found what they are related with.
Cojo, the NVIDIA updates are, generally, quite good ones. I recommend. I have no problems in the past with this drivers updates  8)
Title: Re:Windows critical update note
Post by: CoJo on April 15, 2004, 03:59:14 AM
2 were XP, the other was for OE...I won't install the one for NVIDIA drivers...so, what was the fifth one?

Numbers of them: 831167 / 837001 / 835732 / 837009 / 828741
If anybody searchs the Microsoft Database could found what they are related with.
Cojo, the NVIDIA updates are, generally, quite good ones. I recommend. I have no problems in the past with this drivers updates  8)

thanks, Technical!
I hestitate about the NVIDIA because my computer started acting really strange after the last one before the Famous Reformat ;D
so I am a little "gunshy" about doing it again unless really absolutely postively necessary ???

cojo
Title: Re:Windows critical update note
Post by: Lisandro on April 15, 2004, 04:09:56 AM
I cannot imagine you are not using a system restore feature: GoBack, Norton Ghost, regular backups...
Windows XP can uninstall drivers and/or roll-back them to the previous ones.

But thinking better, if your monitor is working, do not touch them... Life is more than computer troubleshooting  8)
Title: Re:Windows critical update note
Post by: techie101 on April 15, 2004, 04:14:38 AM
Quoted from Technology News:

Microsoft Corp. has released three critical patches to fix security flaws that could allow an attacker to take over another computer user's Windows operating system.

A fourth patch, which the company called "important," also fixes a similar vulnerability in the Windows operating system that is used on more than 90 percent of the world's computers.

The patches, released Tuesday as part of Microsoft's regular monthly update, apply to versions of the Windows operating system dating back to Windows 98, and also affect Windows server systems going back to Windows NT Server 4.0.

NOTE:
The company is scheduled to release a free update for its Windows XP operating system later this year that is aimed solely at improving security.

The servers are overloaded so you may only get one or two updates to download and install.  When the computer asks to be restarted.....Dont.
RE-run the scan and pick up the remaining updates.  If you restart, then you will have to wait in line again for the downloads.  A little trick I learned.

Have fun
Techie
Title: Re:Windows critical update note
Post by: Lisandro on April 15, 2004, 04:18:15 AM
The servers are overloaded so you may only get one or two updates to download and install.  When the computer asks to be restarted.....Dont.
RE-run the scan and pick up the remaining updates.  If you restart, then you will have to wait in line again for the downloads.  A little trick I learned.

Yeah! Terrible day for updates... I have to do it 4 times to get the 5 files... Never mind  :P
Title: Re:Windows critical update note
Post by: Steele on April 15, 2004, 06:18:47 AM
Don't trust "Microsoft Driver" updates... EVER. *new rule!*  ;D

They're written for a HUGE "GENERIC" range of ATI, NVIDIA, VIA Audio hardware and have no SPECIFIC code written for one particular hardware device.

It's more of a plain generic driver.  :P
Better to go DIRECTLY to your hardware source for quality drivers.

PS: The one I have not installed for the "Windows XP" category is the .NET framework. I have NO need for that.

PPS: The driver update? Like I said... I won't install it. My Creative Labs Sound Blaster card has NEWER drivers at www.creative.com compared to the 2 year old ones being displayed on Windows Update!  ::)
Title: Re:Windows critical update note
Post by: Steele on April 15, 2004, 06:31:18 AM
Don't you just love the "generic" terms they use to describe a vulnerability?

I read the SAME thing in the basic description with each release.   ::)
Title: Re:Windows critical update note
Post by: kubecj on April 15, 2004, 10:30:39 AM
Hi,

few advices (or just the description how I'm doing that  8))

1) I'm subscribed to the MS security newsletter. It usually comes sooner than the Windows Update service notices.

2) I use MBSA (Microsoft Baseline Security Analyser) for checking which updates I'm missing. Althought it has few glitches, it displays all the missing updates, even for Office & stuff. Windows Update does display _only_ OS patches. MBSA is available for free download.

3) Then I download the files manually from http://download.microsoft.com (http://download.microsoft.com), usually I enter KBxxxxxx in the search box and then I select the file for my OS/language.

I install the updates then and archive them, just in case of some crash or something. As I have on my notebook the very same OS, I just download them once, install twice.

Yeah, it's some manual work, but at least you know what you did and if you use download manager, it can be also resumed without problems...
Title: Re:Windows critical update note
Post by: CharleyO on April 15, 2004, 08:10:58 PM

Nice tip on the servers overloaded, Techie! Re-running the scan if all don't download is a good idea.    :)

Yes, it seems everyone went at once to get those updates.

Title: Re:Windows critical update note
Post by: Lisandro on April 16, 2004, 04:50:45 AM
1) I'm subscribed to the MS security newsletter. It usually comes sooner than the Windows Update service notices.

Where? I tried in the past but unsucessfully...

Then I download the files manually from http://download.microsoft.com (http://download.microsoft.com), usually I enter KBxxxxxx in the search box and then I select the file for my OS/language.
I install the updates then and archive them, just in case of some crash or something. As I have on my notebook the very same OS, I just download them once, install twice.

Why with the last updates the user just 'need' to be connected to apply them? They were small (200-300k) but, after starting, download more than double or third times this size... Does anybody knows why?
Title: Re:Windows critical update note
Post by: kubecj on April 17, 2004, 02:20:17 AM
1) I'm subscribed to the MS security newsletter. It usually comes sooner than the Windows Update service notices.

Where? I tried in the past but unsucessfully...

I can't remember, but at the end of the bulletin there is:
Quote
* Microsoft has created a free monthly e-mail newsletter containing
  valuable information to help you protect your network. This
  newsletter provides practical security tips, topical security
  guidance, useful resources and links, pointers to helpful
  community resources, and a forum for you to provide feedback
  and ask security-related questions.
  You can sign up for the newsletter at:

  http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/secnews/default.mspx

* Microsoft has created a free e-mail notification service that
  serves as a supplement to the Security Notification Service
  (this e-mail). It provides timely notification of any minor
  changes or revisions to previously released Microsoft Security
  Bulletins. This new service provides notifications that are
  written for IT professionals and contain technical information
  about the revisions to security bulletins.
  Visit http://www.microsoft.com to subscribe to this service:

  - Click on Subscribe at the top of the page.
  - This will direct you via Passport to the Subscription center.
  - Under Newsletter Subscriptions you can sign up for the
    "Microsoft Security Notification Service: Comprehensive Version".


Quote
Why with the last updates the user just 'need' to be connected to apply them? They were small (200-300k) but, after starting, download more than double or third times this size... Does anybody knows why?

AFAIK this applies only to SPs of MSIE. For example this week I downloaded only few larger exes.
Title: Re:Windows critical update note
Post by: Lisandro on April 17, 2004, 04:29:43 AM
Thanks kubecj but that 'requires' to register, you are required to get a Microsoft .NET Passport that I don't want. Thanks for your time...  8)
 
 
Title: Re:Windows critical update note
Post by: Vlk on April 17, 2004, 12:16:59 PM
Quote
required to get a Microsoft .NET Passport that I don't want.


Well why don't you create a passport-only mailbox using a freemail service?
Title: Re:Windows critical update note
Post by: Lisandro on April 19, 2004, 04:48:25 AM
Well why don't you create a passport-only mailbox using a freemail service?

How?
Where can I quickly learn more about passport .net? Please, not tons of MS help files...  ;D