Screw windows updates

[370forlife]

Got this supermicro running, put xp 64bit on it, and let it update windows.

Once it did, I shut it off and let it install them.

Big mistake. Hosed the windows installation, showed almost virus like symptoms. 100% cpu usage when no programs were using any cpu, background blown off the face of the earth, and for some reason all the text changed to some weird text.

Anyways, did a scan with malwarebytes/SUPERantispyware/Symantec corporate and found absolutely nothing. So, I restored to the first day I installed windows and everything is back to normal for now.

[i4004]

Re: Screw windows updates

yes, it's sometimes hard to balance: i like ie, but i dislike that particular patch messed the stability of ie....

still i prefer it to opera and firefox, as i'm accustomed to particular things...like for example instant loading ie has etc.
i feel like donkey anytime i click on that ff or opera icon...i click it, and nothing happens...

[stretch0069]

Re: Screw windows updates

i seem to remember hearing that SP3 has a tendency of screwing things up. I installed XP SP2 and have just left all the machines. Updates turned off.

[i4004]

Re: Screw windows updates

> I installed XP SP2 and have just left all the machines.

which leaves machines vulnerable in particular scenarios..namely
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conficker

i'm subscribed to ms newsletter, but most of the times i skip updates(if it's IE hole that requires particular web site to be visited, etc. i visit suspicious sites with opera or ff)...i just pick those that have to do with networking stack...those can be dangerous...

[PCBONEZ]

Re: Screw windows updates

It's entirely possible to get a virus while running Windows update on a fresh install.
-
Before and during running the first set of updates all the security holes are wide open.
All it takes is a coincidence for a wandering virus or a hacker to slip in through an open port before the patches are in place.
.

[i4004]

Re: Screw windows updates

well, not if you have sp2 installer disc as sp2 has firewall...
check if it's on before connecting to web and you're mostly safe.

offcourse, surf pages with ie(esp. older versions) and suspicious sites, and you're in trouble...

anyway and overall, yes, patching is a bloody mess.
manual is too tedious, and automatic can mess system ore than it protects it...

better have that installation cloned once it's working ok.

[stretch0069]

Re: Screw windows updates

Well....i don't open emails from people i don't trust. i don't go to iffy websites. i don't click on links from people i know until AFTER verify the link.

I also run Firefox and not IE. I don't run any BS M$ stuff like Outlook.

i don't run anti-virus and i have yet to be infected with anything.

[i4004]

Re: Screw windows updates

if you alone use it indeed it is not a problem.

[NxB]

Re: Screw windows updates

You don't really "need" antivirus if you know what is supposed to be running and what is supposed to load at startup.

From installing shitloads of different pcs I've only had a few problems with windows update. The culprits have mostly been .NET runtimes and misidentified onboard sound drivers. The malicious software removal tool scans your computer and can cause a slowdown or lockup too.