Windows Updates to Avoid (with Dell systems or otherwise)
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From: Ben Myers on 28 Jul 2010 14:54 On 7/28/2010 4:30 AM, Hank Arnold wrote: > I agree with the basic statement about hardware drivers. I never, ever, > install one from Microsoft Update. > > However, I don't agree with the comments about IE8. I've installed it > from MU and WU several times with no problems. I'm curious as to what > the "nonsensical" error message was... > > > Regards, > Hank Arnold > Microsoft MVP > Windows Server - Directory Services > http://it.toolbox.com/blogs/personal-pc-assistant/ > > On 7/28/2010 12:18 AM, Ben Myers wrote: >> I reinstalled Windows XP Pro with SP3 (Dell Edition) on the first of >> four refurb Dimension 8300's I am selling. Then I went to Windows update >> to apply the many megabytes of updates. I chose not to un-check IE 8 >> from among the 70+ initial updates. I also selected Windows Updates' >> version of the driver for an ATI Radeon 7500 AGP card in the system. >> (Yes, the 7500 is not standard for Dell, but I wanted four systems all >> with ATI graphics.) >> >> So the update churned away for a while then asked for a reboot, of >> course. Windows Updates always ask for reboots, whether needed or not. >> >> I rebooted and was confronted by 16-color graphics, because the Radeon >> 7500 driver from the Microsoft Update site was obviously bad. >> >> When I clicked to run IE8, either for the Windows Update site or >> otherwise, it gave me a nonsensical error message and terminated. >> >> I uninstalled IE8, then installed the right version of ATI's Catalyst >> driver to fix the video problem. >> >> So... >> >> 1. As I have said many times before, do not trust the Microsoft Update >> site for hardware drivers. They may or may not work correctly. If they >> don't work, you have to screw around to get working drivers again. Why >> waste the time? >> >> 2. If you install Windows XP from scratch, make sure you un-check IE 8 >> from the list of updates. Once all the updates are applied AND you've >> installed IE 7, you can then install IE 8 without any subsequent >> problems. >> >> I did not make the same mistakes setting up the other three 8300s. >> >> ... Ben Myers I should have done a screen capture of the error dialog box that always popped up when I attempted to use IE8. IIRC, it said something about not having a token. Had I known, I would have paid its subway fare myself. This is a consistent and repeatable error, as it happened once before when I made the same mistake. I started with the Dell Windows XP Pro with SP3, installed all necessary hardware drivers, then commenced with Windows Update. After the usual hand-waving of some obligatory installs, you get a screen saying that there are 70+ updates (over 200MB) available, one of which is IE8. If you do not un-check IE8, it installs and there you are without a working browser. However, if you install IE7 followed by IE8, then IE8 works as well as it was designed to do... Ben Myers
From: Ben Myers on 28 Jul 2010 14:58
On 7/28/2010 9:51 AM, Daddy wrote: > On 7/28/2010 12:18 AM, Ben Myers wrote: >> I reinstalled Windows XP Pro with SP3 (Dell Edition) on the first of >> four refurb Dimension 8300's I am selling. Then I went to Windows update >> to apply the many megabytes of updates. I chose not to un-check IE 8 >> from among the 70+ initial updates. I also selected Windows Updates' >> version of the driver for an ATI Radeon 7500 AGP card in the system. >> (Yes, the 7500 is not standard for Dell, but I wanted four systems all >> with ATI graphics.) >> >> So the update churned away for a while then asked for a reboot, of >> course. Windows Updates always ask for reboots, whether needed or not. >> >> I rebooted and was confronted by 16-color graphics, because the Radeon >> 7500 driver from the Microsoft Update site was obviously bad. >> >> When I clicked to run IE8, either for the Windows Update site or >> otherwise, it gave me a nonsensical error message and terminated. >> >> I uninstalled IE8, then installed the right version of ATI's Catalyst >> driver to fix the video problem. >> >> So... >> >> 1. As I have said many times before, do not trust the Microsoft Update >> site for hardware drivers. They may or may not work correctly. If they >> don't work, you have to screw around to get working drivers again. Why >> waste the time? >> >> 2. If you install Windows XP from scratch, make sure you un-check IE 8 >> from the list of updates. Once all the updates are applied AND you've >> installed IE 7, you can then install IE 8 without any subsequent >> problems. >> >> I did not make the same mistakes setting up the other three 8300s. >> >> ... Ben Myers > > Who wrote the driver? > Allegedly ATI. Whether credited to Microsoft or another company, another company writes a hardware driver and hands it over with WHQL (or they don't, and then Windows gripes when you try to install it that it has not been qualified and that Microsoft has not been paid for the driver qualification.)... Ben Myers |