Critical Updates - Computer Freeze

[navmm3]

In November 2001, I purchased a Compaq Presario 705US
running Windows XP Home. I upgrade RAM to 384 and
installed the Windows SP update with no apparent
problems. Since then I have tried to install the
Window's critical updates. However, each time after I
have downloaded and installed the updates, the PC will
randomly freeze and I have to power off and restart the
PC. The freeze occurs so often that I cannot use the PC
and I have to restore the system to its original status.
I e-mailed the Compaq's support function and they replied
several time but their suggestions did not solve the
problem. On October 28, 2003, I called their customer
support group and they indicated that it was a software
problem and that I needed to talk to a support
specialist. The support specialist would guide me
through various diagnostic steps and provide me with a
solution. I paid the $30 fee and was connected to the
specialist.

I explained the problem to the specialist, and his
response was that Compaq modified the Windows XP Home
operating system to function on the Presario and that the
system becomes unstable when Windows XP updates are
downloaded and installed. Specifically, Compaq
recommends against downloading and installing updates.
He further indicated that downloading these updates is
unnecessary because I should be protecting the PC from
external threats with a firewall and virus software. His
response was that I use the CDs provide to reinstall the
original operating system and factory settings and do not
download XP critical updates. I called back a seconded
time, and a different support specialist and his
supervisor gave me the same response.

These statements appear to be in total violation of
standard industry practice to keep your software up-to-
date to protect your home computer processing
environment. I now have an unsafe, obsolete PC. I
don't know where to go from here. Can you help me?

 

[Paul B T Hodges]

I sympathise but you have purchased a tailor made pc with an oem tailored
operating system, so this comes with the territory.

In general its not necessarily standard industry practice to be on the
latest version of anything, unless there is a specific requirement for some
additional functionality or specific fix which directly applies to your
environment.

Certainly you wouldn't blindly install every hot fix as soon as it comes
out across hundreds/thousands of pcs in a live commercial environment
without first testing it against the hardware/software platform that you are
supporting.

When I started in the industry back in the early 80s my old IT manager used
to say, "Never be a pioneer, you'll always get an arrow in the back", so if
you have any sense you hold off applying fixes as soon as they come out. Let
someone else test them first Look at the problems some people had with
sp1, and I've seen posts in this group about problems with some hot fixes.

Security fixes in a home environment are different I suppose, but I agree
with compaq that you should be running anti virus software and a firewall.
With high risk of infection when you connect to the net its a no brainer.

You can also now see the difference between a retail version of windows xp
and an oem one, and why the oem one is cheaper, and hence the overall cost
of your pc is cheaper.
Microsoft has to support windows xp retail versions across all hardware
which is listed in the windows hardware catalogue.
Think of the possible combinations of motherboard, memory, disk, and cpu,
without even starting on peripherals.You pay for that support by the
additonal cost of the retail license.

On the other hand PC manufacturers who provide you with a tailored oem
version of windows xp have to provide support for xp themselves. This oem
version will have been tweaked and had hardware specific drivers added, and
then thoroughly tested, so it works with minimal problem straight out of the
box. They don't want you ringing them with a problem every day, this costs
them money. Therefore its quite understandable that they dont want you
changing a known operating system environment, it's much more difficult and
hence expensive to support !

I suppose what they should be doing if they have an issue with the patches
released by microsoft, would be to do their own system testing and once
qualified release them via their own support websites.

One way out perhaps would be to get a retail copy of windows xp, perhaps the
changes compaq needed to make were based on very early alpha or beta
versions of xp which were released to manufacturers, and any issues which
compaq had to fix themselves, is now fixed in the retail product.

However if any devices in your system have compaq written drivers, and the
hardware in question will not work with xp generic drivers, then you have a
problem.

Also if compaq release any updated drivers or fixes, they may not work with
the retail version of xp.

Perhaps you could get hold of a windows xp trial cd, or perhaps you know
someone who could lend you a retail copy of windows xp, so that you could
install it and test it. Then if if runs ok, buy your own license. Then you
would be supported by microsoft.

As the saying goes, you pays your money and takes your choice !

Paul

 

[Guest]

If you purchased and OEM computer, HP, compaq, Gateway,
Dell, IBM etc.. You should always 1st go to them with the
issue. They actually support the Operating system NOT
Microsoft.

So if they have taliored the OS to fit the system
configuration and they had added as OEMs like to do their
own little bits of helpers and applications, then Updates
could INDEED be a problem for. The best bet is to call the
support line or visit the OEM site and see if they have a
resolution for your problem. if so Great if not MOST of
the safe patches needed from MS are linked on the OEM Site.
They will direct you to the knowledge base article and the
specific patch/hotfix you need.

If you dont have a problem, then I would say stop getting
every single update you can lay your hands on. As every
single situation can not be anticipated.

There is an old saying that applies MOST appropriately to
the computer industry. "If its NOT broke, DON'T fix it"

Update your fire wall, update your antivirus program do it
often and frequently. LEAVE YOUR OS alone unless you have
a specific problem.

If you get a notice about windows critical updates, then
contact the OEM and see if they have a version for you to
use, or get them to tell you, that you can install it
without any issue.

Remember who is your support line and use them 1st.