Security Update KB918899

  • Thread starter Thread starter Scott
  • Start date Start date
S

Scott

I'm running Win XP Pro SP1. I didn't install the Microsoft Security
Update KB918899 in August, because of widely reported problems. Now
I see this update is once again available...as of September 12, 2006.
Has this re-released version been shown to be problem-free?

Thanks!
Scott
 
918899 /has/ been re-released for WinXP SP1, yes.

You have exactly twelve (12) days to get WinXP SP2 installed before support
ends 10 Oct-06. After that, you'll be offered NO updates whatsoever.
 
PA said:
918899 /has/ been re-released for WinXP SP1, yes.

You have exactly twelve (12) days to get WinXP SP2 installed before support
ends 10 Oct-06. After that, you'll be offered NO updates whatsoever.
Click to expand...


Yikes, I've been holding off upgrading my 4-year old Gateway desktop! My
main concern was when I tried to update the NVIDIA GeForce 2 video driver
a year ago with the drivers I got from Nvidia's website. Installing it
gave me a blue screen on bootup, so I rolled back the drivers.

I've heard that hardware drivers must be up to date before installing SP2.
Perhaps a clue is this entry under Display Adapters:

NVIDIA GeForce2 MX-400 (Gateway)

Do you think Gateway's own drivers should be used instead?

I also heard about SP2 killing a home network. I have a Linksys-G WRT54G
wireless router...using wired and wireless to 6 other Win98 and WinXP computers,
and everything works perfectly.

Am I being overly concerned about upgrading to SP2?

Thanks!
Scott
 
Scott said:
I'm running Win XP Pro SP1. I didn't install the Microsoft Security
Update KB918899 in August, because of widely reported problems. Now
I see this update is once again available...as of September 12, 2006.
Has this re-released version been shown to be problem-free?

Thanks!
Scott
Click to expand...


First off I would send off for the free disk for SP2 from MS - it will at
least save having to download - should get the CD within 5 days.
That will give you some time to do a bit of research. If it don't arrive
before the deadline then you will be ready for the download method from MS.
Also go to the windowsupdate newsgroup and search/find in there for the SP2
matters - there are quite a few, all with different probs and solutions.
Also visit MS and read about preparing your machine pre install, installing
and after install troubleshooting.
Most of the links are in the windowsupdate newsgroups.
All downloading and install is best done with NO AV running and
disconnecting from the net.
Do a full clean/scan of the system.
You have quite a lot to do if you want to - otherwise, just go ahaead and do
it all in one download from MS.
There is reason to think you will not be 100% OK.
Then you will have some 60-70 more security/criticals to download after if
SP2 is installed without problems.
If you go to the windowsupdate group and look back just over the last three
months, you will see that there has been a lot of activity.
Good luck - but I am afraid that you have given yourself one hell of a job -
keeping updated must be a better option :-)
Rgds
Antioch
 
NVIDIA GeForce2 MX-400 (Gateway)

Do you think Gateway's own drivers should be used instead?
Click to expand...
Thanks!
Scott
Click to expand...

Yes, obtain Gateway's drivers -- they have been certified by Gateway
engineers to play nice with the rest of your Gateway hardware, such as the
Motherboard.
Speaking of your Motherboard:
You would be wise to also check the Gateway site for updated Motherboard
drivers.
Steve
 
One of the biggest headaches when attempting to install SP2 was the presence
of errors in programming courtesy of spyware/malware. Many users were and
still are blissfully unaware that their systems have been invaded by trojans
and viruses. Microsoft had no choice but to release the SP2 update in light
of the many ways in which XP was being compromised and may in the future by
people whose prime motivation seems to be to discredit the company and it's
software.

Unfortunately, Microsoft were not in a position to ensure that each users
operating system was more or less free of errors. The SP2 update was in no
way a minor step forward, rewriting some 5 million lines of code as it
installed.

Please take a look at this website, the contents of which has helped many
update their XP installations to SP2 level..
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm

The best place to get the SP2 update is here..
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/default.mspx . It is a large
download, 270mb, so you will need access to high speed internet. If you do
not have it, you may want to enlist the help of somebody who does, copying
the downloaded file to CD for your own use.

My take on how best to clean up the system prior to installing SP2 is below.
When making any major change to the operating system, use only the keyboard,
mouse and screen. Disconnect printers, scanners, webcams, external USB
drives. Also, disconnect from the internet. Do as much as you can to ensure
that the system is running properly, and as error free as you can get it.
You will, however, require internet access for the steps below

OK. First step is to run a one shot virus remover.. I have found that Trend
Housecall works for people.. download and run it..



http://housecall.trendmicro.com/



... select the 'online scan' and follow the directions given.



This takes a while to complete but is a necessary first step.



You will also need to download Spyware removal software.. Spybot and Adaware
are available at these websites.. both are free.. download and run them..
don't forget to check for updates after you have started them..



Adaware SE - http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/



... and how to use it..
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial48.html



SpyBot S&D - http://www.safer-networking.org/



... and how to use it..
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial43.html



Spybot has the ability to immunize a system, but there is better for this
function, so download and run Spyware Blaster too.. again, check for
updates..



SpywareBlaster - http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html



... and how to use it..
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial49.html



NOTE.. FOR Windows XP users ONLY.. Ewido Suite - http://www.ewido.net/en/ ..



A trial version is available, and they also allow for an online scan.



Having successfully installed SP2, you can re-connect any devices, and set
about ensuring that all is again working. You will need to visit the Windows
Update website to pick up on all of the security updates that have appeared
since the introduction of SP2





If you do not already, you must also run a firewall and anti-virus program..
here are some links for you..



Zonealarm Firewall (free)..http://www.zonealarm.com .. recommended



AVG Anti-virus (free).. http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/ ..
recommended



Thereafter, weekly 'housekeeping' will not take long.. run Adaware, Spybot,
and SpywareBlaster weekly, ensuring that you update them prior to starting a
scan.
 
Mike said:
One of the biggest headaches when attempting to install SP2 was the presence
of errors in programming courtesy of spyware/malware. Many users were and
still are blissfully unaware that their systems have been invaded by trojans
and viruses. Microsoft had no choice but to release the SP2 update in light
of the many ways in which XP was being compromised and may in the future by
people whose prime motivation seems to be to discredit the company and it's
software.

Unfortunately, Microsoft were not in a position to ensure that each users
operating system was more or less free of errors. The SP2 update was in no
way a minor step forward, rewriting some 5 million lines of code as it
installed.

Please take a look at this website, the contents of which has helped many
update their XP installations to SP2 level..
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm

The best place to get the SP2 update is here..
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/default.mspx . It is a large
download, 270mb, so you will need access to high speed internet. If you do
not have it, you may want to enlist the help of somebody who does, copying
the downloaded file to CD for your own use.

My take on how best to clean up the system prior to installing SP2 is below.
When making any major change to the operating system, use only the keyboard,
mouse and screen. Disconnect printers, scanners, webcams, external USB
drives. Also, disconnect from the internet. Do as much as you can to ensure
that the system is running properly, and as error free as you can get it.
You will, however, require internet access for the steps below

OK. First step is to run a one shot virus remover.. I have found that Trend
Housecall works for people.. download and run it..

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

.. select the 'online scan' and follow the directions given.

This takes a while to complete but is a necessary first step.

You will also need to download Spyware removal software.. Spybot and Adaware
are available at these websites.. both are free.. download and run them..
don't forget to check for updates after you have started them..

Adaware SE - http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

.. and how to use it..
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial48.html

SpyBot S&D - http://www.safer-networking.org/

.. and how to use it..
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial43.html

Spybot has the ability to immunize a system, but there is better for this
function, so download and run Spyware Blaster too.. again, check for
updates..

SpywareBlaster - http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

.. and how to use it..
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial49.html

NOTE.. FOR Windows XP users ONLY.. Ewido Suite - http://www.ewido.net/en/ ..

A trial version is available, and they also allow for an online scan.

Having successfully installed SP2, you can re-connect any devices, and set
about ensuring that all is again working. You will need to visit the Windows
Update website to pick up on all of the security updates that have appeared
since the introduction of SP2

If you do not already, you must also run a firewall and anti-virus program..
here are some links for you..

Zonealarm Firewall (free)..http://www.zonealarm.com .. recommended

AVG Anti-virus (free).. http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/ ..
recommended

Thereafter, weekly 'housekeeping' will not take long.. run Adaware, Spybot,
and SpywareBlaster weekly, ensuring that you update them prior to starting a
scan.
Click to expand...

Mike,

Thanks a lot! That's a big help.

Scott
 
Scott said:
Yikes, I've been holding off upgrading my 4-year old Gateway desktop! My
main concern was when I tried to update the NVIDIA GeForce 2 video driver
a year ago with the drivers I got from Nvidia's website. Installing it
gave me a blue screen on bootup, so I rolled back the drivers.

I've heard that hardware drivers must be up to date before installing SP2.
Perhaps a clue is this entry under Display Adapters:

NVIDIA GeForce2 MX-400 (Gateway)

Do you think Gateway's own drivers should be used instead?

I also heard about SP2 killing a home network. I have a Linksys-G WRT54G
wireless router...using wired and wireless to 6 other Win98 and WinXP
computers, and everything works perfectly.

Am I being overly concerned about upgrading to SP2?
Click to expand...

See http://aumha.net/index.php?c=16

More:

Installing WinXP SP2
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;ln;xpsp2getinstall

What to Know Before Downloading/Installing SP2
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx

Installing SP2 Step-by-Step
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];xpsp2insthowto

Troubleshooting Your Installation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];xpsp2insttshoot

WinXP SP2 FAQ: What to do after installing SP2
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;ln;xpsp2installed

Service Pack (any) Installation Checklist (MVP Jupiter Jones)
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm

WinXP SP2-specific Page (MVP Jupiter Jones)
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/xpsp2.htm
 
Antioch said:
First off I would send off for the free disk for SP2 from MS - it will at
least save having to download - should get the CD within 5 days.
That will give you some time to do a bit of research. If it don't arrive
before the deadline then you will be ready for the download method from MS.
Also go to the windowsupdate newsgroup and search/find in there for the SP2
matters - there are quite a few, all with different probs and solutions.
Also visit MS and read about preparing your machine pre install, installing
and after install troubleshooting.
Most of the links are in the windowsupdate newsgroups.
All downloading and install is best done with NO AV running and
disconnecting from the net.
Do a full clean/scan of the system.
You have quite a lot to do if you want to - otherwise, just go ahaead and do
it all in one download from MS.
There is reason to think you will not be 100% OK.
Then you will have some 60-70 more security/criticals to download after if
SP2 is installed without problems.
If you go to the windowsupdate group and look back just over the last three
months, you will see that there has been a lot of activity.
Good luck - but I am afraid that you have given yourself one hell of a job -
keeping updated must be a better option :-)
Rgds
Antioch
Click to expand...

Antioch,

I think what I'll do is install a new hard drive onto this desktop, and then do
an image restore with Acronis. Then I'll upgrade to SP2. If everything goes all
right, then I'll just use it as a new drive. The old drive is 4 years old. If
anything goes way wrong, I can always re-connect the old drive with nothing lost.

Scott
 
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