Kim Kruse said:
Hi Alias,
I'm sorry... maybe I didn't express myself clearly. I use Windows update but
I run it manually by clicking start>windows update and the select
(translated from Danish) "important updates and service packs".
I've done that with my AV set to real time scan. No problems in the past and
no problems now... apparently! I just have this holdnig back as I've already
did repair install twice in a week and I rather not again... or even worse a
complet reinstall if things go completly wrong.
Right now I'm wondering if I'll be able to repair... both times one repair
install didn't work. I had to do it 2 and 3 times before I "got through"
That's also why I wonder if I could delete from "safe mode".
Thanks
Kim
<snip>
Kim,
At this point, it looks like you have a couple of issues you're concerned
about:
1) Downloading updates safely.
2) Installing those same updates safely.
Accomplishing the above is relatively straightforward, albeit a bit
cumbersome. As Alias has suggested, make a full-system backup (if possible)
prior to starting. This will minimize any headaches in the event you do have
problems.
1) Review the updates shown for your system (as suggested by Colonis). Note
which updates apply to your situation.
2) If an update applies to your system, do a quick google to see what issues
you might encounter if you install that particular update.
This includes "critical updates". Make sure to try and determine whether
there are any known issues with your currently installed
applications (i.e. Dreamweaver and PhotoShop).
3) Determine whether it is safe to install the researched update. Note: If
you determine that a critical update is not safe to install
in your environment, or does not apply to you...*don't* install it.
*If* the critical update is security-related, applies to you
and appears unsafe to install, either contact MS at 1-888-PCSAFETY
(their Security and AV free support center) or read the
associated Security Bulletin to determine what workarounds may be
available to you. If there is no workaround and MS (or
an application vendor) deems the update unsafe for your environment,
only you can make a real determination of your own
vulnerbality and determine whether installing the update poses less
risk to *you* than not installing. If the update is not
security-related, wait until you have received some assurance from MS
(email support) or the conflicting SW vendor as to how
this update can be safely installed. Since the update will not be
security-related, you can safely assume that you are not leaving
your system vulnerable to hackers in the interim.
4) Download (with AV running) the updates you have deemed necessary and
safe. Do NOT elect to download and install.
Select "Save to disk" and only download the update (or in some
cases, the installer for the update). This will permit you
to verify that your downloads are virus-free.
5) Once you have all the updates downloaded, shutdown and disable your AV
(you can disconnect from the network if you are
concerned about viruses or worms getting to you in the the interim)
and install the updates individually, rebooting between
updates. Disable any screensavers you have configured. Shutdown any
unnecessary services you may have running
(unnecessary means any service not required to keep the PC up and
running). Close any open applications (check the
System Tray as well, lots of little things like to semi-hide in the
S.T.). These are long-standing Microsoft recommendations
for installing software (you can verify this to a degree whenever
you perform an install, the admonitions for shutting down
unnecessary software are in the welcome screen for virtually every
install you'll ever perform) and should be followed
whenever possible. Doing so will provide you with the best chance of
installing a given software package (including hotfixes)
without incident. Since the inception of Windows 3.1 (and later NT
and 95), I've had fewer than 50 system crashes when
installing software in this manner (I don't know how many 1000's of
installs that would be, guessing an average of 6-8 a day
for about 13 years, so the percentage is very low).
It is generally safest to install the updates chronologically, but
occasionally updating component "B" of component "A" will
cause problems. Note and plan for any dependencies. This will help
ensure that you can install the updates safely.
6) Once you have installed all the updates (and successfully rebooted
after each), you can reenable your antivirus and continue to
work safely.
You asked about uninstalling updates in safe mode. This will be possible for
some updates but not others. Make certain you determine what (if any)
uninstall procedures apply to a given update. Generally, if the update
includes an uninstall (not all do, for example, Java Machine updates cannot
be uninstalled), you can uninstall in safe mode if necessary. NOTE: This is
a general rule of thumb only, read,read, read the information provided with
the update to see what you can glean.
I know this may seem unwieldy, but it will give you the absolute best chance
of successfully installing the updates you need.
Charlie
). I'm just looking for answers and usable solutions and as little