Solved The Drawback of Windows Updates

[slovenc0417]

I am looking for some thoughts and opinions on installing Windows Updates.

I certainly understand that they are necessary. However, occasionally after installing updates I will have issues with the OS. Sometimes they are minor, other times they are major. I understand that they may be coincidental, so that is why I am looking for opinions on how to handle them.

A quick example, a colleague in my office had not updated his computer in a while. There were over 100 critical updates. After updating, the computer's performance was poor, i.e. slow. We are an engineering office, so we are constantly running AutoCad. Our computer specs are are Windows 7, Intel Core i7 930 @ 2.80 GHz, 8 GB RAM and 1TB of hard drive space, or better. Anyway, since I did not have much time to deal with his issue, so I told him to restore to a point prior to the updates. After doing so, his OS was done. The computer would get past the pulsing Windows graphic, go to a black screen and then re-boot. The repair would not work and I had no system image or recovery disc to use (I have another thread on that ). I was able to recover all his data via a SATA adapter and then reformat the computer.

Having said all of that, why do we get updates to fix bugs when it's possible I can have such troubles? I have set all of our computers not only notify when updates are available and I always create a restore point in order to go back if a problem occurs after updating, but even then I may have troubles.

Is there a better method than straight updating?

Are there resources that can alert me to volatile updates?

I am the quasi IT guy in our office and do not have nearly enough time to repair over 30 workstations if such problems occur.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!


Thanks,
Rob

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Rob I always set the updates to as in my pic so that if you suspect a particular one you can right click and hide it so that doesn't appear again.

P That is if you view he listing first of course

 

[robinb9]

I also do them in small bunches so there are no problems and I check in here and Microsoft Windows Update forums prior to doing them just in case there are problems like last month and the month before

 

[Layback Bear]

I have found that sometimes Windows Updates do cause problems for some. It doesn't happen often and normally not to all computers.

I also install a few at a time. Three or four according to the size of them. Then I reboot whether requested by Windows or not. Then install three or four more ect. until they are all done. Then I do another update check to make sure I got all of them and Windows Updates is happy.
In my opinion in most cases when someone is 100 updates behind it's not a Windows Update problem it's a owner operator problem.

Hundreds of millions of computer get and install Windows 7 Updates without problems.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yep I always check when I see 2-300MB to be downloaded usually means something very large or lots of.

 

[whs]

I never really had any update problems but I do quickly look at the updates before installing them. Sometimes I also sort some out that I obviously do not need.

But at the end of the day we are at the mercy of Microsoft. We cannot expect them to be without fault at all times. Programming is manual labor and mistakes are bound to happen. One wrong bit in the 60 million lines of code can brick the system.

The only safeguard is a good backup and imaging strategy and a proper separation of OS and data. The people who lose data because the OS went belly up have done it to themselves. And don't rely on system restore - it does not always work.

 

[slovenc0417]

I have found that sometimes Windows Updates do cause problems for some. It doesn't happen often and normal
In my opinion in most cases when someone is 100 updates behind it's not a Windows Update problem it's a owner operator problem.

Slightly offended...

I certainly understand your opinion. Based on some passed experiences, I have a major problem with a product that can cause catastrophic problems. A couple of years ago, my wife and I purchased the exact same laptop at the same exact time. At one point, I ran the the exact same updates. In the end, her laptop would not boot, but mine did.

In my work office, the same things happen. Not frequently, but they do happen. And as all my time needs to be billed to clients, I find it hard to justify spending time working on non-billable projects This is not rocket science... you are notified of updates, you download updates, you install updates. If the result is computer meltdown, I am understandably frustrated and hesitant to to install updates.

(Stepping off of soapbox now)

Now, I appreciate your advice on installing the updates gradually and will do so.

 

[Layback Bear]

From post #1

A quick example, a colleague in my office had not updated his computer in a while. There were over 100 critical updates.
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I was not trying to offend anybody. Just bring to the table that being 100 updates behind is not good.
If for what ever reason your colleague has problems with Windows 7 Updates or anybody else for that matter their are members on the Forum that can help.
If these are work computers with customers information on them it is even more important to install the updates. Many if not most of Windows 7 Updates are security related updates. These updates would help protect the customers information that is on the work computers from outsiders.
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This section of our Forum will be very helpful for those that are having update problems.

Windows Updates & Activation - Windows 7 Help Forums
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Once again I'm not trying to offend anybody.
I'm just bring to the front of the table the importance of these updates and where one can find help to solve their update problems.
There are a mass of security updates in those 100 updates that have not been installed.
Layback Bear.

 

[Seffrid]

The only safeguard is a good backup and imaging strategy and a proper separation of OS and data. The people who lose data because the OS went belly up have done it to themselves. And don't rely on system restore - it does not always work.

It's not that I disagree in principle, it's just that in practice you have to remember that 99% of computer users - myself included - do not count computer technology among their many skills, and they simply aren't up to running "a good backup and imaging strategy and a proper separation of OS and data" - and why should they be? They buy a PC because it runs the applications and/or games they want to use, and they are dependent on the OS to enable them to do so. That OS changes every flippin' month with a varying degree of reliability, and it really shouldn't be up to them to stay one step ahead of the developer of that OS to ensure that they can continue to do after Patch Tuesday what they were able to do on Pre-Patch Monday! It's become a lottery, and it really shouldn't be that, nor should it be dependent on them having the backup and imaging systems of a professional computer user - or at the very least a technically knowledgeable amateur user - if they are to avoid falling foul of it.

 

[whs]

It is like with anything - if you don't have any skills, you pay thry the nose. Maybe 99% of your users should not be using PCs because the scenario is not going to change. It's in the nature of the beast.

Already in 1959 Professor Dijkstra from a Dutch university had published a Nato White paper on how to produce error free code and programs. But the predefined conditions were so restrictive that you really cannot work his way in a modern development shop. Apart from that, it is hit and miss all the way.

Computers are no appliances - although some people may try to make you believe that. Without a certain skill level and proper precautions it will be difficult to survive.

 

[slovenc0417]

Layback Bear,

Please understand, no serious offense was taken on my part. I appreciate the time everyone takes on these forum to assist those in need. As my first post stated, I was looking for thoughts and opinions.

I partially agree with Seffrid's later comment in that not everyone is computer savvy enough to maintain a regular computer maintenance program. On one hand, we all understand the importance of taking our cars for regular oil changes (equal to running updates, etc.), but none of us would be happy if after you got that oil change your car stopped running (equal to bugged updates).

In my own situation, I try to take the time and maintain my personal computer. However, as I work in a medium sized engineering firm with no dedicated IT staff, a few of us pitch in to take on the responsibilities. Of course, I handle a majority of the issues that arise and they are mostly software related. I am trying to take a proactive approach by introducing a maintenance program here in our office and I am trying to determine what the routine should be, i.e. physically dusting out the inside of these machines, running Windows updates, etc. That is why I introduced this topic. And again, all opinions are welcomed!

 

[whs]

I wish people would understand that an Operating System like Windows is probably the most complex thing on earth. With 60 Million parts it is nteen times more complex than a moon rocket and comparing it to a car with a few thousand parts is not appropriate.

If anybody is skilled to find that 1 bit that is set wrong in those 60 Million instructions and makes the OS blink under some rare combination of conditions, you better make yourself known because you are ready for the Nobel price.

I have spent 35 years in Operating System development and I still don't know how to develop error free code. The tests that are conducted are absolutely humongous. An OS test matrix is about as big as the matrix for the total US economy. And still you cover only a small amount of all possible cases and permutations for all possible hardware combinations, drivers, application programs, etc.

I think Microsoft is doing a fine job and it is really amazing that we have so few problems.

 

[Layback Bear]

You do not need a I.T. Department to keep Windows 7 Updated.
whs has more knowledge of computing in his little finger that I will ever have. That being said I keep my computers up to date. I have no schooling or degrees in computing what so ever.
If you have problems their are people here that can help.
For a business local outside help might be needed. Kind of like (Rent a I.T. Department) It's still a must one way or the other to keep Windows 7 up to date for the security of the business and it's customers.