Software updates gone bad
Wednesday, July 9, 2008 by Philly0381 | Discussion: Personal Computing
Everyone does them, usually without any problems, right.
Well not yesterday. Seems that there were a couple of updates available for my XP system from Microsofte that were identified as priotity. Updates being what they are I try to do them early in the day in case there are problems, Yesterday I failled to follow that rule.
After doing the updates I did the required reboot. Hmmmm, reboot will get you everytime. 
Once the computer was booted I noticed something right away, no internet connection. Interesting, lost the internet at the same time doing updates. Hmmm. So naturally I go through all the checks to see what could be the problem. Unplug the modem, restart it, nothing. Check connections, nothing. Run diagnostics, no connection to the internet. Hmmmm.
So I call my DSL provider, lots of fun. We check setting and do reboots, nothing. They then want me to turn on the other computers in the house so it can be determined if the modem is bad. Problem is they are wifi and they want me to hook to to the ethernet, which means moving them to where the modem is. WHAT!
Needless to say I wasn't having any of that and politely said good bye. Now being really upset and confused I turned on the other computers. They had internet access. Now that doesn't help me at all. Go back and try looking at more settings, nothing. I disabled AV, and Firewall, nothing. Grasping at straws I said to myself, could the updates have done this, no.
With nothing else left to do, I uninstall the updates. Guess what, internet access is restored. I was really glad that there were only two updates which was easy to determine which one was causing the problem.
Get everything back to normal, AV and Firewall turned back on and have internet access. Great. I then do what I feel is a smart thing, I reboot one more time just to be sure everything is working. Poof, no internet access. I was just about ready to throw the computer out the window when I decided to check those update again. Wouldn't you know automatic update reinstalled the update that I uninstalled. Nice.
Unistalled it again found the little box that I didn't see before that says don't show this update again. All is now calm and peaceful. It's now early morning and I have missed my bedtime.
So what's the message here, If you think updates can't cause problems you best have some aspirn available. 
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Reply #2 Wednesday, July 9, 2008 1:27 PM
Wizard I think this is only the second problem I have had with a Windows update in about 5 or 6 years which isn't bad.
Reply #3 Wednesday, July 9, 2008 8:23 PM
Nice to know what caused it. Thanks, Philly
Reply #4 Wednesday, July 9, 2008 9:09 PM
I had the same problem at home and at work on all the PC's. I lowered the ZA firewall to medium and got my internet connections back. I'm not happy with ZA being set at medium though. I posted this in another thread a few minutes ago before I saw yours.
Reply #5 Wednesday, July 9, 2008 10:45 PM
Reply #6 Wednesday, July 9, 2008 10:56 PM
Reply #7 Wednesday, July 9, 2008 11:19 PM
Reply #8 Wednesday, July 9, 2008 11:31 PM
I completely wasnt thinking when I posted.
I use AVG for antivirus. I actually have been using Comodo for my firewall for 4 or 5 months now. And without a single problem.
Reply #9 Wednesday, July 9, 2008 11:53 PM
Reply #10 Thursday, July 10, 2008 12:11 AM
It can be argued the problem is with MS and its update...as the one that causes the issue is apparently redundant if you have a decent Firewall like ZA.
yrag will likely verify that...
I spent 70 minutes this morning calling my machine all kinds of nice words....as I ended up 40 minutes late for the monthly Wincustomize Admin/mod meeting.
Solution was....another comp that had not yet grabbed the update could connect OK...and I [with Hankers' help] sorted the main machine.
Uninstall the update....and reset them to NOT 'auto-install'.
Take back the streets....control your destiny....[and other hackneyed phrases]...
Reply #11 Thursday, July 10, 2008 12:12 AM
Reply #12 Thursday, July 10, 2008 12:40 AM
No...MS for the fubarred ZA.
I blame the Canadians....
Reply #13 Thursday, July 10, 2008 12:46 AM
Looks like most of the problems are focused around Zone Alarm. I have no idea why people are still using that product when there's much better ones out there should the use of a software firewall be necessary.
Reply #14 Thursday, July 10, 2008 12:50 AM
Looks like most of the problems are focused around Zone Alarm. I have no idea why people are still using that product when there's much better ones out there should the use of a software firewall be necessary.
So say we all....I totally agree. I haven't had automatic updates enabled in....well....as long as I can remember. I do things on my terms, when I'm good and ready.
As for ZA....I ditched that bloated POS years ago.
Reply #15 Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:49 AM
Regardless, get that ZoneAlarm crap off your system. It's like using anything from McAfee or Norton. They all do way more harm than good.
Reply #16 Thursday, July 10, 2008 8:37 AM
No...MS for the fubarred ZA.
I blame the Canadians....
I agree with the MS part... but don't blame us Canadians!! We're only half way toward our goal to rule the world... so it can't be us... yet. lol
As far as the update thing is concerned... yah it got me too. So I have to say sorry to the Zone Alarm guys 'cause I uninstalled their software and installed the Comodo firewall that Leo the Lion recommended. *sigh* It's so annoying all this security crap. Why can't people just get along and not try to hack the sh$t out of each other.
Reply #17 Thursday, July 10, 2008 8:44 AM
I paid for ZAP...so I'll be keeping it...
Since then...got a call from my mate who runs the Newsagency....he had the same problem....and I looked like the hero to end all heroes when I 'solved it' in seconds....
Reply #18 Thursday, July 10, 2008 8:45 AM
OK...New Zealanders then....
Reply #19 Thursday, July 10, 2008 10:05 AM
WWW Link
I used to use ZA security suite, good sales pitch, then I realized that their program is HUGE and consumes massive computing power. Not to mention the complexity involved..... way too much work for something that is supposed to be running in the background.
A good lightweight and highly rated choice is NOD32.
Reply #20 Thursday, July 10, 2008 10:12 AM
Okay
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Reply #1 Wednesday, July 9, 2008 1:18 PM