Windows Vista: Poll: When it comes to software updates, I do the following:
- 8/22/08 12:42 PM
Poll: When it comes to software updates, I do the following:
by Lee Koo (ADMIN) - 8/22/08 12:42 PM
When a new software update, patch, or service pack is released to the public, I do the following:
-- Download and install it immediately. (Do any concerns ever cross your mind?)
-- Wait for a few weeks, then download and install it. (Why wait and not download and install it immediately?)
-- Do some research first to see if there are any issues with it, then act accordingly. (What type of research?)
-- Take no action, because I don’t do updates. (Any problems with your machine?)
-- I'm on autopilot and give permission for the software to update itself. (How has that worked out for you?)
-- Other (What is it?)
Used to do some research...
by sntholiday - 8/22/08 2:19 PM In reply to: Poll: When it comes to software updates, I do the following: by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Now I just download and install updates immediately. When I had an NVRAID setup I was very reluctant to just let Vista download and install updates. Any updates to the raid drivers could cause the system to fail. Since I no longer use a RAID setup I don'worry about it. Prior to Vista SP1 I recall there was an update that caused the system to be stuck in constant reboot. Since then updates have been trouble-free.
Download and install it immediately
by rgfitz - 8/22/08 5:44 PM In reply to: Poll: When it comes to software updates, I do the following: by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
after checking the applicability to my system. I usually skip Windows Defender.
System restore can always return the system to the state before the update...system restore has always worked for me.
Windows Vista: Poll: When it comes to software updates
by jean harrington - 8/22/08 6:57 PM In reply to: Download and install it immediately by rgfitzSorry, I don't use Vista.
I thought it applied to all Windows systems.
Updates
by what_now3 - 8/22/08 7:35 PM In reply to: Download and install it immediately by rgfitzDell Insprion 1420, Vista Home Premium, I.E. 7. Purchased 2/14/08. Have spent more time with updates,system cleanups, etc. than doing "work". Most use has been email and games. Not ready to trust it with personal info. It has stumbled too much to trust.
I try to download updates on Tuesday but no always successful. On August 12, all downloads failed. Went through the hoops as directed by "self-help" to clear previous this and that.
I have Kaspersky Internet Security, paused it. Clicked off the Pop-up Blocker of the IE or Earthlink toolbar. Then tried download again. Still no luck.
When I check for updates I have to wait a looooooooooong time while it brings up the entire list including the @#$% 8/12. Wish I could delete these or hide them, if they're not going to work. (There must be away since there is a hotlink to "Unhide updates" but I haven't found the "tool".
I had this problem with the SP1 and had to get the Geek Squad to install that. This problem is an on again/off again.
Research prior to installing updates
by Norm.Smith - 8/24/08 2:31 AM In reply to: Download and install it immediately by rgfitzThere must be a large group of people who do not read the caveat given by most update providers. Microsoft mostly lets you know that a patch is either a beta or RC1 prior to a final release. Often there is a warning on the KB description. I have had both successes and failures with patches that are not officially a final release and have had failures even on a final release, especially on a PC that has numerous applications on board. It always pays to do a full maintenance checkup, including Chkdsk and Defrag, otherwise one is inviting trouble. I am wary of many Third party utilities that claim to do wonerful things to improve the PC's performanace. These have been the source of update problems because they have interfered with the configuration thereby bringing a "crash" on updating!!!
Service Patch?
by watertender3c - 8/22/08 6:57 PM In reply to: Poll: When it comes to software updates, I do the following: by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Please explain the term "Service Patch".
Thank you
I used to install them ASAP, but....
by 7aji88 - 8/22/08 7:21 PM In reply to: Poll: When it comes to software updates, I do the following: by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I've just bought a new HP laptop, and after installing some updates (from Microsoft, and HP) the laptop started acting funky 
. It won't get in the sleep mode sometimes, and some buttons won't respond the way they used to, so I restored it and turned off automatic updates until I have to update it.
SP1 Patch and others
by maldelus - 8/22/08 7:21 PM In reply to: Poll: When it comes to software updates, I do the following: by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
If Vista hasn't downloaded the complete patch and upgraded my system accordingly, I look for the reasons why a system might not be upgraded. I still download the downloadable patch and save it to disk while I have the option. Only after eliminating all nagging doubts AND checking with the OEM, will I take the chance at patching my system after I have first cloned my existing system drive to an external hard drive.
Downloading VISTA update
by VE3BDB - 8/22/08 7:23 PM In reply to: Poll: When it comes to software updates, I do the following: by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
In my humble opinion, Lee's reply is a cop-out. He's the expert, supposedly, so why not give us a straight answer instead of simply quoting what others are saying? I, for one, could use that help before I do any downloading.
Wrong thread & Lee's not an 'expert'...
by John.Wilkinson - 8/22/08 9:28 PM
In reply to: Downloading VISTA update by VE3BDB
This thread is concerning the weekly poll, not the Question of the Week, to which you seem to be referring. That aside, Lee is not an expert on such issues. As he states in his member profile, his degree is in psychology, not computer science, and while he is knowledgeable/experienced on various topics there are often others in these forums who are more qualified to directly answer the questions posed. In fact, many of the questions posted require a certain level of personal opinion, so multiple perspectives could not only be correct but also beneficial to the questioner. Thus, the Question of the Week is designed to provide the top answers from fellow members as well as foster further discussion on the matter (the community aspect), not simply a conclusive 'this is the answer' reply from Lee himself. That type of direct Q&A is what CnetTV Live, Ask the Editors Live, and other editor events are designed to provide.
John
polls
by chanitasambista - 8/26/08 3:47 PM In reply to: Wrong thread & Lee's not an 'expert'... by John.Wilkinson
how do i stop receiving polls? thank you, chanita
Here's the link...
by John.Wilkinson - 8/26/08 5:53 PM
In reply to: polls by chanitasambista
http://www.cnet.com/8721-4_1-0.html
From there you can unsubscribe from whichever newsletter(s) contains them, though you'll need to check your e-mail to find out which one(s) it is.
Hope this helps,
John
Vista Software Updates.
by Ron Geiken - 8/22/08 7:48 PM In reply to: Poll: When it comes to software updates, I do the following: by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I usually download and install them ASAP. Windows does a Restore point, so you can go back to before the update if necessary. Several years ago, I had some unpleasant results from installing updates to XP, but for the past year, the Vista updates were installed successfully and the computer always restarted properly and never noticed any problems. If an update causes a problem, just do a restore and do not reinstall that again until you check it out. As of 8/22/2008, my computer has had all the Vista updates installed, and is working fine. I think that these updates are more thoroughly "vetted" then in past years.
Always wait
by rhomp2002 - 8/22/08 7:51 PM In reply to: Poll: When it comes to software updates, I do the following: by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have worked in the IT profession for over 45 years and have found through trial and error that there are all too many times when there are bugs in the updates. I prefer to let someone else discover them, thank you very much.
I wait and when it appears that the bugs, if any, have been fixed, then I update. This practice has worked for me very well and I very rarely have problems with updates this way. I think the vendor should have all the problems fixed before release but realize that this is not really possible. Therefore I do the next best thing and let those who jump right on the updates like a dog on a bone do the final testing for the vendors and then I can take advantage of their having solved the problems.
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