beware of the updates you install

[William Sommerwerck]

Most in this group are knowledgeable computer users. But an occasional
reminder to "Beware!" can't hurt.

Some months back I installed the Microsoft compatibility update that allows
Office 2000 programs to read and write XML files (.docs, .xlsx, etc). (It
works fine, by the way.)

The problem is that the new formats appeared with Office 2007. Windows Update
now thought my Office software was the 2007 version. I started receiving
prompts to install security updates for it.

Common sense told me it wouldn't be a good idea to modify Office 2000 programs
with Office 2007 updates. So when updates were needed, I cleared the
checkboxes for these. Unfortunately...

Yesterday, I accidentally clicked the wrong button, and they were installed.
It was particularly annoying that repeated clicks on the "Halt the Update!"
button had no effect.

The result was that Word 2000 (and the other Office components, I assume) were
buggered. The Preview display was screwed up, and I got error messages when I
tried to print.

Fortunately, reversing the updates' installation and restarting the computer
fixed the problem. I was out only 15 minutes' inconvenience.

Don't assume factory-recommended updates are appropriate. Look before you
leap, and all those other clichés.


"We already know the answers -- we just haven't asked the right questions."
-- Edwin Land

 

I update nothing, period.

Lemme tellya a little story that happened to me recently. I had something called zarumba.exe or something like that. It was trying to install someting nasty on my laptop (Vista) and it somehow bypassed UAC. Well maybe not really.

I had been getting hags to update Java for some time but kept telling it no.. Every reboot, and I almost never reboot. However this virus or whatever it was seems to exploit a security hole you may have heard of in a certain Java update.

With this baby there it was nagging me every minute for the Java update.

I run bareback. I do not really suf, and I am not going to get a virus here, or from tvrepairtips or repairwold or americanfreepress or the other fora I haunt. I do not game and I do not facebook. I do not open email attachments unless they are pictures, and even then I am careful. Sometimes I am leery of something so I will download it and if a JPG I'll open it in Paintshop Pro, or other things in Irfanview. Media files if I have ANY doubt I will open them in VLC. I use Office 97 Pro so I doubt any macro type virus can get through that.

When I get bit by something I have not had system restore fail to fix it. That's what happened last time.

I take that back, this is Vista, on an XP box a few years ago system restore would not remove "Secret Crush" or something like that, but I think that is a very sophisticated virus which I believe infects the BIOS. I have my reasons for beliving that, because both PCs that got it had those types opf problems. One in the RAM controller. It would run fine with ˝ GB RAM or 1˝ GB RAM but not 1 GB (which is what it came with) It was ransdomly rebooting and I pulled a stick out and it ran fine. Put in a different ˝ GB stick and same shit. switched them out and found out none of the RAM was bad.

Both machines benefitted from a total reset, I mean the kind that gives you the checksum error. You just have to fuckup the BIOS bad enough that it reverts to ROM or whatever, and then you're clear.

The stupid fuck who put that virus on BOTH my PCs no longer has any access. He has his own to fuck up now. After all that, nobody touches my PCs. Where I live now my "server" I guess you would call it is on the network and if anyone wants the media or files off it they can just connect to the network. There are three people here and seven PCs, nobody has to touch mine.

The only thing wrong with the system right now is I got one of those laser printers (recently fixed you may have heard) that I set up to share on the network and that stopped working a few days ago. It prints locally but not from other PCs. Not a big issue.

I am going to continue to run XP on the one box forever. Some say that is going to let me open to fifty million virii and shit but that is bullshit. There aren't going to all the sudden be more virii for XP, in fact more likely the opposite. The new bugs will probably be incompatible with XP.

I would go so far to say that you would probably be safe running 98 again because the virii they write now are too advanced to even load in it. Of course I could be wrong, but my shit runs.

And it runs well. I go up to people's PCs, even newer ones, and I cannot believe how damn slow they are. What's more, you shoud see how fast the old software is on newer PCs.

I'm a spoiled brat now when it comes to PC speed. What's more I am a cheap spoiled brat. I am out of the loop they got most people in, which is ; update the software until the hardware won't work, then update the hardware and find the old software won't work. Then update the software until the new hardware won't work, and on and on and on.

I'd run Win 3.11 if I could get it to get online. Technically I think you can but it's really more trouble than it's worth.

 

[N_Cook]

On 07/11/2013 11:25, William Sommerwerck wrote:

Most in this group are knowledgeable computer users. But an occasional
reminder to "Beware!" can't hurt.

Some months back I installed the Microsoft compatibility update that
allows Office 2000 programs to read and write XML files (.docs, .xlsx,
etc). (It works fine, by the way.)

The problem is that the new formats appeared with Office 2007. Windows
Update now thought my Office software was the 2007 version. I started
receiving prompts to install security updates for it.

Common sense told me it wouldn't be a good idea to modify Office 2000
programs with Office 2007 updates. So when updates were needed, I
cleared the checkboxes for these. Unfortunately...

Yesterday, I accidentally clicked the wrong button, and they were
installed. It was particularly annoying that repeated clicks on the
"Halt the Update!" button had no effect.

The result was that Word 2000 (and the other Office components, I
assume) were buggered. The Preview display was screwed up, and I got
error messages when I tried to print.

Fortunately, reversing the updates' installation and restarting the
computer fixed the problem. I was out only 15 minutes' inconvenience.

Don't assume factory-recommended updates are appropriate. Look before
you leap, and all those other clichés.


"We already know the answers -- we just haven't asked the right questions."
-- Edwin Land

The other cliche , pertinent to electronic repair, if it ain't broke ,
don't poke

 

[sctvguy1]

On Thu, 07 Nov 2013 03:25:26 -0800, William Sommerwerck wrote:

Most in this group are knowledgeable computer users. But an occasional
reminder to "Beware!" can't hurt.

Some months back I installed the Microsoft compatibility update that
allows Office 2000 programs to read and write XML files (.docs, .xlsx,
etc). (It works fine, by the way.)

The problem is that the new formats appeared with Office 2007. Windows
Update now thought my Office software was the 2007 version. I started
receiving prompts to install security updates for it.

Common sense told me it wouldn't be a good idea to modify Office 2000
programs with Office 2007 updates. So when updates were needed, I
cleared the checkboxes for these. Unfortunately...

Yesterday, I accidentally clicked the wrong button, and they were
installed. It was particularly annoying that repeated clicks on the
"Halt the Update!" button had no effect.

The result was that Word 2000 (and the other Office components, I
assume) were buggered. The Preview display was screwed up, and I got
error messages when I tried to print.

Fortunately, reversing the updates' installation and restarting the
computer fixed the problem. I was out only 15 minutes' inconvenience.

Don't assume factory-recommended updates are appropriate. Look before
you leap, and all those other clichĂŠs.


"We already know the answers -- we just haven't asked the right
questions." -- Edwin Land

I dropped Windows years ago. Run Linux. No problems.

 

[dave]

On 11/07/2013 04:10 AM, N_Cook wrote:

On 07/11/2013 11:25, William Sommerwerck wrote:
Most in this group are knowledgeable computer users. But an occasional
reminder to "Beware!" can't hurt.


The other cliche , pertinent to electronic repair, if it ain't broke ,
don't poke

I never update, as a rule. This version of Mint is the 3 kernel but over
2 years old. It never updates automatically. knock on wood.

 

[Nil]

On 07 Nov 2013, "William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net>
wrote in rec.audio.pro:

Some months back I installed the Microsoft compatibility update
that allows Office 2000 programs to read and write XML files
(.docs, .xlsx, etc). (It works fine, by the way.)

The problem is that the new formats appeared with Office 2007.
Windows Update now thought my Office software was the 2007
version. I started receiving prompts to install security updates
for it.

Common sense told me it wouldn't be a good idea to modify Office
2000 programs with Office 2007 updates. So when updates were
needed, I cleared the checkboxes for these. Unfortunately...

I think you've let a misconception creep in at this point. The "Office
2007" updates are being presented to you to update the compatibility
pack, not your original Office 2000 installation. If Office 2000 is
still eligible for updates, you would still receive those, too.

Yesterday, I accidentally clicked the wrong button, and they were
installed. It was particularly annoying that repeated clicks on
the "Halt the Update!" button had no effect.

I think this is where things went wrong. It sounds to me like you wound
up with half-installed updates.

This isn't to say that updates can't go wrong, but I've accepting
updates for the compatibility pack for years, and the Office 2003 setup
on all the computers I control still work just fine.

 

[sctvguy1]

On Thu, 07 Nov 2013 12:01:57 -0800, William Sommerwerck wrote:

"sctvguy1" wrote in message news:l5gp4p$9m8$2@dont-email.me...

I dropped Windows years ago. Run Linux. No problems.

Does Linux run Word? Ventura? Photoshop? Interface with my AIBO? LEGOs?
Canon and Epson scanners?

Over the years, I have had little trouble with Windows. Contrary to what
some people might think, it is not scarier than blueberry pancakes.

I run Libre/Open Office which has the same functions as Word, and the
same basic interfaces. Also, imports Word documents and reads them.
Same for the other parts of the Microsoft Office suite.
As for Photoshop, there is GIMP, a clone for Linux that is FREE. It has
the same power as Photoshop.
As for laser/inkjet printers, no real problems. I have run HP and am
presently running Brother laser printers(HL-1440). I also run Canon LiDE
20 and 35 scanners, no problems.
Just pick a linux distro from someplace like distrowatch.com, burn it to
DVD or CD, and run it live, see if it works for you.

 

[sctvguy1]

On Fri, 08 Nov 2013 09:12:09 +1300, geoff wrote:

sctvguy1 wrote:

I dropped Windows years ago. Run Linux. No problems.

I'm sure if OP had let things do themselves without interference he
wouldn't had had the slight 15 minute inconvenience that he he. Hardly
a reason to ditch an OS and all the applications he knows and loves ....

geoff

The only people who seem to love Windows, are techs who make money
"fixing" problems and re-installing everything when it gets infected.

 

[Jeff Henig]

sctvguy1 <sctvguy1@invalid.net> wrote:

On Fri, 08 Nov 2013 09:12:09 +1300, geoff wrote:

sctvguy1 wrote:

I dropped Windows years ago. Run Linux. No problems.

I'm sure if OP had let things do themselves without interference he
wouldn't had had the slight 15 minute inconvenience that he he. Hardly
a reason to ditch an OS and all the applications he knows and loves ....

geoff

The only people who seem to love Windows, are techs who make money
"fixing" problems and re-installing everything when it gets infected.

"Love"?

Sorry, we don't all sexualize our digits.

Personally, I use what I'm used to using because I want to make music, not
learn another OS that might or might not work for what I need.

--
---Jeff

 

[William Sommerwerck]

"sctvguy1" wrote in message news:l5gp4p$9m8$2@dont-email.me...

> I dropped Windows years ago. Run Linux. No problems.

Does Linux run Word? Ventura? Photoshop? Interface with my AIBO? LEGOs? Canon
and Epson scanners?

Over the years, I have had little trouble with Windows. Contrary to what some
people might think, it is not scarier than blueberry pancakes.

 

[William Sommerwerck]

"Nil" wrote in message news:XnsA2717DB34F2DEnilch1@wheedledeedle.moc...
On 07 Nov 2013, "William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net>
wrote in rec.audio.pro:

Some months back I installed the Microsoft compatibility update
that allows Office 2000 programs to read and write XML files
(.docs, .xlsx, etc). (It works fine, by the way.)

The problem is that the new formats appeared with Office 2007.
Windows Update now thought my Office software was the 2007
version. I started receiving prompts to install security updates
for it.

Common sense told me it wouldn't be a good idea to modify Office
2000 programs with Office 2007 updates. So when updates were
needed, I cleared the checkboxes for these. Unfortunately...

I think you've let a misconception creep in at this point. The "Office
2007" updates are being presented to you to update the compatibility
pack, not your original Office 2000 installation. If Office 2000 is
still eligible for updates, you would still receive those, too.

I'm not sure about that. There were 8 or 9 updates, not just one for the
compatibility pack.

Yesterday, I accidentally clicked the wrong button, and they were
installed. It was particularly annoying that repeated clicks on
the "Halt the Update!" button had no effect.

I think this is where things went wrong. It sounds to me like you wound
up with half-installed updates.

I don't think so, because it reached the point where "all updates installed"
was reported.

This isn't to say that updates can't go wrong, but I've accepting
updates for the compatibility pack for years, and the Office 2003
setup on all the computers I control still work just fine.

Should these show up again, I'll look at their names and confirm that they
were just for the compatibility pack.

 

[geoff]

sctvguy1 wrote:

I dropped Windows years ago. Run Linux. No problems.

I'm sure if OP had let things do themselves without interference he wouldn't
had had the slight 15 minute inconvenience that he he. Hardly a reason to
ditch an OS and all the applications he knows and loves ....

geoff

 

[William Sommerwerck]

"Nil" wrote in message news:XnsA2717DB34F2DEnilch1@wheedledeedle.moc...

I think you've let a misconception creep in at this point. The "Office
2007" updates are being presented to you to update the compatibility
pack, not your original Office 2000 installation. If Office 2000 is
still eligible for updates, you would still receive those, too.

I just checked.

There are 8 updates labeled "Security Update for Microsoft Office 2007
suites", varying in size from 763KB to 7.7MB. There is 692KB "Security Update
for Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007". Their purpose is described thusly:

"A security vulnerability exists in Microsoft Office 2007 suites that could
allow arbitrary code to run when a maliciously modified file is opened. This
update resolves that vulnerability.

There is a 1.6MB "Update for Microsoft Office 2007 suites". "This update
provides the latest fixes to Microsoft Office 2007 suites." Why would I apply
them to Office 2000?

Nowhere is anything said about the compatibility pack.

 

[William Sommerwerck]

"geoff" wrote in message
news:qKidnYIY-aahbubPnZ2dnUVZ_rCdnZ2d@giganews.com...

I'm sure if OP had let things do themselves without interference he wouldn't
had had the slight 15 minute inconvenience that he he. Hardly a reason to
ditch an OS and all the applications he knows and loves ....

See the newer posting in which I claim that the installation appeared to have
completed.

 

[Nil]

On 07 Nov 2013, "William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net>
wrote in rec.audio.pro:

Should these show up again, I'll look at their names and confirm
that they were just for the compatibility pack.

They won't say that. They aren't well-named, but the updates are for
both the compatibility pack and Office 2007.

 

[Nil]

On 07 Nov 2013, "William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net>
wrote in rec.audio.pro:

There is a 1.6MB "Update for Microsoft Office 2007 suites". "This
update provides the latest fixes to Microsoft Office 2007 suites."
Why would I apply them to Office 2000?

You won't be. They will update the Compatibility pack components, not
Office 2000 itself.

 

[William Sommerwerck]

"sctvguy1" wrote in message news:l5h49b$l4n$3@dont-email.me...

The only people who seem to love Windows, are techs who make money
"fixing" problems and re-installing everything when it gets infected.

I can't say that I "love" Windows, but it works.

 

[Jason]

On Thu, 7 Nov 2013 22:28:54 +0000 (UTC) "sctvguy1" <sctvguy1@invalid.net>
wrote in article <l5h475$l4n$2@dont-email.me>

On Thu, 07 Nov 2013 12:01:57 -0800, William Sommerwerck wrote:

"sctvguy1" wrote in message news:l5gp4p$9m8$2@dont-email.me...

I dropped Windows years ago. Run Linux. No problems.

Does Linux run Word? Ventura? Photoshop? Interface with my AIBO? LEGOs?
Canon and Epson scanners?

Over the years, I have had little trouble with Windows. Contrary to what
some people might think, it is not scarier than blueberry pancakes.

I run Libre/Open Office which has the same functions as Word, and the
same basic interfaces. Also, imports Word documents and reads them.
Same for the other parts of the Microsoft Office suite.
As for Photoshop, there is GIMP, a clone for Linux that is FREE. It has
the same power as Photoshop.
As for laser/inkjet printers, no real problems. I have run HP and am
presently running Brother laser printers(HL-1440). I also run Canon LiDE
20 and 35 scanners, no problems.
Just pick a linux distro from someplace like distrowatch.com, burn it to
DVD or CD, and run it live, see if it works for you.

GIMP's ok - I've used it quite a bit, but I use Photoshop almost every
day and GIMP is by no means a clone.

I have Linux on one machine here and use it for tinkering. If some of the
major Windows apps ran on it I'd happily toss Windoze, but they don't.

Lots of Adobe customers have asked for Linux versions. There actually was
an early version of Photoshop for Unix, but the Adobe developers
concluded that X wasn't an adequate windowing platform and gave up rather
than develop their own. Now that the Adobe products are subscription-
based you'd have to get Adobe to port not only the applications but the
Creative Cloud manager to Linux. They seem not to be interested :-(

 

[Jeff Henig]

Mike McGinn <mikemcginn@mcginnweb.net> wrote:

On 2013-11-07, Jeff Henig <yomama@yomama.com> wrote:
sctvguy1 <sctvguy1@invalid.net> wrote:
On Fri, 08 Nov 2013 09:12:09 +1300, geoff wrote:

sctvguy1 wrote:

I dropped Windows years ago. Run Linux. No problems.

I'm sure if OP had let things do themselves without interference he
wouldn't had had the slight 15 minute inconvenience that he he. Hardly
a reason to ditch an OS and all the applications he knows and loves ....

geoff

The only people who seem to love Windows, are techs who make money
"fixing" problems and re-installing everything when it gets infected.

"Love"?

Sorry, we don't all sexualize our digits.

Personally, I use what I'm used to using because I want to make music, not
learn another OS that might or might not work for what I need.


I have been using Linux almost exclusively for ten years. I prefer it,
it works well for me. I do a lot of software development and it is well
suited for that. I do have Windows and Linux machines I deal with at
work. Updates are much simpler on Linux than Windows. I like that it is
very gard to get a virus in Linux unless you do something really stupid.

Having said that, I think people should use what they like and what
suits them. I think arguing about operating systems is as pointless as
arguing over religion.

Can we get back to radios now? I have an old Tek 453 on the getting some
power supply work. Those are tight little units, but I like them. They
are funky. It is amazing how they crammed so much performance in a small
package in 1966. I'll be looking for a 454 when this is done.

For me that is a lot of the charm of working on old stuff. I realized it
as a teen back in the early '70s when the Staten Island Historical
Society let me work on their antique radio collection. It is amazing
what they did with what they had.

Oh hey, I get that. If Linux was what I knew, I'd probably use that,
myself.

And the old stuff gets respect from me, for sure. I know that modern cars
are more evolved, but I miss my first car--a 1967 Mustang fastback. And
right now I'd really enjoy foolin' with an old tube radio for the fun of
it.


Sometimes I do miss the tinkering...

--
---Jeff

 

[dave]

On 11/07/2013 12:01 PM, William Sommerwerck wrote:

"sctvguy1" wrote in message news:l5gp4p$9m8$2@dont-email.me...

I dropped Windows years ago. Run Linux. No problems.

Does Linux run Word? Ventura? Photoshop? Interface with my AIBO? LEGOs?
Canon and Epson scanners?

Over the years, I have had little trouble with Windows. Contrary to what
some people might think, it is not scarier than blueberry pancakes.

Canon has very good Linux support. Do you really need Photoshop? GIMP
works fine for me and the price can't be beat. Linux productivity apps
are as good as they get. You just don't get DirectX, which pisses me off.