asdf1001

I recently posted "Help ... my computer is acting weird ".

Come to find out I had about five different bugs, but that wasn't what was causing most of my troubles. Seems I had not updated Windows EVER since getting this computer nearly two years ago. So ... there's this "bug" in a file called svchost.exe that was eating up my memory. It eventually got so bad I that I only had about five minutes before the whole system essentially shut down. To say the least I must have rebooted about fifty times yesterday trying to download the new service packs. In all, about twenty-five updates.

Things seem fine now. But I can assure you, I will update more often and scan for viruses more often!

Thanks to everyone who gave me advice.

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nyte_i

i usually keep up with the windows update site.... i didn't get the worm either.

juanvaldes

I will say this kindly......


EVERYONE UPDATE YOUR SYSTEM EVERY WEEK!!!

CyCo PL

I don't update much... I turn off the auto thingy, and then I completely forget about it. Whenever I hear something bad's happening, I update to the latest version and continue on my way.

I figure, if a virus hits me... at least I needed to reformat anyway.

micah67

all my windows systems are set to automatically download the patch(es) and notifiy of a needed update. It's essential.

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~micah

Prince

I keep all my software up to date.

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Who is John Galt?

Pragma

I run a Software Update Services server on one of my home boxes, and point all of my others to it to (daily) grab updates and notify me for install. It's also part of my morning ritual to log onto the box, see if there's any new updates that need to be approved, and if so, make sure it gets done.

I do the same thing at work. It's not a tough habit to get yourself into, and it will save a lot of heartache later.

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sixate

I'll second that!
I know so many people who just don't do it. It's amazing to me.
Then they complain when thay have problems.

Mr. Spacemonkey

I always update my computer. Sometimes it can be a pain for me since i have dial up but i know that they can be pretty important so i update it.

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HeAtHeN

I ALWAYS update winblows and didn't get the worm at home or work...

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hello.jpg

mine updates by itself whenever it is needed, but I don't see any difference once it is updated.

MMM-A

I generally keep up-to-date.

However, since Mickey$oft has made some klunkers in the past, I ususally depend on computer security websites' blessing of/urging to get the patches before I get them.

I wasn't affected by the 'blaster' thing. But, frankly, I don't leave my machine open to the 'Net on ports 135-139 anyway.

Furthermore, with all the advance warning, anyone who has a clue and *did* get infected deserved it

Those who don't really have a clue (your Aunt Millie who as a computer only to trade pics of the grandkids and recipes via email, for example) can't be blamed for anything except for not having a niece or nephew who'll make sure Auntie has a good virus scanner with automatic updates.

(Anyone feel guilty enough to call Auntie now?)

Postscipt:

My neighbor - who has about 1/4 of a clue - did get the blaster thing. He called over 'cause the machine was doing weird things. I was able to get him cleaned up (in exchange for a few beers!)

steelerz

I keep mine on auto update and download the patches it picks up. No worm so far. Also, I run auto update on my anti virus software.

hotdogg

Update every critical (patches/security) as soon as they are available...Same with Norton

Tandem

ditto here..

viejo gringo

I regualary down load the patches and keep them zipped
in one special folder, because I reload windows 98 SE from
time to time and this destroys the installed patchs....having them
in a zip file allows me to reinstall them without the download...

Then I run Belarc and it will tell me what patchs needed to be installed, if I miss one...works for me...

sub zero

Since the latest windows worm came out, I do now

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macthelist

Heck, why not update your copy of Windows every day?

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It's always darkest before the dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbor's newspaper, dawn's the time to do it.

sub zero

Because 56k is the devil

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AxByC

yep atleast once a week.

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propaganda

I update ME everytime theres an update available yet I still have problems with this damn thing.

spectre

Been doing that for a while now.

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"Fuck these chains
No goddamn slave
I will be different" ~ Machine Head

Pedialyte

I usually check the update site about every other week... nice to keep up to date. Prevent that blast worm from gettin me!

cliv

I have XP set to tell me when there are updates (the auto-update feature), but I have to tell it to download and then install.

I do this even though there have been some bad patches, such as the one that brought my PC almost to a halt. It was the one that interfered with NAV and it took almost a minute to do even the simplest thing (open IE or copy a file). But I figure that Windows has soooo many problems that I better keep fixing it.

poof

NO!

I haven't read the replies so I am telling you from experience. Don't do the windows updates. If you decide to them anyway, do a system restore point.

Remember, Microsoft is not your freind.

Get a firewall. I have a hardware (Linksys) and software (Zonealarm) firewall, and have no problems. Also, don't open email from addresses you don't know. But, you knew that anyway.

I did a simple raid driver update from windows update and had to reinstall windows after.

cJoe

Windows doesn't like me too much. I've done updates and then when rebooting the system gives the blue screen for W2K. I reformat and less than an hour later I'm good to go again. Also Norton Speeddisk has crashed my system. If it works why f*ck with it.

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I've got plenty of common sense. I just choose to ignore it. ...Calvin

yotta

That is because windows ME is a peice of SHIT.

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sandeep

I've talked to a lot of people who don't trust Windows updates, and to that i say if you don't trust the company, don't use the software.

Now I do recommend reading what you're installing, because not all windows updates are essential, or even beneficial. however for the most part updating your copy of windows is a very good idea.

regular maintainence is the key to good computer usage.

defragging your harddrives, updating virus checkers, updating software. this stuff is so easy, and it saves SO many headaches.