Windows 10 Issue

[dickandlois]

I have been fighting Microsoft operating issues for way to long. They started months ago when a very long list of updates was installed. A total disaster and I do mean TOTAL.

The list of items and problems is way to long to list, but after many hours spent both online and the phone with numerous individuals and 6 months, I think the software operating system is now resolved. All be it with the loose of some programs that I had that are no longer supported and replacement programs found that will hopefully do what I want.

I and parties at Microsoft settled on Old Windows 7. The loss of specific drivers and key codes. This was better then loosing more then I was willing to part with.

This might help others that have way more knowledge regarding operating systems then I will ever master.

This link will offer some ways to stop the auto updates that Microsoft has (for lack of a better term) forced on users. Specifically Windows 10. This information is not for the novice !!!

http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2015/08/26/windows-10-how-to-stop-forced-updates/#60b0c1015d1f

Good luck Rich.

Note, This will not stop the automatic security updates. 

[wayne77590]

Rich,

I use a program on the MAC, and it is available for Windows, called 1Password for Windows.

It keeps all your logins, software licenses (keys) and a bunch of other items.  I have been using it for several years and it has been wonderful. I keep the "key file" in a place that any of my computers can get to it so that I have access no mater where I am or which of my computers I am using. My wife's iPad and iPhone are also liked to the key file. The key file is password protected by a very strong password.  I have had to re-install a few programs on the MAC, and the key file has been invaluable in restoring the files. However, on the MAC there are other avenues that can be taken that are easy to retrieve software keys.

Okay! Background. I worked for NASA as in IT Security Specialist and my forte was investigating misuse cases and performing forensic analysis on those cases.  I WAS very familiar with Window platforms. At the S&B here I had Window computers.  Anyone at that time could call me for help with a problem and in many instances I could help them from my arm chair in the living room.  One time I help a friend when he trashed his video to a black screen and I did it from the arm chair without ever looking at a computer.  I'm stating this for a point. 

In 2007 I retired. Later that year my wife retired and she asked if I would get her a MAC as a retirement gift since she used them in her earlier days and liked them.   I did, I bought her a 24" iMac.  I started using it and I finally kicked her out of the computer room, well, she just did an attrition on her own because I was always on it.  I never looked back and I am so happy to have, even though more expensive, MAC systems.  They are 99% less troublesome than Window Systems. 

Okay, I guess it's time to hear it from all the Window users. Funny that I still get calls for Window problems but I have not gotten a call for a MAC problem.  Oh, BTW, we die have a few MAC's at NASA, quite a few.  At the time MAC and Window systems did not communicate well with each other.  Think Word, Excel, PPoint, etc. where one cold not be read on the other. (That was then!) So the CIO of the agency decided that all office users would use the Window's system - mostly for cost and a few of the graphic entities could keep the MAC.  MAC had better graphics at the time whereas now they are fairly equal.

Oops! Sorry for the rant. Try 1Password - it is a fantastic program.

[wayne77590]

p.s., I can't visit the site you listed because of all the ads it has. It wants me to turn off adblocker.  No way Forbes, no way.

[dickandlois]

1 hour ago, Wayne77590 said:

p.s., I can't visit the site you listed because of all the ads it has. It wants me to turn off adblocker.  No way Forbes, no way.

Interesting, I have add blocker software and yes Forbes come up, but the flash adds do not run. 

Thanks for responding with the password information.

Interesting Back ground. More on the hardware end years ago. Kind of like a grownups sandbox.

Rich.

[wayne77590]

I also run Ghostery and it blocks trackers and ads.

I very much dislike ads.

Yep, people have asked me what I did at NASA and I have two stock replies.  One is, "I was an astronaut, I took up space!" and the other, "I looked at porn all day" (Remember, forensic analysis on misuse cases. That wasn't the only misuse though.)

For clarification I did do other IT functions but was the primary on misuse.

[five]

About once a day I get a link to a "free Windows 10 upgrade!"  Which, every time, I click "NO."  Don't like changes and every time they change Windows I spend weeks trying to figure out how to use the new system.

[wildebill308]

I did the upgrade and had no problems. Your experience may vary.

Bill 

[wayne77590]

Yep! Experience varies considerably.  I had Window computers since Window's for Workgroups and I think even on back from that.  In all the years I let it update I never had a problem. Go figure. It just happens. 

Hey folks, even the MAC has a few problems with upgrades. In my case I have to go back in and reset everything that they think everyone wants as a general setting. It just happens.

 

[tjb201]

Forced auto update is a non-starter for me.  We are full timers having to use data plans from cell carriers and only update when we are at libraries, etc.

Tim

[wildebill308]

2 hours ago, tjb201 said:

Forced auto update is a non-starter for me.  We are full timers having to use data plans from cell carriers and only update when we are at libraries, etc.

Tim

If you don't have WIFI in the place you are staying, then yes using a libraries WIFI would work. At least you won't have to go far to find a book to read while you wait.

Bill

[dickandlois]

A Little more information and something to think about regarding Windows 10 ! Remember nothing is really free.

You might like to read the information on this link.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2016/04/29/free-windows-10-cost-expensive-secret/?utm_campaign=yahootix&partner=yahootix#7e0467c7403f

Rich.

[blakeloke]

Similar frustrations here about Windows, regular forced updates and Windows 10.  Funny thing about the Windows 10 upgrade for me was that it came at the same time the FMCA Forum upgraded!  Talk about teaching an old dog new tricks!

I had to go through the Windows 10 upgrade twice.  First time it partially loaded and toasted my operating system.  Had to completely reset my computer back to original (lost files) then go through a days worth of installs and finally Windows 10 install.  All good now!

Next computer will be a Mac.

Blake

[dickandlois]

Microsoft operating software frustration

After having a second computer start acting up that has been working.  Windows 7 update KB3133977  Got into the system because we left a door open.

Note, This is a different unit that does not have all the information and drivers I use with the original computer loaded with different programs.

Microsoft has gone and changed some portions of the older operating from optional  to recommended .

Starting to think they are getting or are to big a player.

Second, Contacted VMSpc to see if they offer drivers that can be used on open source platform(s) and the answer was not at this time. So if one is considering using there software and is not a fan of Windows 10. The option might be Scan Gauge D.

  Rich.

Microsoft Warns Windows 7 Has A Serious Problem

 

Earlier this year Microsoft warned users that Windows 7 has serious problems. I dismissed its claims as a desperate attempt to shift copies of Windows 10 (and I still do), but now Microsoft has warned of a new serious Windows 7 problem that is very real – even though it makes no sense whatsoever…

 

In short: Microsoft has made a seemingly small yet completely bizarre tweak to Windows Update on Windows 7 and confirmed it is crippling many users’ PCs.

 

The tweak? It switched the status of Windows 7 update KB3133977 from ‘Optional’ to ‘Recommended’. The bizarre part? Despite acknowledging the problems, Microsoft knew they would occur in advance and it has no plans to do anything about it.

Ok, let’s put some meat on these bones.

 

PCs That Suddenly Won’t Start

 

It all center’s around Asus motherboards.

 

Now 27 years old, Asus is one of the largest PC component makers and supplies motherboards to many of the world’s biggest PC makers. Recently it enabled Secure Boot in UEFI on all its motherboards. This wasn’t a problem for older PCs because Windows 7 didn’t support Secure Boot, that is until KB3133977 came along in March and enabled it.

 

 

Initially the fallout was small. Asus confirmed the problem, Microsoft confirmed the problem.  But the best news was KB3133977 was an optional Windows 7 update so it had to be manually installed to take effect. The solution was simple: just steer clear of KB3133977 (aka do nothing) and you’d be fine.

 

Then last month – for some bizarre reason – Microsoft made KB3133977 a ‘Recommended’ update. The result was every user running Windows 7 and default Windows Update settings (the vast majority) would find the update now installed automatically.

 

And then everyone with an Asus motherboard was hit.

 

A Global Problem

 

As InfoWorld’s Windows expert Woody Leonhard notes “I’m now seeing problems reported from all over the globe about Windows 7 machines that suddenly won’t boot”. Affected machines simply show a red box which says:

 

 

All of which does nothing to pinpoint the problem or solve it for those without a second secured boot device. In short: you’d be screwed.

 

The Good News And Staying Safe

 

The good news is Asus has now issued a workaround to get PCs booting up again. Furthermore Asus must take some of the blame for not reacting faster when KB3133977 presented a potential landmine and issuing new updates to its motherboards.

 

How do you know if you have an Asus motherboard in your Windows 7 PC? Go to: All Programs > Accessories > System Tools and select System Information. This will list your PC’s components, including the motherboard.

 

One downside: some major PC makers like Dell and HP rebrand the motherboard as the computer’s model number. In which case you should do a web search on your model or call the manufacturer directly.

 

The Bad News And What Comes Next

 

As for the bad news? It’s Microsoft’s reaction.

 

On the plus side, Microsoft did update the support document for KB3133977 with a warning which states: “After you install update 3133977 on a Windows 7 x64-based system that includes an Asus-based main board, the system does not start”.

 

But Microsoft also uses the document an opportunity to promote upgrades to Windows 10:

 

Microsoft has also done nothing to modify KB3133977 or release a new patch so users with Asus motherboards don’t run into this problem in the first place. Furthermore, at the time of publishing, KB3133977 remains a ‘Recommended’ in Windows Update for Windows 7.

 

Needless to say, conspiracy theorists will have a ball seeing it as yet another new way Microsoft can push users to Windows 10. Especially with upgrade rates slowing in April. This in itself is remarkable given the increasing number of heavy handed and devious ways Microsoft has been pushing Windows 10 onto Windows 7 and Windows 8 users.

 

Regardless, the message is clear: life is going to become increasingly uncomfortable for Windows 7 users from now on. Whether they like it or not.

     Additional information 5-9-2016

While some PC users updated to Windows 10 the moment it became available, others will stick with earlier versions for as long as possible. For the horde still clinging on to Windows 7, there’s a new glitch to keep an eye out for — but it only seems to affect certain Asus motherboards.

An update titled KB3133977 can potentially trigger a “secure boot violation” during startup, according to a report from The Register. This prevents the computer from loading its OS, rendering it rather useless.

According to Asus, the problem stems from the fact that the affected motherboards have a feature called Secure Boot enabled by default. This is not supported by Windows 7, but the KB3133977 update tricks the boards into thinking that it is, which causes a conflict once the system tries to initialize its OS.

KB3133977 has been available for some time, but was previously listed as an optional update by Microsoft. Its status was changed to recommended last week, which means it was installed automatically for many users via Windows Update, in some cases disabling their systems until a fix can be found.

 

 

[wayne77590]

Think MAC maybe?