Windows Updates--are these 'really' updates or is there a problem?

Discussion in 'Computer Science & Culture' started by wegs, Sep 8, 2013.

  1. dumbest man on earth Real Eyes Realize Real Lies Valued Senior Member

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    @elte

    The combination of Avast and Spybot Search and Destroy is, indeed a very good combination!

    However,Windows Defender incurs as many or more problems than it actually protects you from - and should only be used if no other options are available - in my opinion. Windows Defender can also be a system resource hog and does not play well with some other user installed programs.

    By using Avast and Spybot Search and Destroy - along with regular minimal usage of Piri Forms' "CCleaner", a computer stays running fairly efficiently.
     
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  3. elte Valued Senior Member

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    Dmoe, your recommendations seem good. Keep up the good efforts!
     
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  5. dumbest man on earth Real Eyes Realize Real Lies Valued Senior Member

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    elte, thank you kindly!

    I have many happy customers.
    I build, service and maintain computers from my home/small business - I offer free phone help in the U.S. - but do not feel it would be proper to Post my phone # on any on-line Forum!!
     
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  7. wegs Matter and Pixie Dust Valued Senior Member

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    What?! My friend bought this laptop only one year ago. Ugh. Ok...thank you for your comments, elte. I honestly didn't want to think this computer had malware.

    I just logged back in, and decided to 'read the important message' that the red flag with the red 'x' contained...and one of the suggested options was to ''scan the computer.'' So, I ran it and good news...it finished scanning and a message popped up stating that ''no unwanted or harmful software was detected.''

    Ok...I'm getting happier now.

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  8. elte Valued Senior Member

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    You're welcome Wegs, when the malware protection is updated with understanding of all the latest threats, be sure to run another scan to be sure something new and unknown to year-old threat data in the unupdated protection program got through.

    I'm glad it detected no malware and hope it stays that way!
     
  9. wegs Matter and Pixie Dust Valued Senior Member

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    Okay.

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    I went into the area of control panel for 'uninstalling programs,' just so I could see where Java was located. There are three Java options, and they are:


    *Java 7 update 2
    *Java 6 update 12
    * Java FX 2.1.1

    Two questions, which of these three should I uninstall? (or disable) I know uninstall and disable aren't the same thing. lol
     
  10. elte Valued Senior Member

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    Dmoe, you're welcome!
     
  11. wegs Matter and Pixie Dust Valued Senior Member

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    THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH, WOW. I really appreciate your time today, dmoe.

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    Ok...so some questions for you. First, what do you mean 'do not want to run at startup?' There is a way for programs to not run at start up?
     
  12. dumbest man on earth Real Eyes Realize Real Lies Valued Senior Member

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    wegs, that is what that Post was about - the steps to keep the Programs from "running at Startup".

    The "icons" beside your clock "show" what is "running at Startup".

    The "Microsoft Configuration Utility" is what you use to decide what you want or DO NOT want to "run at Startup".

    Every "program" uses the laptop's installed memory to run - if those programs are "running at startup" - then the entire time you laptop is on - those "programs are running" constantly in the background and using system resources.

    By following the steps that I posted - that is the way for you make the "programs to not run at start up" !

    Reread the Post a few times, and follow the steps precisely - you can do that and just look - without actually CHANGING ANYTHING a few times - and you will see what is running and get an idea of what the "Microsoft Configuration Utility" is able to do!

    P.S. - wegs, do you have a nearby friend who is maybe a little more comfortable with a computer that could read the Post and help you with understanding or following the steps?
     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2013
  13. leopold Valued Senior Member

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  14. Stryder Keeper of "good" ideas. Valued Senior Member

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    Sometimes it's best to go to the root of the problem rather than use MSConfig.

    Such programs as Java updates can be set from the Java console found through the Control Panel, other programs like Live Messenger/Skype/Steam can be explicitly told not to run at startup from within their program via their taskbar icon when running.

    It's also a good idea to checkout the Scheduler as some programs will be set to run by the Scheduler at particular times, dates and intervals.
     
  15. wegs Matter and Pixie Dust Valued Senior Member

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    I'm taking care of the problems and have made progress thanks to your and others' help here. Your PS was not necessary. But ok.

    hey

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    I've wondered where you've been, leopold.

    Thank you for this help and your input in your prior post.
    Greatly appreciate it.
    Can you look at my reply to CC as to the different Java "options" that I mentioned and let me know what to do?
    Thanks

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    In other news, I'm at work right now and getting the Java update pop up.
    I can't escape it!

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  16. C C Consular Corps - "the backbone of diplomacy" Valued Senior Member

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    If you choose to uninstall, remove the whole works (make sure neighboring programs listed above and below the JAVA items are not accidentally selected / included). Older versions of JAVA dating back to last year and before are especially vulnerable. I've got Update 25 or 26 listed as the most recent on one PC that still has it. If you're not going to accept updates for JAVA, then definitely get rid of it because you will simply be carrying around a potential time bomb on your laptop -- it may be exploited eventually.

    Disabling JAVA only applies to the plugins it inserts in your browsers, and each browser has its own route for accomplishing that -- consult those last links, in regard to whatever your default browser is (IE, Firefox, Chrome, etc) and any others that are installed on the laptop as alternatives. The window that appears when the JAVA icon is clicked in the Control Panel may even feature some kind of global control now for either disabling or minimizing it. But again, if you're adamant about not updating JAVA to make it more secure, then simply uninstall the stuff.

    NOTE: Online gamers are still possibly among those who may most need JAVA. That's largely a household male addiction here which I have avoided like the flu, to the point that I can't add any more concerning the subject...... :runaway:
     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2013
  17. wegs Matter and Pixie Dust Valued Senior Member

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    haha!

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    Ok, I will take this advice...can't thank you enough CC for your contributions here!

    and good news, no pop ups tonight, after following some of the instructions from everyone here. Thank you kind souls!

    I could have looked all this stuff up in google, but what source to trust? :shrug: I have decided that you all fit the bill quite nicely, for my official, virtual Geek Squad.

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  18. youreyes amorphous ocean Valued Senior Member

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  19. wegs Matter and Pixie Dust Valued Senior Member

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  20. spandrel Registered Member

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    OK now imagine all the above advice applied to your car, or TV, or washing machine. Unacceptable? Of course it is. Why do we put up with this behaviour from computer software? Most people use their computers for email, web browsing (shopping) and maybe writing the odd letter. How much of the over-bloated OS and software suite present on the modern computer is actually used? About 2%. Do the manufacturers care? No. It is perfectly possible to make a simple, stable system which does the tasks most people need. It could easily download the extra stuff when needed (Object Oriented philosophy) and avoid all the annoying updates and popup windows asking to reboot. Why is no-one providing it?

    I think Vista was deliberate i.e. "Look how annoying we could be if we wanted to." Which is a natural progression from the famous MS slogan "Where do we want you to go today?" or "Hey, don't touch that!" Alas Apple is not much better and Linux is a minefield. It's the 21st century folks. I had an Amiga in the 80s and I hoped things would get better, not worse.

    We should all complain more. We don't own the software and we agree to take it or leave it, warts and all. Even so it's time to put the foot down. Get it right first time and stop using us as guinea pigs. Anyone else feel like moaning to Microsoft, Apple, Adobe etc. about their annoyingly poor software? Email them today, or maybe tomorrow when I've updated.....

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  21. wegs Matter and Pixie Dust Valued Senior Member

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    **applause**

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    I couldn't agree more!

    For now...I'm madly in love with my ASUS. It's behaving!

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    (well, after implementing all the advice given here, it's behaving hehe)
     
  22. Repo Man Valued Senior Member

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    A few things. Vista may well have deserved the bad reputation it received on release. But if you have a computer that has it now, I doubt you would understand what all of the fuss was about. Service packs and updates have made it into a very good OS. I rescued a Vista HP recently. I installed a new hard drive, and reinstalled Vista. I use it daily at work, and I have no issues with it. I prefer it to XP, but I like Windows 7 even more.

    Java isn't necessary for most people, and should not be installed unless you need it. I forgot why I had it installed, uninstalled it, then found out that the bit torrent program I use requires it. If you must have it installed, keep it up to date! And pay attention during the updates; they are one of the worst about bundling useless near malware toolbars with their updates (get lost Ask toolbar). Take it a step at a time, and uncheck any boxes for bundled software that you do not want during the installation process. Adobe likes to bundle Google software both with Adobe Reader, and the updates for the same. That's fine if you want it, not so good if you do not. I think toolbars are a relic from the past, as the browsers I use (IE and Firefox) do not need a toolbar, but are fine as is.

    Windows update seems to have had some sort of glitch for the past few days. I noticed several computers at work constantly had the Windows update symbol in the system tray. I'd let them install updates, only to have the icon come right back as soon as they were installed. It seemed to be the same two updates, installing over and over again. I believe they (MS) have it sorted out now.
     
  23. dumbest man on earth Real Eyes Realize Real Lies Valued Senior Member

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    Repo Man, I have no idea what you are using for virus protection - but even with all the updates Vista is fairly easy to "hit".
    I would highly recommend reading above Posts and making sure that you are not automatically starting any resident updater other than possibly Windows Update.
    Vista is chock full of various "holes" and "back doors" and easy"exploits" - check around - businesses never began to adopt it even after all the service packs.
    In all honesty XP Professional will run circles around any Vista release - if configured properly. Get back to us in 6 -8 months and tell us if your Vista is still working great.
    If the HP tower you have has at least 2 gigs of memory - install windows 7 on it and you can relax a lot more.
     

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