Windows updates

[Menno Hershberger]

There's been a rash of the fake antivirus/security crap going on lately and
I've gotten quite a few machines in to clean up. I've been noticing that a
lot of the Windows 7 machines do not have Service Pack 1 installed. In all
cases Automatic updates is set to install automatically. I've asked the
owners if they have been prompted to install updates and they claim not.
Most of the machines coming off the shelf now already have Service Pack 1
installed. So all these machines I'm seing have been around awhile. If I
check for updates on them, Service Pack 1 shows up and installs OK. Isn't
it supposed to install automatically or at least prompt you to do so?

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

There's been a rash of the fake antivirus/security crap going on lately and
I've gotten quite a few machines in to clean up. I've been noticing that a
lot of the Windows 7 machines do not have Service Pack 1 installed. In all
cases Automatic updates is set to install automatically. I've asked the
owners if they have been prompted to install updates and they claim not.
Most of the machines coming off the shelf now already have Service Pack 1
installed. So all these machines I'm seing have been around awhile. If I
check for updates on them, Service Pack 1 shows up and installs OK. Isn't
it supposed to install automatically or at least prompt you to do so?

I have a vague memory that service packs don't follow that rule.

Be aware of that adjective 'vague'

 

[Paul]

There's been a rash of the fake antivirus/security crap going on lately and
I've gotten quite a few machines in to clean up. I've been noticing that a
lot of the Windows 7 machines do not have Service Pack 1 installed. In all
cases Automatic updates is set to install automatically. I've asked the
owners if they have been prompted to install updates and they claim not.
Most of the machines coming off the shelf now already have Service Pack 1
installed. So all these machines I'm seing have been around awhile. If I
check for updates on them, Service Pack 1 shows up and installs OK. Isn't
it supposed to install automatically or at least prompt you to do so?

I see this KB, with some reasons why...

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2498452

which is referred to from this page

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=5842

Paul

 

[Menno Hershberger]

I see this KB, with some reasons why...

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2498452

which is referred to from this page

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=5842

Ah, yes, I remember that last page. It has no less than 10 download links
for Service Pack 1. You have to be a geek to figure out which one you want!

 

[Alex Clayton]

Ah, yes, I remember that last page. It has no less than 10 download links
for Service Pack 1. You have to be a geek to figure out which one you want!

The answer to this will most likely be in language I don't understand
but, why would you want to take just part of SP-1?
I just took it on this machine. since it has been out a while and I did
not see anyone having trouble I took it on my laptop first. I just did
it from the windows update site and let it do it's thing.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

The answer to this will most likely be in language I don't understand but,
why would you want to take just part of SP-1?
I just took it on this machine. since it has been out a while and I did not
see anyone having trouble I took it on my laptop first. I just did it from
the windows update site and let it do it's thing.

I think you'll understand this:

Menno Hershberger is not talking about taking "just part of SP-1" - for
one thing, you can't.

He means there are versions of SP1 for different versions of Windows,
and it's hard to figure out on the site which version of SP1 you need
for your particular configuration. "You" is meant as the generic
pronoun, not just Alex Clayton.

 

[Paul]

I think you'll understand this:

Menno Hershberger is not talking about taking "just part of SP-1" - for
one thing, you can't.

He means there are versions of SP1 for different versions of Windows,
and it's hard to figure out on the site which version of SP1 you need
for your particular configuration. "You" is meant as the generic
pronoun, not just Alex Clayton.

7601.17514.101119-1850_Update_Sp_Wave1-GRMSP1.1_DVD.iso 1.9 GB Download
Windows_Win7SP1.7601.17514.101119-1850.AMD64CHK.Symbols.msi 262.7 MB Download
Windows_Win7SP1.7601.17514.101119-1850.AMD64FRE.Symbols.msi 287.8 MB Download
Windows_Win7SP1.7601.17514.101119-1850.IA64CHK.Symbols.msi 241.8 MB Download
Windows_Win7SP1.7601.17514.101119-1850.IA64FRE.Symbols.msi 193.4 MB Download
Windows_Win7SP1.7601.17514.101119-1850.X86CHK.Symbols.msi 294.5 MB Download
Windows_Win7SP1.7601.17514.101119-1850.X86FRE.Symbols.msi 330.6 MB Download
windows6.1-KB976932-IA64.exe 511.6 MB Download
windows6.1-KB976932-X64.exe 903.2 MB Download
windows6.1-KB976932-X86.exe 537.8 MB Download

First one, is an entire DVD containing the last three downloads.
This is silly, because you're unlikely to own an Itanium.
511.6 + 903.2 + 537.8 = 1.9 GB

The next six, are symbol packages. They are used in conjunction
with a debugger (like perhaps Windbg). There is also some tool
which will download the files straight from Microsoft. I did that
once, and it took an hour or two to fetch symbol files separately.

Symbols come in two flavors, times the three processor flavors.

"The two distinct builds of the NT-based operating systems that are
available are the following:

The free build (or retail build)
The free build of Microsoft Windows is used in production environments.
The free build of the operating system is built with full compiler
optimizations. When the free build discovers correctable problems, it
continues to run.

The distribution media that contain the free build of the operating system
do not have any special labels—in other words, the CD that contains the
free build is labeled with the Windows version name, without any reference
to the type of build.

The checked build (or debug build)
The checked build of Microsoft Windows makes identifying and diagnosing
operating-system-level problems easier.
"

The last three are actual SP1 updates. The first is for Itanium
server processors. You don't want that one.

The last two are the useful ones. If you have Win7 64 bit version,
download the 903.2MB file. If you have Win7 32 bit version OS,
download the 537.9MB file.

Piece of cake,
Paul

 

[Alex Clayton]

On 1/11/2012, Alex Clayton posted:

I think you'll understand this:

Menno Hershberger is not talking about taking "just part of SP-1" - for
one thing, you can't.

He means there are versions of SP1 for different versions of Windows,
and it's hard to figure out on the site which version of SP1 you need
for your particular configuration. "You" is meant as the generic
pronoun, not just Alex Clayton.

OK, this will most likely sound dumb to those who know, but why do you
need to choose a version? When a new update comes out I watch for a
while. If I don't see anyone having some kind of problem I just go to:
Windows Update
Tell it to check
Let it load and install whatever it says is important. Often like today
it runs for quite a while, I assume it's checking the machine, seeing
what is there and what is needed? It has never asked me what OS or
version I have. I assumed it just knew from talking to the machine?
I ran into trouble with this machine a while back. After an hour or so
of fighting with it I did what I normally do when something seems FUBAR,
just reinstalled the OS so it was back to factory. The updates loaded
themselves as soon as I got it back on the net. The only thing I had to
make a choice for was the MS anti virus. The first time I downloaded it
it got part way through the install and then stopped, told me I needed
to 64 bit version and said it was undoing what it had done. Had no
trouble finding the right link and did it again. The MS updates have
never asked me which version of the OS I have.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

OK, this will most likely sound dumb to those who know, but why do you need
to choose a version? When a new update comes out I watch for a while. If I
don't see anyone having some kind of problem I just go to:
Windows Update
Tell it to check
Let it load and install whatever it says is important. Often like today it
runs for quite a while, I assume it's checking the machine, seeing what is
there and what is needed? It has never asked me what OS or version I have. I
assumed it just knew from talking to the machine?
I ran into trouble with this machine a while back. After an hour or so of
fighting with it I did what I normally do when something seems FUBAR, just
reinstalled the OS so it was back to factory. The updates loaded themselves
as soon as I got it back on the net. The only thing I had to make a choice
for was the MS anti virus. The first time I downloaded it it got part way
through the install and then stopped, told me I needed to 64 bit version and
said it was undoing what it had done. Had no trouble finding the right link
and did it again. The MS updates have never asked me which version of the OS
I have.

That's when *Windows* does the download; the site in question asks
*you* to do it.

But read Paul's post, from 52 minutes before yours.

1. He actully *looked* at the site.

2. He knows more than I do.

 

[...winston]

"Gene E. Bloch" wrote in message

OK, this will most likely sound dumb to those who know, but why do you need to choose a version? When a new update comes out I
watch for a while. If I don't see anyone having some kind of problem I just go to:
Windows Update
Tell it to check
Let it load and install whatever it says is important. Often like today it runs for quite a while, I assume it's checking the
machine, seeing what is there and what is needed? It has never asked me what OS or version I have. I assumed it just knew from
talking to the machine?
I ran into trouble with this machine a while back. After an hour or so of fighting with it I did what I normally do when
something seems FUBAR, just reinstalled the OS so it was back to factory. The updates loaded themselves as soon as I got it back
on the net. The only thing I had to make a choice for was the MS anti virus. The first time I downloaded it it got part way
through the install and then stopped, told me I needed to 64 bit version and said it was undoing what it had done. Had no trouble
finding the right link and did it again. The MS updates have never asked me which version of the OS I have.

That's when *Windows* does the download; the site in question asks
*you* to do it.
But read Paul's post, from 52 minutes before yours.
1. He actully *looked* at the site.
2. He knows more than I do.
--
Gene E. Bloch (Stumbling Bloch)

======
Or scroll further down to the bottom of Paul's link (on the Download Center) in the instructions section for details on each file.
<qp>
7601.17514.101119-1850_Update_Sp_Wave1-GRMSP1.1_DVD.iso - This DVD image contains standalone update for all architectures.
windows6.1-KB976932-X86.exe - This application installs Sp1 to a 32-bit machine running Windows 7.
windows6.1-KB976932-X64.exe - This application installs Sp1 to a 64-bit machine running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2.
windows6.1-KB976932-IA64.exe - This application installs Sp1 to an Itanium 64-bit Windows Server 2008 R2.
</qp>

Unless one needs the standalone debugging versions (which the technical aficionados hopefully already know they do) or an iso file
for deployment across multiple architectures all one needs to know is their architecture (32, 64 or Itanium) to determine the
correct windows6.1.-xxxx file.

And you were correct, its an optional update in WU
<qp> c.f. (my archive, sorry don't have the source)
It's(Sp1) in Windows Update? Will I Get it Automatically?
Nope. It’s an optional update (at this point) in Windows Update, so you’ll only get it if you choose to install it.
</qp>
or
<qp> cf. Paul's download link (this one is vague <g>)
....If Windows Update is not offering you the **option** to install the service pack
</qp>

 

[BillW50]

In

The answer to this will most likely be in language I don't understand
but, why would you want to take just part of SP-1?
I just took it on this machine. since it has been out a while and I
did not see anyone having trouble I took it on my laptop first. I
just did it from the windows update site and let it do it's thing.

I did the same and my AverTV Tuner under Media Center is now choppy and
blocky and my Windows Experience Index level has dropped dramatically.
Help!

 

[Chris S.]

7601.17514.101119-1850_Update_Sp_Wave1-GRMSP1.1_DVD.iso 1.9 GB
Download
Windows_Win7SP1.7601.17514.101119-1850.AMD64CHK.Symbols.msi 262.7 MB
Download
Windows_Win7SP1.7601.17514.101119-1850.AMD64FRE.Symbols.msi 287.8 MB
Download
Windows_Win7SP1.7601.17514.101119-1850.IA64CHK.Symbols.msi 241.8 MB
Download
Windows_Win7SP1.7601.17514.101119-1850.IA64FRE.Symbols.msi 193.4 MB
Download
Windows_Win7SP1.7601.17514.101119-1850.X86CHK.Symbols.msi 294.5 MB
Download
Windows_Win7SP1.7601.17514.101119-1850.X86FRE.Symbols.msi 330.6 MB
Download
windows6.1-KB976932-IA64.exe 511.6 MB Download
windows6.1-KB976932-X64.exe 903.2 MB Download
windows6.1-KB976932-X86.exe 537.8 MB Download

First one, is an entire DVD containing the last three downloads.
This is silly, because you're unlikely to own an Itanium.
511.6 + 903.2 + 537.8 = 1.9 GB

The next six, are symbol packages. They are used in conjunction
with a debugger (like perhaps Windbg). There is also some tool
which will download the files straight from Microsoft. I did that
once, and it took an hour or two to fetch symbol files separately.

Symbols come in two flavors, times the three processor flavors.

"The two distinct builds of the NT-based operating systems that are
available are the following:

The free build (or retail build)
The free build of Microsoft Windows is used in production
environments.
The free build of the operating system is built with full compiler
optimizations. When the free build discovers correctable problems, it
continues to run.

The distribution media that contain the free build of the operating
system
do not have any special labels—in other words, the CD that contains
the
free build is labeled with the Windows version name, without any
reference
to the type of build.

The checked build (or debug build)
The checked build of Microsoft Windows makes identifying and
diagnosing
operating-system-level problems easier.
"

The last three are actual SP1 updates. The first is for Itanium
server processors. You don't want that one.

The last two are the useful ones. If you have Win7 64 bit version,
download the 903.2MB file. If you have Win7 32 bit version OS,
download the 537.9MB file.

Piece of cake,
Paul

Another source here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/260886638016?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649

C

 

[Paul]

In

I did the same and my AverTV Tuner under Media Center is now choppy and
blocky and my Windows Experience Index level has dropped dramatically.
Help!

Based on the Media Center problem, it would take a fair amount of
work to figure out what is going on.

But the WEI level change, that's a bonus! You start by checking
which of the individual tests on the WEI has changed, for a
hint as to what subsystem is upset.

For example, if the disk WEI changed for the worse, it could
be that the hard drive is throwing CRC errors, and the disk
interface has switched to PIO mode in defense. And then,
your problem is caused by 4-7MB/sec max disk transfer rates
caused by PIO.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_System_Assessment_Tool

Paul

 

[BillW50]

In

Based on the Media Center problem, it would take a fair amount of
work to figure out what is going on.

But the WEI level change, that's a bonus! You start by checking
which of the individual tests on the WEI has changed, for a
hint as to what subsystem is upset.

Thanks Paul! "Graphics: Desktop performance for Windows Aero". It was
3.2 and is now 2.9. After the updates WMC played the TV like 1 frame per
second. I rebooted and it is much better, but still far from what it
used to be. Then I checked WEI and it stated there was a hardware change
(there hasn't been any hardware change at all). So I reran the
assessment and found the drop. Apparently the "Gaming Graphics" dropped
too. As it sits now at 3.1 and the Base used to be 3.2.

For example, if the disk WEI changed for the worse, it could
be that the hard drive is throwing CRC errors, and the disk
interface has switched to PIO mode in defense. And then,
your problem is caused by 4-7MB/sec max disk transfer rates
caused by PIO.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_System_Assessment_Tool

Paul

All of the scores are: 5.1 4.5 2.9 3.1 4.5. The only ones that I am sure
has changed are the two graphic ones. All of the other ones I don't
think changed a bit.

Performance wise, I haven't noticed any difference other than WMC. Even
the AverTV player seems to be performing normally. I checked the updates
and it says I can uninstall SP1. Or would System Restore be a better
option?

 

[Paul]

In

Thanks Paul! "Graphics: Desktop performance for Windows Aero". It was
3.2 and is now 2.9. After the updates WMC played the TV like 1 frame per
second. I rebooted and it is much better, but still far from what it
used to be. Then I checked WEI and it stated there was a hardware change
(there hasn't been any hardware change at all). So I reran the
assessment and found the drop. Apparently the "Gaming Graphics" dropped
too. As it sits now at 3.1 and the Base used to be 3.2.


All of the scores are: 5.1 4.5 2.9 3.1 4.5. The only ones that I am sure
has changed are the two graphic ones. All of the other ones I don't
think changed a bit.

Performance wise, I haven't noticed any difference other than WMC. Even
the AverTV player seems to be performing normally. I checked the updates
and it says I can uninstall SP1. Or would System Restore be a better
option?

OK, my theory would be, that the graphics driver got changed.

You'd have to go back to the conditions before SP1, find out the
driver version, then see whether it's still the same after SP1.
Windows does contain drivers that they got from the manufacturer,
and if you'd never installed a driver update straight from the graphics
company web site, perhaps SP1 replaced the driver on its own ?

Maybe graphics acceleration is entirely disabled in hardware,
and your processor is doing it all ?

I made a backup before SP1, and because I was checking some stuff
along the way, I had snapshots. I actually restored from backup,
to before SP1, and did it over again. So I could get a better
understanding of what was going on.

I've had one driver bundled with a Windows OS, where the driver
would only enable hardware acceleration on one of two channels
in the card. And it would revert to "pixmap copies" byte by byte
when you moved a window around the screen. Very slow and annoying.
A new driver straight from ATI fixed that.

Paul

 

[DanS]

In

Thanks Paul! "Graphics: Desktop performance for Windows
Aero". It was 3.2 and is now 2.9. After the updates WMC
played the TV like 1 frame per second. I rebooted and it is
much better, but still far from what it used to be. Then I
checked WEI and it stated there was a hardware change
(there hasn't been any hardware change at all). So I reran
the assessment and found the drop. Apparently the "Gaming
Graphics" dropped too. As it sits now at 3.1 and the Base
used to be 3.2.


All of the scores are: 5.1 4.5 2.9 3.1 4.5. The only ones
that I am sure has changed are the two graphic ones. All of
the other ones I don't think changed a bit.

Performance wise, I haven't noticed any difference other
than WMC. Even the AverTV player seems to be performing
normally. I checked the updates and it says I can uninstall
SP1. Or would System Restore be a better option?

LOL.