windows 7 service pack 1 - don't do it

[TinkerinWstuff]

my 2 month old laptop was set to automatically install updates. Now it will only boot in safe mode. Tried rolling back with system restore but old restore points are gone.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/03/14/microsoft_windows_7_sp1_fatal_error/

Fuckers

[grim]

my 2 month old laptop was set to automatically install updates. Now it will only boot in safe mode. Tried rolling back with system restore but old restore points are gone.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/03/14/microsoft_windows_7_sp1_fatal_error/

Fuckers

oh yea I heard about that...i know how to fix it steps are below:


1. take any windows based computer and throw it out the window!

2. go get a Mac!!!

3. windows sucks!!

that is all.

[CYCLE_MONKEY]

I heard that from another friend too.

[Ted]

oh yea I heard about that...i know how to fix it steps are below:


1. take any windows based computer !

2. Install Linux on it, preferably a Redhat based distro !!!

3. windows sucks!!

that is all.

fixed ...

I believe Macs essential run a BSD linux kernel ... someone correct if i am wrong..

[dm_gsxr]

fixed ...

I believe Macs essential run a BSD linux kernel ... someone correct if i am wrong..

Nah, the kernel itself is the old NeXT kernel with some BSDish modifications. The surrounding utilities are BSD. I noticed with my Powerbook G4, I had to do a "ps -aux" vs "ps -ef" but my new MacBook Pro accepts "ps -ef" without a problem.

I might suggest installing Ubuntu though. The distro is pretty user friendly. I'd throw a VMWare layer on a system and then install several different OS's to give different things a try if I thought VMWare could properly support four monitors with two lame-assed Radeon 4870 video cards.

Carl

[Devaclis]

I have implemented Windows SP1 on 997 computers in a corporate enrivonment with no issues. Pushed out via Altiris Patch Management AND updated manually through the Windows Updates application. Desktops and Laptops.

I am running it on all 4 of my personal Win7 systems as well with no problems.

Now, I have heard from friends that it "hosed" their systems. On 1 of them I found that their antivirus was interfering with the update. On one of them I found that their hardware was causing issues as it was not supported/legacy.

Seriously, it's not time to panic or encourage everyone in the entire world to not install this update. It has been around for quite some time and it works. Some systems my have problems. This is the case with any update like this. Let's be a little more realistic about these things. Microsoft is not sending out updates that will invalidate each and every one of their operating systems due to an update. If you believe that, you should step away from technology.

As for the "Buy a Mac" people; Not everyone is an idiot requiring a toy that looks pretty and makes them feel like a hipster douchebag. Yes, Macs are great and they work like a motherfucker. But to suggest switching to one just because windows based PC's are hacked, get viruses, break is just rediculous. Mac's are suceptable to the same problems. They just cost more and require an appointment at a "Genius Bar" to get repaired unless you can do the work yourself.

[gtn]

I have implemented Windows SP1 on 997 computers in a corporate enrivonment with no issues. Pushed out via Altiris Patch Management AND updated manually through the Windows Updates application. Desktops and Laptops.

I am running it on all 4 of my personal Win7 systems as well with no problems.

Now, I have heard from friends that it "hosed" their systems. On 1 of them I found that their antivirus was interfering with the update. On one of them I found that their hardware was causing issues as it was not supported/legacy.

Seriously, it's not time to panic or encourage everyone in the entire world to not install this update. It has been around for quite some time and it works. Some systems my have problems. This is the case with any update like this. Let's be a little more realistic about these things. Microsoft is not sending out updates that will invalidate each and every one of their operating systems due to an update. If you believe that, you should step away from technology.

As for the "Buy a Mac" people; Not everyone is an idiot requiring a toy that looks pretty and makes them feel like a hipster douchebag. Yes, Macs are great and they work like a motherfucker. But to suggest switching to one just because windows based PC's are hacked, get viruses, break is just rediculous. Mac's are suceptable to the same problems. They just cost more and require an appointment at a "Genius Bar" to get repaired unless you can do the work yourself.

Spot on Dana!

In my IT career I've played with a lot of OSes. I won't bore you with a list unless you make me. And if I hold up a fist I am holding up a finger for each one that didn't totally suck in some way.

[grim]

Yes, Macs are great and they work like a motherfucker.

BING ALL THAT MATTERS TO ME!!!

Besides i use Windows at work all the time Designing my gearboxes and what not windows isnt the worst thing in the world, I just dont like that they dont run as smooth as Macs do.

[TFOGGuys]

I just built a new system with 7 Pro SP1, no issues. Yes, my computers are now from the 21st century...

[taikahn]

windows - don't do it

Fixed. ;)

[modette99]

Nah, the kernel itself is the old NeXT kernel with some BSDish modifications. The surrounding utilities are BSD. I noticed with my Powerbook G4, I had to do a "ps -aux" vs "ps -ef" but my new MacBook Pro accepts "ps -ef" without a problem.

I might suggest installing Ubuntu though. The distro is pretty user friendly. I'd throw a VMWare layer on a system and then install several different OS's to give different things a try if I thought VMWare could properly support four monitors with two lame-assed Radeon 4870 video cards.

Carl

So is that a command for the Sony PS1....how do you enter that???

[dm_gsxr]

The warning was from March so hopefully Microsoft will have found and addressed the problem with the update. And I use Windows, Mac, Linux, Solaris, and OpenBSD. They all have their problems and strengths.

I like my Windows box for its ability to seamlessly manage four monitors, cygwin, and gaming.

I like my Mac for its Unix interface and how it all works together.

I like Linux/OpenBSD/Solaris for their ability to be speedy, efficient, and secure servers.

Carl

[dm_gsxr]

So is that a command for the Sony PS1....how do you enter that???

Don't have a PS1 or any console for that matter. :)

Carl

[Ted]

The warning was from March so hopefully Microsoft will have found and addressed the problem with the update. And I use Windows, Mac, Linux, Solaris, and OpenBSD. They all have their problems and strengths.

I like my Windows box for its ability to seamlessly manage four monitors, cygwin, and gaming.

I like my Mac for its Unix interface and how it all works together.

I like Linux/OpenBSD/Solaris for their ability to be speedy, efficient, and secure servers.

Carl

:up:

I don't even bother with Cygwin anymore. What a f%$ing pain !!! Always gives me nothing but trouble. Maybe i just need to invest time and use it more.

[dm_gsxr]

:up:

I don't even bother with Cygwin anymore. What a f%$ing pain !!! Always gives me nothing but trouble. Maybe i just need to invest time and use it more.

What sort of problems? Everything seems to work ok for me but I'm really only using it for shell access to my unix systems at home and redirecting X Window sessions when needed.

And there are a few seams but only physically :)

http://www.schelin.org/jpgshow.php?DSCN2475.JPG

Carl

[Nick_Ninja]

W7 SP1 pushed out through SCCM to 250 client machines. No issues.

/thread

[grim]

What sort of problems? Everything seems to work ok for me but I'm really only using it for shell access to my unix systems at home and redirecting X Window sessions when needed.

And there are a few seams but only physically :)

http://www.schelin.org/jpgshow.php?DSCN2475.JPG

Carl

dude HOLY SHIT!!!! ive never seen a computer screen setup like that!!

[Zach929rr]

dude HOLY SHIT!!!! ive never seen a computer screen setup like that!!

I'll be sure to post my setup when I get home.

[Ricky]

Typically (like 99% of the time in an IT environment) when you update an OS, it can cause problems for other pieces of software. For all you know, some virus software that is installed is actually the culprit. But usually everyone instantly points the finger at Microsoft and windows itself. Nobody ever wants to blame the 3rd party software they have running on their system. The fact is that 3rd party software probably wasn't tested with that OS update, and they aren't compatible. That's the fault of the software developer, no matter how much you want to blame Microsoft for changing the OS to create the problem. Often these problems arise from fixes due to vulnerabilities, or bugs. This is why, when you work for a large corporation, IT is so hardcore about what updates are installed, and when they get installed. There's oldskool software out there that just won't run on SP1.

Most of us here at work run windows 7 in 64bit mode. As a matter of fact, since I installed SP1 on my machine, it's been up for the last 118 days and 22 hours, straight. Quad core i7, 12GB RAM, 3 monitors. No crashes, and as rock solid as any other operating system out there. But then, I'm using mostly microsoft software for my development, and I don't use any software that puts deep hooks into the OS (virus software).

Sometimes people just don't realize what 3rd party software can do on this type of wide open OS development environment where it's not been tested.

[Ted]

What sort of problems? Everything seems to work ok for me but I'm really only using it for shell access to my unix systems at home and redirecting X Window sessions when needed.

And there are a few seams but only physically :)



Carl

Specifically, upgrading specific and/or all packages, and uninstalling. It never seems to completely uninstall itself out of the registry, and my ambition far outweighs my talent when it comes to manually messing with stuff in the registry.

If i had run into similar problems on a linux system, i would have probably invested the time to sort it out.

It got frustrating to the point where i i simply coughed up the $$$ and invested in Xwin32. This was three years ago and life has been great since...

That monitor setup is cool. I thought my 4 monitor setup was the shit, but you got me beat !!!

[Ted]

I'll be sure to post my setup when I get home.

new thread ??? I might a shot or two somewhere :yes:

[grim]

new thread ??? I might a shot or two somewhere :yes:

Fuck yea all i have at home is an ipad and a macbook i wanna see some super massive computer setups....

so i can call you all nerds

[dm_gsxr]

dude HOLY SHIT!!!! ive never seen a computer screen setup like that!!

I actually saw a Wal*Mart support area with 6 screens a few years back which was what inspired me to start using multiple monitors.

Heck, if you check you can find fairly expensive monitor support stations that'll hold, I think 25 was one I saw. The problem of course is having the video cards to drive them. I have two Radeon 4870's so can support up to 4. The newer Radeon 5 and newer series can support 3 monitors per card plus they have Xfinity which lets you widen games to use all monitors.

I really only wanted three of them but they were on sale for $130 each and I couldn't pass up adding the fourth one on top. I do use them for various tasks but generally the top one is a holding area or plays movies/tv shows. Right and left hold directories or PDF displays and bottom is the browser or ssh session via cygwin.

I did build my own supports using wood and wall mounts for the monitors:

http://www.schelin.org/jpgshow.php?DSCN2487.JPG

More pictures over here: http://schelin.org/20101222/index.html

Carl

[dm_gsxr]

And I built the desks the monitors are sitting on. That project is over here:

http://carl.schelin.org/?p=106

Lots to read there :)

Carl

[Ricky]

Multiple monitor setups rule. I've got 3 here and 3 at home, and I don't know what I'd do if I had to cut back to 2!

[rforsythe]

dude HOLY SHIT!!!! ive never seen a computer screen setup like that!!

Heh, I remember carrying Carl's setup down there too.

Mine (all 5 screens are running off the Mac Pro you don't see, the laptop is not driving an external display)...

[grim]

Heh, I remember carrying Carl's setup down there too.

Mine (all 5 screens are running off the Mac Pro you don't see, the laptop is not driving an external display)...

Im starting to want something like that i usually have 12 million different tabs at the bottom of my screen.

The software my computer uses runs a different system and runs off our servers in NC so i am always having to switch screens it would be nice to not have to and just have it right there on a different moniter!

[dm_gsxr]

Heh, I remember carrying Carl's setup down there too.

Mine (all 5 screens are running off the Mac Pro you don't see, the laptop is not driving an external display)...

Yea, I craigslisted the three big 22" monitors. The two 17" LCDs are way over to the left now; one for the Linux firewall and one as a second monitor to my work laptop when I have to work from home.

My work setup is two laptops, two desktops with 5 screens total and I run synergy for full keyboard/mouse access. I have 15,000 pictures as my screen saver which occasionally raises a few questions by folks who stop by with questions. :)

Carl

[Devaclis]

Got rid of the 26" LCD and installed a 32" TV instead. Next to the tine 21" workhorse. I miss having 3 monitors but it HAS cut down on my OCD quite a bit.

[sprtbkbabe]

I feel such failure with only one monitor! LOL


Which one do you guys save in the event of a fire?

[dm_gsxr]

The backups of course.

:)

Carl

[Sean]

http://carl.schelin.org/?p=106

CarlSorry to thread-jack. But Carl, do you work/volunteer at sporting events in Boulder? I could swear that I saw that same TransAlp at a triathlon this weekend.

[dm_gsxr]

Sorry to thread-jack. But Carl, do you work/volunteer at sporting events in Boulder? I could swear that I saw that same TransAlp at a triathlon this weekend.

Not all the time and not this time. There are a couple of transalps in the area.

Carl

[TinkerinWstuff]

Seriously, it's not time to panic or encourage everyone in the entire world to not install this update.

I know you're right, but doesn't stop me from being f'n pissed off. This thing is 2 months old, brand new off the shelf. I don't have near enough porn or interwebz browsing time to pick up enough virus' to blame. I have brand new, up to date, virus software, kaspersky. For fun I called Bestbuy to see what the Geek Squad would say since it was two months old (fully knowing it wasn't either of their fault but wth?). Their only three options all started with, "we'll wipe it clean and reinstall OS".


The warning was from March so hopefully Microsoft will have found and addressed the problem with the update.

Carl

Except it just happened to me this weekend...


Nobody ever wants to blame the 3rd party software they have running on their system. The fact is that 3rd party software probably wasn't tested with that OS update, and they aren't compatible.

So maybe.... Wouldn't it make sense that the OS would scan your system first and say, "you have software that's not Microsoft certified and may not work with this update. Would you you like to proceed, create a restore point BEFORE WE DELETE ALL YOUR PREVIOUS ONES, or fuck off?"


Sorry to thread-jack.

No worries, it was jacked long before you and it's all good.

I've used Turbo to do some of my IT shit when things have been over my head. I'll have him take a look at it tomorrow. Who knows if he'll be able to say what the original cause of the problem was since I already tried a system restore point, which was the day of the SP1 fuckup because SP1 deleted each prior point. The update went in and rebooted fine the first time. On the second reboot it continued to install more updates and rebooted fine. Then the third reboot installed further updates and started fine. On the fourth reboot it stuck and that's been it.

[AOK303]

dmgsxr you have the same tower as me well the case i had a 3 monitor set up but having comp issues now so no monitor set up =(

[Ricky]

So maybe.... Wouldn't it make sense that the OS would scan your system first and say, "you have software that's not Microsoft certified and may not work with this update. Would you you like to proceed, create a restore point BEFORE WE DELETE ALL YOUR PREVIOUS ONES, or fuck off?"

Pretty much every application you install on your computer is potentially incompatible. Even Microsoft programs. Restore points can become problematic, and it's also known to be a vulnerability in earlier versions of windows 7 and Vista. Service packs have always been known as major changes to the operating, nearly akin to a complete reinstall. They generally aren't uninstallable, and it's not recommended anyway.

When you run the SP1 installer on your own, it has a pretty good warning about compatibility and not being able to go back. I don't leave automatic updates on because it just creates a headache. I let it download whatever, then I choose what and when to install.

[dm_gsxr]

So far I haven't had any problems with automated updates. I have crappy AMD Radeon video cards which cause blue screens of death on boot about 75% of the time:

http://www.schelin.org/jpgshow.php?DSCN2481.JPG

So if I apply the Windows "update your AMD drivers" patch, it causes the system to be unusable. And since AMD doesn't have updates for the 4870's any more, I'm pretty much stuck (which I have been since I bought the multi-damned things).

I'm not buying AMD video cards any more. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

Carl

[TransNone13]

ATI (AMD now) drivers have always been their short fall. I'm not that old, but ever since I had a 9800Pro I've had to put up with the drivers before ditching them completely. nVidia drivers are better performing and more reliable.

[Ricky]

Nvidia has had their moments. I thought the 6XX chipsets they had on motherboards, were HORRIBLE. Their early Vista video card drivers were awful, but they have since fixed the issues. I stopped buying ATI cards years ago because of their notorious driver issues.

[TransNone13]

Nvidia has had their moments. I thought the 6XX chipsets they had on motherboards, were HORRIBLE. Their early Vista video card drivers were awful, but they have since fixed the issues. I stopped buying ATI cards years ago because of their notorious driver issues.

I'm speaking exclusively about their add-in cards. I've never used on-board or their chipsets.

[Ricky]

Their cards have always been top notch, their chipsets were crap. Most unstable computer I've ever had. Swapped out the board for an Intel chipset and all my problems went away, and it was much faster.

[dm_gsxr]

I was building my new gaming rig in 2008 and all the recommendations were to get the Radeon cards. I'd been using nVidia for the past couple of video cards but was using a couple of cheap ATI cards for the multi-monitor support.

I should have known better than go with ATI since even though the two cards supported my three monitor setup, looking at system information wouldn't report information on the second card.

My upgrade was a single Radeon 4870 (512M) and I wanted to use one of the cheap ATIs to support the third monitor while I waited for the prices to drop so I could get a second Radeon. But when I put both cards in the new system, Windows XP Pro refused to even start. I was forced to remove the cheap card and wipe and reinstall Windows.

From day 1 I was getting the blue screens shown above. But not every time and once it came up (as in warmed up) I seldom had a problem. I sent it back and they said it worked fine, no problems and sent it back to me. This was after 4 or 5 months of dealing with the monkeys at Diamond Multi-Media who closed the ticket on me once without warning or even contacting me. Scumbags.

I plugged it back in to my system and dealt with the problems since they didn't seem to affect the operation of the system other than on boot. I did have a problem a couple of times with the video getting out of sync.

A year later I installed Windows 7 and the last version of the Diamond drivers and the Radeon was stable for the first time. No errors in weeks of operation. I was to the point of pitching the card entirely and buying nVidia instead but with it working I not only held back but I purchased the second Radeon (for half of what the first one went for), this one a 1 Gig model. Unfortunately the system refused to boot with the second card installed. It took a bunch of tries before I figured it out.

The $%#@ Radeon drivers didn't like 1 G in slot one and the 512M in slot two. It assumed both were the same memory size and would write above 512M on the second card and blow chunks.

WTF! You can't read your damned video card information???

So I swapped cards. The 512M is in slot 1 and the 1G is in slot 2. And I still get Blue Screens fairly often but only on boot.

If I try to go into silly mode (connect both as a single card), it of course loses the other two monitors (which is annoying) and doesn't really improve the frame rate of the games I play.

I've been told there's a site with the most current stable drivers for the Radeons. I'll have to chase it down and give it a try.

Oh! And another annoying problem. When you update drivers, it generally fails. You have to fully remove the old drivers and use a registry cleaner to remove all remnants of the ATI entries in the registry _and_ you have to go into single user mode to delete any remnant ATI files or the new drivers won't work.

They may have the technical edge on video cards but their driver writers need to be fired... out of a cannon.

Damn, this still pisses me off.

Carl

[TinkerinWstuff]

So TurboGizmo checked out my laptop and his verdict was:

incompatible video drivers with SP1
incompatible anti virus version with SP1
Hard drive also spit out an error code and was repaired by Seatools.

[Zach929rr]

It was probably your gay porn dialers.

[TransNone13]

It was probably your gay porn dialers.

Or BonziBUDDY

[TurboGizzmo]

So TurboGizmo checked out my laptop and his verdict was:

incompatible video drivers with SP1
incompatible anti virus version with SP1
Hard drive also spit out an error code and was repaired by Seatools.

Glad its up and working again! Just watch that drive and keep good backups :)

[TinkerinWstuff]

I prefer the distinction "lesbian porn"