You are currently browsing the Tech Talk with Homerun Networks weblog archives for February, 2010.
15. February 2010 by Myke.
Microsoft has been tracking some odd issues that occur on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. These bugs are not typically fixed via Windows Update, because these hotfixes should only be applied to systems that are experiencing specific problems. So if you are not severely affected by either of them, wait for the relevant service packs. Here are the four most prominent issues, listed in order of decreasing severity.
The first manifests itself when the computer crashes after it runs for some time, with the user seeing the following BSOD (the four parameters vary depending on the computer):
STOP: 0x0000000A (parameter1, parameter2, parameter3, parameter4) IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
Microsoft explains that the issue occurs because Power Manager opens an Advanced Local Procedure Call (ALPC) port and closes another port instead of closing the ALPC one, resulting in a successive memory leak, leading to an eventual crash. If you’re affected, this is for you: Hotfix Request.
Few users realize the second issue is a bug. As described in KB958685, it affects all versions of Vista, Windows Server 2008, and Windows 7. If the user puts the notebook to sleep while its lid is still open and then afterwards closes the lid while the computer is still asleep, Windows will only display a blank screen and a mouse pointer upon wake. This continues until a key is pressed or the mouse is clicked. You can wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix (SP1 on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, SP2 on Vista) or you can click this: Hotfix Request.
The third issue is described in KB978789 and specifically applies to computers with chipsets from the Intel 5 Series or the Intel 3400 Series families coupled with Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional, or Ultimate. Using a USB bulk storage device that has pending control and bulk traffic with such a Windows-based computer will result in the device becoming unresponsive, with the iPhone mentioned as a culprit.
Microsoft doesn’t have a hotfix for this problem, suggesting that the user contact the computer/motherboard manufacturer for a BIOS update.
The last problem is explained in KB975360 and affects all editions of Windows 7. It is only evident with computers that have a quad-core processor and support multitouch, and involves the Microsoft Rebound game from the Microsoft Touch Pack for Windows 7 not responding if you try to launch it. Since this is entirely a Microsoft problem, here’s the solution: Hotfix Request.
Microsoft is expected to offer SP1 for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 this fall.
post information: Emil Protalinski
posted by: Myke Reinhold
Posted in Microsoft | 1 Comment »
14. February 2010 by Myke.
“…oops I did it again…” No we are not going to discuss Britney Spears but some folks at Microsoft are scrambling for answers after a serious update failure. The MS10-015 update bulletin is causing some systems to lock up and then during the boot up they BSOD into a never ending boot cycle. Ouch.
Here is the crazy part of the equation, some systems do just fine. I have tested the updates on 10 workstations and 4 have crashed out and died while the other 6 were perfectly fine. I need to clarify one piece though, each of these systems are exactly the same…EXACTLY. Each one is a virtual desktop with the exact same applications, updates and I used the exact same disc to build the machines. I ran updates on all 10 systems one at a time.
On the four dead systems here is what I did to repair them.
Of course this may or may not fix your system, but so far it has worked for my dead test systems.
Confused? You are not alone on this one. Folks have been trying to figure out what happened and everyone seems to be testing this like crazy. My final thought on the issue…TOO MANY security fixes and tweaks in one bulletin. Each time Microsoft tries to update systems with a large amount of security fixes and tweaks it seems like they get a large amount of failures. Seems like they should have broke this months updates into 2 for the month…which they have done before.
Other related stories on this issue.
MS update gives some XP boxes the Blue Screen
New Patches Cause BSoD for Some Windows XP Users
Microsoft Blog post on this issue.
Restart issues after installing MS10-015
Microsoft’s workaround for this issue.
Microsoft Security Advisory: Vulnerability in Windows Kernel could allow elevation of privilege
As always, enjoy your updating and let us know if you encounter any other nasty issues.
posted by: Myke Reinhold
Posted in Security, Microsoft, Desktops, Laptops | No Comments »