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02 Dec 2009
Microsoft is denying reports that its latest monthly security update is causing users to experience serious system problems.
The issues are said to stem from an error in the November Patch Tuesday release. Security firm Prevx originally reported that the update was editing registry keys, potentially causing an error that would leave users with a completely blank screen.
Soon after the Prevx report was released, Microsoft said that it began an investigation to find the cause of the errors.
"We have conducted a comprehensive review of the November Security Updates, the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool, and the non-security updates we released through Windows Update in November," the company said in a blog posting.
"That investigation has shown that none of these updates make any changes to the permissions in the registry. Thus, we do not believe the updates are related to the 'black screen' behaviour described in these reports."
Microsoft said that the exact cause of the errors is not known, but is believed to be associated with certain types of malware known to modify registry settings.
In an update and retraction to its original report, Prevx also suggested that a malware infection could be the culprit. The company is still offering a free tool to correct the black screen errors.
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Do you agree?
Black Screen of Death -
I had problems starting up after November updates installed. My PC (running windows XP) failed to boot properly on 3 occasions, the first two times getting a black screen, the third starting automatically in Safe Mode after getting a message that the device had recovered from a serious error. Took the option to start in normal mode and have not had a single problem since.
Posted by: Oldersox 08 Dec 2009
Just when you thought you heard everything
After reading some more FUD, it's amazing that MS will "in short time I'm sure" be responsible for power outages, hurricanes and mudslides, perhaps even some tornadoes thrown in. How in the world would a PC be KAPUT due to a Windows update? That's a new one. Spend 350 on a PC fix? Surely a Google search would have yielded a fix or you could have reinstalled the OS for the mere cost of nothing, zero, zilch, nada. What I find hilarious is all the B"lack"SODs people get all year around, prior to all the hoopla and because PrevX throws it out there, suddenly it's an epidemic. It's still not confirmed it was an MS issue, also, still no proof from people who complain, sure there are some B"lack"SODs, but it may not directly be related to this issue anyway. Anyone that would pay 350 instead of some easy steps to try and get help would obviously NOT know if they had a malware infection. Not to mention, "Kaput" is not a technical term, what really happened? Likely bad hard drive or power supply and if someone charged that amount to tell you that your PC is "Kaput", you need a refund. Now back to reality, it may or may not be MS's fault, no one knows, not even PrevX. I laugh because once again, even PC sites say there is assumed to be some B"lack"SODs out there so some of the issues are real. <<RIGHT... As I said, THIS HAPPENS TO USERS ALL THE TIME, due to X-amount of issues, but suddenly it's all pointed at an update. I say, even if the update causes this in X-amount of computers, by no means is it the ONLY reason. So truly, why all the assumptions until anyone knows? Even if MS finds it's their issue, I can guarantee there will be issues of the same caliber that have nothing to do with the update.
Posted by: PChammer 08 Dec 2009
I just wish I had Listened to my suspicions before replacing my defunt PC
Approximately two weeks ago my PC would not shut down - I suspected after a Windows Auto Update and despite trying many things afterwards was not reliable in start up, so took it for service to be told that it was kapput. It has cost me &#163;350 to solve and lots of time - thanks a bunch MS!!
Posted by: Richard Jones 07 Dec 2009
Needle in a haystack
While I don't doubt some are experiencing a problem here, and I sympathize with the people afflicted and their suffering, the vast majority of Windows users aren't impacted by this. That doesn't give MS much to go on for pursuing the issue, if in fact it is related to their updates.
Posted by: EJ 07 Dec 2009
Another View
Well, I repair computers for a living and have Win 7, XP and Vista all in my own home on different computers. I have repaired at least 14 computers, 12 of which had Vista or XP, 2 had Win 7, and so far I have not seen the black screen of death at my home or otherwise. Another thing, it is only an assumption of the growing numbers of computers that actually have this issue since Prev-x is going by the number of downloads of the fix which was around 50,000. Let's look at how many net admins, pc repair people and just people who want the fix "in case" have downloaded. Another problem, Prev-x apologized to MS because they were the ones to connect the updates to the issues without any proof whatsoever other than the fact updates were issued. Those who get a message saying their Windows is not genuine, then it's not, either you have an illegal copy or accidentally bought one, either way, this has nothing to do with the update, suck it up and get a legal OS. How many of you have checked for malware? So everyone jumps the "I'm going to a new OS bandwagon" over something that has a fix, that isn't proven to be MS's issue, that Prev-x started without warrant, and may be malware or some other issue. Amazing. I expected to see some intelligent feedback from some people on this issue, documentation, SOMETHING but all there is, is whining which does no good anyway. If it IS MS's fault, it would be better to uninstall the last updates and create a report, or something viable to look at. I am not sticking up for MS, never much have but in this case, it's a FUD attack currently. Nothing more.
Posted by: PChammer 04 Dec 2009
I've seen this fault
I've had to fix a friends laptop as they had this error twice in about 4 weeks. It goes black, as they say, but you can move the mouse around, not that you can do anything. I fixed it by starting up in safe mode and running my virus checker (AVG) fully. I then found I could reboot normally and it was okay after that. AVG isn't reporting any virus' but it does something because it has repaired the PC twice now. Its Vista home premium on a Dell latitude
Posted by: Paul Swift 04 Dec 2009
ms black screen of death
my son's laptop refused to boot after loading the last security update - fortunately we had a recovery disc which allowed recovery from the day before the "security" update!
Posted by: D.W.Oram 04 Dec 2009
V3.co.uk Needs to Keep on This Story
I am hoping that V3.co.uk stays on this story and keeps reporting the results. It sure does seem that the update broke things, regardless of what Microsoft says... and regardless of what retraction they may have "persuaded" Prevx to make.
Posted by: Jeff 03 Dec 2009
Calm down dear !
With the retraction and back peddling of the comments from Prevx it could well be a conflict with some other malware editing keys that its not supposed to. The trouble with an OS is that there are so many variables that can cause other variables to change which can inevitably cause system problems. The article doesnt say what version of windows is affected? i havent heard anything through the grapevine locally to me of any serious problems from any recent patches. Time will tell of course, as to the root course, if it isnt microsofts fault im sure they will print and blog everywhere they can how innocent they are, but to be honest so long as the problem is fixed and doesnt effect me in a big way i would be happy.
Posted by: Carl Dean 03 Dec 2009
"Debunked"... -but NOT debugged!
Microsoft can debunk what they want, the situation remains the same. Many people have been affected, ALL with Windows o/s installed. Just what is Microsoft's "malware detection thingy ma bob" good for if it doesn't even detect something it's installing? Problem is, like many, many other aspects of life, when one thing/person becomes too powerful and influential they feel that they can do want they want, and do so. Disturbing that ANYTHING or ANYONE can finally influence, by intention or mistake, other people's lives. Honesty is, one says, a virtue - but it's a lost virtue - one could almost say a "virtual virtue" No doubt the truth will out - sometime - probably when a Microsoft employee is offered enough "virtue" money to tell the World, but history (particularly recent history) is full of other examples. I'm "LEARNING LINUX"!.
Posted by: mrlemarquis(iwmpop) 03 Dec 2009
EPIC FAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Weenies at Microsoft really blew it! Like a good lamb I downloaded the required update and the next time I turned on the computer I got the now infamous black screen. I got on the phone to Bombay or Dehli - Bangalore or whereever & they were WORTHLESS! It was suggested that I go buy another boot disc! Yah, MAC is starting to look really attractive right now. How can they do that and deny responsibility for bad product? Smooth move Microsoft! and during the on-line shopping season too! I suggest a class action so we can each collect $6.00 nine years from now!!!)
Posted by: June 02 Dec 2009
Now I know....!
Well, well! Now I've had the confirmation. After the latest (November) updates, all 3 of my PC's had problems, one after the other! The two Desktop PC's had to be reinstalled in the "BIOS" system (reinstall default values) and my laptop decided that it could no longer load Windows (a "KBC" error requiring the same action).All the same, it took me a good 4 days to find the solution - don't know how less experienced people are getting on-payday for the local pro' I suppose! All 3 were REGISTRY problems, and all 3 came immediately after downloading and installing Microsoft's updates! LINUX has never looked so inviting, bearing in mind the fact that I'm still on WIN XP (SP3) and I'm going to have to take something else sometime! I hope the Google Chrome o/s (Linux based) will be available shortly for both laptops and Desktops because I'm sick of Microsoft, its greedy money appetite (they are already talking about WIN 8!), and its uselessness and lack of client care. I'll be thinking 2 or 3 times in the future about Microsofr updates! At least I know now that the problems were NOT from my PC's! I'm just surprised that none of the other "advice" or "warning" sites I'm aubscribed to had anything about this! Fingers up (to) Microsoft!
Posted by: iwmpop-Ian W Mitchell 02 Dec 2009
Screen of death
They've really f***cked up this one! after that update, every time I boot I get a screen that says that my copy of windows was successfully verified but at the bottom of the screen there's another message saying that the copy is not genuine!!!!
Posted by: Samuel Ndaula 02 Dec 2009