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Microsoft quashes 'black screen of death' speculation

by Shaun Nichols

02 Dec 2009

Comments: 13

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Microsoft
Microsoft believes the problems are down to registry-editing malware

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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