How to avoid problem updates

[mikeh]

I have recently done a clean reinstall of Vista and loaded all programs back on. All went well. Several updates installed ok.

Then a big set of 44 updates installed, and then the computer wouldn't do a restart.

 

I uninstalled the updates rather than a system restore, again, all went well and restarting wasn't a problem. I thought I could choose to manually install the updates one at a time until I found the one that caused the problem.

 

But I don't seemt to be able to stop update installation, so it's happened again this morning.

 

Please help?

[Plastic Nev]

Not a Vista owner so not sure, but is there a way to set updates to a custom setting in the updates controls?

If so you can hopefully then download the updates but again select custom install to untick them, then tick and install one at a time.

Hope that helps.

Nev.

[RandyL]

Go into the Windows Updates settings from the control panel and change the settings. You can choose to pick them or you can disable auto updates etc.

 

You can also hide a problematic update so you will never be bothered with it again.

 

Another thing to consider when manually updating is to install the oldest ones first one at a time. Reboot after each one.

 

Which one is giving you problems?

 

Do you need detailed instructions on changing the settings?

[mikeh]

I don't think I need instructions on changing the settings.

 

Windows installed around 83 updates this morning. Is there any way of working out which causes the problem other than uninstalling them all spending several hours installating and rebooting each one individually?

And if I do manage to identify it, isn't there a risk in not installing it?

 

I wondered whether it's best to wait for a cumulative update like SP1 or SP2, or doesn't it work like that?

 

I also wonder how big is the risk to not install them at all?

 

Thanks for help.

[RandyL]

I don't know of any other way.

 

SP2 for Vista has been out for some time now.

 

The risk depends on what the updates are. Security updates are a must.

[mikeh]

Ok, so I spent a whole day updating 80 or so updates. I found the one that causes the reboot problem (943899), and didn't install it.

I installed them (mostly) in order, starting with the lowest numbers, but it took hours.

Must remember to send Microsoft the bill for my time....

 

But at least I am a little more experienced than a week ago!