Tip-Of-The-Week

April 13, 2007

From the Free Computer Consultant

http://www.FreeComputerConsultant.com

Windows Updates - Notify Me Only

[application_executable_name] - Illegal System DLL Relocation The system DLL user32.dll was relocated in memory. The application will not run properly. The relocation occurred because the DLL C:\Windows\System32\Hhctrl.ocx occupied an address range reserved for Windows system DLLs. The vendor supplying the DLL should be contacted for a new DLL.

Among others, it was a conflict with Realtek HD Audio software. And Realtek HD Audio is extremely common.

For some of my clients, this error popped up, they click Ok, and everything seems fine. For others, applications like QuickBooks refused to run at all. With the April 17th tax deadline fast approaching, you can imagine how popular that was with the Acountants!

It's for this reason that I really don't suggest individuals run automatic updates in "Automatic" mode, even though that's what Microsoft recommends. (Companies should use WSUS to control the enterprise, even if only 5 users.)

That way, when deadlines approach, you can be a bit more cautious and choose not to mess with updates until the deadline is past. Is that a security risk? Certainly; but in my opinion, a VERY minimal one.

Remember what I have said in the past: Your biggest enemy is your own surfing habits. If you are using SiteAdvisor (and following its advice) and especially if you have a QUALITY firewall like a Fortinet, your chances of getting hit with every little security flaw are quite minimal.

I have YET to see any professional document otherwise on the Web. Anywhere. If you have seen such documentation, please forward to me.

Select "Notify me but don't automatically download or install them"

Now, once you set this, you do have to pay attention to the update icon. Click on it, read about the updates then:

• IF you have a current backup
• AND you won't be up a creek if you're PC reacts negatively
• AND it appears by the description that you actually need it
• THEN go ahead, download and install

Some updates, like Internet Explorer 7, you can decline and tell it to not notify you again. At some point in the future you want it, then install it manually.

This prevents the occurrences this week of:
(user) "My program won't run"
(support staff) "Did you install any programs or make any changes since yesterday?"
(user) "No"

When the answer really is "Yes" but you weren't aware of the automatic update installing a patch. Analyze the pros and cons for yourself and decide accordingly. Myself, I just don't put full faith and credit in Microsoft - the folks that bring us the Blue Screen Of Death (BSOD).

Side Note: You may have noticed that the FCC Site Blog is a registry of content update for the site; not my daily observations.

I have a new Wordpress blog, named Daily Insights, that is my commentary based on what I was doing on that day. Check it out, I hope you find benefit there.

Hope this information is of use to you, that's it for this week.

When was the last time you backed up YOUR PC?

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The Free Computer Consultant