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Did Bad Microsoft Updates bite you ?

Tiny

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2010
Messages
2,126
Location
NW Missouri
They hit my computer hard . Started a month ago with little random things would act up . Memory maxed notices then random shut downs or restarts . I tried the fixes that MS put out to clear things up and it didn't help . Last Wednesday it started going to black screen then flash a few notices super quick then off . Friday the same .random shut downs and One blue screen flash then off .

I had no clue if I had hardware trouble or not on top of the Microsoft stuff but it was get so the dyeing was nearly every hr . I felt I had nothing to lose when a friend said something about a different operating system . I had never attempted anything like that . This thing was headed for the scrap heap if it kept up it's present rate of decline .

After 12 hours of fighting and figuring stuff out , It was done . Microsoft 7 was gone . My biggest deal was this was a "yard sale" machine which meant if the machine had 7 disc's .. they kept them . I did not have the cash to buy new 7 disc's so I went with a free open source operating system . At the moment I have no clue weather or not I have cut my own throat but 2 days into this I have not had an error or shut down or any stupid happen .

Just wondering if any one else has gotten away from MS other than buying a mac computer . The operating system is called Ubuntu . It has it's own versions of MS programs .

One reason I felt I could get by with this is , I do not bank from the computer or for that matter buy off the net .
 
Last edited:

CM1995

Administrator
Joined
Jan 21, 2007
Messages
13,247
Location
Alabama
Occupation
Running what I brung and taking what I win
Took care of it Tiny.:)

I went Mac in 2011 and I have no regrets. It was a learning curve, no it was a pain in the ass to learn the operating system relative to where files are located, how files are saved and shared and other things but I wouldn't go back.

That being said I do run Microsoft Office for Mac as I didn't like Apple's office suite, specifically Numbers. I have used Excel for 16+ years prior to going Mac and I am too stubborn and set in my ways to change the way I estimate projects that bring home the bacon.;)
 

Tiny

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2010
Messages
2,126
Location
NW Missouri
There has been a huge learning curve to this set up . Been some frustration but nearly any problem you encounter has a youtube vid to address it . :) . Everything is up and running . Microsoft just wore me out with the cost and updates . Then they put out the messed up updates and I was shut down .

Had to do this to get up and running . I saw zero cents in putting another nickel in MS's pocket so they could screw something else up
 

lantraxco

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2009
Messages
7,704
Location
Elsewhen
The best thing is, if you want to update or upgrade in the future, YOU get to pick the time and the price, not the hackers in Seattle... I swear some of the supposed security fixes actually sabotage your "obsolete" version in the hopes you will buy the latest and greatest. That's what they did with XP, I still love XP Pro, but I have had to move to 7 to run my accounting package.
 

CRAFT

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2010
Messages
929
Location
100 M H,BC,Canada
Occupation
30 yrs Owner/Operator
As CM did Tiny, I also went MAC ……. and as you were "FED-UP" with the cash grab and dash attitude of MS and affiliated companies like, Norton, McFee …. and the sorts !!!

I found that, as CM said, the learning curve a tiny-bit (no pun intended Tiny…lol) of a struggle, but it was NO WORSE than having to re-learn a New MS system every couple of years Every-Time MS had a Brain Fart to create another Cash Grab !!!

……… Been the easiest 2yrs of having a computer since '95 …….. the only updates that we see are system operating improvements as the Microsoft for MAC, or Adobe Reader …. Little things ….NONE of those twice a weeks 2hr downloads of Security updates …. I also use an iPhone and iPad … I Love the way the three of them communicate with each other, like the transferring of pics taken on the iPhone of Jobs site info or what ever….. I don't ever have to think about "Now How Do I Do This Again Stuff BS" … All Data is backed up Automatically and easy to find (for a D-A like Me …. LOL)

I WENT MAC !!! … and WILL NEVER GO BACK !!!
 

skyman

New Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2015
Messages
1
Location
Los Angles
You can start a restore point, in case the update bits. Last time I made an unnecessary microsoft update, my screen just go black. I have to restart in safe mode, so I use a software called driver booster to control the driver updated now, especially from microsoft. Just protect stay in the old good state before the the bad updates bite me.
 

RonG

Charter Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2003
Messages
1,833
Location
Meriden ct
Occupation
heavy equipment operator
You can dual boot just about any Linux distro so you don't get in a bind,I always have at least one computer with Linux on it.It seems as though Ubuntu has the hot setup these days.Ron G
 

zhkent

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2007
Messages
294
Location
Kansas
Occupation
Earthmoving
Tiny I have had good luck with ubuntu, currently 12.04. It has auto ubdates but you can shut them off if you want.
12.04 had the unity desktop, like microsoft it was designed to be used with tablets and touchscreens. I didn't like it at all.
Unlike microsoft you can make changes, so I was able to change that to gnome 3, which is a lot like windows 7.
There are youtube videos on how, and the differences. I would reccomend the change.
 

roddyo

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2008
Messages
788
Location
Arkansas
Occupation
Manipulator of the Planet
I'm getting ready to try Linux myself, probably using a dual boot. I'll probably have some questions before it's over
 

seatwarmer

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2013
Messages
598
Location
South Africa
Occupation
Enterprise Engineer
I'm getting ready to try Linux myself, probably using a dual boot. I'll probably have some questions before it's over

There are quite a lot of people here that will be able to help.
I wont go the dual boot way, rather try the "live" usb stick method. It safer.
 

RonG

Charter Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2003
Messages
1,833
Location
Meriden ct
Occupation
heavy equipment operator
I don't have the latest Mandriva (Mandrake from the old days) but I have always had good luck with it.If you run Open Office with any of the linux distros you can do pretty much anything that Microsoft Office can do and also read the Microsoft generated files.The newer Ubuntu looks pretty good although I have not spent much time with it since I installed it.You might not like running from a thumb drive as it will be slower than you might expect.You can run it from the live CD before you install it to get a feel for it which I am sure you know.Ron G
 

roddyo

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2008
Messages
788
Location
Arkansas
Occupation
Manipulator of the Planet
I've got the latest copies of Ubuntu, Mint and Zorin. I'm pretty commited to the swap. I have some diagonistic programs that have to run on XP and/or windows 7, that's the thinking behind running a dual boot. I hope they will run using the emulator or possibly using a virtual machine. If so, I guess I could swap to Linux completely.

Keep in mind, I have absolutely know idea what I'm talking about. At this point all my knowledge is in theory:) and it is pretty limited.
 

zhkent

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2007
Messages
294
Location
Kansas
Occupation
Earthmoving
I bought a laptop with dual boot, windows 7 and ubuntu. It's little slower booting because it loads up a boot loader, then you choose, then it boots.
I have a desktop running ubuntu with virtualbox and windows xp in that. On this one I can switch back and forth.
If your interested in trying linux you may want to install virtualbox in windows, then install linux in that http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/virtualbox
I prefer the gnome desktop which is standard in mint. Ubuntu comes with unity then has to be switched to gnome.
Be glad to help with questions if I can.
 

Czubek

Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2015
Messages
13
Location
Missouri
Been using LinuxMint 17.x (just updated to 17.3) LTS on a treble boot system (LM17.x, Win7 and Fedora 21). The LM17.x is the main system on this machine and I only use the others for... I dunno why?

I cannot see ever going back to Windows for anything.

Brian
 

daddy2kids

Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2017
Messages
19
Simple reminder for updating your windows, ONLY INSTALL SECURITY UPDATES!
Don't install other updates if you don't want telemmetry by Microsoft installed to track you.
 

zhkent

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2007
Messages
294
Location
Kansas
Occupation
Earthmoving
I switched my computers from ubuntu to debian 8.
Ubuntu seemed to want to update more than it used to.
Debian 8 is the grouchy old guy distro, only comes with a few programs installed, but lots available to easily install.
 

petepilot

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 7, 2018
Messages
2,167
Location
central shenandoah valley va,
I have a feeling a ms update is what got my comp.2 days before xmas. The boot mgr.gave up so no way at all to get into the mach.to do anything .reading these post has sure got me thinking about a mac for a replacement. This c.ph.sucks for typing
 

Tiny

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2010
Messages
2,126
Location
NW Missouri
My 10 year old computer with linux Died . Decided to get a laptop . It has windows 10 on it . I miss the ubuntu . when the warranty is up on this one or the 1st update jacks , I'm going back.
 
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