Windows 7 Update Sucker Punch

[FLYTYER]

On March 24 my laptop took a Windows 7 Update identified as critical.

Upon completion and then doing the required reboot, I found I had lost all Adobe related programs like Photoshop and Adobe Reader.

I attempted to do a system restore to a date one week older than March 24, but the restore crashed and reported that the Windows Installer was corrupt and several dll files were corrupted as well. I was able to save all the important data files and docs.

Fortunately I had done a recent system back up using the Acronis software system and using that I was able to get back in a few hours.

Because all of the prior settings are now gone I cannot confirm how the update occurred, but I do know I had the update feature turned off.

I recently read that even if your turn off the up date feature it can be turned back on by the Windows system...if this is correct then that is BIG problem for me...my computer is mine and I need to be the Master, not MS !!

Has anyone had this sort of thing happen with Win 7? Maybe I took a hit from something else that got through the ZoneAlarm firewall.

[Izzyblueye]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLYTYER On March 24 my laptop took a Windows 7 Update identified as critical. Upon completion and then doing the required reboot, I found I had lost all Adobe related programs like Photoshop and Adobe Reader. I attempted to do a system restore to a date one week older than March 24, but the restore crashed and reported that the Windows Installer was corrupt and several dll files were corrupted as well. I was able to save all the important data files and docs. Fortunately I had done a recent system back up using the Acronis software system and using that I was able to get back in a few hours. Because all of the prior settings are now gone I cannot confirm how the update occurred, but I do know I had the update feature turned off. I recently read that even if your turn off the up date feature it can be turned back on by the Windows system...if this is correct then that is BIG problem for me...my computer is mine and I need to be the Master, not MS !! Has anyone had this sort of thing happen with Win 7? Maybe I took a hit from something else that got through the ZoneAlarm firewall.

I have not updated to Windows 7 yet, however some how this week I lost two files that were loaded with highly personal information. I also did a system restore to a point that I know the files were still on line. I have done just about everything to try to find them and it has not produced any results. Beats me, what has happened.

[Gary - K7GLD]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homer I have not updated to Windows 7 yet, however some how this week I lost two files that were loaded with highly personal information. I also did a system restore to a point that I know the files were still on line. I have done just about everything to try to find them and it has not produced any results. Beats me, what has happened.

Big Brother is watching - and poking around inside selected PCs, looking for troublemakers...

[wkdwitch]

Son tells me Facebook has a "bug" that somehow 'steals' memory randomly......been there?

[powderman]

go to Barnes & Noble or other bookstore, and pay about $15 for a Linux mag with a Ubuntu disk. Do the install, and soon all your problems will be a thing of the past. No more crashes, no more viruses, and no more having to pay Bill or put up with his heavy handed tactics like forcing crap on you. I have been on it for a couple of years with no problems. BTW if you feel you need Mircocrap office, just go to Adobe and download Open Office for free. Oops I forgot it installs automatically when you put the linux distro up. You just have to have Windoze for special situations, just tell it to create a dual boot system when you install and you can load Windoze when you need or want it, which wont be very often.

[powderman]

To add to the above, If you haven't done so already, go and get a Google Gmail account. This is great because all your email is online so it doesn't take system resources and you can get to it from any computer. Also if you change your ISP in the future you don't have to give people a new address, as it will not change. You can also have your current ISP forward all your mail to your gmail account, so people with your current address wont need to make a change. This will work with Windows, Linux or Mac.

[1oleman]

I'm a cumputer idiot and no nothing about OS. Is there really something that I can use other than Windows? If so, what and how? Thanks,Ed

[Bill Adams]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1oleman I'm a cumputer idiot and no nothing about OS. Is there really something that I can use other than Windows? If so, what and how? Thanks,Ed

There is, but why would you? Windows is an excellent operating platform used by about 90% of all the people on the planet. You can download and install AVG A/V (free) and it, along with the Windows Firewall will take care of nearly all of your security needs. I do have the advantage of using a router between my computer and the internet for all of my connections (Satellite Internet or Cellular) so that does add an additional layer of protection that you could add by installing something like Zone Alarm but this is not one of my favorites.
If you know little about anything your worst threat is yourself. Don't open unsolicited e-mail attachments, don't click on unknown links, don't ever respond to any e-mail from any source that requests any personal information. Your bank won't, no,, you didn't win the lottery, no the Uncle you never knew didn't really die in Nigeria and no, your grandson is not really stranded in Cancun with no way to get home. Don't make yourself a victim and you will not be a victim.

[UFO Pilot]

Great advice Bill!

[DriVer]

I have upgraded Colleen's HP LT from Vista to W7 without too much trouble and it seems quite stable. I am running OE W7 on my HP DV6 LT with very good results. All in all I like W7 and it seems to be so much better than any of the predecessor OSs!

Both of our systems are using Notron Internet Security v2010.

[Ray,IN]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1oleman I'm a cumputer idiot and no nothing about OS. Is there really something that I can use other than Windows? If so, what and how? Thanks,Ed

I refer you to the above reply about switching to Linux OS, Ubuntu version.

[Izzyblueye]

Quote:

Originally Posted by powderman go to Barnes & Noble or other bookstore, and pay about $15 for a Linux mag with a Ubuntu disk. Do the install, and soon all your problems will be a thing of the past. No more crashes, no more viruses, and no more having to pay Bill or put up with his heavy handed tactics like forcing crap on you. I have been on it for a couple of years with no problems. BTW if you feel you need Mircocrap office, just go to Adobe and download Open Office for free. Oops I forgot it installs automatically when you put the linux distro up. You just have to have Windoze for special situations, just tell it to create a dual boot system when you install and you can load Windoze when you need or want it, which wont be very often.

Good advice Powderman. I already have the free Open Office downloaded and it works fine. Your other suggestion might have saved my file, hard to tell since I have no idea what happened to it. No other file was bothered. Fortunately it was all information of a personal nature, but of no value to any one else. I believe it happened while I was updating a rather intrusive program that I have used for years.

[powderman]

Thanks Homer. I am not that familiar with Win 7, but you might want to go into the control panel and see if you have hidden files turned on. I had a friend that couldn't find a file he swore was on the machine, and after much searching, found that the operating system had somehow marked it as a hidden file. Its worth a try.

[Izzyblueye]

Quote:

Originally Posted by powderman Thanks Homer. I am not that familiar with Win 7, but you might want to go into the control panel and see if you have hidden files turned on. I had a friend that couldn't find a file he swore was on the machine, and after much searching, found that the operating system had somehow marked it as a hidden file. Its worth a try.

POWDRMAN: Thanks for your help. I went to control panel, but could not find anything listed as hidden files. I am still on Win 6.0, would hidden files be under another heading? I checked a number of them, but could no mention of hidden files. The prognosis sounds reasonable.