Just before you shut-down, you see something strange today. The screen reads “Configuring” instead of “Shutting Down..”

When you read that doesn’t your heart start beating ? Will the PC work fine when it starts the next time ?

Two days ago, I did what MS advices, Do Windows Update and this applies to VISTA which I happen to have and regret not knowing much about which old software that made holes in my wallet, will no work or not. Since this OS is here to stay, I guess, there is no escaping.

I came home after work. Turned on the PC. Now Internet won’t work. There under the Windows UPDATE, one item had failed. When I tried to remove it, there was no “Uninstall” on top. And without Internet, that particular update would be impossible. The troubleshooting panic started, I thought it was the modem, bad weather, the phone lines and what not and everything. Having spent almost an hour. I thought I remove some of the recent updates VISTA made by itself. I turn the PC back on. Hurray, I can now connect to the Internet.

As soon as I saw this, I went to control panel and disabled the UPDATE Windows Automatically to Manually. Until, I learn more about VISTA Service Pack, and when I get it that it is truly a Service Pack that makes all my installed softwares work, I won’t be using it. Am I the only one facing this problem ?

Have you had to remove windows update to get something done? I have. My Adobe PE 4.0 stopped working one day, removing one of those recent windows update made that program work.

So from my story here it goes,

• Don’t blame on anything. Relax first.
• Don’t unplug, plugback the modem that was just working fine unless you happen to have some kitties that jump around like mine.
• Try removing windows update, one at a time and see if your problem is resolved.
• Never use Internet Explorer, Rather use Safari or Mozilla Firefox and also arm the computer with latest anti-virus; Around $40 a year (with subscription only) and cost of programs can vary from $30 to $100 depending on what you want.  Also use the Windows Defender that Windows give it away for free.

One thing is for sure? Even on VISTA, when you fail to go online, it won’t tell you why ? Something opposite to what it does when a program crashes and often blaming on the software vendor. LOL !!

Well, based on my experience, make that VISTA update manual otherwise you could be headed for a disaster. Then again, if your PC don’t have antivirus, spyware blocker, peshing etc, some security updates are important.

Conclusion?

• VISTA still needs to go a long way before it can give us PEACE of mind. Constant updates on “Security” say a lot about what VISTA really is.  An Operating System in Progress. If anything starts happening wrong with the software VISTA gives a nice message and even reports what is causing the problem. My advice for troubleshooting for a PC that has VISTA is, start troubleshooting the VISTA itself then carry on.
• Apple is slow in taking advantange. Also Apple thinks that its products are for Rich people and for those who have Internet Access. What we think impossible today might change tomorrow. How long will users wait to see Pcs and Macs side by side near their computer store ?