There's a lot of chatter in the techie newsgroups about a faulty device driver update for Windows XP that was recently made available via the Windows Update site. Details are not well-defined as yet, but I'd advise IDFers to avoid downloading any hardware driver updates for the time being.
NB: The rogue update is not categorised as high-priority i.e. it would not be downloaded to you automatically.
Stop Press: This is the prime suspect:
VIA - Storage - Primary IDE Channel
Date last published: 2/16/2007
Download size: 121 KB
VIA Storage sofware update released in June, 2006
System Requirements
Recommended CPU: Not specified.
Recommended memory: Not specified.
Recommended hard disk space: Not specified.
Get help and support
http://support.microsoft.com/select/?target=hub (http://support.microsoft.com/select/?target=hub)
More information
http://winqual.microsoft.com/support/?driverid=20000477 (http://winqual.microsoft.com/support/?driverid=20000477)
Thanks for posting that, Inactive. I always avoid MS recommendations on hardware updates, I may go and check the relevant manufacturer's site, but generally my principle is "if it ain't broke..."
I never use windows update myself, if youve got 3rd party security, why bother? ;)
Because third-party security addresses specific issues, but doesn't cover fundamental vulnerabilities in the OS, Avenger. I'd never trust MS to handle all my security, but I will take their fixes for broken bits of OS code.
Well, ive got a PC running SP2 (I always do the service packs) - which is over 2 years old, and has never been reinstalled. The broken bits of code cant be that important ;)
They're never important till you need them. :)