Broadband Tech > Security > Security > Problem after MS update KB891711

reply to captnhook

Re: Problem after MS update KB891711

reply to captnhook
Just off the phone with a very understanding and informative technician at the phone number suggested for microsoft. He advised me to remove the patch and then remove the registry key via regedit. He advised me that a new patch is being worked on but there have been a myriad of complaints from 98SE and ME people and it has now been policy to remove the patch and the registry entry. After removal he waited for me to reboot and make sure that things functioned OK. They did not as my desktop icons would not work.(Double clicking them acted as if I had right clicked them) Rebooted again and all was then working fine. I have had multiple experiences with microsoft support in the past that were not as smooth or as pleasant as this episode. He advised me not to download this patch again even though it is still offered at WU and to wait for a new patch that will be released with a different KB number.

reply to captnhook
This sounds encouraging. Callers are not being flipped off as some were earlier and MS must have been successful in reproducing the problem if they are now saying a patch will be issued under a different KB number at some time in the future.

I was going to call, but I have not installed it so I can't give Microsoft any possibly useful information to help them.I do think anyone who has installed it and had a problem should call as you just might have some information that could help them (even if you don't think you do).

I guess we just wait now for the revised patch.
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The first and foremost function of our jurors is to protect private citizens from a tyrannical and intrusive government...Jurors are the last line of defense for liberty. Thomas Jefferson 1789

reply to captnhook
Initially these problems where reported after updating KB888113 and KB891711 on Win9x/ME systems. Is it safe to say that only KB891711 was the problem and KB888113 did not cause any issues. I looked at a WinME machine yesterday and both these updates are available through WU but I didn't update KB888113 yet because I don't know if it also was part of the problem. From reading this and other threads, it seems like KB888113 is safe to update and to hold off on KB891711 until a new one is issued. Does this sound right?
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Write your questions down on the back of a $20 dollar bill and send them to me

reply to captnhook
From my discussion with Microsoft yesterday that is exactly the case. All reported problems that the tech I had spoke with dealt with the update KB891711 with the other one seemingly trouble free. It is still a bit early to tell but after removal my boot up problems seem to be over. Interestingly after removal the folder it placed in Windows/system is still there but now empty and the WU site is offering the update to me again which of course I will pass on. Still wondering if I should just delete that folder or leave it alone.

reply to captnhook
This program is a virus. It crashed my system big time. I wiped it out and things went back to normal.,
Nothing but more trash

reply to captnhook
Thanks for the heads up folks! I thought I solved the problem by removing some buggy sw. But still buggy. Then I saw this and solved the problem. Hard to keep boxen working right when you're sandbagged by the stuff that's supposed to protect you. Oh well, nothing new about that.:p:)

reply to captnhook
Just a follow up on my previous posting. Have had zero boot up problems since uninstalling this patch. Today I received a phone call from Microsoft in follow up of my call to their PCSAFETY line. They wanted to know if the problem was rectified and how satisfied I was with the phone support for this problem dealing with patch KB891711. Microsoft calling me? A sure sign of the apocalypse no doubt.

reply to captnhook
This patch will crash older computers by installing a RAM heavy file in your start-up menu: Kb891711.exe.
It is almost impossible to uninstall if a computer can not boot. I ripped that 'fix' out in DOS and I compliment Microsux in producing a 'fix' that acts like a good worm.
IMHO it's Bill Gatus of Borg's way of making Internet users upgrade to broadband, XP driven platform$.
If U load this 'patch' on a Windows 98 platform, plan on losing your computer unless U R a power user and know how to rip it out.
Do not download this on a 64KB RAM/slow proccesor computer as you WILL end up with a non-booting/crashed system.

reply to dp

KB891711 was the only issue I've had.

reply to NanDog
I initially downloaded both updates. Had problems and originally just unchecked KB891711 in msconfig which corrected the problem. Eventually called MS and was told to uninstall KB891711 and have had no problem since leaving the other patch installed.

reply to NanDog

reply to captnhook
From CNET:

quote:

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Microsoft: Windows patch is flawed
Published: March 31, 2005, 8:31 AM PST
By Matt Hines
Staff Writer, CNET News.com

Microsoft has acknowledged that a security patch issued in January for its Windows 98 and Windows ME operating systems may cause performance issues for customers who have downloaded the update.

According to a notice posted Friday in the discussion group section of the company's TechNet site, Microsoft's KB891711 update, which was released to address a vulnerability related to cursor and icon format handling, fails to adequately protect users of Windows 98, Windows 98 SE and Windows ME. The patch was included as part of security bulletin MS05-002, one of the software giant's regular monthly updates.

In the short statement, a company representative stopped short of telling people to uninstall the update, noting that removal of the patch would still leave customers compromised.

"At this point, we have been able to confirm these reports and are currently working on a resolution," Jerry Bryant, of Microsoft's Security Response Center, said in posting. "Please note that by uninstalling the current update, the machine will return to a vulnerable state."

According to Bryant's post, Microsoft has yet to be notified by anyone who has experienced an attack related to the problem.

According to customer posts on the discussion site, the security issue is related to Microsoft's Internet Explorer and may cause computers to crash once the patch is installed.

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reply to captnhook
K, guess I'll do KB888113 but wait and see what M$ comes up with as regards KB891711. Muchas Gracias all!
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See ya across the Rainbow Bridge, my good and faithful friend!

reply to NanDog
As DP said, the KB888113 update also caused no problems on my 98SE box and is okay to install.

Msft's claims that no one has been attacked via this vulnerability are baloney. According to washingtonpost.com's new tech security blog, Symantec has catalogued no fewer than 7 trojans that take advantage of this flaw.

»blogs.washingtonpost.com/securit···ead.html

I happen to know that one of those trojans - anicmoo.c - was what was used in one of the recent widespread DNS poisoning attacks to plant spyware on machines that got redirected.