Beware of Microsoft update Kb976902!

[Cutting_Edgetech]

Upon updating W7 64 Ultimate today i noticed update Kb976902 was not already checked to install. It was listed as an available update listed with critical updates. I clicked on it to see a description of the update, and it gave a really vague dodgy description of the update. The description said install this update to insure future updates. It also said that once you install it it can not be removed. I did a search on it, and seems that it is a beta or RC release that is going to prepare W7 for SP1. Why they would push out a beta or RC update with critical updates is beyond me! Needless to say I did not install it. They are not even giving out an informative description of what the update is for. I would stay away from it until its final release. http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistawu/thread/ebd18ad2-cae7-4513-91d1-35b45467446d

[Robin A.]

I think it is (or was) needed to install IE 9 beta. I have it installed, no problem.

[Cutting_Edgetech]

-{ Quote: "I think it is (or was) needed to install IE 9 beta. I have it installed, no problem." }-
In your case it may be needed, but I know there is a lot of people that are not going to want to install this update.

[funkydude]

Some people are hyper obsessive about updates like these. Oh no, you're not allowed to prepare my PC for future software that will be part of the next Windows version anyway.

[Daveski17]

I'm a bit worried about installing it now after reading that link. :o

I also found this. (http://krebsonsecurity.com/2010/10/demystifying-kb976902-a-k-a-microsofts-blackhole-update/)

[Kerodo]

Installed it here, everything's fine, no big deal. What's all the fuss about? Nothing else to worry about today? ;)

[Daveski17]

-{ Quote: "Installed it here, everything's fine, no big deal. What's all the fuss about? Nothing else to worry about today? ;)" }-

Yeah, I installed it after a bit of reading. Everything seems fine. I'm just a tad paranoid LOL! ;)

[firzen771]

i installed it hours ago and no probs, i dont see wat the fuss is about either, peep seem to be over-paranoid these days

[Cutting_Edgetech]

I think you guys are missing the point. Is it not a beta or RC release? I don't want to be their Guinea pig. Why should I be their test machine? What if the update causes problems with my machine? It cannot be removed! I started this thread so people would be aware of the update, and they can decide for themselves if they want to install it.

[Cutting_Edgetech]

-{ Quote: "Some people are hyper obsessive about updates like these." }-
I am not one of these people.

[Cudni]

MS issues an update which is not pre selected, user reads the description and chooses to update or not. Could be worse. And is it stands now nothing to be wary of
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/976902

[pjb]

I installed it with no issues. Don't see what the problem is personally. It is user selectable. If it helps with future updates why not.

It's folk who don't ever both with updates and wonder why the PC's don't work correctly that never cease to amaze me. At the end of the day Microsoft provide the updates for their operating systems to help maintain a working environment. I am sure that more folk would complain if they did not. :)

As with this update is seems invaluable as a prerequisite to installing SP1 later this year.

[acr1965]

I installed MS updates and selected this KB976902 update be added as well. The only updates I chose not to make were MRT and some Outlook junk email update. On reboot I got a message that windows was unable to boot properly and some diagnostic boot scan was recommended. I chose to do that and then another message for a system restore was recommended, I chose "ok" on that one too. Windows sputtered for a bit then started up normally.

I then checked for MS updates again and noticed that system restore worked correctly even though the MS update for KB976902 says once installed it cannot be removed. I chose the same updates before except for KB976902. Rebooting now to see what happens.

EDIT--
Same issue on reboot; finally got back to my desktop; windows update shows install errors with KB2419640, KB2454826 and KB976902.

[3GUSER]

I never had any problems with Microsoft updates . I installed this update on my home Windows 7 computer yesterday and now I find this thread - I rebooted twice and don't have problems with Windows.

[Tyreman]

Had blue screen after Jan 10/10 updates '7-64bit

Then went back to previous Acronis image(Thank the heavens for that), downloaded the MS updates again including one mentioned in this thread but unticking KB2454826(haven't got it installed now)
No issue, BS since last night

That update I type of is some video upgrade change thing-+

If you can't remove an update try safe mode

[Cutting_Edgetech]

-{ Quote: "MS issues an update which is not pre selected, user reads the description and chooses to update or not. Could be worse. And is it stands now nothing to be wary of
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/976902" }-
Thanks for the reply Cundi! Is this update a beta or RC? That's the only reason I don't want to install it. I will install it after it is out of the testing phase. If it is a beta or RC release then i would suggest to Microsoft that the user is informed that in the update manager. I just wanted to make people aware that it is a beta release before they install it. I will install it later when it's final is released. Also my NOD 32 tray icon is orange now because i did not install it. Is there some way to restore it to green without installing the update?

[lodore]

the update is not a beta update. i have never run any Microsoft beta software on this computer and I have got the update today as well. the update is simply an update that prepares the computer for the Final SP1. vista done the something before the final SP1 and SP2.

[Mr.PC]

After the initial failures, I managed to installed them all.

[Tyreman]

I now installed KB2454826 it installed in a reboot with a progress install by per cents which it hadn't shown when I tried all the dl'ds at once

Its been couple hours and no BS

I had a BS within 20 minutes with the first try of installing all of the MS updates at once...see my previous post in this thread

I will see what happens now

If I post no more issues then its okay(well here;D )

[Sully]

I rarely install updates, and have no BSODs ;)

I wait for service packs to be tested for a bit, then I try to integrate the service pack into the source dvd, then I do a fresh install.

I have a serious issue with all the loose ends and clutter that updates bring with them. In the past (xp) I was burned a number of times using automatic updates, having to either use system restore or a ghost image. My machine is tweaked quite heavily so that is probably why these things happen.

Sul.

[Daveski17]

-{ Quote: "I think you guys are missing the point. Is it not a beta or RC release? I don't want to be their Guinea pig. Why should I be their test machine? What if the update causes problems with my machine? It cannot be removed! I started this thread so people would be aware of the update, and they can decide for themselves if they want to install it." }-

I think it was a good idea to bring it to people's attention though Cutting_Edgetech. I don't totally trust M$ either. I'm personally glad that you did, it gave me a more informed decision. Keep up the good work! :thumb:

[robinb9]

Today I turned on my Windows 7 32 bit home premium came up asking for updates and said there were six. I did all six on this machine. After a reboot it asked for the kb976902. I clicked to update but it just hangs there and it says it is downloading but nothing happens.

this is a desktop computer

I did the update fine on my laptop- no problems yesterday

I am wondering why it is just sitting there and will not download nor install
robin

[Woodgiant]

-{ Quote: ". Also my NOD 32 tray icon is orange now because i did not install it. Is there some way to restore it to green without installing the update?" }-

Hello Cutting_Edgetech
There is a way to restore Eset to Green.
Best Regards

[m00nbl00d]

If this update is to prepare Windows 7 systems for SP1, then, if alike Windows Vista SP1, the update will also be part of the SPI installer.

I guess the updates comes via Windows Update, because it's "advisable" only to install SP1 from Windows Update, because it's a smaller download, compared to the offline installer.

[Cutting_Edgetech]

-{ Quote: "I think it was a good idea to bring it to people's attention though Cutting_Edgetech. I don't totally trust M$ either. I'm personally glad that you did, it gave me a more informed decision. Keep up the good work! :thumb:" }-
Thank You for understanding the purpose of this thread! My main concern for myself was that the update may not be stable, and could still contain bugs. I will wait until I need it when SP1 is released before taking the plunge.

[acr1965]

anyone else also have a driver update? I had a logitech driver update that seemed to install without issue but I'm wondering if the combo of the MS release and the logitech release resulted in some sort of conflict, especially since there's a driver involved which I assume could contribute to the boot problem

[Daveski17]

-{ Quote: "Thank You for understanding the purpose of this thread! My main concern for myself was that the update may not be stable, and could still contain bugs. I will wait until I need it when SP1 is released before taking the plunge." }-

Yeah, it never ceases to amaze me that MS can release beta updates! Anyway, everything seems OK on my desktop so far. You are quite correct in your approach though, updates like this have caused problems for some. It is something that all MS users should be aware of.

[osip]

I updated today except for KB976902, meaning 3 updates. Got a constant BSOD after reboot and tried win7 setup disk with system repair. Said that the boot manager was damaged and unable to fix. Restored with ATI NonstopBackup (!, for the first time). Could be that this occured due to recent bluetooth driver update, don't know.

[Kerodo]

-{ Quote: "If this update is to prepare Windows 7 systems for SP1, then, if alike Windows Vista SP1, the update will also be part of the SPI installer.

I guess the updates comes via Windows Update, because it's "advisable" only to install SP1 from Windows Update, because it's a smaller download, compared to the offline installer." }-
I believe that in the descripion of this update, it says that if it's not installed, it's possible that some future updates may or may not install properly... so it appears to be needed.

[yankinNcrankin]

yummy i guess every1s' about to get their dose of rootkit heaven ie. if I remember right someone special is working with microsoft now a few or more years......................:argh:

[funkydude]

-{ Quote: "Yeah, it never ceases to amaze me that MS can release beta updates! Anyway, everything seems OK on my desktop so far. You are quite correct in your approach though, updates like this have caused problems for some. It is something that all MS users should be aware of." }-

Gotta feel sorry for Microsoft. They do a months testing and sometimes more of all their patches, just to satisfy people. Then when they finally release it, THEY get the blame from users because of the badly coded 3rd party programs they insist on running.

:-[

Windows updates have, and most likely always will work perfeceltly fine on systems I run, then again, I keep my systems clean. *puppy*

[m00nbl00d]

-{ Quote: "I believe that in the descripion of this update, it says that if it's not installed, it's possible that some future updates may or may not install properly... so it appears to be needed." }-

Yes... I didn't say it wasn't needed. I mentioned that, if this update is only for SP1, then for sure is needed, but no need to install it right away, though.

For those installing SP1 via offline/standalone (whatever is called ;D) installer -again, if only meant for SP1 -, if it's like Vista SP1, then the update in question will also be part of SP1 installer.

[Daveski17]

-{ Quote: "Gotta feel sorry for Microsoft. They do a months testing and sometimes more of all their patches, just to satisfy people. Then when they finally release it, THEY get the blame from users because of the badly coded 3rd party programs they insist on running.

:-[

Windows updates have, and most likely always will work perfeceltly fine on systems I run, then again, I keep my systems clean. *puppy*" }-

Yes, that's a good point. It's one of the reasons I like running MSE. It probably won't have any issues with any MS updates.

[pjb]

-{ Quote: "Gotta feel sorry for Microsoft. They do a months testing and sometimes more of all their patches, just to satisfy people. Then when they finally release it, THEY get the blame from users because of the badly coded 3rd party programs they insist on running.

:-[

Windows updates have, and most likely always will work perfeceltly fine on systems I run, then again, I keep my systems clean. *puppy*" }-

Totally agree. :)

[Escalader]

This thread is well intended FUD. :'(

FWIW, I installed it. No problems.

I also use IE9 (and FF with ns)

IF I need to I can remove it by restoring an image using paragon.

[3GUSER]

-{ Quote: "Gotta feel sorry for Microsoft. They do a months testing and sometimes more of all their patches, just to satisfy people. Then when they finally release it, THEY get the blame from users because of the badly coded 3rd party programs they insist on running.

:-[

Windows updates have, and most likely always will work perfeceltly fine on systems I run, then again, I keep my systems clean. *puppy*" }-
:thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

[J_L]

Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2419640) failed the first time, then it worked fine after a reboot.
I've installed it with KB976902. For some strange reason, it happened on both my clean virtual machine and tweaked physical machine.

[zfactor]

installed fine here zero issues

[swami]

I think the question is does it **** the pirated versions now or in the future when 1st service pack arrives?

[funkydude]

-{ Quote: "I think the question is does it **** the pirated versions now or in the future when 1st service pack arrives?" }-

Why would something no one (except pirates) cares about be "the question"? I think most people don't care what it does to pirated copies, do you? ::) ::)