Windows update causes blue screen of death

WINDOWS USERS have been complaining that they have fallen victim to the dreaded Microsoft 'blue screen of death' on their computers after they installed the Vole's latest security updates.

Forum posts complaining about the problem mostly come from XP users but there are few from Windows 7 customers too. Users posted a fix on the site that they said seemed to work. However it has made people a bit cross.

The problem is with one update that fixes a vulnerability in the 32-bit Windows kernel. To fix it you need an install CD, which many users don't have, particularly if they have a netbook.

The Vole has made matters worse by telling some users that it would not be providing a fix for netbooks and that netbook users would have to get support from the equipment manufacturer.

A spokesVole has said it is investigating the reports to determine the cause of the problems. It wants anyone who has been affected to visit its consumer security support website.

Microsoft has said that its initial analysis suggests that the issue occurs after installing update MS10-015 (KB977165). However the Vole refuses to confirm that the issue is specific to MS10-015 or if it is an interoperability problem with another component or third-party software.

"Our teams are working to resolve this as quickly as possible. We also stopped offering this update through Windows Update as soon as we discovered the restart issues. However, those using enterprise deployment systems such as SMS or WSUS will still see and be able to deploy these packages," the Vole says. µ