http://www.techrepublic.com/article/ftdi-uses-windows-update-to-disable-devi...
So you buy a USB-to-Serial device at the local big box, or your favorite mail-order firm, get it running some essential device, and a Windows Update zaps the device to uselessness. How would you feel about the vendor? How do you feel about the vendor that (perhaps inadvertently) used a counterfeit chip in their device? How about the OS vendor who shipped a "driver update" that broke the device?
I'll tell you how I feel about it: NEVER NEVER NEVER get a driver update from MS. Get it from the company that made the device.
And don't "update" drivers that are working. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
And, finally:
Windows Automatic Updates: Just Say No. (tm) (Even if you have to hack the registry, or unplug the damn network cable before you boot up.)
Ken Dibble www.stic-cil.org
On Thu, Feb 4, 2016 at 10:13 AM, Ken Dibble krdibble@stny.rr.com wrote:
I'll tell you how I feel about it: NEVER NEVER NEVER get a driver update from MS. Get it from the company that made the device.
Well, the irony is that it wasn't MS that screwed it up. This time. They just passed on the malware, an accomplice after the act.
I'm certainly more happy getting some drivers (especially HP) directly from the vendor.
And don't "update" drivers that are working. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Well, for you and I that's not a bad rule. For folks just trying to make their machine stop crashing, trying to update everything is a pretty typical strategy, and the first thing customer support will ask you.
Windows Automatic Updates: Just Say No. (tm) (Even if you have to hack the registry, or unplug the damn network cable before you boot up.)
I think you're fighting the tide here, Ken, but I admire the attitude.
On Thu, 4 Feb 2016, at 03:13 PM, Ken Dibble wrote:
I'll tell you how I feel about it: NEVER NEVER NEVER get a driver update from MS. Get it from the company that made the device.
This *is* from the company that made the device, albeit delivered via Windows Update.
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Alan Bourke -
Ken Dibble -
Ted Roche