nvidious

I downloaded the full XP updates package, including the
huge nVidia update (May 2 2003). Right, I know I'm
stupid, trusing Microsoft, but I had heard about these
new security problems ... ...

So, first MS insisted I needed to upgrade my IE browser,
even though I have 6.0. Finally got through to the
page where they scan my machine to see how they can do
the maximum amount of damage. The download was slow,
even though I am using a cable modem, but I was doing
other things, so I didn't care. Of course, it being via
IE, it wouldn't tell me the download speed.

The installation took an hour or so. Every ten minutes I
would check to see if anything was happening, and the
little bar had crept along a bit more, so I knew
something was happening.

Finally done -- restarted machine. Now have beautiful 4-
color 640x480 17" LCD screen. Can't change the ettings.
I can just see those MS people chortling: "Boy, I wish I
could see this guy when he finds out our download update
trashed his video settings and won't let him change them."

Does anyone know anything about this? I'm sure I'll
figure it out, but _why_ would MS send an update that
makes things worse? Why should I have to try to find my
drivers CDs, try to figure out whether it is an nVidia or
Viewsonic problem, or XP problem, or an act of a vengeful
god, or ... ...?

I'm sure there must be a way to find out more about the
nVidia download, but of course MS doesn't want to let me
simply look at a list of downloads; I'm supposed to go
through the process of having it check my machine for
needed updates, which of course tells me I don't need
any, and so I can't even find out what they did to me
without digging into the web site (or maybe they won't
let me do that either).

Has anyone else had this problem? Anyone switch to Macs
because of problems like this?

I'm going to put Win98SE on my laptop so I can get some
work done, and then play with my nice powerful desktop XP
machine when I have more time to waste.

Jake
Tue Aug 05 10:08:42 CDT 2003

Sounds like you have had a nasty experience my friend. I can't say as though
I would blame you for wanting to switch to Macs if ease-of-use is your
primary concern. However, if you can be convinced to stick with PCs, my
advice for you is simple: Always stick with the hardware vendor's latest
full release when it comes to drivers. This means, no matter how
counter-intuitive it may sound, don't download drivers from Windows Update.
Windows Update is great for microsoft products, but in alot of cases it will
actually patch you down to an earlier version of a hardware driver for
non-MS products. If I were you I would go to www.nvidia.com and download the
newest drivers for your card there. That should fix any issues you may be
having.
--
Jake W. Paris

"John Wickre" <jwickre@4dintsys.com> wrote in message
news:00c901c35b61$ade2e7b0$a101280a@phx.gbl...
> I downloaded the full XP updates package, including the
> huge nVidia update (May 2 2003). Right, I know I'm
> stupid, trusing Microsoft, but I had heard about these
> new security problems ... ...
>
> So, first MS insisted I needed to upgrade my IE browser,
> even though I have 6.0. Finally got through to the
> page where they scan my machine to see how they can do
> the maximum amount of damage. The download was slow,
> even though I am using a cable modem, but I was doing
> other things, so I didn't care. Of course, it being via
> IE, it wouldn't tell me the download speed.
>
> The installation took an hour or so. Every ten minutes I
> would check to see if anything was happening, and the
> little bar had crept along a bit more, so I knew
> something was happening.
>
> Finally done -- restarted machine. Now have beautiful 4-
> color 640x480 17" LCD screen. Can't change the ettings.
> I can just see those MS people chortling: "Boy, I wish I
> could see this guy when he finds out our download update
> trashed his video settings and won't let him change them."
>
> Does anyone know anything about this? I'm sure I'll
> figure it out, but _why_ would MS send an update that
> makes things worse? Why should I have to try to find my
> drivers CDs, try to figure out whether it is an nVidia or
> Viewsonic problem, or XP problem, or an act of a vengeful
> god, or ... ...?
>
> I'm sure there must be a way to find out more about the
> nVidia download, but of course MS doesn't want to let me
> simply look at a list of downloads; I'm supposed to go
> through the process of having it check my machine for
> needed updates, which of course tells me I don't need
> any, and so I can't even find out what they did to me
> without digging into the web site (or maybe they won't
> let me do that either).
>
> Has anyone else had this problem? Anyone switch to Macs
> because of problems like this?
>
> I'm going to put Win98SE on my laptop so I can get some
> work done, and then play with my nice powerful desktop XP
> machine when I have more time to waste.