Windows Update did some weird stuff

[aimeeandbeatles]

I did Windows Update a couple days ago. I can't remember for sure, but I think there was a couple driver updates.

So I was in HWiNFO32 and noticed a ghost drive.

So I exported a text report and compared it to an old one:

Old:

Drive:         WDC WD50 00AAKS-22A7B, Disk drive
Drive:         HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GH20NS15, DVD+R DL

New:

Drive:         WDC WD5000AAKS-22A7B0, 488.4 GB, Serial ATA 3Gb/s
Drive:         , IDE

So, not only did it make my CD drive disappear, but it also changed the model of my HDD?! Or just add some info?

Also, another oddity is that they both show up in Safely Remove Hardware. I wasn't paying attention until I ejected what I thought was my card reader (misclick):

Because obviously it's not a good idea to eject the C drive. And it says SCSI, when it's actually a SATA. Things are getting really strange here.

So, what exactly is going on?

EDIT: Was a driver update. Several, actually, but I think the ATA has something to do with it. But I still don't know what's up with the ghost drive. Or all those failed updates. All of the drivers went through ok, and a few security, but the rest...

ANOTHER EDIT: Could the failed updates have to do with the bootloader issue I had? Or was that to do with the blown fuse?

 

[Zelig]

Just set windows update to auto-update, you never need to open it.

Don't bother ejecting any drives safely, it's unnecessary.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

The problem is that the auto-update always decides to reboot when I least want it.

EDIT: For example, before I figured out how to turn it off, one time I had half a dozen windows open full of unsaved work, ran to the bathroom, had to sit there for a while, came back to a clean desktop. Obviously I was mad. And I've learned to save often.

 

[Zelig]

The problem is that the auto-update always decides to reboot when I least want it.

It prompts you to reboot, it doesn't just randomly reboot.

Something like 99% of Windows users use auto-update, if it's good enough for them, it's good enough for you.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

I'm in the 1%.

 

[Zelig]

I'm in the 1%.

No, you're not.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

LOL, well, another reason too is because on XP, it often broke the video drivers and it was a pain. So it's habit.

Other than that, what's up with the odd drive issue? Any ideas?

 

[Perfection]

You probably DLed some virus.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

I did a virus scan. Clean.

EDIT: Except a bunch of tracking cookies.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

More odd: This morning I had 69 updates. Installed them and rebooted. But now it still says 69 updates.

 

[GravityWave]

You let Windows Update update your drivers? I wouldn't.

Try system restore or rolling back/reinstalling your drivers from the motherboard DVD.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

No motherboard DVD. Just retail version of Vista.

I tried replacing winload.exe. It didn't work.

I also looked at the updates. They all fail with 800F0816. I looked it up and it says another update is causing the problem but all of them are the same.

This issue is really peeving me off. If I have to do a reinstall, I doubt it's going to be Windows.*

Spoiler :

*Never underestimate the power of threatening electronics.

 

[Perfection]

I did a virus scan. Clean.

Well if you did that then obviously it mustn't be a virus. No possible way!

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

I did several. All I got were a bunch of cookies.

curse angst swear curse angst

There. I feel better.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Due to my update issues, I made this post. Last night in bed I was laying there and thinking "why not?"

First off, I checked a lot of WINE ratings for games -- since I play a lot of obscure ones (E.G. Horse games, I know I'm girly), I'll keep Windows for that.

Second, i have to pick a distro. I've used Knoppix as a live CD and Ubuntu in a virtual machine but nothing else.

Third, have to find alternatives to my mostly-used programs. I can provide a list if needed. Also, for the non-games, I might run a couple of the non-replacable ones in a VM.

 

[El Koeno]

Well.. You said all there is to say yourself:

"why not?"

Go for it. You don´t have to replace windows. And even if you do, as I did on my laptop, there will probably not be large problems. But as switching software always creates some issues (compatibility, or you having to change your workflow, etc.), it´s best to keep windows (I still have my desktop).

 

[J-man]

You can also dual boot

 

[J-man]

Try system restore, windows should make a restore point before the install of an update.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Well, today at school I had some free time and was looking up a couple of distros. It's hard to pick, though. May end up drawing straws.

I tried the Windows Restore but it didn't quite work the way I expected. It was one of the first things I tried. (For some reason I forgot to mention it.)

If I go through with it, most likely the weekend as that's where I don't have to do anything. (Tomorrow is a work day. How fun.)

 

[J-man]

Off-topic: have these two threads been merged?