Re: Should I Download Critical Updates for a Dell Pentium 4 with Windows XP Home Edi

Speaking from some six years experience with Dell Tech support: what you
received was the opinion of one (or several) of the support technicians.
Notice they refused to indicate that the opinion reflected Dell policy.
Also, remember that Dell techs (like techs on all OEM phone support systems)
vary in experience and technical expertise; in my experience, some of the
techs on Dell phone lines know almost nothing about Windows XP (or even
Windows in general); they do not have to since Dell is obligated to provide
tech support on any software for only one month after the purchase date; the
one year plus plans cover ONLY hardware. And I would guess that 25% (or
more) of the techs which you reach are still in training.

Critical updates plug security holes, update for more effective functioning
some component parts of XP, etc. If you wish to have a genuinely secure
system (against various kind of internet hacking, along with certain types
of worms, and the like), then you must update since firewalls and anti-virus
programs are not fool-proof against abuse of operating system security
deficiencies (which can arise from email, opening certain docs, etc.,
without being detected as viruses).

I have been using XP, on a Dell 8100, since it arrived on the scene, and I
have never had any problems with the installation of any critical updates.
Of course, I not only turn off my Firewall and Anti-Virus programs, but I
also shut down all open programs before I install any update (in fact,
before I install any but the simplest program). As for why Microsoft does
not post a warning at the Update site, I don't know. But it is just sound
practice before messing with the operating system (including the registry)
to shut down all open programs.

Bill Snyder

"Martin51144" <martin51144@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:019801c3471d$1067fd20$a401280a@phx.gbl...

> I have had problems downloading critical updates. I was
> told both by Dell tech support and Microsoft tech support
> that I should disable my firewall and anti-virus software
> before downloading the updates. In addition, Dell
> support states from their personal experience they have
> found there were many problems downloading updates,
> including critical ones, and recommend not doing so.
> Yet, when I ask them is this the stated policy of Dell
> they say no, it's based on their personal experience. A
> Microsoft technician said that critical updates should be
> installed on my computer to insure a smoother and safer
> performance of the operating system. First, why doesn't
> Microsoft warn its users to disable the firewalls and
> anti-virus before they download the updates? Secondly,
> does Microsoft still recommend downloading critical
> updates in spite of what Dell tech support warns against?