My computer has broken down again. Just a day after it was fixed for a freezing problem. This time, Microsoft itself is at fault.
I had my automatic updates on, and it installed Internet Explorer 8, without my permission. By the time I got back to my computer, it had finished installing, and was asking me to restart my computer. I figured nothing of it, and pressed "Restart".
I now no longer can get into my computer. A black screen comes ups after the Dell splash screen, saying to press Ctrl + Alt + Delete to try starting again. If you do, it goes back to the dell splash page, then goes to the black error page again. It's an endless cycle!
How did this happen, you ask? Simple. Internet Explorer 8 is chalk full of bugs, causing anything from computer lag, to complete system failure. And yet, Microsoft considers this IE update a "Critical Update".
This causes users, automatic update activated or not, to immediately trust the program, thinking nothing's wrong, only to end up with a glitched computer. Not all computers are getting these kind of problems. Newer computers are having success with the program, though their system may run a bit slower. It's older computers (3 to 4 or more years old) at the highest risk. These updates Microsoft's putting out recently are meant for newer computers, and by new, I mean less than 3 or 4 years old, depending on how nice you've been to your computer. Even so, there are cases of newer computers- even Vistas- having major problems with IE8.
The bottom line? All computers are at risk, some more than others, and it's a risk that could cause irreparable damage to your system.
So, how can you avoid ending up like me, and the thousands of other people with problems caused by IE8? Here's a few steps:
- TURN OFF AUTOMATIC UPDATES - You don't want your computer installing IE8 while you're not looking. Turn this feature off by going to the control panel and going to automatic updates, and set it to "Notify me but don't automatically download or install them". Fact is, there are so updates you may need, such a security, but you should always research an update before you install it. It may have caused other people's to computers to malfunction.
- DO NOT INSTALL IE8 WHEN PROMPTED - Even if it classifies it as a 'critical update'! This so-called 'critical update' is also a 'seriously bugged update' and you don't need it on your computer. Frankly, even when the bugs do get worked out a few months from now, you still don't NEED it. It only has a few new features, and they're not ones you urgently need, even the security features.
- BACKUP YOUR HARDDRIVE - Just in case it gets installed somehow- a sibling plays on your computer, your dad watches his porn collection, etc, etc...
- WAIT - Eventually, these bugs will be fixed- Microsoft is aware of this problem, but because it works on some computers, they can't recall it. They just have to update the update, fixing the bugs. The bugs should be worked out in 6 months at most.
DO NOT INSTALL INTERNET EXPLORER 8!!! PLEASE POST A LINK TO THIS ENTRY ON YOUR JOURNAL SO WE CAN GET THE MESSAGE OUT TO EVERYONE!!! ALSO SEND THE LINK IN EMAILS!!! WARN YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY BEFORE THEY HAVE TO PAY THE PRICE- LITERALLY!!!
Cross-posted to
ladyfrauke, my RP journal.