[Ham-Computers] RE: Problems with latest XP Security Patch

[Hsu, Aaron (NBC Universal)]

This patch addresses Microsoft security bulletin MS06-015.  If the patch
doesn't work on your system for some reason, a workaround is to disable
the "WebClient" service.  This doesn't eliminate the underlying
vulnerability, but it prevents the exploit from affecting your system
(while the WebClient is disabled).

Most people don't use the "WebClient" - it's designed as a
web-collaboration tool that allows you to link web-based data to your
documents.  Your chances of running into a situation that uses the
WebClient are pretty slim unless your in a work environment.  Even then,
chances are you're not using the WebClient functionality, so disabling
it won't hurt.  I usually disable it as it any running service takes up
RAM and CPU cycles.  So far, I've only run into one situation where the
WebClient is required and it has to do with Adobe Acrobat and it's
web-collaboration tools via WebDAV - definitely not something a home
user would run into.

So in your situation, Mike, you can disable the WebClient service in
Windows.  To do this, goto the Control Panels -> Administrative Tools ->
Services and search down the list for "WebClient".  Double-click on it
and change the "Startup type" to "Disabled".  It will take affect at
next boot.  You can also immediately stop the service (if it's running)
by clicking on the "stop" button.

Patches are known to cause problems on some people's systems.  However,
the symptoms you describe don't quite "jive" with what the patch does.
I would check for malware and virii which may be "hooked" into some
lower level process(es) in Windows.  If you're familiar with
"HiJackThis", run a scan with it and see if anything pops up as out of
the ordinary.

73 and GL,

  - Aaron, NN6O


-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, April 14, 2006 6:38 AM
Subject: [Ham-Computers] Problems with latest XP Security Patch


I installed the latest XP patches after Tuesday's release. I immediately
began having problems with my system. 

1. In Windows Explorer, I was only able to view one hard drive at a
time. When I pressed a "+" box in the left pane to expand the tree,
nothing happened-except resources were being used in the attempt. The
system would become unstable and would require Windows Explorer to be
closed by using the Task Manager.

2. In Internet Explorer, if I typed in a URL and pressed ENTER, nothing
would happen. To get to a specific URL I would either have to use an
already bookmarked site or type the desired URL in a search engine.

I uninstalled the patch (Security Update for Windows XP [KB908531]) and
the system seems to be okay. I repeated the installation to determine if
the installed patch was corrupt and it duplicated the problem. 

Is anyone else having problems after installing this parch? I'm using XP
Pro (32 bit).

73 de Mike, N9BOR
A-1, FISTS, JARL A-1, SMC
http://www.n9bor.us
http://www.k9ya.org

di dah dit - The only Roger Beep you'll ever need.
Let your fingers do the talking - Morse code.
My designated driver is a 12BY7A.