windows update messed up computer

16 years ago

Just wondering if anyone had a problem with some windows updates. For me the updates were on think the 15th. Friend sent me a file suppose to be in printmaster well is shows up as notepad. She never has used notepad so don't know how in cyber space it got turned into notepad file from printmaster file. Then when I try and save anything from printmaster it doesn't give an option just saves it in notepad. Also when you pull up your save box if I click on desktop instead of a file folder being in front of the word desktop now it shows notepad. Weird. Another lady I asked about it said her little folder has changed to notepad too. We didn't exchange any files and we both think it was something in that download that windows did.

Finally found out where to go in and change it so now things won't open in notepad.

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Comments (11)

randy_ca
16 years ago
You could do a System Restore to an earlier time before you got the MS updates.
start/all programs/accessories/system tools/system restore
Dorie_Ga
Original Author
16 years ago
I didn't mean things won't open with notepad I meant now printmaster is fixed an will open like it is suppose to not telling me it is opening with notepad.
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genes
16 years ago
Take your computer off of automatic updates. That way, you can go in and custom pick which ones to download. If you sort out everything this time and leave the auto updates on, it will be back in this mess in no time
DA_Mccoy
16 years ago
Dorie,

If your system has developed a concern following installation of MS updates by all means Randy's recommendation is the one to consider. I also support Gene's thought regarding the turning off of autolatic updates.

I of course don't know if you received the laundry list of updates this week from MS, but my Vista system did. Though being on an antique DUN I stayed with my personal discipline, and only downloaded and installed two updates at a time. For whatever the reason I never have concerns when doing so.

(A while back I reported I weakened and broke this discipline by downloading the entire list at once resulting in problems and a system restore.)

Good luck! Enjoy!

DA
shboom
16 years ago
I agree with DA, I received a list of numerous updates relating to Vista the other day and while I'm now on cable I still only did 2 at a time which I used to do on my trusted old 98se machine and dialup.

Bob
grandms
16 years ago
No offense intended, but DA and Bob, dear friends, I do believe you both stuck with W98 so long that all its cantankerousness has you being overly cautious. With XP, and I'm sure with Vista, the downloads and installation of Windows Updates goes very smoothly.

I do receive the notifications and then choose to download all that are critical, as well as the malicious software removal tool. I've never had a problem since I left W98 behind.
DA_Mccoy
16 years ago
Bobbie, my friend, you may be right. Who knows? However, if you download a laundry list all at once and have to reboot doesn't it seem a little logical that the reconfiguration could be placed in jeopardy with all the "floating" uninstalled O/S data?

Also, if you limit the update installs and there is a concern you can readily identify the offender as one of two rather than speculating over an extended list. My antique DUN rate of 3 minutes a MB does not make it pleasant to have to redo any downloads.

I am confident that my prior concern was due to doing all at once as when I returned to my personal discipline and installed them in pairs they updated fabulously.

Thanks for your point of view. I guess it is the old story of whatever works for an individual is what works best.

DA
grandms
16 years ago
Sorry, I'm forgetting that you are on dial-up. Mine do download rather quickly, even last week's large number. After the download, a box comes up asking permission to install, so I click for that to happen and all goes well.
I can understand the concern of the OP about perhaps one or two of the updates causing some problem, and I certainly didn't intend to sound flippant. :)
DA_Mccoy
16 years ago
Absolutely no apology necessary. Never for a second did I think anything negative about your post. We've been friends way too long to waste a brain cell on something like that.

;)

DA
randy_ca
16 years ago
With my 3 minutes a MB download speed, I only do a couple at a time.
Last Tuesday I got brave and did 4 critical's.
Like DA, I want to know they're going to install right with no problems, rather than doing a whole slew of them, then rebooting and holding your breath, no knowing what's going to happen.
Oh yes, we remember the Win98 days.
shboom
16 years ago
Bobbie, same here... no offense taken and I appreciate the post. I really did like my 98se machine but the more I have worked with Vista I think I'm going to like it even better. As for the updates, yes being on cable I could do them all at once but it's easier to pinpoint a problem if you know where the problem is going to be. One thing to consider is your computer has been around a while with XP installed, most or all of the bugs have been worked out. I probably am being overly cautious but with a new OS, I would rather be careful than not to insure the updates go smoothly. Thanks again!

Bob