Date: 8/15/14
Source: InfoWorld
Description: The latest windows updates are reportedly linked to Blue Screen of Death particularly on Windows 7, 64bit.
This is not the first time a windows update has caused issues, especially when windows updates contain kernel mode drivers. The one from this past Tuesday’s updates contains two of them. Blue Screen Stop 0x050 error reported for systems installing KB2976897, KB2982791, and KB2970228,
Impacted Users: Anyone running the windows update is susceptible. Particularly if you are running a Windows 7 64bit system.
Prevention Procedure:
Determine operating system
Determine what operating system you are updating. You can do this by Clicking on Start -> Run-> and typing winverin the dialog box and press the Enter key the resulting window should tell you which version of windows you are running. You are at higher risk if running Windows 7, 64 bit.
Custom install patches (Check with your local campus help desk first)
You can selectively choose which patches to download on to your system. To do this:
Click on Start -> type Windows Update in the dialog box and press the Enter key.
Instead of clicking on the Install updates button, click on one of the “blue links” (… updates are available).
A new window named as “Select the update you want to install” shall open.
Uncheck KB2976897, KB2982791, and KB2970228.
Click on OK and then on the “Install updates” button.
Your updates should go swimmingly from then on.
Mitigation Procedure:
If on the other hand, you already have the updates and continue to receive the BSOD’s then please contact your local campus help desk and ask them to help you hide the updates ion question until Microsoft can release a fix/workaround for this issue.
To keep up to date on the latest security news, please visit the University Information Security site at www.massachusetts.edu/informationsecurity.