One click chaos !
Posted by Big John on May 17, 2011
“If it ain’t broke don’t fix it” … Will I never learn ?
I’ve not blogged for a couple of days because I’ve been having a few problems with my computer.
It started with an on screen message asking … Would I like to update my browser ? … Great ! I thought and clicked on ‘Yes’ … Baaad move ! … for then everything went ‘tits up’ !
I’m afraid that I do not have the technical vocabulary to explain all that happened, save to say that I have spent bloody hours trying to ‘restore my system’ !
So, fingers crossed, I’m now back in business.
Oh!… I should mention that during the coarse of my frustrations, I ‘phoned the special help line number which I had been given when I purchased my computer and spoke with a pleasant and helpful young man, who after I had explained what happened said …
“That’s funny, I’ve just had a message about the latest version of that particular browser. It says” …
… “Do not install !” 
Grannymar said
I feel your pain! Now I am off to do some computer housework.
SilverTiger said
You tactfully do not say what browser it was or whether the update was a new version (e.g. 4 instead of 3). I am a Firefox user and have used it since it first appeared.
What I have learned is that it is fine to allow it to update within a version number but not to update from, say, v3 to v4. They may say that’s OK but I wouldn’t do it myself. When I updated from v3 to v4, I saved my bookmarks and passwords (there is an add-on for the latter task), then I completely uninstalled v3 and removed every associated file I could find. Then I installed v4 and restored bookmarks and passwords. This manoeuvre was completely successful.
I ill-advisedly updated another software from one version number to another and this caused all sorts of problems. It meant, for example, that an associated program (a rather bad piece of software, as it happens) failed to uninstall and was left behind to cause mayhem. (Maybe something similar happened in your case.) I did manage to overcome the problem but Tigger wasn’t so lucky: she ended up having to get Windows reinstalled and to set everything up again from scratch.
I often don’t update software when the current version works perfectly and does everything I want. As you say “If it ain’t broke, don’t mend it”. Browsers, though, are in a slightly different category. As your prime contact with the Internet, they can make you vulnerable to attack. New versions are launched to close security holes that have been discovered so I think it’s a good idea always to update your browser immediately a new issue is available.
vijay said
do not update !! you can remain as you are. don’t click on impulse.
call your helpline man and do it later, if he agrees.
patience !!
Ginnie said
The operative line in your reports is “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” …
Rummuser said
I leave it to the resident pro, my son. I sleep peacefully.