Triple Vista Update Screws Up Hardware

With Vista being such a poor operating system, I was hoping this weeks triple update would fix some of the problems. My Vista-equipped HP notebook computer downloaded the 22MB of updates, rebooted, and then was screwed up.

Neither the mouse nor the built-in nVidia graphics board worked. (I could use the built-in pointing device, and had to run the widescreen LCD at an eye-straining 1024x768 -- due to the incompatibility of Vista's preset resolution and the widescreen LCD, the display is blurry.) The nVidia driver complained that the resources it needed were unavailable.

I uninstalled the three updates, each one needing its own reboot. But the Code 12 problem persisted.

I did some research using Google, but eventually contacted nVidia support for a solution. I'll report on the response.

Update

nVidia says it's not their problem.

NIDIA provides mobile GeForce and Quadro GPUs to laptop and notebook manufacturers only. We do not make or sell add in cards for laptops. Please contact your laptop manufacturer for further information regarding this issue.

I next contacted HP tech support, who provided unhelpful advice along the following lines:

Me: The problem occurred after I installed updates for Vista.
HP: Which operating system are you using (98, Me, 2000, XP, Vista)?

Me: I've uninstalled the updates, rebooted the computer.
HP: Try uninstalling the updates and rebooting the computer.

Me: I've also uninstalled the nVidia driver and reinstalled the latest one.
HP: Uninstall the video driver.

After some time, the tech support guy gave me a file to download and install. It is the same nVideo driver I've previously downloaded and re-installed. So, no change.

I've since figured out that the mouse does not work because Bluetooth is also not working on the computer (and it's a Bluetooth mouse).

Update 2

I went back to HP tech support, suggesting...

Me: It might be a BIOS problem, rather than a driver problem.
HP: Try resetting the BIOS. If the BIOS reset does not resolve the issue then I suggest you to restore your system back to factory settings.

I reset the BIOS. No change.

I find it curious that the techies are not making any attempt to resolve the problem indicated by Code 12 -- and the interplay between the nVidia problem and the Bluetooth problem. Oh, and the printer no longer works, either.

Update 3

Next session with HP support. They gave me a BIOS update to install. Didn't make a difference.

Final session with HP support. They had me do a roll-back to yesterday. My computer works correctly again.

This, however, does not solve the problem of installing Microsoft's Vista updates, some of which might solve the problems the unpopular operating system is experiencing.

So, that took just over eight hours to solve. Anyone going to pay for my time and frustration? Thought not.

Comments

[Kevin]

Again, I'm not seeing any of these problems. I've searched the blogosphere and I'm not seeing it there either.

Out of curiousity, could you go to the start menu and type "reliability" in the search box. This will bring up the Reliability and Performance Monitor. In the left hand side of the window that pops up when you open the monitor choose "Reliability Monitor" from the list.

Once you do this, you will see a log of all the uninstalls, installs, OS failures, Hardware failures, and a system reliability rating. Do you see any errors when you view this monitor?

You have my email if you have any questions. I would be happy to help in any way that I can.

Kevin

[Marina]

Oh my God... the SAME exact thing happened to me. Word for word, process by process. Except, I didn't call nvidia because I figured they would tell me what they told you. Basically, I just don't install Vista updates or I only install the "important" updates. And if/when it screws up (which it has), I roll back. MAKE RESTORE POINTS!