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Microsoft Cancels Patch Tuesday

By Nate Mook, BetaNews

September 9, 2005, 5:10 PM

UPDATED Barely 24 hours after giving advanced notice of its monthly "Patch Tuesday" fixes, Microsoft late Friday said that it was scrapping the updates over a "quality issue." Microsoft had planned to release a single bulletin for a critical vulnerability affecting Windows.

"Late in the testing process, Microsoft encountered a quality issue that necessitated the update to go through additional testing and development before it is released," a Microsoft spokesperson told BetaNews. "Microsoft is committed to only releasing high quality updates that fix the issues in question, and therefore we feel it is in the best interest of our customers to not release this update until it undergoes further testing."

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By robmanic44

posted Sep 12, 2005 - 12:12 PM

Pitiful.

Score: 0

By indoguys

posted Sep 12, 2005 - 4:15 AM

Right I put your name between the claws wincement >xxx< which shouldn't. I blame myself, no point my excuse for that. I know it is simple said but mean it, won't call names again.

I just went over the top... I see many times here guys or girls pointing to something which is 'bad' most in the picture MS but wonder why they are here complaining if they don't use MS anyway, or of course any other OS. If I have something negative about Linux good, but at least I should be a user to know.

Score: 0

By Mark Gillespie

posted Sep 12, 2005 - 4:02 AM

Having deadlines will always have a negative impact on quality. It's a good decision for Microsoft to move to a "when it's ready" release schedule.

It also means patches can come out whenever they are ready, rather than waiting for the next monthy patch Tuesday. Having a specific day of the month to release patches also gives hackers an oppertunity, as if a hole is discovered, it's best to exploit it 1 day after patch tuesday!!

Score: 0

By indoguys

edited Sep 11, 2005 - 5:15 AM

>wincement< What your doing here on Betanews anyway if all what MS does is bad for you? Your using many MS related services behind this web page right now you see. You better use pen and paper from now on and go back to the days without computers and Operating Systems. Don't contradict yourself so much, if you want to step away from MS you should inform yourself first how many services in your daily life are related and running on MS. A bit less Linux and a bit more less Apple.

So before you spread your "news" what we all know already,as your not original at all, please think first and come up the next time with something of a higher quality.

MS is patching and be happy they do, maybe not Tuesday maybe a bit later but they fix the errors for guys like you who seem to be amused of security flaws, suppose your mum is in the hospital on a machine and it stops working because of a lack of maintainance you never "update" your car? (if any). You never made a mistake in your life I suppose, don't pretend to be an all know programmer as your simply not, far from that actually. So please stay away or bring something more as a IQ of minus 20 Talk.

Score: 0

By templar™

edited Sep 11, 2005 - 11:16 PM

LOL indoguys. You are shooting the wrong guy!!! Next time, read carefully before you post.

Poor wincement.... LMAO

Score: 0

By wincement

edited Sep 11, 2005 - 2:56 PM

The reason my "news" wasn't original is because I was making fun of the people that always say the same thing. My comment was sarcastic, and I thought that came through pretty well.

I'll try harder next time.

=/

You read quite a lot into my life and programming experience from my comment.

According to you:
-I contradict myself.
-I want to step away from MS.
-I spread un-original "news."
-I don't think before I spread said "news."
-I'm "amused of security flaws."
-I never "update" my car.
-My mom was in the hospital and died because the machine stopped.
-I never made a mistake in my life.
-I pretend to be an "all know programmer."
-I'm far from an "all know programmer."

And finally (man I hope I got this one right):
-I do not "bring something more as a IQ of minus 20 Talk."

That's incredible.

Score: 0

By shy_one

posted Sep 11, 2005 - 3:19 PM

Now now fight nice you two or i'll have to send indoguys home would say wincement to but he/she posts so much i think he/she lives here.

indoguys if your going to bash someone you should hang around the forum a bit first theres a few regulars on here you have to have the sarcasm radar on for.

Score: 0

By wincement

edited Sep 11, 2005 - 5:04 PM

lol @ living here.

ok ok... so I don't have a life. Wanna make something of it?

=p

**EDIT**
I wasn't trying to be mean in my reply to indoguys' post. I stated exactly what happened point-by-point. You'll notice I did not resort to insults or personal attacks.

Score: 0

By GoodThings2Life

posted Sep 11, 2005 - 7:03 PM

LOL @ no life... I have a life... it consists of work, class, and technology forums... I never asked anyone to approve/like my life... hell, didn't even ask anyone to live with it. Anyone reserves the right to ignore me and leave me alone, lol.

Somehow, I suspect you may have the same attitude on your own life.

Score: 0

By GoodThings2Life

posted Sep 11, 2005 - 10:54 AM

There's an old saying...

"Better to be thought an idiot than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."

Obviously it's a little too late for you, since you've completely misread his posts and posted a attack without any sense of accuracy or intelligence, but I thought I should pass the advice on anyway to save you further embarassment in the future.

Score: 0

By morriscox

posted Sep 12, 2005 - 1:51 AM

That quote would be from Samuel Clemens, as I recall.

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Sep 11, 2005 - 1:36 PM

roflmao

oh man...

Score: 0

By wat0114

edited Sep 11, 2005 - 10:11 AM

Well wincement, I'll be the next to back you up. Geez indoguys, read wincement's comments carefully; he's not bashing MS!

Score: 0

By crashoverride

edited Sep 11, 2005 - 3:42 PM

Guess I'm gonna have to jump on the band wagon and defend you for the second time wincement. Simply because indoguys has clearly yet to grow a brain. Oh...indoguys ..... flaming out at people never solves anything other than answering the question of whether or not you're a mindless twit.

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Sep 11, 2005 - 1:32 PM

ROFL

AGAIN!

Score: 0

By wat0114

posted Sep 11, 2005 - 12:06 AM

MS just wants to get it right, that's all. There's no sense in releasing a patch prematurely - especially one that could potentially screw up your system. Though I'm not a passionate MS supporter, kudos to them that they want to ensure the patch is done correctly for the benefit of those that need it. It just seems obvious to me.

Score: 0

By PUC_Snakeman

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 12:52 PM

I honestly believe you all are wrong. The email I received said that MS is still releasing an updated Malicious Software Removal Tool and a non-security update this month, and says nothing about cancelling the monthly process. The only thing that was cancelled was a single security patch (the ONLY security patch) for September. A non-security patch is still in the works, and the monthly cycle will not be cancelled. Read the email below - am I wrong?

********************************************************************
Title: REVISED: September 2005 Microsoft Security Response Center
Bulletin Notification
Issued: September 9, 2005
********************************************************************

Summary
=======
Microsoft will not issue any new security updates on 13 September
2005 as part of the September monthly bulletin release cycle. Based on customer feedback, Microsoft instituted a monthly security update release process on the second Tuesday of each month to provide customers with security guidance and updates on a predictable and manageable schedule. This update release process involves a significant testing focus to help ensure customers will receive updates that are of a high quality and Microsoft will not release an update until it meets those standards. Occasionally, the testing process and our strict focus on quality can result in a month where no security updates are released, as is the case for 13 September 2005.

In addition, to help customers prioritize monthly security updates with any non-security updates released on Microsoft Update, Windows Update, Windows Server Update Services and Software Update Services on the same day as the monthly security bulletins, we also provide:

- Information about the release of updated versions of the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool.
- Information about the release of NON-SECURITY, High Priority updates on Microsoft Update (MU), Windows Update (WU), Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) and Software Update Services (SUS).
Note that this information will pertain ONLY to updates on Windows Update and only about High Priority, non-security updates being released on the same day as security updates. Information will NOT be provided about Non-security updates released on other days.

On 13 September 2005 Microsoft is planning to release:

Security Updates

- No new security updates on 13 September as part of the September monthly bulletin release cycle. This represents a change in the information found in the Advance Notification on Thursday, September 8, 2005. Late in the testing process, Microsoft encountered a quality issue that necessitated the update to go through additional testing and development before it is released. Microsoft is committed to only releasing high quality updates that fix the
issue(s) in question, and therefore we feel it is in the best interest of our customers to not release this update until it undergoes further testing.

Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool

- Microsoft will release an updated version of the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool on Windows Update, Microsoft Update, Windows Server Update Services and the Download Center.
Note that this tool will NOT be distributed using Software Update Services (SUS).

Non-security High Priority updates on MU, WU, WSUS and SUS
- Microsoft will release one NON-SECURITY High-Priority Updates for Windows on Microsoft Update (MU), Windows Update (WU), Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) and Software Update Services (SUS).

Score: 0

By GoodThings2Life

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 2:18 PM

No, you are absolutely correct, and thank you for posting relevant, intelligent information.

Score: 0

By josdegr

edited Sep 10, 2005 - 9:52 AM

so....what else is new. Microsoft, The dominant player in the market and they still cant get it right.

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 11:35 AM

mhmm... They're all just bumbling idiots that have no idea what it takes to write proper code. Yet, we all still buy their products. If that's true, then who can't "get it right"?

Score: 0

By stuffradio

edited Sep 10, 2005 - 12:37 PM

"mhmm... They're all just bumbling idiots that have no idea what it takes to write proper code. Yet, we all still buy their products. If that's true, then who can't "get it right"?"
Shutup... As many updates that Microsoft does... and how many become flaws(ie. security bugs, etc.) I'd like to see you do something better. In fact... why don't you go on ahead and write your own os, then make some updates. Maybe you'll understand what it's like to make these updates, and you'll appreciate them a little more!

Score: 0

By crashoverride

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 9:26 PM

"Umm, wincement is the MS supporter here... not the basher"

Indeed, I've seen wincement on here countless times defending MS. Mostly in the midst of my fellow Linux users.

Now meet the MS hater. I only bash now and then though unlike most Linux folk. All that constant bashing gets on my nerves.

Score: 0

By wincement

edited Sep 11, 2005 - 2:46 AM

Hahaha. Thanks for backing me up. I do support MS, but I also support Linux. Both have been (and likely will be for some time) useful to me.

Score: 0

By crashoverride

posted Sep 11, 2005 - 1:37 PM

"Thanks for backing me up"

Anytime, I still use Windows occasionally and if you want to know the truth some of these people that cut Windows users down probly still do as well. I just don't see the point in all the bashing. Now if someone wants my opinion I'll give it but I'm not gonna try to force it on every one I see. I've noticed that a lot of Linux users treat Linux like it's a religion or something.

Score: 0

By wincement

edited Sep 11, 2005 - 2:58 PM

I feel the same way. I would like to think I have an objective opinion about the "OS wars," but I probably don't.

So I try to keep my opinion to myself unless someone provokes it (i.e. senseless bashing) or asks for it.

**EDIT**
By the way, my username is making fun of Windows.

Windows CE + Windows ME + Windows NT = Windows CEMENT.

Score: 0

By PhoenixPath

posted Sep 12, 2005 - 3:15 PM

Okay, now I feel lame...

I've been spreading that particular joke for weeks... (Hell, it's printed andposted above my WS.)

And I never got it.

*sigh*

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Sep 12, 2005 - 3:35 PM

hahahahaha

I've been telling that joke since probably 2002. I can't remember who originally told it to me. I didn't come up with it.

Score: 0

By crashoverride

edited Sep 11, 2005 - 3:24 PM

HaHa, I never would have noticed that about your screen name if you hadn't told me.

I've been known to bash once in a while but I have also been known to defend Microsoft at times. Mainly when someone is bashing and pretty much has no idea what hey are talking about. They don't realize it but while they are bashing a lot of would be switchers are turned away because of their attitude. Some on em I know that are older than I , if I didn't know any better I would think they were 2yr olds (sad really).

Score: 0

By GoodThings2Life

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 5:03 PM

Umm, wincement is the MS supporter here... not the basher... Please learn to read AND comprehend people's posts before attacking them.

Score: 0

By W5PDA

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 9:14 AM

"Microsoft Works"......You're kidding, right?

Score: 0

By Ex-Brit

edited Sep 10, 2005 - 9:58 AM

At least they admit it instead of releasing them and then frantically trying to fix issues afterwards...unlike some companies who shall remain nameless because I MOD for one of them on their Help Forum.

Score: 0

By W5PDA

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 12:37 PM

And how much is Comrade Gates paying yo for this?

Score: 0

By gamerzworld

edited Sep 9, 2005 - 11:43 PM

"quality issue"= It really fixes the flaw in windows =)

Score: 0

By crashoverride

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 12:51 AM

LMAO

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Sep 9, 2005 - 11:57 PM

HAHAHAHAHA

/sarcasm

Score: 0

By GoodThings2Life

edited Sep 9, 2005 - 11:16 PM

I always love how people complain when Microsoft releases patches.... and the same people are the ones complaining when they don't. Make up your frakkin minds, folks... and don't give me that "they shouldn't have to patch in the first place" nonsense... you know damn well that every company in the technology industry issues improvements and updates and patches whether it's Microsoft, Symantec, AOL, Redhat, or Apache... Get over it.

Of course, it shouldn't take as long as it does to issue a patch, but then again... you try writing code for an OS that runs 90+% of the computer hardware and software available, and we'll see how well you respond to patch requests that don't break someone's application.

Now shut the hell up about it and enable Automatic Updates so you don't have to worry about it. :) Or... go play with an alternative product, I don't care... whatever makes you happy and causes you to stop whining.

Score: 0

By Jacen

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 8:16 AM

The problem is, most computers in the world are Windows based. (very bad). This means that if this patch fixed a critical flaw that could stop hackers taking control, millions of PCs would be left unprotected.

I would also like to note that Mandriva products are not very vulnerable in the first place ^_^

Score: 0

By robmanic44

posted Sep 12, 2005 - 12:26 PM

No they just lockup because of faulty mouse drivers. I think Mandrake, like many other Linux distros, has gotten worse instead of better. How many users know what I mean when I say a file is tarred and gzipped. If you don't know, then forget about running Linux.

Score: 0

By fewt

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 8:59 AM

Mandriva

What a horrid name.

Score: 0

By W5PDA

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 9:10 AM

Spoken like a true Durok

Score: 0

By fewt

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 10:12 PM

Don't hate me because the name sucks.

Score: 0

By Jacen

edited Sep 11, 2005 - 1:14 AM

The name doesn't suck. Mandriva Linux is one of the top Linux Distros. (And... My Favorite ^_^)

Score: 0

By AaronDobbins

posted Sep 11, 2005 - 2:35 PM

Just because it is one of the top distros doesn't mean the name doesn't suck :) Personally, I'm okay with the name, but relax a bit and learn to laugh every once in a while. He said nothing of the quality of the system.

Score: 0

By fewt

posted Sep 11, 2005 - 3:50 PM

I like the OS, just not the name. It sounds like man-drivel.

Mandrake was a much better name.

Score: 0

By Jacen

posted Sep 12, 2005 - 9:55 AM

Mandrake... Mandriva... I kinda like both names ^_^

To the other user: I have no humor, sorry :P

Score: 0

By GoodThings2Life

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 8:53 AM

The problem with your example is that you (and probably a lot of other people) automatically jump to the conclusion that the update will never be released at all. For all we know, although the release Tuesday is cancelled they could come out and offer the update "out-of-cycle" on Thursday or the next week... it's not an automatic given that we'd have to wait until next month. Despite the schedule, Microsoft can and does release updates as they see fit.

Score: 0

By Jacen

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 9:06 AM

Thats not the point. The longer the update is delayed, the more systems a single hacker could take control of.

As for the Mandriva horrid name thing from the other user. Mandriva is Mandrake Linux's new name ^_^

Score: 0

By GoodThings2Life

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 11:51 AM

Yes, exactly... the more systems a single hacker *could* take control of... if the flaw was being exploited. Then again, if you're a competent enough user to protect your systems by running appropriate firewall/antivirus/antispyware software AND by monitoring the online activity of your computer, it's not really a problem. It's just more work for me as a tech to have to fix a user's screwups. "Do you have antivirus software installed?" "Yeah." Yeah, of course they do... from 4 years ago that expired 3 years ago. *eyeroll*

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Sep 11, 2005 - 2:48 AM

""Do you have antivirus software installed?" "Yeah." Yeah, of course they do... from 4 years ago that expired 3 years ago. *eyeroll* "

Or how about this:
"Do you have A/V software?"
"Yeah."
"What program is it?"
*long pause*

*sigh*

lol

Score: 0

By Jacen

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 3:20 PM

I'm going to have to agree with you on the AV thing. I'm the kind of user that HATES security software. Yet, I run ZoneAlarm and find that... unless I get a virus or something, it's only taking up resources :-s

Anyway, I think companys should release a fix as soon as they can, not delay it.

Score: 0

By GoodThings2Life

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 5:05 PM

You expectation is understandable... but that's exactly what most companies do... "as soon as they can"... just because YOU think it needs to be 3 days ago doesn't mean that's possible or the right way to produce a fix.

Score: 0

By Jacen

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 5:43 PM

Heh...If I had my way, there wouldn't be a need for security software and patches. But not every user is legit.

But thats exactly what I said anyway :P

Score: 0

By Kompressor

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 6:13 AM

Some people just love to b****.

Score: 0

By crashoverride

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 12:06 AM

"go play with an alternative product, I don't care... whatever makes you happy and causes you to stop whining."

Exactly, If you don't like it, don't use it. If you have a problem with Windows or just plain don't like it anymore there are alternatives. Stop whining about your problem and do something to rectify it. I see people everyday on here trying out Linux or switching to Mac. Now I understand that most people don't have the money to splurge on a Mac. That's the reason for now i'm working with Linux. So far I like it. Unlike most Linux and Windows users for that matter I don't try to force my opinion on people. Like I said quite crying and do something to fix your problem.

Score: 0

By mjm01010101

posted Sep 9, 2005 - 6:48 PM

Can you imagine ~100 million crashing machines based on one windows patch?

Score: 0

By crashoverride

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 12:49 AM

Well one thing's for sure. The PC repair folks would be happy......more money for them.

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Sep 9, 2005 - 11:58 PM

...that would really stink.

Score: 0

By PhoenixPath

posted Sep 12, 2005 - 3:12 PM

...as if millions of Geeks suddenly cried out in terror and suddenly silenced.

Score: 0

By comctrl6

edited Sep 9, 2005 - 5:55 PM

Accidental double post. Deleted.

Score: 0

By comctrl6

posted Sep 9, 2005 - 5:54 PM

So now they will be releasing a patch that fixes a patch that was supposed to fix some other flaw. Nice going MS! Now even the patches have bugs. That is just great innovation comming from Micosoft. I mean who can think of buggy patches, huh?

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

posted Sep 9, 2005 - 6:03 PM

You'd rather them release a patch that is unstable?

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Sep 9, 2005 - 6:21 PM

Seconded. I'm glad they held off. Hopefully it won't take too long for them to correct the problem and release the patch.

Score: 0

By dougdude

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 12:17 AM

Unless they fix it by Tuesday, it will most likely have to wait until the first Tuesday in October.

Score: 0

By GoodThings2Life

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 11:57 AM

Not at all... Microsoft has frequently been known to release out-of-cycle updates as needed.

Score: 0

By arossetti

posted Sep 9, 2005 - 9:32 PM

Ditto. The only reason they would have to "issue a patch to fix the patch" would be if they went ahead and released the faulty patch to begin with, which is what they didn't do. Even MSFT gets it right now and then...

Score: 0

By M1M2Z1

posted Sep 9, 2005 - 10:42 AM

Microsoft to Fix Critical Windows Flaw by giving users a copy of Mac OS X.

Score: 0

By wincement

edited Sep 10, 2005 - 11:37 AM

You seem to forget that Apple just broke OS X with one of their security updates:

http://www.betanews.com/...urity_Update/1124376869

At least Microsoft has recognized and is fixing the issue BEFORE they release it.

Score: 0

By Neoprimal

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 6:21 AM

Ugh, Mac OSX IS a critical flaw...

Score: 0

By crashoverride

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 9:21 PM

That must make Windows an astronomically critical flaw...

Score: 0

By W5PDA

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 9:12 AM

Spoken like a true Durok

Score: 0

By jshurst

posted Sep 9, 2005 - 11:31 AM

What would I do with mac osx? It's not like I can install it on anything other than apple hardware (not easily anyway).

Score: 0

By jbaltz69

posted Sep 9, 2005 - 11:38 AM

No joke, I would rather be hit in the balls with a brick than use Mac OS X. How Windows works for me, so does Linux for that matter.

Score: 0

By GoodThings2Life

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 11:58 AM

I hate Apple... and I like Microsoft... but damn, dude... not THAT much, lol.

Score: 0

By fewt

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 9:00 AM

That's pretty twisted.

Score: 0

By crashoverride

posted Sep 9, 2005 - 6:41 PM

"I would rather be hit in the balls with a brick"

Ouch, too much

Score: 0

By wincement

edited Sep 9, 2005 - 11:04 AM

MBSA is being updated? Wow. They never update that program. I almost forgot I had it.

**EDIT**
Also, Windows update now works in IE7, so they fixed whatever was wrong with it. I wonder if there will be a patch for IE7 as well. There are definitely a few bugs that need fixing; one of them being the magically disappearing toolbars when you go from tab to tab...

Score: 0

By jmmike

edited Sep 10, 2005 - 12:35 AM

You don't release patches for BETA software... you release new versions of the BETA software and then the final product.
Also glad to see they are testing their patches!

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 12:37 AM

If the problem is urgent enough (like Windows Update not working, which they've fixed), they'll patch it.

Score: 0

By Goldengamegod

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 12:52 AM

That was Windows Update, not IE7. MS can patch them seperatly, that is why they have you download it as an ActiveX component.

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 10:41 AM

I know. It was just an example.

Score: 0

By jmmike

posted Sep 10, 2005 - 12:49 AM

Good point, I stand corrected - It sounds like it's a good thing they do patch beta software, especially since it could prevent you from getting other important updates.

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Sep 11, 2005 - 3:01 PM

You were right though - it's rare. Usually, they'll just release the next beta, like you said.

Score: 0

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