Latest Windows XP patch can slow down PCs

Computerworld ^ | April 23, 2003 | Joris Evers

[Timesink]

Latest Windows XP patch can slow down PCs

By Joris Evers, IDG News Service
APRIL 23, 2003

Microsoft Corp.'s latest security patch can cause computers running Windows XP to slow down to a crawl, affected users say.

Windows XP can take up to 10 seconds to start an application after installation of the patch released April 16 with Security Bulletin MS03-013, users wrote in dozens of postings on several online discussion boards. Removing the patch brings system speed back to normal, according to those users.

Microsoft is aware of the issue and is investigating, said Stephen Toulouse, a security program manager at Microsoft's security response center.

"We have been made aware of some isolated cases of customers experiencing performance issues after applying the patch," he said, referring to the online reports. No customers have called Microsoft's help desk with the problem, according to Toulouse.

The patch, which Microsoft calls Hotfix Q811493, was distributed via Microsoft's security Web site and the automatic Windows Update service. It fixes a security flaw in the Windows kernel, the core of the Windows operating system. The vulnerability is rated "important" by Microsoft, one notch below the highest level in the vendor's severity rating scheme.

The flaw could allow an attacker to raise his privilege level on a vulnerable system. However, to exploit the flaw, an attacker must be able to log onto a system, either at the computer or via a terminal connection, mitigating the risk.

Users offering online advice suggested that home users experiencing system slowdowns remove the patch because corporate environments with terminal servers and client systems accessed by multiple users are most at risk. Microsoft, however, urged all customers to apply the patch and to call the Microsoft help desk if there are any performance problems afterwards, Toulouse said.

[Pyrion]

OFN. This was posted on Slashdot, what, a month ago?

Do a search on Google for "Q815411", you can probably find the patch file there without having to call MS or wait for Service Pack 2.

[Willie Green]

Tandy 1000s.

I had a TX that worked great all the way up to DOS 6.0.
Never have been fully convinced that Windows was an improvement.

[Billy_bob_bob]

When I switched over to Apple computers a couple of years ago all of the Microsofties were going "XP will fix all of the problems, don't go, you'll be sorry!"

Well, it's a couple of years later. I now have three Apple computers all running OS X. They all are in excellent workig condition. I have had literally ZERO problems with OS X. None. Nada. Zilch.

It's not like my machines are loafing, either. One is running Final Cut Pro / DVD Studio Pro most of the day, another is running Ableton Live and Arturia Storm, along with Photoshop. The third is mostly used for web browsing. They all work. All the time. Every day. No crashes, no problems, no viruses, no "gotchas". They just work.

Meanwhile, back in the XP camp, all of a sudden I'm hearing about all of the bad old problems I remember from years ago on PC's. BSOD crashes, slow booting, cursor hangups, system freezes. Yep, I figured as much. No more Microsoft crapware for me. Now I own real computers that really work.

[Pyrion]

Oh and I should point out that the Microsoft TechNet article linked in the TLP holds no relevance to Windows actually slowing down any. The patch for this particular bug fixes a buffer overrun, something that can be exploited, but nothing relating to how long it takes Windows to start programs in the first place.

Hell, this is what it says right on that page:

"Buffer Overrun in Windows Kernel Message Handling could Lead to Elevated Privileges (811493)"

Again, do a search for Q815411. That actually holds relevance to the whole "programs load slower on Windows XP with Service Pack 1 installed".

[longtermmemmory]

Apple is not an option for me. I run a business and windows is the way to go. My busines requires software only available in windows. I do not wish to go linux since I am not in business to tinker with my office computers. Apple is too much of a niche machine to be viable and cost effective for me. Besides, I am not doing extreme computing, I compatability problems have been rare even from win95 to xp.

[LeftIsSinister]

Best laugh I've had in a long, long time. I'd love to see someone install this on some PCs on display in stores, just to see people's reactions!

[Tennessee_Bob]

My 266Mhz with 16 megs of memory absolutely locked up when I installed this patch!

[Clive]

Time to switch to linux.

[Oystir]

I have two computers and only added this to one; it slowed down the time of a start up and added a user to my user profile of the one I downloaded

[Consort]

I installed it on XP Pro and my Roadrunner speed is:

.

[Mr. K]

Or windows 2000 (the single best operating system microsoft has ever made!!)

I have NEVER had a system crash using windows 2000

*never*

really

[garyhope]

I have a "slowdown" at home. I haven't gotten any in a long, long time. I just knew it was Bill Gates fault!

It's not Updates 81349 or 330994 is it? I mean do they have different ways of numbering these things?

[Uncle Hal]

I installed this and I think it slowed my computer down. How do I remove it? Thanks.

[backhoe]

I had a TX that worked great all the way up to DOS 6.0. Never have been fully convinced that Windows was an improvement.

Same here, Willie, same here. I drive my wife nuts with "In the old days of PC's..."

[Willie Green]

I drive my wife nuts with "In the old days of PC's..."

It was a good time for learning how to "tinker under the hood".
The autoinstallation of the newer PNP stuff is supposedly easier, but I don't think newbies can learn as much.

[js1138]

I have NEVER had a system crash using windows 2000

I have, but it turned out to be an overheating CPU. A dab of silicon fixed it. I've had to reboot a few times to get scanners working, and I've had blue screens due to bad memory chips, but I really can't recall in four years, ever having the OS crash.

I might add that I've built six XP Pro machines at work, and never had an OS problem.

[skeeter]

I've been waiting for an XP thread.

My version of XP Pro takes between five & ten MINUTES to boot. I have nothing else loading to account for the delay.

If anyone out there has heard of a similar problem I'd sure welcome some advise.

[Clive]

I am running a dual boot Win2000 and Mandrake linux on my new machine and dual boot Win95 and OS/2 on an older machine. The new machine replaces one on which I had win95-OS/2-Linux.

The most stable of the operating systems is linux. Win95 is more stable than Win2000 but is a bit obsolete. Win2000 is a good replacement for it and in my opinion more stable than WinXP.

I had OS/2 as a business operating system and ran a law practice using it.

Win2000 is on the new machine because my son uses it. I have had to re-install it for him 3 times compared to zero for linux.

[backhoe]

It was a good time for learning how to "tinker under the hood".

It sure was- I'm an old hotrodder at heart and love goosing machinery to make it better and faster...

And you're right about the PNP stuff- it's nice ( when it works like it's supposed to! ) but it really doesn't make you learn anything.