L501x + Windows 7 updates issue.

Hi All,

Although this issue is more OS oriented, it is indirectly influencing the way my DELL XPS 15 operates.

I had re-installed the Windows 7 Ultimate a week after I received the stock system. This was almost 10 months back.

After all this while, I decided to apply the Service Pack 1 update (1 day back).

After this, I noticed that the processor load was always idling around 10-15% (earlier used to go 0% min) and the system fan was running at medium high, all the time.

I tried to un-install the SP1 but was unable to do so do (in the windows updates list, the SP1 entry went away, but the individual updates were left as installed).

I removed these updates one by one, but ultimately, I had to restore the previous zero state by re-installing the Windows box.

Now, I would like to know if any one can guide me toward the updates which actually matter and should be installed (and which can be installed without the full SP1 installation).
Is the SP1 worth it, or it can be bypassed?

One other question which I need answers to is what drivers are the best for the nVidia 435M as of now? And how to install them (I generally use the .INF update method, but as of late this has been messing up the installation)

Thanks!

CKhurana

 

I work exclusively with Win 7 Pro, not Ultimate, but I don't think your processor issue is caused by SP1, despite having appeared after installing SP1. I have installed SP1 without problems on dozens of machines, both as an update applied after installation of Win 7 RTM, and more recently from install DVDs that already include SP1.

Did you by chance go into Task Mgr and see who was getting the CPU? Depending on how long it went on, one possibility could be that it was downloading and installing all the Window updates that had SP1 as a prereq.

If this was my machine, I'd start by downloading the SP1 full installer, rather than installing SP1 via Windows Update. Also download all the latest drivers. Put all this on a separate partition if you have one, otherwise on a USB drive.

While disconnected from the network (cat 5 unplugged, radio off):
Format, install Windows, install drivers, then install SP1.

Monitor cpu usage. My guess is it'll eventually settle down to the normal 99% idle.

The connect cat 5, start the radio, and install all the latest Windows updates.

As for driver installation, if I'm building an image that'll be sysprepped and eventually applied to multiple hardware platforms, I'll extract drivers for all devices from their installers, cause that's the method that's required for OOBE unattended installation. If it's a one off install, like my home machines, I just run the installers.

 

Thanks for the reply mpalandr.

I am using the Install DVD that came with the XPS for Windows 7 Ult.

I am sure it was not downloading and installing the Window updates since automatic install is disabled in my system.

And I am using the full installer from MS site to install SP1. Regarding the latest drivers, these are up to date as per the DELL site.

I needed info on the Windows updates which are safe, non-issue ridden.
Reason is, I have seen online about the issues arising from the SP1 install (like USB not working etc.)

Kindly let me in if you have any more insights.

 

OK, if it happens again, use Task Manager to see who's getting CPU. Another possibility is that if you've installed an AV program, it could be doing an update and an initial disk scan. It's all speculation until you check Task Manager.

As for updates, I install all critcal and security updates for Windows and Office on my home machines. I never install drivers from Windows Update, too many people with too many horror stories.

At work, I manage updates for about 60 Win 7, XP, 2003 and 2008R2 machines using Windows Services Update Server (WSUS). All my machines get their updates from the server. WSUS lets you download a list of all available updates, then approve just the ones you want for installation on your client machines.

The point relevant to your question is that I subscribe to the Windows Secrets newsletter, which comes out twice a month. It has a free version that has limited info, and a paid version with more articles. Several noted industry tech columnists write for the newslettter.

One of the columnists, Susan Bradley, tests updates each month for Windows and Office, as well as other popular software like Acrobat and Flash, and the results appear in the paid version issue that comes out after Update Tuesday. She makes recommendations to apply, skip, or wait, and I go by those recommendations when approving updates.

I highly recommend. (I am not affiliated with it in any way.) Each issue has several articles of varying levels of tech about Windows and Office. Even the free version is worthwhile, but it won't have the Windows Update detail and other interesting content.

I got a lifetime subscription for $100 several years ago. If the newsletter ceases publication within five years of your lifetime subscription start date, they will theoretically refund your fee, prorated.

They let you pick how much you want to pay for a one year subscription. Seriously, you can pick from several preset amounts, or just enter an amount of your choice. It's a valuble resource, and I would recommend you pay them fairly. You can peruse the free back issues at the site to see if it's something you are interested in. Can't recommend it enough.


Windowssecrets.com


Unfort, there's no cumulative list of updates, just the current month's crop appears in the update issue, as well as a table of recent updates that originally flagged as skip or wait, but it doesn't go back very far. To be really thorough, you'd have to go back thru all the issues since SP1 was released. You can see full content of paid back issues at the site if you're subscribed.

I think you'd be safe installing all current critical updates.

 

So today I finally get around to installing about two months of windows updates on the L702x. This included several .net updates. After the restart, I see the Intel Turbo Boost monitor going full tilt, 3.2 Ghz. I checked Task Manager, and mscorsvw.exe was getting 15% of the CPU. This lasted about a minute.

So that was interesting, if I relied on the Intel bar graph app, I would have thought the CPU was pegged. The upshot was that Windows indicated that the processing done after the restart was complete, CPU was being eaten as a direct result of installing the updates.

Here's what it was doing:
What is mscorsvw.exe and why is it eating up my CPU? What is this new CLR Optimization Service? - David Notario's WebLog - Site Home - MSDN Blogs