Microsoft: Black Screen of Death not our fault

Nice PR

The interesting thing of course is that Prevx had their free PR, as the blog entry was reported up and down the media. As it is "old news" in the mainstream media now, however, the apology will never see the light of day in them. So what will stick is once again a stupid term like "black screen of death" that people who spell Microsoft with a $ for an s bring up in their "witty" conversations. If Microsoft were smart, they'd contact media like the BBC to explicitely update their stories.

By ripclaw666 on 2 Dec 2009

Libel?

By Phoomeister on 2 Dec 2009

If it was such a challenging issue to identify then maybe they should have got their facts straight first. I read it on page 4 or 5 of Metro today in big letters that Microsoft had caused 'Millions' of computers to crash forcing people to reinstall Windows 7. It's terrible press

By TimoGunt on 2 Dec 2009

This does highlight an interesting issue.

People often say Windows is unstable but how unstable is the code and how often is it actually down the third party software or hardware?

The very rare times I've had a BSOD, it's been because of my RAID hardware messing up or my graphics card failing, nothing to do with Windows.

Don't get me wrong, not trying to claim Windows is 100% stable or anything.

By Grunthos on 2 Dec 2009

Don't worry it's just bad code!

OK, so the problem was not caused by the MS update, but it does affect XP, vista and 7(according to the BBC article). Shouldn't MS be investigating the problem so that they can fix it for the future. MS should be saying "we accept Prevx apology and are working with them to find the cause and will release a patch to prevent it happening in the future". Notice this involves accepting some responsibility for the fact that Malware can crash Windows! Currently the only support you can get is after your system has crash (a bit late)and that is from Prevx. Customer care the M$ way ;)

By M_Hamer on 2 Dec 2009

I agree with you but I think they probably are working on it but it does say that they have denied Windows Updates are to blame for it which is what the security firm has spread across the world

By TimoGunt on 2 Dec 2009

'Because these reports were not brought to us directly, it’s impossible to know conclusively what might be causing a 'black screen'

They haven't just wiped their hands of it have they, you're doing a British security firm on us aren't you

By TimoGunt on 2 Dec 2009

RE: Don't worry it's just bad code!

You wrote: "Notice this involves accepting some responsibility forthe fact that Malware can crash Windows!"

With recent talks about Google aiming for a "Bullet Proof" operating system a few things were broadly agreed on:
1. Bullet proof will be impossible
2. Any anttempt greatly limits functionality
3. Google's OS will be -extremely- limitted

So, if you want an OS that can't be crashed, you explicitly don't want a mass-market commercial product based on flexibility. Windows and Microsoft have their issues, but your comment seems to be ever so slightly niaive.

Would you sue Ford for their engines not being able to survive putting Deisel in a Petrol tank?

By matbailie on 2 Dec 2009

Once again a misleading title

A more accurate title: "Microsoft exonerated from allegedly causing black screen of death."

But you make it sound like Microsoft are whining "it's not our fault!" even when it's Prevx who are saying it.

By phantombudgie on 2 Dec 2009

They might not have wiped there hands but they are not talking about investigating or fixing it and that is just bad PR.
Prevx "Oops the problems is not cause by updates but there is still a problem in Windows here is a solution".
Microwsoft "Prevx didn't talk to us so it is impossible to make a conclusion".
See the bad PR. If they just added "we will be investigating and will provide a patch if require", things would sound better.

Then again why should I care if they drop the ball.

By M_Hamer on 2 Dec 2009

@M_Hammer

Given that the Windows 7 chkdsk bug wasn't a Windows 7 bug, heck, it wasn't even a Microsoft bug, it turns out that it was buggy third party security software, if this turns out to be a similar thing, what can Microsoft do?

*If* a third party product is at fault and is doing things it shouldn't, through legitimate channels, there isn't really a lot Microsoft can do about it.

I expect that they will be investigating it, but without any data to go on, they will be floundering in the dark, until thes find the right combination of Windows, IE, security patches, third party hardware, hardware driver versions and third party applications and utilities...

That is a bewildering array of possible combinations. Where do you start? Especially if the affected people aren't contacting Microsoft and providing them adequate information?

We'll probably find out that it was an IE patch, combined with an AMD chip, with an nForce motherboard a specific version of an ATi video driver and the Sophos update from the 28th November...

Or some such nonsense. (Names chosen at random, not trying to imply anything there!!)

By big_D on 2 Dec 2009

@big_D - Welcome back

Glad to see that you are contributing more comments again these days. I haven't always agreed with everything you have said but your arguments are usually informed and well reasoned - that's a rarity these days ;-)

By rjp2000 on 2 Dec 2009

Nothing to do with Malware- though a little patience helps

There have been (at least) two updates to Vista in the last 6 months that on all of our office PC's resulted in BLACK SCREENS for, in some cases, up to 15 minutes, upon restart. Impatient users started clicking mice and thumping keyboards before eventually re-booting (to be presented with the black screen again of course). When I noticed the frantic HDD activity I told everyone to just leave well alone and -in the fullness of Microsoft's sweet and uninformative time the PC finally come back to life. I had assumed this is what people were getting and being too impatient to wait. Though the fault is all with Microsoft because a screen message could easily have averted the angst.

By x16gen on 3 Dec 2009

Nothing to do with Malware- though a little patience helps

There have been (at least) two updates to Vista in the last 6 months that on all of our office PC's resulted in BLACK SCREENS for, in some cases, up to 15 minutes, upon restart. Impatient users started clicking mice and thumping keyboards before eventually re-booting (to be presented with the black screen again of course). When I noticed the frantic HDD activity I told everyone to just leave well alone and -in the fullness of Microsoft's sweet and uninformative time the PC finally come back to life. I had assumed this is what people were getting and being too impatient to wait. Though the fault is all with Microsoft because a screen message could easily have averted the angst.

By x16gen on 3 Dec 2009

Can it Apply to XP SP3?

I'd waited several hours before giving up on my black screen & it cost me £50.00 to get it fixed.

By Dairs on 3 Dec 2009

go lesson

I've learnt a few things from this article...

(1) Windows 7 still has lots of malware.

(2) Windows 7 can easily be corrupted and crashed by 3rd party software

(3) Microsoft take no responsibility for the weakness in the security of their products.

Guess I'll not ever be using Windows then.

By JonnySpedding on 3 Dec 2009

Too Pernickety

I'm someone who still uses winXP (SP3). I've had various (Blue!) BSOD's after updates or the PC simply does not load then it's off to safe mode to delete the latest hoping that another re-update will fix it. I think this M/S idea that we should all be ultra upto date is a bit too expectant sometimes.
Michael

By photomanlondon on 4 Dec 2009

Microsoft's Black Screen of Death.

My main computer is a three month old self build running Windows XP Home Edition. On Wednesday morning 09/12/2009 I downloaded the latest updates for Windows XP. When I shut down the machine, I chose the option to let Windows install the updates and then shut down. Later in the day when I switched my computer back on I not only got the Black Screen of Death, but the BIOS could not access the hard disc, the result being that I could not use Windows Safe Mode or get into the BIOS set-up to try and sort things out. Coincidently the previous night I had run a full virus and malware scan on the computer that came back clear. So as far as I am concerned if malware is responsible for the black screen, then it is malware courtesy of Microsoft. Incidently the computer is up and running again. My solution was to remove the hard disc connect it to my old computer and reformat the hard disc. Now I only need to find the time to reinstall windows XP and all the other software I had installed. Thanks a lot Microsoft ! My next OS will be Linux.

By donbeat on 11 Dec 2009