Resolved WIN10... "19H1" email

Well, I got another missive from the Insider Program that ANOTHER update is available (19H1) (build18277.rs_prerelease.181102-1446). Apparently it may be referred to by either bracketed term.

The email promises a good number of tweaks and added control changes, but I don't see anything earth-shattering in the list and wonder if this is worth the candle, especially after the debacle with the previous release.

Opinions?

 

Even though the previous release problems only affected something like 1/10th of 1% of Windows users, it was totally unacceptable - especially in light of the fact the problem was reported during testing before the Update was release to the general public. But those reports were ignored! That's the big issue.

See this video with Ed Bott and Mary Jo Foley for some interesting comments when you have a spare 17 minutes. Apparently, Microsoft (who was, as they should be, greatly embarrassed by this HUGE mistake) has already made significant changes to their bug reporting and review process to ensure nothing like this happens again.

Sure, there will always be undetected bugs that slip by but again, this bug was detected and reported by several in the Insider Program, but those reports never made it to the right people, or the reports did make it to the right people and they just really *&^%$# up! Either way, a totally unacceptable breakdown in procedure and management oversight.

So should you install it? I would say "yes". Why did you join the Insider Program? The purpose of the program is for advanced users to try out these, in effect, "beta" builds to [hopefully] root out those bugs before the updates get pushed out to the general population.

If you don't want to be a beta tester and don't want to accept the known risks associated with all beta testing, then perhaps it would be best to step out of the program and stick with the stable builds.

FTR, I am a Windows Insider too, but not on this, my primary computer. I have it enable on my two other computers. I do a lot of beta testing of various products, but never do I beta test critical software (like operating systems or security software) on my primary computer. I recommend the same policy for all Insiders. That is, if not willing to lose everything, don't join, or exit out of the Insiders Program.

 

Well, I've tried and tried to download the "latest and greatest" but summat keeps me from getting a completed install, so I think you're right... I should "step out" of the testing program and go find a "stable" download for Win10, but... when I go to the appropriate screen in the "Windows Insider" settings page I am presented with a choice to "stop insider preview builds" . Clicking that tab brings up yet another choice screen , the last choice of which is "Roll back to the latest public version of Windows", but when I select that, it tells me I can't switch back to a previous installation as it is past 10 days. I am confused. One might think that Windows would include just a wee bit of informative chatter to let one know of any alternatives for this step.

As to why did I join the insiders "club", I jumped in with both feet, and misread the initial offering of membership, not realizing that it was intended for those with far more computer ability than I. I understood it to be merely a means for keeping up-to-date on any improvements released in an automatic notification rather than having to dig about and rely on chance to discover same. Also, I messed up by installing on on my only working computer. More fool me. Not the first time I've stuck my... finger.... in the mousetrap.

So, having confessed that I messed up, I wonder if the option to "reset this PC" is the one I want? It is very sketchy on details but I'm rapidly getting PO'd at the whole thing and looking for help.

 

From Insider email 7/12/2018.

 

OK. Thanks for that, but my present OS(17713.rs5_release.180709-1551) has not been upgradeable since last successful install (2-Aug-2018) and now is threatened with the "RS5 'Death date' "of 14-12-2018. I have been rambling about the Internet and have managed to find that I have a recurring error code (0xc1900101) which indicates an incorrect or incompatible driver situation, but how to either find and replace the errant item OR how to just bypass the entire driver requirement as - to say the least - "Beyond My Pay Grade".

I finally discovered the Update History section of Settings>Updates & Security

Partial list:

"Update history

Feature updates (12)
Feature update to Windows 10, version 1809
Requires a restart to finish installing

Feature update to Windows 10, version 1809 (5)
Last failed install attempt on 11/23/2018 - 0xc1900101

Feature update to Windows 10, version 1809
Failed to install on 11/6/2018 - 0x80240034 "

And so on until last line which is
"
Windows 10 Insider Preview 10.0.17713.1002 (rs5_release)
Successfully installed on 8/2/2018"

The computer is now into a "restart to install the latest upgrade" mode which only renders the same result each time.... at some point the upgrade stops and tells me it is undoing the changes made, after which I am dropped to the sign-in screen and, once that's accomplished, the notice that this version of Windows 10 will commit seppuku on 14-12-2018 and that I should move to a newer build ASAP.

I'd LOVE to.

I just need to know how to do it.

Also, if you feel that the "Reset the PC would be the better option for me, by all means let me know.

I just wanna get this nonsense behind me and continue to make errors in my accounting endeavours.

Many thanks for your patient attention.

 

Just to be reminded - is this your main comp running W10 Insider and in every day use for all your work?
If not - YES - Reset would be the way to go.
I have a dedicated PC running W10 Insider and therefore would not be inconvenienced if It developed problems.
MS advised any users who wished to take part in the Insider Preview program NOT to rely on this as a stable OS. (Bill's reminder also).
Unfortunately I do not know of a program that will test your drivers for compatibility with W10 Insider needs. It will be a case of trying to update your drivers one at a time.
But Graphics drivers are the most common problem.

 

Yes, unfortunately I DID use the main (only) computer for WIN10 Insider. Again, I either did not note or did not see the MS warning (had I done, I'd not be in this mess). Scream and leap.... I think I was a Kzinti in another universe.

Updating drivers via an update programme has always been recommended against by advisors as far back as Fred Langa's "Langa List", but it seems that this may be an alternative to a re-set of the computer. I shall search the form for advice on how to do it and hopefully there a simple way to do so. I should sat=y that I opened and expanded Device Manager's list to the fullest and found no alarm marks...

Luckily, I have backups in two places of the present setup (although how efficient they may be is anyone's guess) so if it comes to that, I'll give it a shot.

Again, thanks for your kind attention and replies

 

Went back to device manager and found a duplicate entry for my Sagecom f@st modem fro Spectrum... Called them and, of course, they were useless for whether the duplicate entry is normal, so I've deleted one of them (both were marked as operating normally) and will (again!) restart. Wish me luck.

 

Well, I tried to remove one instance of the modem... no luck, as it was there again after the restart. I cannot enter Safe Mode with Networking either using the usual method or the alternative one proposed by Mr. Omo here. Once I get to the screen to select the option for Safe Mde with Networking, my keyboard is shut off (pressing NO key results in any action) and the only way out is a power interruption (hard restart). I really wanted to give SMwN a shot to see if it could help resolve the driver issue but I'm stumped about how to get into it. Incidentally, the modem wasinstalled at just about the first failure date for an update showing the 0xc1900101 driver error code.

I'm really getting ready to just s/can the OS and reload from the DVD I burned a few days ago.

The Insider's feedback page has tons of questions and answers about EVERYTHING but this problem... can't believe I'm the only idiot out there with this problem. Betcha anything that come the bomb date (tomorrow) there will be messages galore.

 

Well, all is good in Mudville! I was directed to Microsoft's Insider download page and got the latest insider release, mounted the ISO to a virtual disc drive and installed not only the release (build 18290.rs_prerelease.181121-1501) but a fresh copy of Windows 10 (Pro 64), and all is running very well. I haven't delved into the"new" and "wonderful" additions in the release, will more likely be trying to find a way to easily back out of the Insider Program and go back to being a "luser" again.