MS Critical Update KB828035 & Games

I downloaded and installed the recent KB828035 Critical Update from MS, rebooted and then found that two MS Software Games I have installed would not work. They are older games, Midtown 1 & 2. I reinstalled the games and still wouldn't work. I used System Restore to a point before the download and the games worked just fine. The games are old, probably in the Win 95 and 98 days. Still, they work just fine in XP.

I again downloaded the Critical Update KB828035. Same as before. The games would not run.

My question is: Do you think it's just a quirk of my machine or is it something in the Update that is causing this?

 

Hello Mudd,

Have no answer other than to accept the patch and have these programs not run, or not accept them and have them run.

About the patch:

From the MS more info tech detail:

Subsequent to the release of this bulletin, it was determined that the update for Windows XP did not properly place the updated file wkssvc.dll into the %systemroot%\system32\dllcache. This problem is unrelated to the security vulnerability discussed in this bulletin. Microsoft recommends that customers who have previously applied the security update reinstall the latest version to insure that their system remains protected in the event that the wkssvc.dll is ever deleted or becomes corrupt.

The security aspect:

A security vulnerability exists in the Messenger Service that could allow arbitrary code execution on an affected system. The vulnerability results because the Messenger Service does not properly validate the length of a message before passing it to the allocated buffer.

Do you use Windows Messenger Service? If not, you ought to shut it down:

Start > run > type Services.msc > ok > scroll down to Messenger service > double click > Properties dialog box, change start up type to either Manual or stop.

Another option:
Right click on the executable game program > properties > Compatibility tab and in the Compatibility panel try running in 98/me mode.

Regards - Charles

 

Charlesvar

This is really weird! I posted with this problem more than a week ago, maybe even two weeks, I forgotten just when. When it didn't appear on the list I assumed the Moderator for some reason didn't see fit to let it be posted on the board.

I did what you suggested before now and removed the patch. I have the Messenger shut down, don't use that. So my problem was solved by removing the patch.

When I looked a the board this morning I saw my post and would have removed it if I knew how. Also, I saw a bucket full of new posts, all dated 9 December. I suspect something happened that a lot of them didn't get posted until today. Probably a glich in the program.

Thanks for the help.

 

Mudd - there is an admin option available to Bump a thread. It leaves the original date but silently moves the post back to the top.

There are threads that deal with problems but that for some reason got no response when originally posted. Sometimes because no one had a clue and sometimes because the person(s) who knew the answer just missed the thread.

As a matter of routine housekeeping, these threads are often bumped back to the top in hopes that they will be answered. As you can see, it does help sometimes.

 

Newt

I should have know this, but didn't. I only guessed what might have happened. With so many posts dated today should have been my clue.

Thanks for the information. By the way, I need a laugh as it's been a tough week!

 

I had the same problem when I allowed update KB824141 to be installed. I could not play a couple of shockwave games and one from Mumbo Jumbo called High Roller. (my wife's favorite) So I just don't allow that one to be installed. The games softeware developers suggested I uninstall and re-install the games AFTER I do the update. Didn't want to try that either. If I lost my wife's high score section, she'd kill me. Also was told that if you use virus protection, to be sure and disable it while installing any updates.

 

Hi mroe,

*Also was told that if you use virus protection, to be sure and disable it while installing any updates*

My hackles rise everytime I see this. Unless there is a specific problem, advice best ignored.

I have yet to see any problem with MS update installs resolved by shutting down the AV.

Regards - Charles