Microsoft debuts 'fix it' program

[DorsetBoy]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8629331.stm

Microsoft has launched "Fix It" software that keeps an eye on a PC and automatically repairs common faults.

The software basically adds the automatic diagnostics system in Windows 7 to older versions of Microsoft's operating system.

The software, currently available as a trial or beta version, is intended for users of Windows XP and Vista.

The package also tries to anticipate how security updates will affect a PC before they are installed.


Bug watch

Once installed, the software gets updates about known issues with Windows or any connected devices, and regularly checks to see if a host machine has fallen victim. Once fixes become available it will tell users they are ready or attempt to apply them.

The software has onboard fixes for about 300 of the most widely encountered problems that stop Windows working as it should.

The software also maintains a list of the hardware and software on a machine so if the automatic fix does not solve a problem, it will be able to help users supply detailed information to Microsoft's support staff about what has gone wrong.

Those signing up and downloading the Fix It software can use it on several different machines.

The free software can be downloaded from Microsoft's support pages. Windows XP users wanting to use it must have Service Pack 3 for the operating system installed.

[Rik]

If it's as good as some of their patches, I think I'll pass.

[Fox]

"...repairs common faults" eh, I would like to see it repair a failing power supply or replace a bad stick of RAM.

[DorsetBoy]

"...repairs common faults" eh, I would like to see it repair a failing power supply or replace a bad stick of RAM.

since when was hardware an operating system?

[JB]

If it's as good as some of their patches, I think I'll pass.

I'd be interested to know if it phones home.

[Fox]

well the post does say "The software has onboard fixes for about 300 of the most widely encountered problems that stop Windows working as it should" and in my experience bad power supply/bad ram probably rank in the top 10  

[pctech]

I best brace myself for some interesting problems then.

Customer: "Oh yeah the software worked till I ran this Microsoft Fix It software'

Me: 'Did the software tell you what problem it had detected?'

Customer: 'errr I don't know I just clicked Next'

(pctech bangs head on desk)

Me: 'I suppose we'll need to run a system restore then'

Customer: 'How do I do that then?'

And so begins 40 long minutes of hard graft trying to unfix the fix......

I've noticed MS have had some small executables linked to KB articles for a bit that automate fixes so this sounds like they've rounded these up and added some sort of detection code to it.

Happy Days.

[Simon]

I can't help thinking the 'i' in fix it, might soon be substituted for a different vowel. 

[pctech]

Quite

[Lance]

I can't help thinking the 'i' in fix it, might soon be substituted for a different vowel. 

I thought computers with a dial up model had fax capabilities already? 

[Steve]

Beat me to it

As a convert to the dark side that is Mac OS X. I have been very impressed with Windows 7. I think MS have done an excellent job and indeed their own virus software seems to work well. Perhaps we shouldn't be too cynical about their capabilities as it may be a worthwhile tool?

[vitriol]

I've been using the Microsoft Security Essentials on my Vista and it seems ok.  Never found anything though.......so is it really doing it's job?

[Rik]

If only we could be sure.

[pctech]

I use Avast but occasionally run something such as Panda Software's ActiveScan online scan to ensure it's not missing anything,

[zappaDPJ]

I've been using the Microsoft Security Essentials on my Vista and it seems ok.  Never found anything though.......so is it really doing it's job?

I'm also using it and it has found and successfully blocked around three things so far with no false positives so it's certainly doing something

[vitriol]

cool

[esh]

Windows 7 has blocked a couple trojans in emails for me.