CHOOSING UPDATES TO INSTALL

[ANTHI]

HOW DO I CHOOSE WHICH UPDATES (SENT BY THE HP SUPPORT ASSISTANCE) TO INSTALL ON MY LAPTOP? I AM A BIT CAUTIOUS AS I HAVE KNOWN PROBLEMS TO BE CREATED ONCE UPDATES ARE INSTALLED.

FURTHERMORE, SINCE I HAVE CHOSEN THE 'INSTALL ALL UPDATES AUTOMATICALLY' OPTION ON THE ASSISTANT WHY DOES IT NOTIFY ME TO INSTALL UPDATES INSTEAD OF DOING IT AUTOMATICALLY?

THANKS

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

Anthi,

Welcome to the HP Forum!

If you are feeling cautious, then you might set the HPSA to "Notify" instead of "automatic".

Why Notify?  Most of the time, HPSA will give you good advice; it is important that you have a choice about what happens to  your computer before it happens.  If you know ahead of time that the system is going to be updated, you can (if you wish) take the time to make sure you have your backups completed, perhaps a new Image made, and whatever other precautions you want to take.

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Commentary

It is this Expert's opinion that you should never allow the HPSA to update your BIOS for you.  The update can backfire and you might end up with a bricked system.  Yep.  The disaster is not necessarily due to the BIOS being updated by the HPSA, although it is a risk to turn over such an important task to a program; the results can be a result of the system not being ready for the update when it is suddenly thrown on the computer, it might be due to a bad BIOS image, it might be simply due to you having external devices attached during the update that conflict with the BIOS update.

1. Set any BIOS updates from HPSA to "ignore"
2. Open your computer's own webpage and check to see if there is indeed a BIOS update for your computer
3. READ the BIOS update information and decide whether you need the update on your computer or not

If you decide to update your BIOS,                                                        

• Make sure ALL your backups are current and complete - this means everything you need to restore the system in the event that something goes wrong.

• Disconnect USB drives and any other unnecessary hardware.  Keyboard and mouse can stay connected.
• Always run in AC power when updating the BIOS, never on battery
• Do not touch the system while the update is in progress
• Optional: leave wireless button ON, but turn off the router (to make sure there are no interruptions)

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I do not know the answer to why the HPSA does not perform the updates automatically.  The program is finicky.  You might, if you still want automatic updates, uninstall your existing HP Support Assistant program from Programs and Features, Reboot the computer, and install a fresh copy of the HPSA program.

HP Support Assistant

See:  Using and Troubleshooting HP Update

HP Software Update, also called HP Update, is HP's tool to help keep your computer up-to-date. The HP Update program finds the latest updates needed for HP software, drivers, firmware, BIOS, tools, and utilities installed on your computer and gives you the choice of which to install. It also updates new technical content such as troubleshooting tips.

[ANTHI]

Dear Dragon-Fur,

Thanks for your prompt reply and helpful advice.

Regarding the 'Notify' option my HPSA has the option 'check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them'. I guess this is what you are referring to.

However I still have no clue on how to decide what to install and what not. Anything that HPSA describes as critical?  How about the ones it describes as recommended? Are these the optional ones or the ones HPSA recommends I apply? Furthermore, most updates have a generic description and I don't know if they apply to my computer. You mentioned my computer's own web page. How do I get there and is there a way through this page to find out  whether the suggested updates apply to my computer?

Lastly when sites request product number what are they referring to?  Product name: HP Pavilion g6 Notebook PC or  Product number: C0C39EA#AB7 or both?

Thanks again for your time.

[Dragon-Fur]

Anthi,

If you are looking for general information about the HP Pavilion G6, that may be enough for that purpose.

When you are seeking specific information for YOUR computer (drivers, specifications), you should provide exact information.

The full model name:

HP Pavilion g6-2255ev

OR

The Product Number:

C0C39EA

Your computer's Driver and Software webpage (assuming Windows 8):

HP Pavilion g6-2255ev Notebook PC Drivers

Driver = software program that controls hardware

Commentary

In general, you should not run any driver older than those that come on the system originally.  There might be exceptions to that rule, but as a novice user, you would normally depend on the configuration that came with the computer when it was new.

Over time, things change. 

Changes include but are not restricted to:

Bugs might be discovered in the programming code, new models of the same kind of computer might come onto the market and need to be added to the driver's "list of supported models", new features might be needed to keep a device driver working properly with a new Operating System (Windows 7 >> Windows 8).

All or any of these changes can affect your computer's working environment.  The extent to which one computer is impacted by a driver change might be more or less than other similar models.  Sometimes a new version of a driver will be introduced and while it might greatly benefit one group of users, the impact is negligible for other owners of a similar computer.

If a driver change is considered vital to increase working stability, to provide security, or to provide the means of supporting a model or Operating System previously unsupported, that driver update may be considered critical.

You should always consider your working environment when you add updates.

If HP says a patch (driver update) is critical, then the chances are the change impacts many users, many computers, and is considered important enough that you should consider installing it for the safety and stability of your computer.

It does not mean you should install updates without first having your backups up-to-date, your recovery media available, the time to deal with any "other than desired" results;  you should have in hand the means to get back to where you are "now".

As long as you understand that no patch / update / software or hardware change is completely free of risk, then after you have protected your enviroment (backups, backups, and one more backup), then you can install whatever updates and patches and software that look interesting, that seem to be helpful, and that are stated by HP to be Important or Critical.  Updates that are described as routine may include important enhancements - you can install these.

The fact is that no matter what public source one uses, the information about a driver is spotty at best.

If the Update is listed in your computer's driver webpage, it is a suggested update for YOUR computer model.

HP Updates:  I use the Driver Webpage to determine what is necessary for most of my systems.

Windows Updates:  I have these set to notify -- I decide when / if / which to download and apply.  In generaly, I select the Important Updates and I never install the "recommended" updates. 

I only install Updates when I have time to deal with any "unexpected" results.

I have one test computer on which I use the HPSA to install updates.  It is set to  notify.

Recommended Updates -- I take these as a "one at a time" thing.  I do not install most recommended updates - I rarely, in fact, install "recommended" updates.  Understand that my computer's are running pretty much standard and I do not require the additional software or changes offered in the "recommended" category.

If the Update is on a list of "recommended" updates either in Windows Updates or in the HPSA, then you can decide for yourself based on what little it tells you.  I have found that I can ignore "recommended" updates and be very happy.

You can read many opinions on this subject - in the end, you have to decide for yourself.  It is one of the joys and burdens when you are your own administrator.  I suggest you read what others say about updates, when / if / how to apply them.  There are certainly a great many opinions out there -- everyone has a version of the best way to do this.

I know it is not "the answser" -- at best, this is advice to help you become better able to understand and manage your own situation.

Happy Computing!

[ANTHI]

Thanks a lot. It was very helpful.

[Dragon-Fur]

You are welcome!

I am sorry if it seems confusing.  There are "stock" answers for these questions; they are invariably based on someone's opinion on how you should take care of your computer.

At work, decisions about which Updates to use are made by one or more IT people whose job it is to make sure the computers in their care function according to company standards.

Commentary

Personal computers might be considered your own personal, virtual office space.

When you are at work, someone else decides which reference books are available (programs, resources), how much space you are alloted (disk space), maybe even where the furniture or walls and lighting are placed (configuration, Operating System).   

When you are at home, using your own computer, that is, your own virtual office, you have control.  Making daily decsions is more complicated and there is an element of risk.  Making all the decisions puts you in charge, too.  You can do whatever you want -- and THAT gets easier as you learn more about your "office".

When you develop good "office habits", like keeping your backups up-to-date, keepinig the computer happy with regular maintenance, creating Restore Points, and running the best Anti-Virus / Security software you can afford, you can relax a bit and enjoy the benefits.  Play games or chat with friends, write a book, do research, make decisions, enjoy being the boss.

Happy Computing!