Thank you, Mick.

I honestly don't know (and previously didn't really care) what I was
installing. I assumed that if an update came from MS and was labeled
important that I should install it. And I don't know enough, or have enough
time, to figure out what the installation is - I just want to have a reliable
computer / system that I can use everyday.

Your comments seem helpful, so I will try to do what you suggest.

But, first, when I start messing with this stuff, uninstalling, and the
like, am I putting myself at risk of crashing my whole system, or getting
involved in untold hours of time?

Thanks for taking the time to respond.
--
Chris


"Mick Murphy" wrote:

> It sounds like you installed a Video Card Driver from Windows Updates.
> Never install 3rd party hardware Drivers from WU.
>
> Go to either your Computer's, Graphic Card's or Motherboard Manufacturer's
> manufacturer's website and download the latest Graphics/Video Driver from
> there, not MS!
>
> Also, you can uninstall the offending updates, and when they appear for
> install
> again>Right-Click> Hide.
>
> And there is always System Restore.
> Start>Programs>Accessories>SystemTools>System Restore.
> --
> Mick Murphy - Qld - Australia
>
>
> "Chris" wrote:
>
> > BACKGROUND:
> >
> > I am only a user, and do not have technical knowledge.
> >
> > EQUIPMENT:
> >
> > I have MS Vista Basic Home Edition with service pack 1 and all updates
> > current up to 6-1-2008 (there are today 6-4-2008 two updates waiting to be
> > installed, but now I am afraid to install them due to the following problem).
> >
> > I have MS Office Home and Student 2007.
> >
> > My computer is a PowerSpec 32-bit with 2 GB of RAM and my monitor is an Acer
> > 17” wide.
> >
> > All of this was purchased about four months ago.
> >
> > PROBLEM:
> >
> > On 6-1-2008, when I turned on my computer I was notified of two MS updates
> > (I do not use automatic updating), and installed them:
> >
> > * Update for Windows Vista (KB947562)
> >
> > * Definition Update for Windows Defender - KB915597 (Definition 1.33.9770.6)
> >
> > My computer installed and then automatically shut down and re-started.
> >
> > At this point all my fonts, icon sizes, etc were different than before. My
> > gadget clock, for example, was larger than before, and instead of round it
> > was an oval, like something was squishing it from the top. My Word Arial
> > font, for example, was “wider” and to get it to look like it did before I had
> > to change to Arial Narrow (but I don’t want my documents in Arial Narrow).
> > My email font (characters) were also different than before. Many other
> > changes also occurred.
> >
> > My problem is, or the outcome I want is, to have my settings and appearances
> > like they were before.
> >
> > WHAT I’VE TRIED:
> >
> > I’ve spent about two hours trying to change my display settings. Nothing
> > seems to work. For example, I can get my gadget clock almost round, but not
> > like before. I can’t even begin to figure out how to correct the font
> > problem. All my email fonts look strange, and are hard to read, like the
> > letters aren’t completely filled in. The words that Yahoo uses in their
> > email forms are now bold and I can’t unbold them.
> >
> > I’ve tried to restore to a date before 6-1-08, but can’t figure out how to
> > do it. Apparently in XP there was some kind of “return to before this date”
> > function but this doesn’t seem to be available with Vista.
> >
> > I’ve asked for help on a local email group, and most said try fooling with
> > the display settings.
> >
> > One person said, “It sounds like the updates crapped out your video driver.
> > I would check your PC makers website for an updated video driver and install
> > that. Then I would play with the resolution in your display settings in
> > "Control Panel". If these aren't the issue then I might try deleting the
> > hardware (found under Display Adapter in Device Manager) and then press scan
> > for new hardware. This may require a reboot.”
> >
> > But I don’t know what this means and would feel afraid to try to do
> > something like this, whatever it is.
> >
> > I tried to get into MS’s 90-day free help thing on-line (since MS obviously
> > caused this problem) but they aren’t recognizing my 20-digit product code, so
> > apparently they’re not going to fix this for free.
> >
> > I searched this MS community and somehow found a posting about the same kind
> > of problem also dated 6-1-2008, but can’t find it now.
> >
> > I apologize if this is redundant, but I just want to go back like it was
> > before, and need help doing that.
> >
> > Thanks for your consideration.
> >
> >
> > --
> > Chris