Nvidia and AMD users run into bugs and critical errors due to MS KB3004394 update

Gregster · 13 Dec 2014 at 00:59

A heads up for those that get caught with this.

This writeup is about code that is just as malicious as your average malware and wrecking just about as much havoc; if not more. I am talking about the recent MS KB3004394 update by Microsoft (from last Patch Tuesday). If you are one of those users who have the automatic updates feature turned on and are suddenly experiencing weird behavior and glitching, then this is basically what happened.
Nvidia-VS-AMD-Radeon
Advertisements

MS KB3004394 update wrecks havoc with AMD/Nvidia GPU Drivers (and just about everything else)
You can imagine how serious this issue is, because so far we have received word to warn both AMD and Nvidia users away from this patch (no need for that anymore since it appears Microsoft has pulled the patch) and also to encourage users who have already installed this – to uninstall asap. The update basically messes with the Windows Root Certificate store which results in 1) UAC going crazy and 2) most of the drivers suddenly stopping to work. The effects are not just limited to GPU Drivers either, even native drivers such as USB 3.0 are affected by this homebrewed windows malware. KB3004394 is being blamed for other issues as well which include many core programs failing to start; Windows Defender and Task Manager just to name a few.
If you are one of those people who, like me, have simply turned off automatic updates since times untold, then you are going to be just fine. However, if you have downloaded and installed the update then you will have to manually uninstall since in many cases it has also disallowed further updates to the OS (as prank-ee as that sounds this is the inherent result of the instability of the root certificate store as opposed to a feisty Microsoft employee). I am not going to cover the actual steps but you should be able to find them easily by Googling. To top it all off, you will not be able to install/install anything correctly till the issue is fixed. Thats it for this rather short update.

Read more: http://wccftech.com/nvidia-amd-user...errors-due-ms-kb3004394-update/#ixzz3LjdznEOA

Update thanks to James Miller. Looks like it is a W7 problem.

This article describes an update for Windows Root Certificate Program in Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 8, Windows RT, and Windows Server 2012. Before you apply this update, see more about this update and check out the prerequisites in this article.
Issue for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1

We have found that this update is causing additional problem on computers that are running Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1. This includes the inability to install future updates.

The KB 3004394 update does not cause any known problems on the other systems for which it is released. We recommend that you install the update on the other systems.

An update is available to remove KB 3004394 from Windows 7 SP1-based and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1-based computers. For more information, see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

3024777 You cannot install Windows updates after KB 3004394 is installed on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2
More information about the issue for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1
If you have not yet deployed KB 3004394 on Windows 7 SP1-based and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1-based computers, we recommend that you delay installation until a new version of this update becomes available.

If you have already installed KB 3004394 on Windows 7 SP1-based and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1-based computers that were not restarted after the update was installed, we recommend that you delay the restart if it is possible until more information is added to this article about a method to remove the update.

If the installation of KB 3004394 is causing problems on these computers, remove the update, and then restart the computers. The ability to remove Windows Updates through Control Panel may no longer function on some Windows 7 SP1-based and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1-based computers after KB 3004394 is installed.

It might help some people out.

bloodkil · 13 Dec 2014 at 01:10

Oh dear:

Kinda explains why my driver crashed instantly when starting up The Crew earlier.

Can I remove said 'update'?

Gregster · 13 Dec 2014 at 01:15

Open Installed Updates by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Programs, and then, under Programs and Features, clicking View installed updates.
Select the update that you want to remove, and then click Uninstall.

humbug · 13 Dec 2014 at 01:26

I have never installed it. (Thanks Matt) but MS have not pulled it, this right after checking for updates. its still there. :mad:

Raiden85 · 13 Dec 2014 at 01:33

It's been installed since the 10th, haven't noticed any odd issues so far but will keep an eye out for issues. Thanks for the warning, at least if something is playing up I will know where to check first.

There is another bug that has been causing explorer to instantly crash on 8.1 when viewing .MOV files. Not sure if anyone's has had this issue but it seems to have been out for a little while and MS seems to have caused it again.

Everytime I single left/right clicked on a .MOV video that was recorded via an iPhone, explorer instantly crashed (only open folders), this was 100% repeatable. This caused difficultly in opening or deleting.

The crash was caused by the updated mfmp4srcsnk.dll in the system32 folder. I renamed it to mfmp4srcsnk.dll.old as some others have done, clicked on my .MOV videos again without rebooting/logging off and they now work perfectly everytime, thumbnails still work fine also.

What is MS playing at with all these buggy patches lately, they seem to break more than they fix.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...AllReplies,AllReplies&page=1&tm=1418434369633

shankly1985 · 13 Dec 2014 at 01:35

Installed here and no issue as of yet, although I did install latest AMD drivers before I did the Update..

I also read early today MS have already released a patch??

bloodkil · 13 Dec 2014 at 01:45

As humbug said, it still appears on mine.

bradUK · 13 Dec 2014 at 01:56

Untold driver issues for weeks now!

Really good benches and sweet fps while gaming. Installed latest updates and my drivers crash on boot. Mobo bios and DDU sweeps dont clear it. Bizarrely, random taps of "Enter" whilst posting clear the fault.

Orcvader · 13 Dec 2014 at 02:02

Does this affect certain Windows versions? Not noticed any problems on Windows 7... yet...

tommybhoy · 13 Dec 2014 at 02:30

Good thread greg, noticed in the AMD drivers thread about this and didn't realise it affects Nvidia too, I'm a bit lazy with Windows Update, so it hasn't been installed yet in any of my systems, thanks mate.

triss · 13 Dec 2014 at 04:48

Win 7 here installed it when it was released can see it in my history but when i goto installed updates its not on that screen. No issues yet will worry when it goes wrong

andybird123 · 13 Dec 2014 at 08:41

You can set windows update to auto instsll critical but not recommended, which is how i have it and it then skips this update (i get all sorts of weird stuff appearing in recommended anyway so never bother with them)

Silent_Scone · 13 Dec 2014 at 08:44

lol mine installed yest. Didn't seem to stop me from playing Dragon Age for a couple hours mind.

welldone · 13 Dec 2014 at 08:59

Nicfe thread sir, i have same problem

kedge · 13 Dec 2014 at 09:05

I hope this is not an excuse of some sort?, Nvidia gameworks and Ubisoft are once again in the hall of fame for driver errors and poor game code, stunning stutters there chaps.

pgi947 · 13 Dec 2014 at 09:43

kedge said:
I hope this is not an excuse of some sort?, Nvidia gameworks and Ubisoft are once again in the hall of fame for driver errors and poor game code, stunning stutters there chaps.

An excuse for what? It's a thread about a Windows update causing conflict with gpu drivers on both sides of the fence...

Cheers for the heads up Greg, I'll check my update history this afternoon, though if it is installed everything did seem ok last night.

Gregster · 13 Dec 2014 at 11:04

I have it installed (since the 11th) but touch wood, I have had no issues and had a big spell on AC Unity before going to work yesterday (about 4 hours).

Windows 8.1 Pro 64bit here.

james.miller · 13 Dec 2014 at 11:15

Gregster said:
I have it installed (since the 11th) but touch wood, I have had no issues and had a big spell on AC Unity before going to work yesterday (about 4 hours).

Windows 8.1 Pro 64bit here.

That's because it's causing issues for windows 7 users. 8/8.1 is fine.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/3004394

This article describes an update for Windows Root Certificate Program in Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 8, Windows RT, and Windows Server 2012. Before you apply this update, see more about this update and check out the prerequisites in this article.
Issue for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1

We have found that this update is causing additional problem on computers that are running Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1. This includes the inability to install future updates.

The KB 3004394 update does not cause any known problems on the other systems for which it is released. We recommend that you install the update on the other systems.

An update is available to remove KB 3004394 from Windows 7 SP1-based and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1-based computers. For more information, see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

3024777 You cannot install Windows updates after KB 3004394 is installed on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2
More information about the issue for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1
If you have not yet deployed KB 3004394 on Windows 7 SP1-based and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1-based computers, we recommend that you delay installation until a new version of this update becomes available.

If you have already installed KB 3004394 on Windows 7 SP1-based and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1-based computers that were not restarted after the update was installed, we recommend that you delay the restart if it is possible until more information is added to this article about a method to remove the update.

If the installation of KB 3004394 is causing problems on these computers, remove the update, and then restart the computers. The ability to remove Windows Updates through Control Panel may no longer function on some Windows 7 SP1-based and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1-based computers after KB 3004394 is installed.

Gregster · 13 Dec 2014 at 11:17

Nice find James and phew

Added the info to the OP

TheRealDeal · 13 Dec 2014 at 11:24

I run 8.1 and after the last windows update i had my first Graphics driver has stopped working happen. I can't remember how long ago it's been since that happened but i have that update installed. It's only happened once and i was on the desktop. It could be a coincidence as the machine has been rock solid since then.

Edit: After seeing james post it could well be just a one of coincidence but it was just after installing the latest update.

Thanks for the heads up Greg.