Bugs and Fixes: Grief With Microsoft Software, Hardware

You have to give Microsoft credit some of the time. Sure, the majority of us feel frustrated by the bugs in many of its products. But at least the company is serious about fixing problems--especially if users cry loudly enough.

For instance, last time I wrote about a security hole in Windows XP's online help tool. As I reported, Microsoft plugged the hole and included the fix with Service Pack 1 for Windows XP. At that time, the company said it would not release a separate patch. Since then, however, it has reversed that position and released an individual fix.

Also last month, Microsoft insisted that a vulnerability in Word 97, 2000, and 2002 was really a feature. The problem? A miscreant could steal files off your hard drive. The company responded by posting some general advice on how to protect your documents. But a few weeks later, Microsoft changed its mind and released a set of patches to fix the Word hole, as well as a related one in Excel 2002.

Microsoft has fessed up to hardware problems, too: The company recently acknowledged connection glitches with its new networking units. Owners of Microsoft's MN-500 broadband wireless base station and MN-100 wired Ethernet router have experienced dropped connections and error messages. Some users reported that their connections would go down as often as every half hour.

Microsoft released a firmware patch that applies to both devices. If you use the Auto Update service, you should already have been notified about the fix (click here to learn how to set up Auto Update). Lastly, see Microsoft's general tips on how to improve your wireless performance.