Windows XP slow due to update of Internet Explorer 8

Over the last couple of weeks I have been getting complaints from customers that Windows XP on old systems is running a lot slower than usual. I did some investigation as to what was causing the apparent slowdown and determined that Windows Update was running shortly after the system started and the svchost.exe was taking 100% of the CPU time. Clearly not a good situation.

Trying to stop svchost.exe did the trick for awhile, but back it came. I was really concerned when I had to rebuild a Windows XP system and it happened when I installed all the latest updates. Further research via Google pointed to a problem Internet Explorer update. If the Update service detects you do not have the latest IE update that is currently available it starts to search the whole IE updates tree to see what you need - instead of just offering the current cumulative update for your system. But if you manually install the update yourself the Update service finds Internet Explorer is fully updated and doesn't search for any IE updates.

The temporary fix is to load the Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 8 for Windows XP (KB2898785). This was released on December 10th but could only fix the problem until Microsoft releases a permanent fix in a future monthly cycle.

DELL Optiplex 3020 review

I was shipped a new DELL Optiplex 3020 mini-tower last week and as it is the replacement of the successful DELL Vostro 270 I thought that I would have a closer look at it. The basic configuration was a 'Haswell' Intel i3 4130 CPU at 3.4gHz, 4GB 1600MHz DDR3 memory, 500Gb hard disk drive and Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (of course).


On ordering the system, I noted that:
- there is no wireless card included (as in the Vostro 270) and it could not be added by DELL.
- there is no option for a media card reader.
- the price was £75 more expensive.

The system was aesthetically pleasing and looked the business. The performance in general was good (WEI: 7.3, 5.9, 5.1, 6.5, 5.9); note here the better performance of the Haswell integrated graphics.

On opening the system case:
- no DVI connection at the rear of the system. The monitor did have a connection and the cable was included.
- no extra hard disk drive caddy. The user cannot upgrade the system with a second hard drive.
- there is no dedicated space to put a 2.5" SSD (strange on a modern desktop system).
- no additional PCI-E graphics power connector, limiting your choice of graphics card expansion.
- no easy mount for a media card reader or floppy drive.
- non-standard motherboard power socket and PSU. Back to the bad old days of DELL proprietary hardware.
- there is a small speaker for Windows clicks, dings and pops.
- only two memory slots, only one available for expansion.

Also for this particular system which was delivered three working days late; there was a dent in the side of the case, no power cord for the monitor (no, it wasn't in the system packaging) and no Windows 7 license sticker.

I feel that this new DELL is an expensive replacement for the Vostro 270 that doesn't have the same design, capabilities and expansion potential. A poor start for the newly privatised DELL.