Another hotfix for Microsoft’s ANI patch

Since the advance update for the vulnerability in loading animated cursors had caused problems on numerous computers, Microsoft automatically distributed a hotfix on their patchday. Now, the company provides another hotfix to eliminate additional problems with the update. In a knowledgebase article on the hotfix, the Redmond-based company has also extended the list of programs that are known to have problems with the original patch.

The new hotfix prevents Windows 2000 or XP computers from crashing when users start printing from SQL Reporting Services. According to Microsoft, this problem affects drivers for Ricoh’s LAN Fax, Gestetner P7026n PCL, Ricoh Laser AP2600N PCL, HP LaserJet 9050, HP LaserJet 4200 and HP 4050 PCL6.

The first hotfix does not only fix problems with Realtek sound drivers, the Elster tax declaration software and the Tugzip packing program, but also remedies problems with other programs: Now, Microsoft also lists software such as CD-Tag, Suunto Ski Manager, BMC PATROL and BricoPack Vista Inspirat as incompatible with the original patch. The affected programs also include the well-known AVG antivirus software, whose control center in version 7.5 also seems to be in need of the patch for the patch.

Users having problems with the first patch for the ANI vulnerability should first install the first hotfix, unless the automatic update has downloaded and installed it already. According to Microsoft, the new hotfix for the printer problems will not be delivered automatically through the update system. In any case, it should prove very relevant for private users, but is more important for corporate networks to restore printer availability.

See also:

• Knowledgebase article by Microsoft on the new hotfix to solve printer problems
• Knowledgebase article by Microsoft on the first hotfix with an updated list of affected applications

(mba)