Blue Screen of Death after Windows Patch

Redmond (ip-192.com): The latest security patches from Microsoft seem to resolve most issues Windows XP users have with their operating system permanently – with the blue screen of death (BSOD). Complaints are overflowing on Microsoft support blogs.

One user identified as DivineMaster writes “I'm seriously hoping that someone will come up with an answer in this thread. I have a Dell Inspiron 600m running XP Service Pack 3.  I downloaded the Feb 10 updates and restarted, but returning to the computer found only a black screen and flashing cursor.  I cannot access safe mode. Here are the solutions I've tried so far:

1. Uninstalling the culprit updates (in particular kb977165) through the recovery console
2. Performing a repair through the recovery disk
3. Accessing a previous system restore point through the recovery console
4. Attempting to restore the default registry settings through the recovery console

None of these has solved the problem and six hours later I remain stuck with a flashing white cursor and rising anger... Any and all help is greatly appreciated.”

A Microsoft support engineer points to free support incidents on the same forum. “Microsoft can't fix something if you don't tell them about it! Please open a free support incident ASAP so they know there are dead bodies,” he said.

"I had to go to work and use my Mac to get online to find out what is going on with the XP updates last night," complained "moosewalk" on the same thread. "I am this much closer to switching over to a Mac for good."

Several users on the forum posted solutions on how to uninstall each security update; other users claimed that they identified the MS10-015 update as the one which triggered the BSOD. They claim that uninstalling this update returns the PC to working condition. MS10-015 or KB977165 patches a 17-year old kernel bug. The vulnerability went public three weeks ago when a Google engineer posted proof-of-concept attack code.

Home users can call 1-866-PCSAFETY (1-866-234-6020 and 1-800-936-5700) in the United States and Canada to receive no-charge support, Microsoft said on the blog.