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Web Weather => Weather Website PHP/AJAX scripting => Custom Website Templates => Topic started by: jelliott on June 29, 2018, 06:20:53 PM

Title: Microsoft Win 10 upsets Saratoga Reliability
Post by: jelliott on June 29, 2018, 06:20:53 PM
I suspect this has been asked before, but I cannot find it.  Any advice would be appreciated.

I have been running the Saratoga Template (Canada)  successfully and reliably for years (current WD build 305), but with the advent of Win 10, I hate how Win security updates are downloaded and installed automatically, forcing a manual restart of my dedicated weather PC.  I'm all for security, but I often don't notice until one of my site followers informs me, which gives a bad impression of site reliability.

I have managed to stop restarting with every MS download, but eventually it occurs.  Is there a way to monitor that real-time uploads have stopped, and auto-notify via email when this occurs? 

Thanks.

www.tenmilepoint.com
Title: Re: Microsoft Win 10 upsets Saratoga Reliability
Post by: CW2274 on June 29, 2018, 06:38:55 PM
I hate how Win security updates are downloaded and installed automatically, forcing a manual restart of my dedicated weather PC.
I have my PC set to auto start Weatherlink after an update or even after a power failure should it last longer than my UPS.
Title: Re: Microsoft Win 10 upsets Saratoga Reliability
Post by: Bushman on June 29, 2018, 07:16:14 PM
Startwatch (free) should do this, no?
Title: Re: Microsoft Win 10 upsets Saratoga Reliability
Post by: saratogaWX on June 29, 2018, 07:27:59 PM
The approach I use is to address the Windows updates on the day of release -- the 2nd Tuesday of each month.

During the afternoon or evening (on the second Tuesday of the month), I manually start Settings, Updates -- let them download and finish processing.  When it pauses for the 'reboot' message, I shutdown the weather programs first, then press Restart Now.

When the system comes back up, I check with Settings, Updates to make sure nothing was missed (and cycle again if more updates arrive).  Then start my StartWatch to start all the weather programs.

By doing this, my downtimes are usually once a month and under my control.  That's not to say that Microsoft won't push an urgent fix  that requires reboot, but that is a rare occurrence in my experience.

Yes, I hate it that you have little control over the update process, but.. knowing "when" they do it allows the downtime to be mostly on my terms.  And yes, StartWatch is free, but the softwx.com site seems to be gone.  I do have a copy of his last distribution for Startwatch if you're interested.
Title: Re: Microsoft Win 10 upsets Saratoga Reliability
Post by: Bushman on June 29, 2018, 08:16:54 PM
Softwx downloads are still there.... http://www.softwx.com/downloads.html
Title: Re: Microsoft Win 10 upsets Saratoga Reliability
Post by: saratogaWX on June 29, 2018, 08:25:43 PM
Oh, good to see the site is back.  When I looked a couple of months ago, it wasn’t working.
Title: Re: Microsoft Win 10 upsets Saratoga Reliability
Post by: BCJKiwi on June 29, 2018, 09:53:37 PM
I run the Pro version of Win 10 and don't know if it is different in the home version but have turned OFF the the updates restart option.

Settings / Windows Update / schedule the restart - turn off the slider button

Also check out the options available under the Change active hours and Advanced Options settings.
Title: Re: Microsoft Win 10 upsets Saratoga Reliability
Post by: jelliott on July 03, 2018, 01:02:51 AM
Good comments.  I'll investigate.