Unknown update "PCT - Steaming Media and Broadcast - Simplo Webcam

[JB_Harris]

Today in my Windows Update (I have Windows Vista Ultimate x64 on an HP
Laptop) I found the following entry:

*********
PCT - Streaming Media and Broadcast - Simplo Webcam
Download size: 1.3 MB
You may need to restart your computer for this update to take effect.
Update type: Optional
PCT Streaming Media and Broadcast software update released in April, 2008
More information:
http://winqual.microsoft.com/support/?driverid=20184243
Help and Support:
http://support.microsoft.com/select/?target=hub
*********

I've never heard of "PCT - Streaming Media and Broadcast", and while I have
a built-in webcam, I've never seen it refered to as a "Simplo" in ANY
documentation.

Can someone please confirm that this is a legitimate driver update?

I'd hate to be the victim of some known zero-day exploit.

ThAnks,
J. Brad Harris

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

It's probably legit, at least as far as the driver itself is concerned.

Whether your machine needs it or not is another question.

tip: If it's a notebook PC, check the manufacturer's support website to see
if a driver update for the built-in webcam (or any other preinstalled
hardware) is available (and then "hide" the driver update offered by
Windows Update).
--
~PA Bear



JB_Harris wrote:
> Today in my Windows Update (I have Windows Vista Ultimate x64 on an HP
> Laptop) I found the following entry:
>
> *********
> PCT - Streaming Media and Broadcast - Simplo Webcam
> Download size: 1.3 MB
> You may need to restart your computer for this update to take effect.
> Update type: Optional
> PCT Streaming Media and Broadcast software update released in April, 2008
> More information:
> http://winqual.microsoft.com/support/?driverid=20184243
> Help and Support:
> http://support.microsoft.com/select/?target=hub
> *********
>
> I've never heard of "PCT - Streaming Media and Broadcast", and while I
> have
> a built-in webcam, I've never seen it refered to as a "Simplo" in ANY
> documentation.
>
> Can someone please confirm that this is a legitimate driver update?
>
> I'd hate to be the victim of some known zero-day exploit.
>
> ThAnks,
> J. Brad Harris

[malignus]

I did a terrible mistake to trust Microsoft about their content, and just installed this damn update. Since then my Webcam doesn't work. Even more, Vista (Home Premium 32 bit) doesn't recognize that there is a webcam in my notebook at all. I own a Belinea o.book 4 notebook with built in Aveo Webcam. I can't roll back the driver, because I don't see the matching device in the hardware list.
I also can't remove this update, it's not in the list of updates that may be removed. Of course I tried also system restore and that doesn't work also, neither in normal nor in safe mode. Reinstalling the Manufacturers Webcam driver software doesn't change anything either. It makes me crazy, to have done such a stupid thing not being able to fix it.
Any ideas what to do?