Microsoft had recently released an update KB977165 via security bulletin MS10-015. This security update resolved one publicly disclosed and one privately reported vulnerability in Microsoft Windows. The vulnerabilities could allow elevation of privilege if an attacker logged on to the system and then ran a specially crafted application.

However after installing this update, some users reported that their computer restarted repeatedly. This issue occurred usually when the computer was infected with a virus which changed certain Microsoft operating system files.

When you attempt to install this Update, the installation usually failed and you received one of the following error codes:

- Error Code 0x8007F0F4 (For Windows XP, Windows Server 2000 and Windows Server 2003)

- Error Code 0XFFFFFFFF (For Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 and Windows 7)

Microsoft has now released a Fix it solution KB980966 that users can run to determine whether a computer is compatible with security update 977165.

This Fix it solution does not resolve the issue. Instead, this Fix it solution only notifies you of a possible issue and suggests steps.

If the Fix it solution detects abnormal operating system configurations, you receive the following error message:

Your computer might not be compatible with Microsoft Security Update MS10-015. Proceeding with installation of the update could prevent your system from starting successfully.

If you receive this error message, you should not immediately install security update 977165.

Read more at Download the Fix It solution: KB980966.