8230 Windows 11 upgrade

[glennpoirier]

Some JEOL operators might find this useful.
I had the probe computer (HP Z4 supplied by JEOL) for my JEOL 8230 set up for extended service updates for Win10.
I got a notification on the taskbar that there was an update available. Assuming it was just a normal update I told it to install. After several restarts I realized to my horror that it was doing a full Win11 update!
When the update finished and it had restarted I started the JEOL software and much to my relief everything seems to be working. All the hardware is seen and can be controlled without issue. I've been using it for a week without any problems.
Your mileage may vary and I certainly wouldn't try it without a recent clone of the OS drive

[John Donovan]

That is useful information.

I would also note that there are no concerns (that I know of) with upgrading your Probe for EPMA computer to Windows 11.

[AndrewLocock]

Hello,
I found a new-to-me problem with Windows 11 and Probe-for-EPMA software.
During a long run (~20 hours), the Windows 11 Microsoft Defender Antivirus suddenly "locked" the MDB file.
This halted the run, until I showed up in the morning, and got it to resume.

I have now added the MDB file type to "Exclusions" in the Windows Security - Virus & threat protection settings.
Hopefully, this will prevent such a lock-up in future.

Please see the attached PDF for edited screen captures of the Windows Security settings.

Cheers, Andrew
You cannot view this attachment.

[John Donovan]

I asked Google: "why does Microsoft Defender think that .mdb files are dangerous?" and it replied:

Microsoft Defender flags .mdb (Microsoft Access Database) files as dangerous because they can contain malicious VBA macros, embedded scripts, or exploit vulnerabilities in the Jet Database engine to execute arbitrary code. As files capable of active scripting and data manipulation, they are classified as risky, particularly when downloaded or shared, to prevent trojans, ransomware, and unauthorized system access.

It's the same reason why Microsoft renamed the old Excel .XLS files to .XLSX (without macros) and .XLSM (with macros).

If you get this error (I do not with McAfee anti-virus), please follow Andrew Locock's instructions above.

By the way, all Probe for EPMA and CalcZAF MDB database files do NOT contain any macros, only static tables!