The issue focused on software packages as Microsoft Windows computers were intended to run Unix systems. Computer hackers recently determined that malware running on machines called IBM PCs could infect devices made by PC maker Hewlett-Packard.

Over the past month, computer makers have introduced update drivers for Windows machines so they can receive updates when devices get infected with malware. Microsoft engineers told programmers not to contact Microsoft because Microsoft does not provide software updates for Microsoft Windows machines. Microsoft software engineers did provide software updates for PCs made by HP and