automatic updates device driver problem

My laptop computer is running Win7 Home Premium (64 bit).

On 02/22, the Windows Automatic Updates included 2 optional updates - updated drivers for "Microsoft Hardware USB Mouse" and "Microsoft Hardware USB Keyboard". I allowed them to install.

After installing those, each time I booted my computer, I got 2 popup messages from my antivirus program that "Device Driver Software Installation" (system32\newdev.exe) was trying to access the internet. The first several times this happened, I allowed the internet access. But I kept getting the messages. Then I started denying the access, but still kept getting them. I could have created a rule to permanently allow or deny the access, to avoid getting the messages, but I preferred to fix the root problem so that no unnecessary internet access would even be attempted.

The messages persisted even after having installed the Win7 Service Pack 1 update.

Today I determined that if I unplugged my wireless mouse and keyboard cable before rebooting, that prevented the messages. But when I plugged the cable back in, the messages popped up again. So then I knew they were definitely related to the keyboard/mouse drivers. Also, today I started getting new messages in addition to the others (regardless of whether I clicked to Deny or Allow the internet access)... "Driver installation complete. Downloading keyboard configuration software (Microsoft IntelliType Pro)" and another that the installation had completed successfully. However, I then still kept getting the "Device Driver Software Installation" messages.

I was able to correct the problem by rolling back to the previous drivers:

Control Panel - Device Manager - Human Interfacing Devices
- right-clicked** "Microsoft Hardware USB Keyboard", selected Properties, Driver...
The Driver date shown was 12/14/2010 and the version was 8.1.239.0.
Clicked "Roll back driver".
Then it showed Driver date 6/29/2010, version 8.0.219.0.

- did the same for "Microsoft Hardware USB Mouse";
it showed the same driver dates and version numbers.

Now I am no longer getting the messages.


(**) - is there any other term that can be used besides "right-click"? I have my mouse set up as a left-handed mouse, and my "right-click" is actually a left click.
I was thinking "alt-click" might be appropriate, but apparently that means to "left-click" while pressing the ALT button.

taxes - W2 income amounts

I was wondering why the "Wages, tips, other compensation" (box 1) amount on my W2 form did not match the "total earnings" amount on my final pay stub of the year. But I figured out how the Box 1 amount is calculated.
Box 1 amount = (Total Earnings + EGTL Amount) - (Pretax Salary Deductions)

The EGTL Amount is related to employee group term life insurance. This amount is shown on the pay stub in the earnings section, but is not added into the "Total Earnings" amount. It is not an amount paid to the employee, but it is considered a taxable fringe benefit.

The pretax salary deductions include amounts deducted from the paycheck for medical, dental, and vision, 401K plans, and health savings account (HSA). It does not include deductions for Pension, Long Term Disability plans, nor Medical-Retiree benefits.

.. [edited to add the following on 2011/12/22] ..

Box 3 and Box 5 = Social Security Wages / Medicare wages and tips
= (Total Earnings + EGTL Amount) - (Deductions for medical, dental, vision, and HSA)

For Box 3 & 5, 401k contributions are NOT subtracted.

Box 4 = Social security tax withheld = Box 3 * 6.02%

Box 6 = Medicare tax withheld = Box 5 * 1.45%

Amounts paid for Travel Expenses are NOT included in any of the amounts on the W2 form.

[edited to add additional details on 2016/01/06]