Don't know if I really NEED this

I disabled my automatic windows update notification and have been relying on Big Fix , with no previous problems.
Yesterday, Big Fix notified me that there were two new updates waiting to be downloaded and installed. I looked at the first and made a "restore point" for before this installation (It was a patch for the "blaster worm ") and after installation, everything seemed OK. Then I downloaded the second update which was (MDAC) 2.8
........have NO idea what this really is but after I installed it , I got errors saying some dlls were missing or corrupt.......so I used my restore point and everything seems ok, although I had to install the first patch again.
My question is .......Do I need this second download ?(Big Fix seems to think so) Should I try it again?
This is an explanation of this patch >

Overview
Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) 2.8 contains core Data Access components such as the Microsoft SQL Serverâ„¢ OLE DB provider and ODBC driver. This redistributable installer for the MDAC 2.8 release installs the same Data Access components as Microsoft Windows Server 2003.
This release does not include Microsoft Jet, the Microsoft Jet OLE DB Provider or ODBC driver, the Desktop Database ODBC Drivers, or the Visual FoxPro ODBC Driver.

Since I don't understand what any of that means, I am not sure.
Thanks , Linda

 

Thanks for answering Steve, but I think you may have to "spell" it out for me re: "databased driven applications "Am not sure, entirely what those applications are or not.
Thanks again, Linda
PS. I thought that Big Fix scanned my machine and let me know what my computer needed!

 

I also downloaded those two patches last night. Now after I leave my computer alone for awhile, I come back and get this log into Windows screen. I never use to get that screen since I first bought the machine and loaded xp?

Anyone know how I can undo that?

 

Steve - Big Fix is an app for handling update notifications and installs. I use it as an alternative to the M$ update thing. Better control and easier to use IMO. The system is designed as a patch manager (sort of) for large networks but they offer a free version for home use.

But it points to the same patches you'll be notified about (usually a day or two or three later) by M$ if you have update notification running and it points you to the M$ patches.

Now I'm interested though. I installed both those patches just before leaving for work this afternoon and have only logged on and started email before leaving the house.

 

Also received Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) 2.8 update via BigFix yesterday (M$ update 824146 applied previous via M$ update). I did NOT install yet, as concerns poster "Linda ", do I really need this. The only data base type program I have (?) is "Access ", which I rarely use. So I'm on hold... waiting for more post's to the subject.

 

Ok thanks, Steve, will NOT download that MDac again,since I dont seem to have any of those databased programs you mentioned or any that I know I may use.
I am surprised though but I believe I was notified the same day by BIG FIX as MS notified the automatic updaters.(Usually as Newt said, BIG FIX notifys a day or two later.)
Linda

 

I was lucky - loaded both the patches and my system is humming along without a care in the world. Whew.