Installing Updates in the correct order

Hello all!

Some of You may remember that I´ve discussed updates before. My plan was/is to let Windows Update notify me about updates but to download them from the "corporate site" and install from the HDD.

After having installed WinXP and SP1, I connected to Windows Update to check which ones I needed to download and it was quite a few.

I´ve read that it´s important to install the updates in the correct order. If two updates replaces the same file and they are installed in the wrong order, you´ll end up with the incorrect file version.

Would it be okey to install them in file date order?
This date is in most cases the same as the date of the digital signature but in a few cases the file is "younger ".

Thanks for Your time,
Christer

 

Hi Christer

Suggest you either let Windows Update download and install the updates - in which case the order should be right

or

download to hard drive and install in alpha numerical order.

 

Hi Pete!

Your first suggestion is by far the simplest and if the anti virus software and firewall are shut off, I think that nothing should interfere with the installation.
However, I have read on this board about people having all kinds of trouble in this respect.

Your second suggestion, well, I´ve tried to figure out if they can be installed in alpha-numerical order but it´s not like they started with Update #1 and then went on to #2 ...... it´s Q-numbers in the 3xx xxx series, the 3xx xxx series without the Q-prefix, the 8xx xxx series and I could go on.

Furthermore, if they are sorted by file date it seems like the alpha-numerical designation is rather random.
Two problems, given numbers in sequence but the second one being released before the first one is, if You understand what I mean.

Maybe, for once, I´ll make it simple ...... ......

Christer

 

I forgot to mention that a batch file can be created for multiple installs but that seems a bit too much for a single computer.

See: http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsXP/pro/downloads/servicepacks/sp1/hfdeploy.asp and
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q296861&ID=kb;en-us;Q296861

Christer

 

Hi Charles!

That´s the main reason for wanting to download and install from the HDD.
Avoiding the possible hazards in the automated installations is an added benefit.

When the updates are downloaded, the executable file and an internet link end up in a path of folders, the "last" one containing the update.
I have simply added the file date at the beginning of the folder name to get them sorted in the correct order.
An example: The original folder, com_microsoft.Q329115_XP, will be renamed 020924-com_microsoft.Q329115_XP.

Have I understood it correctly if I put everything in the bin, including SP1 when SP2 is released?

If so, does that apply to "recommended updates" as well as "critical updates "/ "hot fixes "?

Christer

 

Hi Christer.

I think it would be most unwise to dump SP 1 when SP 2 becomes available.

For a start SP2 will contain many of the current updates - see Add/Remove Programs, many of the updates are suffixed SP2, and it will save downloading/re-installing these.

Secondly SP 1 contains a multitude of other fixes and enhancements which are not issued as updates.

Thirdly, in the past, (for other OS's and suites like Office) previous Service Packs have needed to be installed before the latest one can be installed.

Wait and see

 

Hi Pete!

You´ve confirmed my suspicions.

I remembered having read on a Microsoft webpage that a Service Pack contains all previously released fixes, including previous SP's. However, when I noticed that SP2 for Office XP requires SP1 to be installed, I started doubting that previous SP's are included.

It´s possible that I misread the Microsoft webpage too.

Christer

 

Hi Charles!

This is fairly simple when the system is up and running but when there are 20-30 updates to get in the right order when making a fresh installation ...... then it´s not that simple to figure out the order.

I checked the installation dates for my WinME updates and the number is not the thing to go by. 813489 is installed after 816093.

Not all fixes have a release date which is easy to find so, I checked the file date and thought that would be the right order but maybe I´m missing the obvious, to simply install from the bottom to the top of the list as presented by Windows Update.

Christer

 

Hi Charles!

Future installations may be simpler but this is the first time that I make my "own" update catalog. I think/hope that I now know how to get them in the right order.

Thanks to all my tutors!

Christer