Windows Updates - Should I be afraid?

I've been running a new PC computer - XP Home - for about 2 weeks now. We just do web browsing - email- and digital photos. My old computer ran 98SE.

I went to Windows Update and let it scan my computer for needed updates and it came up with 23 needed updates, one of which was SP 1. Most of the updates seem to involve security issues, but I'm not knowledgable enough to read the description of each update and decide if I need it or not. So, if I did the update I would just let it download all updates including SP 1 . But here's my question. I've read so much about how people have downloaded updates and then had trouble with their computer - especially SP 1 - that I'm running scared. My computer is running fine now - I don't want to mess it up - but neither do I want to ignore something that's necessary for my computer to keep running good. So, what do the experts recommend?

 

chgo29,

You would be wise to keep your system up to date. You are quite a ways behind and at risk for getting something worse than a little bump from an upgrade.

I would do it this way for maximum protection from any possible harm that might come from installing a patch:

Use msconfig (or StartupCop, etc.) to suspend all start-up programs and reboot. Then go to the Windows update site and select ONLY the SP1 package. Click the remove button for any others. Don't worry, they don't get permanently removed, just put aside for now.

Then go ahead and let SP1 download and install. Be prepared for a looooong wait. It's a big package. Then reboot.

Then use msconfig (or equal) and put your start-up's back into operation and reboot again. If you have no problems, wait for a couple days and then return to the Windows update site and select another item to install. Stick with the ones labeled "Critical Updates" and leave the rest for the very last. Do one of them every 2 ~ 3 days and use the same procedure as with the SP1, kill the start-up, etc. You'll have to be patient and wait each time to be sure you have no untoward effects. If you do, do not install any further updates. post back and describe what is going wrong and get help early on.

With any luck, you'll skate free and your system will be up to date and safer from intrusion until some other threat appears.

Good luck.
ps, be sure you update yor Browser as well!

 

I have several desktops and a notebook, the only problem I had after installing SP1 was with Roxio’s Easy CD, but this was remedied by downloading and installing their latest patch. http://www.roxio.com/en/support/roxio_support/ecdc/ecdc_software_updatesv5.jhtml

Oh yea, It’s a good idea to disable your anti-virus software before the upgrade; and at 25mb it can take some time to download over a dial-up connection. IMO, the benefits far out way the risks.

 

Let me emend my previous advice and say, use Ctrl+Alt+Del (Taskmanager) to stop all running Applications before downloading and installing the patch. Kill anything listed on the Applications tab view. Then right click any icons in the Systray and select close, exit, or whatever makes them disappear.

I previously advised using msconfig but it's such an egg-head oriented program that you might get more problem than you prevent using it.

Yes, as George points out (and I failed to mention) you should disable your AV program, since you can't do that using Taskmanager, it must be don't from within the AV program.

 

Thanks Zephyr & George S

Thanks guys for your help. I really appreciate your being willing to help people like me who need a little hand holding. I'm going to do the downloads - one at a time as you suggested - and carefully as you suggested - next week (got to wait till the wife is out of the house - she NEEDS her computer). Cliff

 

I do not know about XP and how you would do it but, in regards to AV it should be shutdwn so that it does not reload at statup untill the updates or what ever are complete.

Not doing so caused me a problem with some earlier updates.

BillyBob

 

In addition to the other excellent advice, I recommend not getting any driver updates from Microsoft. If the hardware is working satisfactorily, it's best to leave the drivers alone. There are usually better results going to the component's manufacturer's site to get driver updates if you decide you need them.

 

If its a driver no ! only if you are havin problems then get it from the manufacture . I have had bad luck from things big brother microsoft has given out in the past. If its an update to xp yes do it.