Resolved Microsoft Updates

I just did a clean install of XP on my pc, and need all of the critical updates. Belarc says I am missing 55 of them. I use dial-up, so it would take forever to download them on my pc. Is there a way I can use a high-speed connection somewhere, and download all 55 updates to a cd, then use that cd to install them on my pc?

 

Yes you can. Make a note of the KB numbers of the missing High Priority updates. Then on a high-speed connection go the Windows Catalog Click here

Type the KB number into the Catalog search box (the first time you access the site you may be asked to install an ActiveX component, which is normal). Create a folder to download them to, then copy the folder to CD. Just double-click each one to install it. Some of the updates will ask to reboot the system, don’t reboot every time, but, say, every fifth update.

 

go for latest service pack 3 from microsofts website after installing it update your belarc adviser and see if any patch is left then make a note of remaining patch and download it from microsofts website and again install those patches

 

Once you have installed SP3, you can use autopatcher to download all the updates post SP3 and save them to a hard drive or on CD. It is updated regularly. That gives you a convenient way to see which ones are missing (it checks which are installed) and install the ones you need. Handy should you have to reinstall your PC.

http://www.autopatcher.com/downloads/

 

I installed sp3, and used the microsoft catalog. I thought I copied them all to the cd, but when I got home and checked, there was nothing on the cd. I clicked on copy to cd, and the light on the cd recorder was flashing. I don't know what happened, but I will try it again.

 

Be VERY careful, Jeff33. I have had two major crashes on my system over the last few months caused by MS updates. The latest one was yesterday and it messed up Word 2003.

I don't know why MS updates are the cause of significant problems, but I'm sure as hell becoming VERY leery of this "You need these latest changes" message. I'm getting to the point where I'm going to turn their stupid update system off altogether and just take my chances, or give up on MS altogether and go over to Steve Jobs.

 

Wow, that's scary. I just had a hdd crash a few weeks ago. It was my bad though, not Microsofts.
Man, I'm not sure what to do now. ???

 

Jeff-

If you already have backups of your essential data, then I would be inclined to suggest you finish your MS critical updates, unless you don't mind operating your computer on the Internet with known vulnerabilities unpatched.

I have applied MS critical updates to my computers over the years and I do not recall EVER having a major issue with Windows XP handling them.

Occasionally there have been reported issues with MS updates interfering with certain hardware/software configurations. That is to be expected, given the virtually limitless unique configurations possible. However. we usually can read about such issues here in this forum at Windows BBS shortly after they crop up.

I suggest updating with caution as Frank suggested, but not with trepidation.

 

I haven't backed up anything yet. What is the best and easiest way to do that? Is there any good backup freeware out there?

 

I got the updates installed. Thanks again guys!

 

Thanks for letting us know, Jeff. I expect you will continue to be able to apply MS critical updates without any major issues.


BTW, you might want to check out some alternative data backup applications at MajorGeeks. Some are free; some are not.

While not free, Acronis True Image is a popular backup product.

If you shop around reputable retailers on the 'net, I expect you can find Acronis True Image for less than what it costs at the Acronis web site. For example, Newegg currently offers Acronis True Image for US$10 less than at Acronis' site.



Good luck!