Cannot Turn Off Automatic Updates

[marvo]

Somehow XPs automatic updates was turned on & I believe I am downloading
SP2 for the last few days. I do not leave my computer on when not in
use since I am not at home. Since I am on dial-up it will take forever &
I cannot download any virus updates. I searched & found a Microsoft
article (306525) which explains how to turn off "automatic updates"
by runnings ysdm.cpl. I did that but it still says automatic updates is
"ON". How can I stop the download & turn off the automatic
updates. Also I double click on the icon & right click on the icon
in the System Tray but nothing happens. It just says Downloading
Updates 43% Thanks in advance...marvo

 

[Guest]

Marvo,
Welcome. SP-2 is a rather large file (from 16- 23 MB) and it will take quite
a bit of time to download on a dialup system. You can order the SP2 disks FOR
FREE from here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/sp2/cdorder/en_us/default.mspx

Dont worry on the first page about it saying "a small shipping and handling
fee" because it's free inside the US.

As far as turning automatic updates off, I would not recommend it because
sometimes there are update patches that fix some serious security flaws that
may allow a hacker to take control of your computer.

If you absolutely must turn it off, then you can access Automatic Update
settings from:
Start->Settings->Control Panel->System and then click on the tab that says
"Automatic Updates" and click the box that says "Turn off automatic updates".
The best thing to do would to program it to do the updates at a time when you
would normally be sleeping, such as 1 or 2:00 am. That is one of the options
you will see under that update tab I specified.

As far as the current update that your system is downloading, I would let it
run it's course. I know it's taking a long time if it's downloading SP-2, but
that's a good thing because SP-2 adds a lot more stability and a few more
features to XP.

Good luck!
Mack

 

[marvo]

I purchased the SP2 Disk but will hold off installing it
as long as I can. I am sure that the SP2 CD is the original
version without any of the updates on it. With all I have
on my PC I would probably screw up something.
Since I am using Zone Alarm Fire Wall, I am sure that it
is better than the Fire Wall in SP2 since it also checks
on outgoing. I will go with SP1 as long as I can.
Thanks for the response. marvo

 

[Guest]

You should still do the updates after installing SP2 because there were some
serious portals that had gaping wide holes in them (such as buffer overflows
that allowed hacks to gain access...)

SP2 is really alot more stable than SP1. That's why they released it. As far
as the Windows firewall, you can easily turn it off and continue to use Zone
Alarm.

Mack