saving downloaded updates & patches

[Lee]

I have to start my computer from scratch, basically. It
has gotten pretty confused by something. But before I
wipe this sucker. How do I save all the updates and
downloads from the Microsoft page. All the security
patches, updates, etc. I'd like to be able to put them
on a CD so that I can just reload them. I have only a
dial up connection for options and I'd like to not have
to keep the phone line tied up for the next 3 months re-
downloading all that stuff.

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

You can't save/backup the Updates that are already installed on your PC.

If you know someone with a Broadband connection - perhaps he/she could download the files for you and then burn them onto a CD.

The Updates can be manually downloaded - on the Windows Update click on 'Windows Update Catolog' - if that option isn't present, click on 'Personalise Windows Update' and enable 'Display the link to Windows Update Catalog' and then click on 'Save Settings'. When in the Catalog you download all the Security/Critical and Recommended Updates.

Will

 

[Bee]

.....How do I save all the updates and
downloads from the Microsoft page. All the security
patches, updates, etc. I'd like to be able to put them
on a CD so that I can just reload them. I have only a
dial up connection.....<snip>

Scan to make a *list* of crit/security upd your syst needs
Personalize Win Upd (Lt. pane)
Display the link to the Win Upd Cat (Rt.)
Save Setting (Rt. top corner)
Win Upd Cat (Lt.)
Find Upd for Win OS (Rt.)
WinXP SP1 (highlight this if SP1, otherwise the one above)
Adv search op (click)
Add (to Download Basket, checking the list of upd above)
Burn the downloaded upd on CD

Get SP1a on CD from MS representative, if you don't have one.

The strategy I last deployed was different. I installed and ran
continuously Sky Alert, a breaking news notification free service from the
news broadcaster. Every so often when the internet connection timed out,
Sky Alert reconnected the line automatically within 2min. As the
*Automatic* Win Upd installer supports a resume function (picking up where
the download stopped and resuming downloading), I scheduled that to download
all the upd (28) on offer overnight unattended --- after installing an old
Windows Virtual Machine (pre-recorded on my own CD), and all the protection
software (also pre-recorded) e.g. ZoneAlarm, etc.--- and, in the following
morning, they were all ready for installation. Just 15min.more. Since
up-to-the-last-minute upd are always available from the net, saved onto CDs
is redundant.

[Start] > [Control Panel] > [Perf and Maintenance] > [Syst]
or Rt. click [My Computer] > [Properties] > [Auto Upd]