Updating Windows XP offline

[Sleepless in New Jersey]

I support several PC's that run XP but don't have Internet access. I have
the XP SP2 update CD and can update these PC's that far. I learned of a
service provided by Heise Security called "Offline Update." The heart of
this service consists of automated scripts that download Microsoft's updates
for the
Windows version that I select. The result is a 700+ MB ISO file, which I
take to be executable, that can be burned to a CD or DVD that will autorun.
The file also can be copied to a USB flash drive. I used this method.

I downloaded the ISO file on my home PC over its cable connection. I ended
up with an ISO file that Windows Explorer showed with the ISO icon. I
transfered this file to one of the target PC's. Windows Explorer showed the
file but with a
generic icon. When I tried to execute the file, a window popped up stating
that Windows didn't know what program had originated it and gave me the usual
list of applications, none of which seemed to be suitable to open an
executable file.

This has me stumped. Since this PC doesn't connect to the Internet, I
cannot select the option to look online. Of course, I could wait for MS to
release SP3, but who knows when that will occur.

Can someone tell me how to open this file?

 

[Big Al]

I support several PC's that run XP but don't have Internet access. I have
the XP SP2 update CD and can update these PC's that far. I learned of a
service provided by Heise Security called "Offline Update." The heart of
this service consists of automated scripts that download Microsoft's updates
for the
Windows version that I select. The result is a 700+ MB ISO file, which I
take to be executable, that can be burned to a CD or DVD that will autorun.
The file also can be copied to a USB flash drive. I used this method.

I downloaded the ISO file on my home PC over its cable connection. I ended
up with an ISO file that Windows Explorer showed with the ISO icon. I
transfered this file to one of the target PC's. Windows Explorer showed the
file but with a
generic icon. When I tried to execute the file, a window popped up stating
that Windows didn't know what program had originated it and gave me the usual
list of applications, none of which seemed to be suitable to open an
executable file.

This has me stumped. Since this PC doesn't connect to the Internet, I
cannot select the option to look online. Of course, I could wait for MS to
release SP3, but who knows when that will occur.

Can someone tell me how to open this file?

An ISO is like a zip file, or a word file, etc. It requires another
program to read it. IsoBuster, PowerISO, WinISO to name a few.
Look at http://filext.com/ and check the extensions.
Some CD burning software will also open them as they HAVE to in order to
burn a cd. Probably why your home PC works.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

See this recent thread:
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/browse_frm/thread/86fa9a688d852b7d

 

[Hugo Trebl]

I support several PC's that run XP but don't have Internet access.  I have
the XP SP2 update CD and can update these PC's that far.  I learned of a
service provided by Heise Security called "Offline Update."  

I downloaded the ISO file on my home PC over its cable connection.  I ended
up with an ISO file that Windows Explorer showed with the ISO icon.  I
transfered this file to one of the target PC's.  Windows Explorer showedthe

Can someone tell me how to open this file?

ISO files are supposed to be burned to a cd, but you can also open
them with most archivers.
7zip can open it: http://www.7-zip.org/

However you do not this ISO in this case.
in the folder where you installed offline update, look for a subfolder
called "client"
This folder contains the same files that are also contained in your
ISO.
copy this whole folder to the machine that you want to update.
then execute the file "updateInstaller.exe" inside that folder