Windows Update question

[dave_bonnell]

Hi all,

I run XP Pro SP2. If my hardware changes or several of my 'regular'
programs are seriously out-of-date, rather than update the programs I
sometimes do a clean install of Windows and start from scratch.

This brings me to Windows Update. Rather than download all of the
updates *again* (waste of bandwidth), I prefer to have a local copy on
hand...so using Windows Catalog I have downloaded all the relevant
critical fixes (and most recommended updates as well). The manual
installation method is somewhat error prone, as the user must execute
each update separately and is often asked to reboot after each update
is installed. Ouch! To save some time, I stall the reboot and install
several updates at once. This still requires manual interaction, and
there is no guarantee that I've got the order right (or that some
updates are no longer valid, etc.).

I also tried AutoPatcher. While it is easy, I'm not 100% convinced
because it needs to install itself on my system. You can custom-select
which patches to install via a hierarchical tree + checkboxes.
Unfortunately, the program doesn't appear to keep track of what updates
have been installed and what haven't. When the next round of updates
is added, you don't really know which are new and which are old. Not
only that, but after using AutoPatcher several processes appeared to
hang on shutdown. Maybe it was the AutoPatcher, maybe not. The only
other software I installed was a video driver.

I don't think there's an easy solution right now. I think what I'm
looking for here is XP SP3. Has there been any talk of this? With the
large number of critical fixes since SP2, I would think SP3 would make
sense (particularly given the number of new PC's being sold with XP
SP2).

 

[Alias~-]

Hi all,

I run XP Pro SP2. If my hardware changes or several of my 'regular'
programs are seriously out-of-date, rather than update the programs I
sometimes do a clean install of Windows and start from scratch.

This brings me to Windows Update. Rather than download all of the
updates *again* (waste of bandwidth), I prefer to have a local copy on
hand...so using Windows Catalog I have downloaded all the relevant
critical fixes (and most recommended updates as well). The manual
installation method is somewhat error prone, as the user must execute
each update separately and is often asked to reboot after each update
is installed. Ouch! To save some time, I stall the reboot and install
several updates at once. This still requires manual interaction, and
there is no guarantee that I've got the order right (or that some
updates are no longer valid, etc.).

I also tried AutoPatcher. While it is easy, I'm not 100% convinced
because it needs to install itself on my system. You can custom-select
which patches to install via a hierarchical tree + checkboxes.
Unfortunately, the program doesn't appear to keep track of what updates
have been installed and what haven't. When the next round of updates
is added, you don't really know which are new and which are old. Not
only that, but after using AutoPatcher several processes appeared to
hang on shutdown. Maybe it was the AutoPatcher, maybe not. The only
other software I installed was a video driver.

I don't think there's an easy solution right now. I think what I'm
looking for here is XP SP3. Has there been any talk of this? With the
large number of critical fixes since SP2, I would think SP3 would make
sense (particularly given the number of new PC's being sold with XP
SP2).

It's supposed to be released at the end of next year.

Alias

 

[Detlev Dreyer]

This brings me to Windows Update. Rather than download all of the
updates again (waste of bandwidth), I prefer to have a local copy on
hand...so using Windows Catalog I have downloaded all the relevant
critical fixes (and most recommended updates as well). The manual
installation method is somewhat error prone, as the user must execute
each update separately and is often asked to reboot after each update
is installed. Ouch! To save some time, I stall the reboot and install
several updates at once. This still requires manual interaction, and
there is no guarantee that I've got the order right (or that some
updates are no longer valid, etc.).

See if this article helps: "How to install multiple Windows updates or
hotfixes with only one reboot" http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=296861

I don't think there's an easy solution right now. I think what I'm
looking for here is XP SP3. Has there been any talk of this?

"Windows Service Pack Road Map"
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lifecycle/servicepacks.mspx

 

[antioch]

Hio Dave

Reply contextualised and intertwined

Hi all,

I run XP Pro SP2. If my hardware changes or several of my 'regular'
programs are seriously out-of-date, rather than update the programs I
sometimes do a clean install of Windows and start from scratch.
This brings me to Windows Update. Rather than download all of the
updates *again* (waste of bandwidth), I prefer to have a local copy on
hand...so using Windows Catalog I have downloaded all the relevant
critical fixes (and most recommended updates as well).

What does this local copy contain? Are they post SP2 - where are they -
what period of time do they cover?

The manual installation method is somewhat error prone, as the user must
update is installed. Ouch!

You should reboot after each one as a rule.
If you had gone into WU Home Express, you could have ticked the ones you
want and hit download - that way they would install in the correct order.

To save some time, I stall the reboot and install
several updates at once.

Not a good idea under the present climate - one at the time is recommended
at the moment.

This still requires manual interaction, and
there is no guarantee that I've got the order right (or that some
updates are no longer valid, etc.).

Exactly - no guarantee.

I also tried AutoPatcher. While it is easy, I'm not 100% convinced ..................................................Clipped........................................................
Maybe it was the AutoPatcher, maybe not. The only other software I
installed was a video driver.

Why use extra software - whatever it is does not seem to do the job.
Back to WU Home then.
You installed a video driver from where - not MS I hope. Or this auto patch
thing?

I don't think there's an easy solution right now. I think what I'm
looking for here is XP SP3.

Now 'there is the rub' - no SP3 till after vista I believe - can you wait
that long?
There is no easy solution - if you had posted to the correct group and
researched the threads, you would see there have been all sorts of update
probs for those who have just put SP2 on their computers - and those who
have done a clean install with SP1.
Different people have found different ways of getting all the updates
installed.
Some are still trying.
There is no short-cut that I have seen.
The best results have been by doing it very slowly, methodically and one
update at a time, with no AV running.

Has there been any talk of this? With the
large number of critical fixes since SP2, I would think SP3 would make
sense (particularly given the number of new PC's being sold with XP
SP2).

To conclude, try the windowsupdate group.
The best of luck - if you find a method that works for you, please post back
in the updates group.
Rgds
Antioch

 

[Rock]

Hi all,

I run XP Pro SP2. If my hardware changes or several of my 'regular'
programs are seriously out-of-date, rather than update the programs I
sometimes do a clean install of Windows and start from scratch.

This brings me to Windows Update. Rather than download all of the
updates *again* (waste of bandwidth), I prefer to have a local copy on
hand...so using Windows Catalog I have downloaded all the relevant
critical fixes (and most recommended updates as well). The manual
installation method is somewhat error prone, as the user must execute
each update separately and is often asked to reboot after each update
is installed. Ouch! To save some time, I stall the reboot and install
several updates at once. This still requires manual interaction, and
there is no guarantee that I've got the order right (or that some
updates are no longer valid, etc.).

I also tried AutoPatcher. While it is easy, I'm not 100% convinced
because it needs to install itself on my system. You can custom-select
which patches to install via a hierarchical tree + checkboxes.
Unfortunately, the program doesn't appear to keep track of what updates
have been installed and what haven't. When the next round of updates
is added, you don't really know which are new and which are old. Not
only that, but after using AutoPatcher several processes appeared to
hang on shutdown. Maybe it was the AutoPatcher, maybe not. The only
other software I installed was a video driver.

I don't think there's an easy solution right now. I think what I'm
looking for here is XP SP3. Has there been any talk of this? With the
large number of critical fixes since SP2, I would think SP3 would make
sense (particularly given the number of new PC's being sold with XP
SP2).

Why do you reinstall ? This system I'm typing on now has been 4+ years with
many changes but no reinstalls.