Re: Downloading all updates after SP2

Thanks.

This was the information i was looking for.

> You can see the critical (security and other) patches released for a given
> month using the following:
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms##-***.mspx
> ..........................etc

I knew it had to be out there somewhere..........

Loads of great tips for keeping system clean. Thanks again

"Shenan Stanley" wrote:

> Kevin Benstead wrote:
> > Is it possible to down load ALL the updates after SP2 in one hit.
> > OR can i find them on another PC to put onto a CDROM.
> >
> > The reason i ask is i have just updated my home PC to XP-PRO-SP2
> > (from 98SE) and having logged onto Windows Update i found that
> > there was an awful lot of updates to install (I stopped counting at
> > 30+ updates) and it loked like it was going to take 10 or 12 HOURS
> > to download and install all the updates as I only have a dial up
> > modem on my home PC. Whilst that may be interesting for some
> > people i have better things to do with my time.
> >
> > Once i've got over this initial hurdle i'll turn on automatic
> > updates so i keep updated.
> >
> > My PC at work is fully updated using Autoimatic updates via a fast
> > link so it has already downloaded all the updates I need hasn't it?.
> >
> > So two questions really.
> >
> > Where can i go to download all of the updates (i have a list from
> > Windows Update that i printed off before i abandoned the update on
> > the slow modem link)
> >
> > OR Is it possible to get Automatic updates on my office PC to save
> > all update files somewhere so i can copy them onto a CD to take
> > home with me to install if i need to.
> >
> > Any help would be appreciated.
>
> Rather than give you just a little information - I will tell you how to get
> the updates, how to integrate them into your own CD, etc.. That way you are
> better informed about your options when it comes to the Windows Updates.
>
> Direct Download of Service Pack 2 (SP2) for Windows XP
> http://snipurl.com/8bqy
>
> What to Know Before You Download and Install Windows XP Service Pack 2
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx
>
> You can download all updates and burn them to CD..
>
> You can download each update manually - based off the KB Article number,
> etc. That way you can back it up/burn a CD of them in case you need them or
> use them to keep a slipstream/integrated (updated) Windows XP CD.
>
> How to use the Windows Update Catalog
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/323166
> (In order to use the Windows Update Catalog, you must use IE to get the
> patches..)
>
> Windows Update Catalog
> http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/catalog/en/default.asp
> (In order to use the Windows Update Catalog, you must use IE to get the
> patches..)
>
> Creating an Integrated Installation
> http://snipurl.com/el43
>
> Integrate software updates into your Windows installation source files
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/828930
>
> Really customize your CD..
> http://unattended.msfn.org/
>
> Produce an up-to-date XP Distibution CD
> http://xpcreate.com/
>
> AutoPatcher
> http://www.autopatcher.com/
>
> AutoStreamer
> http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=223562
>
> You can see the critical (security and other) patches released for a given
> month using the following:
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms##-***.mspx
>
> At the end of this line you see "ms##-***.mspx" .. If you simply replace ##
> with the two-digit year and the *** with the three character month
> abbreviation, you will see the list of "critical" and "important" patches
> for that month (since it only happens once a month usually, if you check by
> the second Tuesday (wait until afternoon) of each month - you should be
> fine) - note that future months will not work.
>
> As an example...
>
> December 2004's patches..
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms04-dec.mspx
>
> March 2005's patches..
> None released.. so that one will fail...
>
> May 2005's patches..
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms05-may.mspx
>
> July 2005's patches..
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms05-jul.mspx
>
>
> Once you get on the page with each month's list of patches.. You can go to
> the related KB articles and grab the appropriate files from there.
>
> Is that it? Nah - you also should know how to properly maintain your system
> from the installation point until its end of life - which will be greatly
> increased if you follow these tips.
>
> Microsoft has these suggestions for Protecting your computer from the
> various things that could happen to you/it:
>
> Protect your PC
> http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
>
>
> Although those tips are fantastic, there are many things you should
> know above and beyond what is there. Below I have detailed
> out many steps that can not only help you clean-up a problem PC but
> keep it clean ,secure and running at its top performance mark.
>
> I know this text can seem intimidating - it is quite long and a lot
> to take in for a novice - but I assure you that one trip through this
> list and you will understand your computer and the options available
> to you for protecting your data much better - and that the next time
> you review these steps, the time it takes will be greatly reduced.
>
> Let's take the cleanup of your computer step-by-step. Yes, it will take
> up some of your time - but consider what you use your computer
> for and how much you would dislike it if all of your stuff on your
> computer went away because you did not "feel like" performing some
> simple maintenance tasks - think of it like taking out your garbage,
> collecting and sorting your postal mail, paying your bills on time,
> etc.
>
> I'll mainly work around Windows XP, as that is what the bulk of this
> document is about; however, here is a place for you poor souls still
> stuck in Windows 98/ME where you can get information on maintaining
> your system:
>
> Windows 98 and 'Maintaining Your Computer':
> http://www.microsoft.com/windows98/usingwindows/maintaining/
>
> Windows ME Computer Health:
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsME/using/computerhealth/articles/
>
> Pay close attention to the sections:
> (in order)
> - Clean up your hard disk
> - Check for errors by running ScanDisk
> - Defragment your hard disk
> - Roll back the clock with System Restore
>
>
> Also - now is a good time to point you to one of the easiest ways to find
> information on problems you may be having and solutions others have found:
>
> Search using Google!
> http://www.google.com/
> (How-to: http://www.google.com/intl/en/help/basics.html )
>
>
> Now, let's go through some maintenance first that should only have to be
> done once (mostly):
>
> Tip (1):
> Locate all of the software you have installed on your computer.
> (the installation media - CDs, downloaded files, etc)
> Collect these CDs and files together in a central and safe
> place along with their CD keys and such. Make backups of these
> installation media sets using your favorite copying method (CD/DVD Burner
> and application, Disk copier, etc.) You'll be glad to know that if you
> have a CD/DVD burner, you may be able to use a free application to make a
> duplicate copy of your CDs. One such application is ISORecorder:
>
> ISORecorder page (with general instructions on use):
> http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/beta.htm
>
> Yes - it is BETA software - but very useful and well tested.
>
> More full function applications (free) for CD/DVD burning would be:
>
> DeepBurner Free
> http://www.deepburner.com/
>
> CDBurnerXP Pro
> http://www.cdburnerxp.se/
>
> Another Option would be to search the web with Pricewatch.com or
> Dealsites.net and find deals on Products like Ahead Nero and/or Roxio.
>
>
> Tip (2):
> Empty your Temporary Internet Files and shrink the size it stores to a
> size between 128MB and 512MB..
>
> - Open ONE copy of Internet Explorer.
> - Select TOOLS -> Internet Options.
> - Under the General tab in the "Temporary Internet Files" section, do the
> following:
> - Click on "Delete Cookies" (click OK)
> - Click on "Settings" and change the "Amount of disk space to use:" to
> something between 128MB and 512MB. (Betting it is MUCH larger right
> now.)
> - Click OK.
> - Click on "Delete Files" and select to "Delete all offline contents"
> (the checkbox) and click OK. (If you had a LOT, this could take 2-10
> minutes or more.)
> - Once it is done, click OK, close Internet Explorer, re-open Internet
> Explorer.
>
>
> Tip (3):
> If things are running a bit sluggish and/or you have an older system
> (1.5GHz or less and 256MB RAM or less) then you may want to look into
> tweaking the performance by turning off some of the 'resource hogging'
> Windows XP "prettifications". The fastest method is:
>
> Control Panel --> System --> Advanced tab --> Performance section,
> Settings button. Then choose "adjust for best performance" and you
> now have a Windows 2000/98 look which turned off most of the annoying
> "prettifications" in one swift action. You can play with the last
> three checkboxes to get more of an XP look without many of the
> other annoyances. You could also grab and install/use one
> (or more) of the Microsoft Powertoys - TweakUI in particular:
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx
>
>
> Tip (4):
> Understanding what a good password might be is vital to your
> personal and system security. You may think you do not need to password
> your home computer, as you may have it in a locked area (your home) where
> no one else has access to it. Remember, however, you aren't always
> "in that locked area" when using your computer online - meaning you likely
> have usernames and passwords associated with web sites and the likes that
> you would prefer other people do not discover/use. This is why you should
> understand and utilize good passwords.
>
> Good passwords are those that meet these general rules
> (mileage may vary):
>
> Passwords should contain at least six characters, and the character
> string should contain at least three of these four character types:
> - uppercase letters
> - lowercase letters
> - numerals
> - nonalphanumeric characters (e.g., *, %, &, !, :)
>
> Passwords should not contain your name/username.
> Passwords should be unique to you and easy to remember.
>
> One method many people are using today is to make up a phrase that
> describes a point in their life and then turning that phrase into their
> password by using only certain letters out of each word in that phrase.
> It's much better than using your birthday month/year or your anniversary
> in a pure sense. For example, let's say my phrase is:
> 'Moved to new home in 2004'
> I could come up with this password from that:
> 'Mv2n3whmN04'
>
> The password tip is in the one time section, but I highly
> recommend you periodically change your passwords. The suggested time
> varies, but I will throw out a 'once in every 3 to 6 months for
> every account you have.'
>
>
> Tip (5):
> This tip is also 'questionable' in the one time section; however -
> if properly setup - this one can be pretty well ignored for most people
> after the initial 'fiddle-with' time.
>
> Why you should use a computer firewall..
> http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/viruses/fwbenefits.mspx
>
> You should, in some way, use a firewall. Hardware (like a nice
> Cable Modem/DSL router) or software is up to you. Many use both of
> these. The simplest one to use is the hardware one, as most people
> don't do anything that they will need to configure their NAT device
> for and those who do certainly will not mind fiddling with the equipment
> to make things work for them. Next in the line of simplicity would
> have to be the built-in Windows Firewall of Windows XP. In SP2 it
> is turned on by default. It is not difficult to turn on in any
> case, however:
>
> Enable/Disable the Internet Connection Firewall (Pre-SP2):
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/283673
>
> More information on the Internet Connection Firewall (Pre-SP2):
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/320855
>
> Post-SP2 Windows Firewall Information/guidance:
> http://snipurl.com/atal
>
> The trouble with the Windows Firewall is that it only keeps things
> out. For most people who maintain their system in other ways, this is
> MORE than sufficient. However, you may feel otherwise. If you want to
> know when one of your applications is trying to obtain access to the
> outside world so you can stop it, then you will have to install a
> third-party application and configure/maintain it. I have compiled a
> list with links of some of the better known/free firewalls you can choose
.

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