Downloading windows service packs and updates..

I believe you can request microsoft to send you SP2 CD for free. But it takes something like 8 weeks to receive

Yes there is.

Edit: my previous post explained how to do this in the earlier version of Windows Update--I forgot it had changed).

Go to windows update

http://v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.co....aspx?ln=en-us

Look in the left pane under OTHER OPTIONS

Choose ADMINISTRATOR OPTIONS

In the right pane, under
UPDATE MULTIPLE OPERATING SYSTEMS
click on search the WINDOWS UPDATE CATALOG
On the new page that opens, click FIND UPDATES FOR MICROSOFT OPERATING SYSTEMS.

Word of warning...the downloads come as nested folders, which makes saving them and then burning to a cd tricky because the folder paths can be quite long. Save it to your root directory (usually c:\) in a folder called maybe UPDATES to get around this problem (if you saved to DESKTOP, your already several folders deep and it can be very difficult to get a good burn with many programs)

Also, you can download a very handy tool called AutopatcherXP (google it), which not only comes with many updates, but a plethora of add-ons and tools that are indispensible.

The only drawback is that AutopatcherXP is usually several months behind (the most recent update is August, which included all updates through September 1) so for truly critical updates, it doesn't cut it. It is however a great way to automate most of the updates so your stay on Windows update is shorter when you get online.

Autopatcher is a quick, one button update for those people who don't know how to or don't care to write a script to install all the updates from the catalog (you're not really considering clikcing on upteen hundred setup routines, are you)?

or go here and download it:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

I ordered the CD before I got broadband. It took more like 2 weeks to receive it. Even with broadband, I use the CD when I build new machines.

Gerryf,

Sorry, but I don't see where you are pointing at... Where is the option on the update page for the WINDOWS UPDATE CATALOGUE option?

Thanks,

Rakewell

maybe this is what you're looking for:

http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.co...en/default.asp

I can't find my windows update icon, Clown, I must have deleted it in a fit of cleansweep. Didn't find it under search either... any ideas?

Thanks,

Rakewell

You don't need the icon, I threw it away too.
Just go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com or the windows catalogue link I posted in my other reply.

Clown,

This is what it said when I clicked on your first link:

"To install items from Windows Update, you must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group. If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may also prevent you from completing this procedure.

Note If you are running a Windows 2000 (except DataCenter), Windows XP, or Windows Server 2003 operating system, you can run the local administrator account on your computer without having to log off and then log on again.

To run as the local administrator in Windows XP or Windows Server 2003:


Click Start, and then click All Programs (or right-click Windows Update if it is available).
Right-click Windows Update.
Click Run as on the menu that appears.
Do one of the following:
Enter the password for the administrator.
Enter the user name, domain name, and password of a different user account that has administrative permissions on this computer.

To run as the local administrator in Windows 2000:


Click Start, right-click Windows Update, and then click Run As on the menu that appears.
Do one of the following:
Enter the password for the administrator.
Enter the user name, domain name, and password of a different user account that has administrative permissions on this computer.

If the option to run as the local administrator is not available:


Click Start, right-click Windows Update, and then click Properties.
Click the Shortcut tab, and then select the Run as different user check box. "



....I guess I am a little confused, sorry to be a noob.

Cheers mate,

Rakewell

Rake, what windows is telling you is that you have to have administator status on the system to use Windows update.

There are multiple security levels for windows accounts, including Administrator, Power User, User and a few more. You probably have one of the last two. The above link is suggesting you can update from within your current account by using the privilidges of the administrator account. You can follow those directions or

a) sign into your computer with an administrator account
b) make yourself and administrator and then use your own account in the future.

Is this a home computer or a work computer? You may not have administrator privilidges to do the above.

Sorry Oddzball, but no there is not. You will find a variety of reports on the Internet but this is simply not true -- IN MOST cases. I wish this rumor would just die.

Let me explain.

Windows Activation stores the fact that it was activated in a file called WPA.dbl in the c:\windows\system32 folder. Many people will tell you that you can back up this and its backup (wpa.bak) on a floppy or removable media, and then reinstall windows, then drop into safe mode and put the files back, replacing the newly created ones.

I have never encountered anyone who claims this and who has done it. Anyone who has tried it finds THIS WILL NOT WORK.

The idea is based on some eroneous information on how windows product activation works. Windows product activation takes into account several things, including the hardware make up of your machine.

However, WPA is tied to not just hardware, but randomly generated information during installation, so a complete reinstall will not match the wpa key you backed up to removable media.

The ONLY time the above procedure works is if you are doing a REPAIR procedure, where you boot from the Windows CD and do a repair. In this case, the WPA.dbl key will work if you back it up and then replace it. It will not work after a reformat and reinstall.

So, a better solution might be to make sure you do a repair, rather than fresh install, or do a fresh install now while you still have access to the Interent, then create a disk image of that fresh install. This has the added advantage of having not only a restorable windows installation but any programs that you consider must haves.

I have a question, about SP2. I have gone to the Microsoft website and I was going to get SP2 on CD for free, until I noticed it has said SP2 Proffesional XP Edition. Well I don't have XP Pro.. does this matter? IS there a different SP2 for home and Pro. Thanks in advance

Rage

Ok, that makes sense. It's my computer at home, so how do I make myself the admin and use my own account?

I appreciate your help, Gerryf.

Cheers,

Rakewell

I would recommend powerquest drive image. A good program, easy to use.

Cheers, Rakewell