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My Dell Inspiron 9300 running XP Home has a yellow shield on the bar in the lower right hand corner of the desktop prompting me to install updates. Are these updates legit? My Dell desktop has the same yellow shield.
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You mean, the yellow shield on the bar in the lower right hand corner of the desktop, is ALSO on your desktop?
Hover with your mouse over it, what does it say?
"Updates are ready for your computer Click here to install these updates".
It's on the Toolbar(?) or whatever is shown in the lower right hand corner of the screen. Not really on the desktop.
It "sounds" like Microsoft Windows Updates...... but ..... to be sure, why don't you go directly to Windows Update:
Start > All Programs > Windows Update
Is ready to be downloaded per the Windows update site XP Service Pack 3 KB936929 is ready to download. I don't ever remember getting the yellow shield before to install Windows updates?
Automatic Updates ! You can see it at the Microsoft Update page at the top right:
Automatic Updates
Turned ON
Your computer is set to receive notifications when new updates are available.
So the bottom line is the yellow shield is ok? I'm nervous since spyware got me good in the past. I run Spybot S & D and Ad Aware but am still nervous. In the past I was prompted when logging off that updates are being installed. Just never saw the yellow shield.
have first a look here:
Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717
That's technical talk (ha-ha). SP 3 looks like a big one? Do you recommend downloading it? Risks with and with out? As you may have guessed, some of this is new to me.
Do an advanced search for: SP 3 install
You will get:
http://forums.cnet.com/advanced-search-forums/5238-7813-0.html?messageType=1&kw=SP+3+install&username=&forumID=&dateRange=all&maxHits=10
I think, the MANY posts on that subject sais it all 
Happy Reading 
and thank you so much for your prompt responses and advice. I'll try not to bug you further (at least for a while). Thanks again.
Chowhound
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