microsoft updates and sp2

Thanks for all the tips, Grif and I will follow your advice.

RGmail, I have never had any problems with my computer, neither before or after my attempts to download XP SP2, except when I uninstalled and then installed some updates. I restored so now I'm fine. I am well protected, with all the above gadgets and also installed zonealarm today. I like your method too, but how do I reinstall OS if my pc came with it and I have no cd. If this is a stupid question I apologise.

Many thanks
Rona

I think I know how. Use restore?

The System Restore option does not "reinstall" your operating system. It simply uses saved settings and files to revert your computer back to an earlier time. This can be helpful when installations of programs or service packs causes problems. Using System Restore is relatively easy to do but shouldn't be done unless glitches have occurred. To run SR, click on Start-All Programs-Accessories-System Tools-System Restore. When the SR window loads, select: "Restore my computer to an earlier time", then click "Next". At the next "Calendar" window, select a day before the time when you had problems.

On the other hand, reformatting and reinstalling your operating system wipes EVERYTHING off the hard drive and reinstalls all the files as it came from the factory. In order to do this, you must have a "Recovery CD", a "Recovery Partition" or the original Windows XP CD with all the back up drivers and program CDs.

You haven't mentioned whether you have tried installing the updates manually. Has that worked for you?

Hope this helps.

Grif

Thanks Grif. No I haven't tried manually installing the updates yet. I do not have XP SP2 on my system, although tried to install and uninstalled 3 times. When I did install critical updates after that, my system crashed. Windows updates now isn't asking me to install sp2, so am at a bit of a loss. In my control panel add/remove programs, I have a lot of hotfixes (remnants of sp2 I think), that aren't actually installed. Should i just try to delete those before I start all over again? and should I try to install sp2 again before starting to install 21 critical updates? Everything seems to work alright without all the updates and sp2, but frankly, am ready to throw this thing out the window and drive the car over it Thank you so much for all your help

First, do a complete system clean up like this:

If you don't already have them, download ALL of the free spyware removal tools from the links below. Install them, update them, then run them. Delete all spyware found:

Ad-Aware">http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/]Ad-Aware

Thank you Grif.I have followed all your instructions above, and my computer has become much faster all of a sudden. I have not installed xp sp2 or any critical updates yet because I think I would rather buy the cd. I will be in the US next week and will buy the cd there.Do you think that's a better idea? One last question if you dont mind...In my control panel, add/remove programmes I have about 15 hotfixes with no size, i.e. where the size it supposed to show it's blank. Could those be remnants of the sp2 and it didn't uninstall properly? Can I just delete them before I start over again or ...

I did not stop all the start up programs as I didn't recognise most of them. I downloaded the spyware hijack software and already had the other two so ran them all, did disc clean-up, defrag, checked for errors on c drive...but will do everything again before I install the updates..this was just the practise run

Your instructions are wonderful and I have learnt so much in just a few hours..Many thanks and hope that by the end of March, I will be all xp sp2ed and critically updated.

Rona

Personally, if you've got a fast internet connection, I think it's easier to download the SP2 file from the link I provided, then install SP2 from the downloaded file. It's a FREE download. Afterwards, you can burn the file to a CD for later use IF necessary. If you really want, you can order the SP2 CD for free and they will mail it to you. But it will take a while to get there.. There should be no need to actually pay for it. Here's a link:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/sp2/cdorder/en_us/default.mspx

In regards to the Hotfixes that are listed in Add/Remove Programs...Once you reinstall Service Pack 2, it should cause those items to be removed.

I recommend shutting down some of those programs in "msconfig" per my previous instructions. If you have any questions about which ones to shut down, check the name of the program against the list at the link below:

http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php

You can also post back here with the questionable programs from 'msconfig'. We can help with that.

Hope this helps.

Grif

I just ordered the Xp sp1 and 2 on free CD. It came in the mail in just three days! Now when I reformat, I just pop in the update disk and it's much faster and I do not have to waste time burning my own copy(unless I wish a back-up).

Thanks funkid.

Grif I ordered the cd. I tried to download from the link you sent me and the time estimated was 3 hours. I am on broadband but obviously not that fast. I will be away from the 13th of march till the 26th and if the cd arrives in california by the time I get there, then I can install it when I get back. I had no idea they gave it away for free...Thanks for all your instructions. I have saved them and will follow them again when I get back.Will definitely post here to let you know if it worked out.

Rona

I disabled most of the programs from start up with the help of a friend who also sent me this link which I found very helpful for disabling some of the services.http://www.activewin.com/winxp/defaults.shtml

The cd arrived in SF in 3 days. Just got back, followed all of Grif's instructions again then installed from cd and I now have XP SP2, all the critical updates, and everything works just fine. Thanks for your patience and advice Grif. Am still in shock, expecting something to go wrong but so far so good.