Which Windows update

requinrequin
edited April 2004 in Science & Tech
Hello everyone,

I have just re-installed Winxp pro and I am currently downloading and installing the windows update. here is what I did: start>windows update.

Now I have downloaded and installes the critical updates and now I am downlaoding most of the others.

My question: everybody talks about service pack1? if I downloaded all the critical updates from the winupdate site then I should have it right? how do I know?
In the download sections of short-media I saw Service pack 1a and 2...should I download and install?


Thanks!


requin

Comments

  • ginipigginipig OH, NOES
    edited April 2004
    You should be able to download the huge (100mb+) file and install it. This will get you the initial SP1 install. Since the release of SP1, there have been numerous critical updates made, so it'd be best for you to use Windows Update.

    Sp2 Rc1 is also made accessible to XP users. I have no use for the 'security features' brought about by this update, but it was imperative for me to take care of several hardware related issues I was having. Sp2 Rc1 is still in it's beta form, but so far, I've begun to appreciate its timely fixes.
  • SpinnerSpinner Birmingham, UK
    edited April 2004
    Service Pack 2 for Windows XP is not in the downloads section, and it won't be in there until it is made official.

    When you have a freshly installed OS, the first thing you should do is download and install the latest service pack for it. In your case SP1a for Windows XP. You should do this before going to Windows Update. Then once you've install the latest service pack, you go to Windows Update. Not before. It is a waste of time doing it the other way around and it also won't do your system any good installing multiple versions of the same patches.

    The basic rule of thumb is, install OS service packs first after install, followed by secondary service packs and engines (like IE6 SP1, .NET SP1, DirectX9 and WMP) and then and only then, pay a trip to Windows Update.

    The risk of incurring update fix clashes decreases dramatically if you do it like that. Windows Update just ain't bright enough yet to feed you the right updates in the right order. So you just have to take it on board and do it yourself.

    Just to add, you'll know when you have SP1 installed, because it will be listed in your system properties 'general' tab, under the system header. (My Computer - Right Click - Properties).

    Hope that answers your questions. :) I also don't think I've personally said this to you yet so... Welcome to Short-Media buddy and thanks for Folding. :thumbsup:
  • requinrequin
    edited April 2004
    OK, thanks. I see in system properties that I have service pack 1 and not SP1a. Should I install SP1a over it? or as you say this won't do good? I have already downloaded pretty much everything in Windows update.
    Don't tell me I have to re-reinstall windows :) ?

    requin
  • EnverexEnverex Worcester, UK Icrontian
    edited April 2004
    The only difference between SP1 and SP1a is that 1a doesn't have MS Java included in it. 1a is not an upgrade to SP1.
  • SpinnerSpinner Birmingham, UK
    edited April 2004
    Enverex wrote:
    The only difference between SP1 and SP1a is that 1a doesn't have MS Java included in it. 1a is not an upgrade to SP1.
    That's right. There is no need to upgrade, especially not with SP2 almost here.

    I will say this though, when SP2 does drop itself officially on to our doorsteps, I would recommend everyone do a re-install before its implementation. Again it is not that necessary by any means, but it is good practice, especially if you don't regularly run maintenance on your OS.

    Something else you can do to make future installs of Windows XP easier, is by slipstreaming the latest Service Pack with you copy of Windows XP. This will mean that once you've installed the OS, it will already be at Service Pack level. Time saving and very easy to do. There are plenty of guides around the web instructing you how to do this.

    Cheers
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