Ryan's site simply gives a brief account of each patch and update and if you hover over the MS patch number you will see it directs you to the Microsoft update site. All he appears to be offering is a few words of wisdom on each item. This would mean you need to read each item then decide if you wanted it, with over 100 updates and patches since the inception of SP2 that seems like just too much work to my way of thinking.

As you have a squeaky clean install why not avoid all that hassle and go for SP3 which is basically a compilation of all SP2 updates rolled into one with a few variations? The alternative would be to set your computer to update all SP2 patches and walk away for 45 minutes if you have high speed internet.

Let me advise you to first and foremost go to the windows update site, with your security programs installed and turned on including your firewall and get this update first it is to stop the now current conflicker infection, if you do not get this update on your pc asap it will be infected. so get this one NOW
MS08-067 KB958644 file name XP-KB958644-x86-ENU.exe
this is the direct link for you
Security Update for Windows XP (KB958644)

This is what I do in the situation you are in, I let windows update scan and find what are the critical updates, if there are quite a few I do a batch of 4 or 5 at a time, reboot the pc make sure all is well, create a new restore point, go back get the next batch of 4 or 5, reboot, create restore point. etc that way should you find any caused a problem you can go back to that previous restore point. That way you do not have to try to get them all at once and that is usually not suggested. Doing it that way will be safer and also let you do it a bit at a time. But I would get all listed critical updates, now you mentioned you have a Compaq pc if it is one with an AMD processor you may not want to get the sp3 update.

Was not ignoring your input -- just researching what you both said. (As well as getting sidetracked by trying to get things working since the Recovery. :] ) Whew...

Owbist, I didn't want to get SP3 just yet. Ryan's site has all of those updates bundled in one package -- that's why I thought it might be worth considering. Also was wondering if anyone else might have downloaded the package and what they thought of it. I do so trust people's opinions from this forum -- the help I've received over the years has been invaluable.

Raven, I immediately clicked on the link you offered. Spent mucho time going back there to find the "Download" for that update. Couldn't find it yesterday. Spent more time again today. Just went to the link again a few minutes ago and -- lo and behold -- M/S had magically added a prominent Download button! Ha. Thanks, I did d/l the file.

I appreciate the input/advice from you two. This is such a great forum. I hadn't been here much recently, but I always, always recommend it to others.

Thanks again, Kat

P.S. On my Compaq computer desktop is an icon entitled "Help and Support." Was able to get to the correct Windows place, whereby I downloaded and installed the 74 old updates I needed!

excellent! good job Kat!

Kat I meant to also let you know that the pack that Ryan offers while it is a good item is not for an already installed windows version, his pack is added to the windows cd itself. In a slipstreamed method so no that would not have worked for you since you already had your windows installed.

there is a method called autopatcher that offers an accumulated update package for install to already installed windows versions. I have never used it, have seen mention of it on forums and seen people say they liked it, but I have no experience with it.
WhatÂs AutoPatcher
AutoPatcher

those are the links for anyone interested.

Glad you came back to explain Kat. I had only really paid attention to the whole listing of patches and updates. Today I went to the bottom of the page and paid more attention (blushing).

I had downloaded SP3 with intentions of slipstreaming into my original XP CD but never quite got to it. Perhaps I might try his slpstreaming program, not that my old program was any problem to use.

Raven, Thanks for the compliment. I'm glad I inadvertently :) found the Compaq help and support icon on my desk. Through that method, I've been able to install all of the updates I need (I hope). Belarc Advisor (if you know what I mean here) indicates that "M/S Security Updates" are up-to-date.

Owbist, I was worried that you all would think I wasn't coming back.... You and Raven and others like you are so good about answering questions and giving great links that usually are right-on, that my conscience wouldn't let me stay away --although my mememory these days might! Ha.
And I'm still inwardingly blushing and cringing that I couldn't see that M/S Download button.

I'm leaving now, ladies and gents to post another question. The computer recovery I did has just about done me in....
Thank you both again for your help. Kat

Kat you should always be able to find the windows update site by going to Start> all programs> then way up at the top one of the items should be windows update, that should take you directly to the windows update website which will scan your pc, I always then choose custom so I can select only the critical updates.

Appreciate your pointing me in the right direction, Raven. Just after reading your last message I followed that 'map' and it revealed the 'treasure' I sought for days... Am printing out this whole dialog for future reference. Thank you very much. Kat