What service pack are you running now? Service pack 2.

Yes Service Pack 2

Yes you need to be concerned about windows updates no matter what protection you have, not sure why you get that error on the windows update page, visit the windows update page using Internet Explore let it scan the computer and in stall all critical updates or is that what you have already done?

Yes that's what I have been doing. It just comes back and says for critical updates upgrade to sp3. I am still using ie6 ... would that be the problem?

No, but you might consider upgrading to IE7, at some point but lets wait till we see whats up with the windows update issue first.

you need to read what it says on the windows update page more carefully, I do not have sp3 on one of my machines because it will not go on it with out causing problems, when I go to windows update site it comes up with the sp3 update info but below that it also says to check for OTHER updates I skip over the sp3 do not do it but go ahead and have it scan for other updates then it shows all other critical updates I need which I can then check and install with out ever having to get sp3.

You can of course put a block on sp3 too.

go back to the update site and scroll down and continue reading and you will find where it will allow you to skip past sp3 and scan for your other updates, I always choose custom so that I can select exactly what I want.

YOU most definitely NEED those other updates your very vulnerable with out them they patch holes in the system which an antivirus program has nothing to do with in many cases.

If you are not using the secunia tool to check that your other stuff is fully updated you should also do that because many of the bad malware is from holes in stuff like java, adobe etc so get those updates too.
Secunia Online Software Inspector

Thanks ravencajun....I did that but it still didn't show anything so I asked for the updates that have been loaded and I'll be darn if it had updates "automatically" loaded even though I have to notify me but don't download. I don't know what that's about.
About secunia I have done that on my laptop which has Kaspersky internet suite on it and detects vulnerabilities in ms office, excel, and word but secunia doesn't give me any patches for that. I've raked my brain trying to find how to patch ms but can't find anything for the 2000 versions other than to download sp3 which I don't want to do...any help for that would be appreciated.

What are you going to do in the future when new service packs come out? Are you going to try to install those, but not SP3...which might not be possible? I think at some point you just have to bite the bullet and do it, or your machine will become increasingly vulnerable. Even though some people have problems with service packs, it doesn't mean most people do.

Please excuse me butting in here, but I, too, only have SP2. (Vista Home Premium). Have never been offered SP3, it's not on my Windows Updates page, Secunia says I have no insecure programs...should I go looking for SP3, or leave well enough alone?

I remember trying to download SP2 in June...just checked, and it Failed to download 14 times (yes, 14!) before succeeding on the 15th.

Regards,
Shax

Vista is up to date with service pack 2, you need nothing.. Service pack 3 is for xp only..

Thanks, zep!

The logic of refusing SP3 escapes me now we are a year or so past it's arrival. Create a Restore point, install and see what happens. SP3 is on my 3 computers and has been fo many months with no ill effects. So are needed updates.

hold up are you saying you have windows 2000 on that pc and not xp? sp3 for xp is the one we have discussed here.

what operating system do you have on that computer goldensmom?

It is definitely an issue for some computers so there is a valid reason for some not to have sp3, however it is sounding like she has 2000??

shax you have vista and are fine with sp2

please give us the info on exactly what is on your pc

Ravencajun wrote:- It is definitely an issue for some computers so there is a valid reason for some not to have sp3

This is why I made specific note of creating a Restore Point before proceeding. Those successfully installing service pack 3 for XP greatly out number the few who experience problems.

If as goldensmom notes in her last post she is running Windows 2000 then there should be no issue with W2K SP3.

Sorry for all the confusion...I'll try to explain more clearly.

Ravencajun answered my 1st posted question which lead into my 2nd concern as follows:

1. Desktop is an old Dell with XP which has word, excel, powerpoint 2000 on it. Bitdefender is my protection.

2. Laptop is a year old HP with Vista Home Premimun with kaspersky protection. Kaspersky finds vunerabilities on the laptop which came with word, excel, powerpoint 2000 on it. These 3 programs are the vulnerabilities that show up during my scan on the laptop along with a Microsoft Office/MS09.dll.
Now my concern is that Microsoft has no fix for these vulnerabilities for either vista or xp. I use all 3 programs quite a bit with very sensitive information on them and am concerned about attackers being able to take control of my 2 computers with these vulnerabilities that have no fix solution by Microsoft.

I don't know if SP3 on my desktop would correct the problem but like ravencajun because the computer is old I don't want to chance downloading it. Bitdefender doesn't show vulnerabilities during a scan but I am assuming that regardless of whether it is XP or Vista.... Microsoft Office has these problems with no solutions for a fix.

I hope this makes things more clear as to my concern. It is about Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint versions 2000).
Thanks for everyone trying to help me...I need it....

There are no more updates for Office 2000 effective earlier this year. All updates to the stopping point are still available of course.

The service pack 3 for Office 2000 has nothing to do with service pack 3 for the XP operating system so why not go ahead and install that. Download site linked below

Why not download and run both Superantispyware and Malwarebytes to confirm there are or are not vulnerabilities on the Vista machine.

Run an online scan at Bitdefender or Housecall or both.

Here is a link that might be useful: MS Office 2000 SP3

right sp3 for the office products is totally different from sp3 for xp. Have you gone to the actual update download site that is for office products to see if it offers you any of the last updates for your versions, as stated it is no longer being supported by Microsoft.
The link for that is below.

Here is a link that might be useful: office update site