Thanks for the heads up..

I don't use Powerpoint, excel outlook or Access - yet. I'm not sure if I should download all 12 of these updates or not.

I have windows xp sp2. Although I don't use all these programs (and may not even have all of them on my computer), should I accept all 12 updates? Is there a downside to installing all twelve?

My one concern about not installing an update that I don't seem to need currently, is that I'm actively working on expanding my knowledge and use of my computer. I have never used Access, Outlook, Excel or powerpoint. I'm not even sure what they all are. But if I do want to start using them, I'd like to be current. Or should I worry about that later.

Anyway, any advice about whether to install some or all is much appreciated.

Lynn.

if it scanned your pc and said you need them then you have it on your pc, it will only give you updates for things on your pc. I do only the ones that are listed as the Critical updates.

just because you do not use a program that is on your pc does not mean it can not be a vulnerability if there is a hole found in it that can be exploited, if it is on your pc it should be patched.

Check in your start all programs list or your add remove list to see what you have if you are not sure.

I just checked my computer and no updates have been installed since mid-July. Nothing yesterday (Tuesday). My computer is set to install critical updates automatically.

I have Windows XP SP2 and use IE as my browser. Why do you suppose no updates were installed?

Just checked out the updates. SP3 is still at the top of the list. Should I go ahead and take it before the others? I've forgotten now what the problem was with it.

Sue

Just upgraded my computer had 9 "priority" so did those left SP3 until told it is ok to upgrade.

Gill.

ginny 12 you may have reset your pc when sp3 was hitting the auto updates so that it would not automatically put sp3 on your pc, if that is the case you can just go to the windows update site and let it scan your pc and then choose custom, select only the critical updates for it to install.
If you do not want sp3 make sure you do not select it in your install list.
Check your settings by going to start, control panel, automatic updates and see how you have it set. I keep mine at Alert me but do NOT install, I want to see what is going on my pc and want to wait till I hear it is not causing havoc before I try it on mine.
To get to windows updates go to Start, all programs and it will be at the very top of the page.
You should have a small yellow shield icon down by your clock with an ! in it, that is to let you know there are updates for your pc, you can click on it and it will show you the updates, that is how it alerts you then you decide when and which to install.

I have decided I am not getting sp3 I am still seeing very serious issues coming in the forums now that sp3 is going out in auto updates.

I just posted yet another sp3 warning that was issued over at another forum.

XP SP3 Can Kill All Update Installations
- If the service pack is deployed directly on top of XP SP2"
http://news.softpedia.com/news/XP-SP3-Can-Kill-All-Update-Installations-91388.shtml

"Deploying Service Pack 3 directly on top of a fresh installation of Windows XP Service Pack 2 will kill all subsequent updates from Microsoft's servers. The Redmond giant warned that integrating SP3 into the operating system straight after performing a new installation of XP SP2 via Windows Update will result in the failed implementation of any additional releases from Windows Update, Microsoft Update or through Automatic Updates. In this context, installing the third and last service pack for Windows XP onto a freshly-deployed copy of XP SP2 will virtually cut off the operating system from the life-line represented by the company's updates, served either through WU, MU or AU. "

quoted from the article.
http://news.softpedia.com/news/XP-SP3-Can-Kill-All-Update-Installations-91388.shtml

Since the MS whitepages stated that if you had all current critical updates to your system since sp2 that you would gain little from sp3, that made me decide I was not willing to risk it.
That is something each person must decide after weighing the pros and cons.
Some people have had success with installing others total disaster, flip of a coin.

I got the updates, (still not SP3) but one failed. It is for Power Point #949041. Tried it again, failed again. I do have Power Point in my All Programs.

Guess I just won't worry about it, right?

Sue

Thanks, RC. Around 3pm today, nine of the updates installed themselves. I have not installed SP3, according to advice here, but am still able to automatically get critical updates. No problems so far. My fingers were crossed after the Zone Alarm debacle last month. Thanks again for the advice.

sue some people are reporting a failure on that update on other forums too, not sure what the problem is.

good ginny glad you had no problems.

the number will vary of course depending on what you have on your pc so some will get more than others.

How do you know what the updates are and if they are critical? All mine ever say is Security Update for windows with a KB#. Clicking on more info. doesn't help much.

I have both SP3 and IE7 blocked (thanks to this forum) so I know I'm not getting those, but there are nine other updates. I usually wait a while to install. Thanks, Sandy

RC, Today when checking in my "Add/Remove Programs" I noticed there was a box at the top that says "Show all Updates". Once I marked the box all of the Windows updates appeared in the list of programs installed. Maybe that is why ginny12 couldn't see any of her updates. I have no idea when that was changed or how. I thought they have always been listed....?

Also running XP sp2 (No sp3 for me yet)

msm84 that box is UN checked by default and really it should be checked so everyone can see what is in their add remove area, I always advise checking that box. For those wanting to see if yours is checked go to Start, control panel , add remove programs then up at the very top on the right is that little box you can put a check mark in so that it shows all your updates in your add remove list.

But that would not have affected ginny, I think she meant that she had not had any updates show up for her in her auto updates pop up. they generally do the updates once a month on Patch Tuesday which is the 2nd Tues of each month.

Breenthumb this is the microsoft security bulletin with all the updates listed if you click on the + next to critical you will see those updates and the + next to important will list those.
Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for August 2008
I always get my updates by going to the windows update site, let it scan my pc, then I choose custom, that will divide the updates and show me the critical ones and the not critical ones then I do the critical ones.

Yesterday morning, I looked in my "show update history" record and the last one was mid-July. Also checked "updates waiting to be installed" and it was just SP3 by its lonely self, still waiting--but nothing else.

And as I posted yesterday, around 3 in the afternoon, when I went to turn off my computer, it said "there are updates ready to install--do you want to install them". I clicked yes and read a book while the 9 updates installed.

Computer turned off to complete installation. I turned it on again and checked update history and there they were.

I got 17 updates Tuesday but since the heads up from ravencajun I was ready and waiting! Thanks!!! All installed without a hitch.

Sue for your failed update it is being suggested to put your Office cd into the pc and try the update, some seem to need the actual cd in it to be able to do the update, some specifically tell you to put the cd in but for some it may not give the notice to put the cd in for it to use.

I think you can also try going to the actual office update site and get the update done from there which is what I would try first. On that page to the left you can select which actual version you have and choose that link
try this link, have your office cd's handy it will probably tell you when to put them in the drawer.

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

Mine all went in without a hitch - so far...

Jane

ginny12-And as I posted yesterday, around 3 in the afternoon, when I went to turn off my computer, it said "there are updates ready to install--do you want to install them". I clicked yes and read a book while the 9 updates installed.

When I turn on my computer and see the shield pop up to tell me of updates, I check to see what ones they are and I click to DL them and go on with my computing. Then when I am done with the computer and click to turn off my computer, the updates install and my computer shuts down automatically when done.
No problem or interference of any kind.

for those on dial-up it can take a long time to download that many updates, and of course doing anything else on the pc at the same time slows things down even more, which I bet is why ginny just lets it do it's thing while she reads.
One of the many reasons I just love my Verizon fios speed.

Actually I have high-speed broadband. I didn't keep track of how long it took but I'm guessing at least 15-20 minutes. I sat there because if something weird happened, I wanted to be right there to take care of it. And you are right, trying to work on the computer while it is busy with other matters can be an exercise in frustration. (and the book was good)

I am DSL here and it did not really take long at all, and the only thing I had to take care of was inserting the disk for WORKS, the OFFICE update went fine but it insisted I use the disk for the Works update.
I was thinking of switching to FIOS, don't know what is stopping me! LOL!

ravencajun (My Page) on Fri, Aug 15, 08 at 11:24

for those on dial-up it can take a long time to download that many updates, and of course doing anything else on the pc at the same time slows things down even more, which I bet is why ginny just lets it do it's thing while she reads.

I am on dialup and guess I am on the computer long enough and do not notice how long it took and they are ready to install when I turn my computer off.
Like I say, no problem as they DL OK without a hitch and install at shutdown. Do that all the time.

Urlee

Interesting Raven. I had FIOS and didn't find any difference between cable or DSL. It wasn't worth the price difference and I had it removed. Cable works so much better and faster for me.

My updates took only a few minutes - 5 maybe. I'm on my office computer now and nothing is showing. I have it set to alert me and no shield. I'll have to check the update site.

Jane

If I had to move and not have my fios I just don't know what I would do. IT would be a determining factor in where I moved to I can tell you that. I will hopefully never have to leave fios!
I have had it since 2005, I was one of the original test houses out here in Texas, I had the big head bosses out here from time to time, I had to call them one day because I lost my connection, I had 5 Verizon cars and trucks in my drive way in less than 15 minutes and several of them were in suits LOL. Found out one of the installers had accidentally disconnected me from the box at the street when he was working on the lines, it was very new then only about a week old. I think the poor guy got fired. That is the only time I have ever lost connection other than of course a power outage. I had DSL before that and it was a constant pain. Dial up was a bad dream.

Just be thankful you've never had to suffer with satellite for Internet, RC. It's better than dialup, but just barely. But we who choose to live close to Nature have learned to compromise, and I certainly wouldn't move to a city for FIOS! We get TV via satellite also, and just upgraded to HD. Awsome!

well I am not too closed in here I have a few acres, lots of corn fields around me still, Southfork Ranch is my neighbor. It is strange it came to us out here before it has gone out to Dallas, they still don't have it yet. I doubt I would ever live where I could not have some land around me.
I have satellite tv too, fine till the weather turns to rain.
I do have the option of fios tv too so that may be my choice sometime in the future.