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!

This is what he got me - from the box: SMC Networks Wireless Cardbus Adapter "Supports blazing wireless communcation at up to 108 MBPS." Advanced Wireles Security, includes Wi-Fi Protected Access. For Home and Small Office Networking. "Share your existing cable connection with multiple computers by addind a high performance Barriade g Router with USB Print server" Don't know about the last part, I could live without the print server, I just want to be able to work and browse in other rooms in the house besides my basement where the cable connection is. As for the memory card - I went to the "Crucial" RAM Scanner Web site as recommended by Zep516 on a previous post that I found through the search menu. I clicked on the Crucial System Scanner, and it said: Maximum Memory Capacity: 1024MB Currently Installed Memory: 256MB Available Memory Slots: 1 Number of Banks: 2 Dual Channel Support: No CPU Manufacturer: GenuineIntel CPU Family: Mobile Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU 2.40GHz Model 2, Stepping 9 CPU Speed: 2392 MHz Each memory slot can hold DDR PC2700,DDR PC3200 with a maximum of 512MB per slot.* So I couldn't remember the exact number of what I have, but what I have is 256 MB of currently installed memory and one empty "slot."

this may be the artilce about dial a fix. Broken Windows Fixed Quick with Dial-a-Fix dial a fix is a neat little tool and is used on the support forums, it is generally preferred that it be used with the guidance of support forum teams or from djlizards lunarsoft forum. It does basically what we have been doing by typing in the commands in command line but it does all the typing for you which is good because it is easy to type wrong of course. You can definitely try it just for this application. If you want to check out their forum here is the link Lunarsoft and a link to his wiki about dial-a-fix Dial-a-fix Lynn you could try going ahead to windows update and running it again it might give you the option to uncheck sp3 (to not install) if it does not and looks like it is going to install it you can always just hit cancel. OR another option is to go now and get that sp3 blocker tool I posted the link for in the sp3 thread and install that on your pc so that if it does try to install it that tool should block it.

Lynn, When you visit the 'Windows Update' website Welcome to Microsoft Update you will be 'flashed', not by Ray Stevens and 'The Streak', but by Microsoft checking to see if you have the latest Windows updating software which validates that you have a legitimate copy of 'Windows' (it's called, or was, 'WGA' Windows Genuine Advantage). That's the valdiation you were talking about. Microsoft on occasion will upgrade their 'Validation' tool. After it has validated that your copy of Windows is legit it will give you the option of 'Express' or 'Custom' (which includes other options that Windows feels you might need, such as 'drivers', etc.) install. I prefer not to use those. For all practical purposes the 'Express' (Get high priority updates- Recommended)option should scan your computer and let you know exactly what you need (with a few exceptions). If you use any of the Microsoft office products, such as the Microsoft Office 'Power Point' or 'Excel' viewers, 'Windows Updates' will not cover updates for that software unless_________. If you do use any of those Microsoft 'Word' programs (and I'm not really all that familiar with all of them)and you want to have 'Windows Update' include updates for those, what you have to do is when you open the 'Windows Updates' site there is an option to include updates for other 'Microsoft' products. I just did this a few days ago but forgot the terminoly they used. It's just a matter of clicking on a link to get 'Office'? updates now, or something to that effect. The 'Belarc' advisor does a nice job of scanning your computer and letting you know where it's deficient, including updates. If you scroll down to 'Missing Microsoft Security Hotfixes' that will tell you what Microsoft hotfixes (KB- 'Knowledge Base') fixes need to be installed for your computer. Below the 'Installed Microsoft Hotfixes' section you can see where they list those updates that have installed properly (Green checkmark), failed (Red X), etc. Clicking on 'detail' will take you to MS and explain the update. "I guess I have 2 questions:" "is there a way I can check to see if I have these updates on my computer?" Using 'Win XP' you can check what updates you have installed by going to Start/Control Panel/Change or Remove Programs/ and select 'Show Updates' at the top and scroll down to your updates. "- if I don't, how do I get them." Windows Security & Updates It's getting late and I'm under 'full sail' again (Seagrams), but if this didn't come across maybe a few of the others here, (R'C'?), could jump in and put a cap on it. Signing off for now,_____gettink to hard to coordnate the finkers. Good luck, Witz P.S. Also, if you want to put a shortcut to 'Windows Update' on your 'Desktop'(for those who don't use the 'Automatic update' feature and need a reminder) to check for the updates (they're supposed to come out the 2nd Tuesday of every month but you never know when they feel something important should be released sooner. I have gotten into the habit checking once a week. Using Win Xp, click Start/All Programs, at the top of the list you should have the 'Windows Update' link. Right click that link, scroll down to 'Send to', and select 'Desktop-create shortcut'. This will work for any of the programs you have.