have you gone to windows update site by clicking on start, all programs then at the top click on windows updates, once there it will scan your pc for what you have missing then choose custom, it will show you the critical updates that are needed for your pc. You can select the ones to install.

I thought I had gone to the windows update site - and many other links to microsoft updates, etc - but somehow didn't find a way to download anything. However, I didn't try it from the start menu, so I'll do that now.

Thanks.
Lynn.

lynn do you have the secunia software inspector? if not try it also and see if it shows you are missing those same updates.
The Secunia Online Software Inspector
that is the online version
there is one that can be downloaded to your pc if you want the link to it here it is.
Personal Software Inspector (PSI)

Well - this is a mystery. I went to the Windows Update Site - and it prompted me to first download and install a Validation technique software (something like that). So I did. Then it scanned my computer and said I'm missing SP3 - which I declined. And missing the IE7 update. It looked like just one update - perhaps it's a group - I did download and install it. I'm not sure if that captured the missing updates or not.

I did run Secunia within the last couple of days - and it indicated I was up to date on everything. Now that I downloaded the IE7 update, I'll run Belarc and Secunia again to see what they say. I'll report back later.

Thanks.
Lynn.

I just re-ran Belarc and it says I'm now missing 10 security updates (the 9 reported yesterday and I guess 1 new one). So now I'm stumped as to where I get those updates.

Perhaps Belarc is not scanning your computer before it opens. I know it always scans for security items before it opens. Hey, if it won't show things up to date, just uninstall it and download and install again. Could be something has corrupted your installed version.

Grandms - I'm not sure I understood what you're saying. It seems to me that Belarc is scanning the computer - and giving results that say that 10 security update are missing. I am not at all certain that I have those security updates on my computer. I had thought they were automatically getting installed on August 12 - but I set my computer to notify me of available updates - and not do them automatically. perhaps I never got them. In which case, I'm having trouble finding them. I've searched all over microsoft security updates - through the windows update site and through links on belarc. What I find is either 120 popular downloads - or when I had the windows update site scan my computer, it only came up with the IE7 update - and I have no idea if that is a grouping of the missing updates - or something completely different from what Belarc suggested.

I guess I have 2 questions:

- is there a way I can check to see if I have these updates on my computer?

- if I don't, how do I get them. All the above recommendations did not lead me there.

Thanks.
Lynn.

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.

Unless I missed it Lynn there has been no mention of whether these hotfixes are O/S related or Microsoft products related. Belarc does both.

DA

I gather these are O/S related - it says they're the security hotfixes from the 8/12/2008 security bulletin. Nowhere does it say that it is for XP, but I believe that is what it is (as opposed to Word, Excel, etc).

Witz - thanks for all your efforts. Belarc is telling me which ones are missing - but when I had Microsoft Windows update scan my computer, it only came up with the IE7 update - which I downloaded and installed.

problem is, when I go available security udpates on Microsoft, I see 120 - none of who's numbers match what Belarc has listed. belarc lists ones starting with Q and followed by 6 digits. Everything on Microsoft started with other letters.

I will have to try what Witz suggested about seeing if these are on my computer. I thought they were - in fact I seem to recall accepting them for download (or being informed they downloaded) on August 12.

The Windows Security and Update is not easily leading me to these 9 updates. I can find the security bulletin that talks about them, but see no way to actually download them from there.

More help, please.
Lynn.

Lynn,

Yes, it would have been nice if Microsoft would have stuck to one set of numbers instead of the 'KB', 'Q', and 'MS' numbers. What they have now only confuses people, me included.

You can try typing the number into 'Google'. Try the numbers with and without the 'letters', In some cases that will lead you to a "Download details" site.

Microsoft Download Center: Help
There is a link in the 'Cannot Find What You Are Looking For?' section where you can type in the update number. In the case of the 'Q------' number, try leaving out the 'Q'.

Witz

Lynn 2 things I would try go to the separate office update site and see if it will scan your pc and show updates that may be what you are missing because several from that date were office related. Here is the link to that update site.

2nd I would try deleting (add remove) the copy of belarc you have now and go re-download it. The copy you have may be out dated or corrupted.
Belarc's

Witz your finkers did a darn good job there under full sail LOL!

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