Updating old WindowsXP version

[Humpty Dumpty]

I have a Compaq laptop "Presario" which I bought on year 2002 and left
unused for several years.
It included a copy of WindowsXP Home 2002 and MS Works 2000 and MS Word
2000. Everything legitimate and I still keep all the certificates.
After starting anew, I tried to update Windows by downloading the huge
amount of files available in Windows Update, the computer became totally
corrupt.
I am going now to insert the Recovery CD and try to do a "Factory Restore".
Now, supposing I succeed, my question to you people is:
How should I proceed to update my old windows to the newest running version?
I feel that any attempt to download from Windows Update the immense quantity
of data is bound to fail.
I thank you in advance for your advice,
Humpty

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

After installing WinXP:

1a. Download/install WinXP SP2: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875364/

1b. Reboot twice!! (Tust me)

2. Go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com | Select CUSTOM and scan |
Install the software and ActiveX Controls needed to use Windows Update |
Press CONTINUE and scan again | Install all critical updates offered |
Follow all prompts.

NB: I would NOT recommend installing IE7 via Windows Update; "hide" it
instead.

3. Make certain that Automatic Updates is enabled.

Also see:

Before You Connect a New Computer to the Internet
http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/before_you_plug_in.html

Security FAQ & Checklist
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/8463
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

[Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM]

"Humpty Dumpty" <so...@antispam.net> wrote in message
news:eqPTfteg...@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

Install SP2 and then turn on Automatic Updates.

--
Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM
www.fjsmjs.com
Do not reply with email

[Animenia]

Like you said yourself there was a huge amount of files to be downloaded
from Windows Update.
Some but not all are available for manual downloads on Microsoft's
Download Center but far from all you can get through Windows Update.

That would be the only option.

Was the laptop new when you bought it or had it been used prior to your
purchase? Cause if it was there might have been some other software
installed on the system that cause the system to corrupt when the
Windows updates were installed and a factory restore might solve this
issue.

However if it wasn't perhaps we're facing outdated hardware seeing how
the system is considered "old" today.

[Humpty Dumpty]

Thank you. I read everything, including the CERT link. It sounds easy, but
so it was when I tried first time. But now it is going to be on a clean
formatted disk (the recover CD performs the formatting), so maybe it'll go
well.
I liked the tip on disabling "File and printing sharing...". I just applied
it in my desktop, too.
I'll let you know how it went, if it is of any importance for you.
TIA
Humpty

I'll try and let you know
"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABe...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:%23B5WKRf...@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Any feedback would be appreciated, HD.

[Humpty Dumpty]

The computer starts the Windows old version OK and works allright.

But I cannot reach Windows Update. The computer connects to the internet,
and I can browse freely and even access the Windows SP2 page with the link
to the download.
When I click the link, the Windows Update site appears in the address bar,
but the page stays blank and the sandclock desappears. Same if I type the
address (http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com) The IE6 version is also old,
like the Windows version.
What can it be? Is there anything I can do?
TIA
Humpty

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABe...@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:OP$LcKugI...@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

1. Download SP2 from this link instead:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=049c9dbe-3b8e-4f30-8245-9e368d3cdb5a

NB: Save it to your desktop, do not Run it!

2. If you have a third-party firewall installed, uninstall it for the time
being then enable the Windows Firewall.

3. Disable your anti-virus application and any real-time protections
afforded by any anti-spyware applications you may have installed.

4. Double-click on the file you saved in #1 above to being the installation.
Follow all prompts. Be patient as the installation may take 10 minutes or
more.

5. Reboot when directed to do so. Be aware that it may take 20-30 minutes
for Windows to load at this point: Many changes are being made.

6. After making certain that your anti-virus application is now enabled and
reconfirming that the Windows Firewall is enabled, reboot another time.
(Trust me!)

7. Go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com | Select CUSTOM and scan |

Install the software and ActiveX Controls needed to use Windows Update |
Press CONTINUE and scan again | Install all critical updates offered |
Follow all prompts.

NB: I would NOT recommend installing IE7 via Windows Update; "hide" it
instead.

8. Make certain that Automatic Updates is enabled.

9. If you wish to disable the Windows Firewall and reinstall your
third-party firewall, you may do so now.
--
~PA Bear

[Humpty Dumpty]

Great! I have SP2 installed. Several notes:
To point 4. : At first attempt, installation stopped and an error message
appeared (something about "host network" or alike). Rebooted and tried
again. This time it started and went OK.
Installation took a very long time, not 10 minutes, but more than 2 hours.
With an AMD Duron processor and 256 MB Physical Memory, I would expect
better. Would you care to comment?
To point 6: After reboot, the Menu Screen appeared. Selection of "Start
Windows Normally" did not work. Neither did "Start in Safe Mode". But,
fortunately, the option "Last known good configuration" loaded Windows and
solved the problem.
Thanks a lot; without your guidance I would never have succeeded.
I haven't yet performed steps 7 and forward.
Humpty

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABe...@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:uHI8vGr...@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

YW.

> I haven't yet performed steps 7 and forward.

Do do ASAP!!!

[Humpty Dumpty]

I continued as directed. I want to share, below.
After installing ActiveX controls and the software, not all the updates (I
choose only Critical Updates) were offered to me at once.
First, 56 updates, but the download aborted (Host Generic Error, or
something alike). Six were downloaded, and I installed them succesfully.
Then 10 were offered, DL and installed. And at last 58 were DL and
installed, w/o any problem. I think this finished dowloading all the CU.
In this last operation, I was offered IE7 and declined, according to your
instructions. Where is the link to download it?
In a separate message, I beg support for a problem I am experiencing when
the computer restarts.
Thanks again,
Humpty

First, there were 56
First,

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABe...@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:u9l%23tNFiI...@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

You needed to install certain updates in a certain order before others will
be offered.

=======================

Required reading IMHO before installing IE7:

Sandi's Installation Tips <= FOLLOW THESE TIPS TO THE LETTER!
http://www.ie-vista.com/known_issues.html#pre-install

And I strongly recommend using
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/ie/getitnow.mspx as the
installation source, not Automatic/Windows Update.

Tip: Save the installer to your desktop, do not Run it.

Make *certain* that you check in at Windows Update immediately after
installing IE7 and install any critical updates offered. If Optional
Updates category offers Root Certificates update, I recommend installing it
to take full advantage of IE7's additional security.

IEBlog : IE7 Installation and Anti-Malware Applications
http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/2006/10/11/IE7-Installation-and-Anti_2D00_Malware-Applications.aspx

What's New in Internet Explorer 7
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms649487.aspx

Release Notes
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/ie/Aa740486.aspx