Manual offline update

JClark

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Feb 25, 2008, 5:02:00 AM2/25/08

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Hello,
What is the best way to manually update windows xp? I often put
together "bare bones" systems for my family members, kids in school,
etc. I purchase OEM winXP CDs and install. But it's time consuming,
and seems perhaps dangerous, to wait for the downloads when I do a new
windows install.
I've heard that you can manually update offline. I searched the web
and downloaded the Heise script
http://www.heise-online.co.uk/security/Update-Vista-and-Office-offline--/news/97355
to do this, but it didn't work for me, since the iso file it created
is too big (715MB) to go on a CD. I posted a request for help in their
forum as well.

Any advice appreciated.

Jack

Shenan Stanley

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Feb 25, 2008, 5:11:15 AM2/25/08

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If you normally buy a certain version (like you said - OEM CDs) - then keep
an OEM CD updated with all the patches/updates. Heck - you could go further
and make it into a DVD and have it install all the apps for you that you
would normally do. A few scripts here and there to make the settings you
would notrmally make.

In short...
- Integrate all the patches you can into the CD.
- Use your CD (but the product key from the newly purchased OEM version) to
install.
- You can go further with help from http://unattended.msfn.org/ if desired.
Applications and other settings/installs are possible without you having to
do much more than boot from the CD (possibly DVD) you are keeping updated.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

JClark

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Feb 25, 2008, 5:18:22 AM2/25/08

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On Mon, 25 Feb 2008 05:02:00 -0500, JClark <jcl...@nomail.invalid>
wrote:

Sorry, I gave a bad url for the Heise site which explains their
program. Here is the better url:

http://www.heise-online.co.uk/security/Do-it-yourself-Service-Pack--/features/80682

Jack

JClark

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Feb 25, 2008, 5:24:13 AM2/25/08

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On Mon, 25 Feb 2008 04:11:15 -0600, "Shenan Stanley"
<newsh...@gmail.com> wrote:

>A few scripts here and there

Shenan,

I'm afraid scripts are beyond my skill level. But I love your idea.
The unattended website looks like a very interesting project. But I'd
better wait until next weekend to get involved in it.
Glad to hear there is a way to accomplish what I want to do.

Thanks.

Jack

Shenan Stanley

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Feb 25, 2008, 5:26:17 AM2/25/08

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JClark wrote:
> I'm afraid scripts are beyond my skill level. But I love your idea.
> The unattended website looks like a very interesting project. But
> I'd better wait until next weekend to get involved in it.
> Glad to hear there is a way to accomplish what I want to do.

Something else...

If you just want to download all the updates - get them in one place so you
can install them 'offline' or integrate them (majority of them):
http://wud.jcarle.com/

Great little app to help you do that with minimal effort.

JClark

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Feb 25, 2008, 5:45:23 AM2/25/08

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On Mon, 25 Feb 2008 04:26:17 -0600, "Shenan Stanley"
<newsh...@gmail.com> wrote:

>JClark wrote:
>> I'm afraid scripts are beyond my skill level. But I love your idea.
>> The unattended website looks like a very interesting project. But
>> I'd better wait until next weekend to get involved in it.
>> Glad to hear there is a way to accomplish what I want to do.
>
>Something else...
>
>If you just want to download all the updates - get them in one place so you
>can install them 'offline' or integrate them (majority of them):
>http://wud.jcarle.com/
>
>Great little app to help you do that with minimal effort.
>
>--
>Shenan Stanley
> MS-MVP

Another nice piece of advice. This should keep me busy this weekend!
Thanks again.

Jack