Auto downloads and installs -- ?

[Why Is This So Complicated]

Okay, we've established that I have XP Home ed. with only SP1 installed.

Now the question is: my updates preferences are set to automatically
download AND install at 3 am every night, but clearly SP2 and a host of
little hotfixes and stuff have not installed themselves. Is that because my
computer is usually off at 3 am, or what?

[I had once upon a time installed SP2 and it interfered with my other
programs, so I uninstalled it, but realize I'm a bit behind the times now and
there are some other apps I am looking at that require at least SP1a, which
means I need to probably bite the bullet and do SP2 and its hotfixes etc.]

My fear here is that SP2 and its progeny will lock up my computer and I'd
then unable to get online or do anything at all, so I've been better off
without SP2. Why does SP2 cause conflicts, and will my computer and its
programs be operable when SP2 is installed, and if not, why not, and then
what?

Thanks.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

You will not be able to install any other updates or use Windows/Automatic
Updates until you've installed WinXP SP2:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=049c9dbe-3b8e-4f30-8245-9e368d3cdb5a

Detailed installation walkthrough for Windows XP Service Pack 2:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875364/

I would /strongly/ recommend disabling your anti-virus application and any
anti-spyware applications' real-time protection prior to installing SP2.

Know that it's not unusual for it to take 20-30 minutes for Windows to load
completely when you reboot. After Windows has loaded, reboot a second time.
(Trust me.)

Now check-in at Windows Update and install all critical updates offered,
then make sure Automatic Updates is enabled.
--
~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/


Why Is This So Complicated wrote:
> Okay, we've established that I have XP Home ed. with only SP1 installed.
>
> Now the question is: my updates preferences are set to automatically
> download AND install at 3 am every night, but clearly SP2 and a host of
> little hotfixes and stuff have not installed themselves. Is that because
> my
> computer is usually off at 3 am, or what?
>
> [I had once upon a time installed SP2 and it interfered with my other
> programs, so I uninstalled it, but realize I'm a bit behind the times now
> and there are some other apps I am looking at that require at least SP1a,
> which means I need to probably bite the bullet and do SP2 and its hotfixes
> etc.]
>
> My fear here is that SP2 and its progeny will lock up my computer and I'd
> then unable to get online or do anything at all, so I've been better off
> without SP2. Why does SP2 cause conflicts, and will my computer and its
> programs be operable when SP2 is installed, and if not, why not, and then
> what?
>
> Thanks.