I want to reformat my HD. Instead of waiting for Windows update to kick in is there any place I can just download every patch ever made for XP.

ivnj

ivnj:

Have you been getting all the Windows Updates and Service Packs? Mine is set to automatically download them, then ask me to install. If you haven't been getting them:

Click on Start > All Programs > Windows Update (at the top, left column). This will take you directly to the microsoft support site (Windows Update) then give you a link to allow it to scan for updates. If you've never gotten any of them, they will take several hours to download and install. A few require individual (all by themselves) downloads and installation, but most can be checked and done all at once. Read through the list to make sure you need them all...I found some updates for things I don't have, so I skipped those.

You should check back, from time to time, as not all of the Updates can be set to download automatically. Some of them must be done manually.

Use the Windows Update Catalog.

S, I have been getting all of them. That is not the problem. But if I decide to reformat I'll have to wait months again before I can get them all again.

But if I manually install all of then instead of waiting for the computer to tell me that it is ready I won't have to wait so long.

And TOM, the catalog has only SP1 listed and not 1A. So I'm assuming 1A covers everything or the catalog will catchup soon?

ivnj

if I decide to reformat I'll have to wait months again before I can get them all

I have no clue what that means, Ivnj. I suggest you copy all the updates, including Internet Explorer SP1, to a CD. Format and install Win XP, then install IE 6 SP1 and Win XP SP1A.

Afterward, visit Windows update and use the Scan for Updates function, noting the latest updates to install. Install these updates from the CD. This strategy ensures that you will not be installing updates which have been superceded by newer ones.

Here is where you can download SP1a for Xp (Home/Pro): http://microsoft.com/WindowsXP/pro/downloads/servicepacks/sp1/default.asp

I suggest you download the "Network Installation" version (134MB) and burn it to cd. This way once XP is installed you can install the patch fast.

There is a program called "Bigfix" that can search for patches for Windows and a number of other programs. http://bigfix.com/website/products/consumer.html