Simple question from simple minded old f--t

[doonboggle]

OK; I admit it right up front. I am totally confused about AutoPatcher. It's my understanding, from a much younger user, that it is a way to get all updates, etc. from Microsoft for my XP SP PRO version. So here's the first 'dummy' question...

1. How do I start? Is there a program I need that will do this? If so, can you direct me please.

2. In looking at my computer, in doing the update process from Microsoft, it says I need 85 updates. GOD!! At that rate, I'll be dead and gone by the time I get all that done. (-;

So where can I find the listing, and download method, for all 85 files?

3. Once get a handle on #1 and #2 above, and have them all downloaded, I presume I do a one-by-one installation. If so, is there a specific order to install them? I know some are called updates but there are others that are under a different name; and then of course, others for IE6, media program, etc..

I think that's about it ... hopefully.

Thanks for your kind responses.

doon

[+theblazingangel MVC]

firstly make sure you have the latest service pack installed (SP2). a service pack is a large culmination of all the updates available at the time of creation. for windows xp, the latest service pack is SP2. use windows update to install this, if you don't have it already. to see if you have it already: start, run, type winver, and press ok, the window that pops up should mention 'Service Pack 2' if you already have it.

secondly, you need all of the updates that have become available after SP2. for a single home user, you might be best suited with using windows update to get these. alternatively you can use autopatcher. by the way, if you have a slow dial-up internet connection, you can order autopatcher on CD/DVD from our website: http://www.autopatcher.com/order/

with autopatcher, you download the latest 'core' release. this includes the autopatcher program and all of the updates available as of this time. you run the "installer" which unpacks the autopatcher program and all of the updates to your system. you can then run autopatcher itself. autopatcher will provide you with a simple interface that allows you to select which of the updates you wish to install, will then install them all for you, and then reboot your computer to finish it off.

we create new releases every month to update the collection of windows updates. you don't need to download a new 'core' release next month, don't worry, you can download the much smaller 'update' release, which will update the 'core' release you already have with the new stuff. you can then run autopatcher once more to install then new updates - all the stuff you've already got installed will be highlighted in blue by the way!

the latest 'core' release happens to be this month - aug07 (so you won't have any update releases to download until next month!), you'll find info and a list of download locations for this release here: https://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=582450

Edited August 25, 2007 by theblazingangel