Windows Update after Reinstall of XP

[Guest marina]

I plan on doing a reformat and reinstall of Windows XP upgrade. (The machine

is badly infected.) In other forums and sites I've read to do download the

Windows Updates & Fixes before anything else, but that you can also be

attacked before you can get them downloaded and to do them through a

networked machine. I don't have that option open to me. Another option

mentioned was to download them to a CD and reload before connecting to the

internet. Looking at the Microsoft update site there are so many updates I

wouldn't know where to begin. I don't want to be infected again but I just

don't know what steps to take to protect myself while doing the update

process. Any suggestions?

[Guest PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Re: Windows Update after Reinstall of XP

 

After reinstalling Windows, you will have the equivalent of a "new computer"

so take care of EVERYTHING in the following webpage before otherwise

connecting the machine to the internet (e.g., to browse, chat, email, etc.):

 

Before You Connect a New Computer to the Internet

http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/before_you_plug_in.html

 

In order:

 

1. Make certain the Windows Firewall is enabled.

 

2. Go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com and get the machine fully

patched*.

 

3. Install an anti-virus application and manually update it.

 

* You WILL need this KB article to be able to use Windows Update:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144

 

NB: Also applies to clean installs, upgrade installs, and Recovery installs.

--

~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/

 

 

marina wrote:

> I plan on doing a reformat and reinstall of Windows XP upgrade. (The

> machine

> is badly infected.) In other forums and sites I've read to do download

> the

> Windows Updates & Fixes before anything else, but that you can also be

> attacked before you can get them downloaded and to do them through a

> networked machine. I don't have that option open to me. Another option

> mentioned was to download them to a CD and reload before connecting to the

> internet. Looking at the Microsoft update site there are so many updates

> I

> wouldn't know where to begin. I don't want to be infected again but I

> just

> don't know what steps to take to protect myself while doing the update

> process. Any suggestions?

[Guest DrewClayton]

Re: Windows Update after Reinstall of XP

 

On Jun 9, 10:54 am, marina <mar...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

> I plan on doing a reformat and reinstall of Windows XP upgrade. (The machine

> is badly infected.)  In other forums and sites I've read to do download the

> Windows Updates & Fixes before anything else, but that you can also be

> attacked before you can get them downloaded and to do them through a

> networked machine.  I don't have that option open to me.  Another option

> mentioned was to download them to a CD and reload before connecting to the

> internet.  Looking at the Microsoft update site there are so many updates I

> wouldn't know where to begin.  I don't want to be infected again but I just

> don't know what steps to take to protect myself while doing the update

> process.  Any suggestions?

 

I this what you are looking for are service packs. Download and burn

XP Service Pack 3 from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads

[Guest PD43]

Re: Windows Update after Reinstall of XP

 

marina <marina@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>I plan on doing a reformat and reinstall of Windows XP upgrade. (The machine

>is badly infected.) In other forums and sites I've read to do download the

>Windows Updates & Fixes before anything else, but that you can also be

>attacked before you can get them downloaded

 

Default setting for the Windows firewall is on. Your Internet

connection will probably have to be setup next. As long as you visit

the update site soon after that setup, you should not have to worry

about being "attacked".

>and to do them through a

>networked machine. I don't have that option open to me. Another option

>mentioned was to download them to a CD and reload before connecting to the

>internet. Looking at the Microsoft update site there are so many updates I

>wouldn't know where to begin. I don't want to be infected again but I just

>don't know what steps to take to protect myself while doing the update

>process. Any suggestions?

[Guest PD43]

Re: Windows Update after Reinstall of XP

 

DrewClayton <drew.clayton@gmail.com> wrote:

>On Jun 9, 10:54 am, marina <mar...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>> I plan on doing a reformat and reinstall of Windows XP upgrade. (The machine

>> is badly infected.)  In other forums and sites I've read to do download the

>> Windows Updates & Fixes before anything else, but that you can also be

>> attacked before you can get them downloaded and to do them through a

>> networked machine.  I don't have that option open to me.  Another option

>> mentioned was to download them to a CD and reload before connecting to the

>> internet.  Looking at the Microsoft update site there are so many updates I

>> wouldn't know where to begin.  I don't want to be infected again but I just

>> don't know what steps to take to protect myself while doing the update

>> process.  Any suggestions?

>

>I this what you are looking for are service packs. Download and burn

>XP Service Pack 3 from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads

 

Won't do any good if either SP1 or SP2 isn't installed.

[Guest marina]

Re: Windows Update after Reinstall of XP

 

Thank you to all who replied. I will do as suggested and run like a bunny

behind my firewall to get updated. Thank you to all.

 

--Marina

 

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> After reinstalling Windows, you will have the equivalent of a "new computer"

> so take care of EVERYTHING in the following webpage before otherwise

> connecting the machine to the internet (e.g., to browse, chat, email, etc.):

>

> Before You Connect a New Computer to the Internet

> http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/before_you_plug_in.html

>

> In order:

>

> 1. Make certain the Windows Firewall is enabled.

>

> 2. Go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com and get the machine fully

> patched*.

>

> 3. Install an anti-virus application and manually update it.

>

> * You WILL need this KB article to be able to use Windows Update:

> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144

>

> NB: Also applies to clean installs, upgrade installs, and Recovery installs.

> --

> ~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/

>

>

> marina wrote:

> > I plan on doing a reformat and reinstall of Windows XP upgrade. (The

> > machine

> > is badly infected.) In other forums and sites I've read to do download

> > the

> > Windows Updates & Fixes before anything else, but that you can also be

> > attacked before you can get them downloaded and to do them through a

> > networked machine. I don't have that option open to me. Another option

> > mentioned was to download them to a CD and reload before connecting to the

> > internet. Looking at the Microsoft update site there are so many updates

> > I

> > wouldn't know where to begin. I don't want to be infected again but I

> > just

> > don't know what steps to take to protect myself while doing the update

> > process. Any suggestions?

>

>

[Guest DrewClayton]

Re: Windows Update after Reinstall of XP

 

On Jun 9, 11:35 am, PD43 <pauld1...@comcast.net> wrote:

> DrewClayton <drew.clay...@gmail.com> wrote:

> >On Jun 9, 10:54 am, marina <mar...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

> >> I plan on doing a reformat and reinstall of Windows XP upgrade. (The machine

> >> is badly infected.)  In other forums and sites I've read to do download the

> >> Windows Updates & Fixes before anything else, but that you can also be

> >> attacked before you can get them downloaded and to do them through a

> >> networked machine.  I don't have that option open to me.  Another option

> >> mentioned was to download them to a CD and reload before connecting to the

> >> internet.  Looking at the Microsoft update site there are so many updates I

> >> wouldn't know where to begin.  I don't want to be infected again but I just

> >> don't know what steps to take to protect myself while doing the update

> >> process.  Any suggestions?

>

> >I this what you are looking for are service packs.  Download and burn

> >XP Service Pack 3 fromwww.microsoft.com/downloads

>

> Won't do any good if either SP1 or SP2 isn't installed.

 

not true.

 

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=68C48DAD-BC34-40BE-8D85-6BB4F56F5110&displaylang=en

[Guest PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Re: Windows Update after Reinstall of XP

 

DrewClayton wrote:

> On Jun 9, 11:35 am, PD43 <pauld1...@comcast.net> wrote:

>> DrewClayton <drew.clay...@gmail.com> wrote:

>>> On Jun 9, 10:54 am, marina <mar...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>>>> I plan on doing a reformat and reinstall of Windows XP upgrade. (The

>>>> machine is badly infected.) In other forums and sites I've read to do

>>>> download the Windows Updates & Fixes before anything else, but that you

>>>> can also be attacked before you can get them downloaded and to do them

>>>> through a networked machine. I don't have that option open to me.

>>>> Another option mentioned was to download them to a CD and reload before

>>>> connecting to the internet. Looking at the Microsoft update site there

>>>> are so many updates I wouldn't know where to begin. I don't want to be

>>>> infected again but I just don't know what steps to take to protect

>>>> myself while doing the update process. Any suggestions?

>>

>>> I this what you are looking for are service packs. Download and burn

>>> XP Service Pack 3 fromwww.microsoft.com/downloads

>>

>> Won't do any good if either SP1 or SP2 isn't installed.

>

> not true.

>

> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=68C48DAD-BC34-40BE-8D85-6BB4F56F5110&displaylang=en

 

No, true: You cannot install SP3 on a machine running WinXP Gold.

[Guest marina]

Re: Windows Update after Reinstall of XP

 

PA Bear: I read the KB article on Updates. Under method 2 which Windows

Update Agent should I install for Windows Home?

 

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> DrewClayton wrote:

> > On Jun 9, 11:35 am, PD43 <pauld1...@comcast.net> wrote:

> >> DrewClayton <drew.clay...@gmail.com> wrote:

> >>> On Jun 9, 10:54 am, marina <mar...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

> >>>> I plan on doing a reformat and reinstall of Windows XP upgrade. (The

> >>>> machine is badly infected.) In other forums and sites I've read to do

> >>>> download the Windows Updates & Fixes before anything else, but that you

> >>>> can also be attacked before you can get them downloaded and to do them

> >>>> through a networked machine. I don't have that option open to me.

> >>>> Another option mentioned was to download them to a CD and reload before

> >>>> connecting to the internet. Looking at the Microsoft update site there

> >>>> are so many updates I wouldn't know where to begin. I don't want to be

> >>>> infected again but I just don't know what steps to take to protect

> >>>> myself while doing the update process. Any suggestions?

> >>

> >>> I this what you are looking for are service packs. Download and burn

> >>> XP Service Pack 3 fromwww.microsoft.com/downloads

> >>

> >> Won't do any good if either SP1 or SP2 isn't installed.

> >

> > not true.

> >

> > http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=68C48DAD-BC34-40BE-8D85-6BB4F56F5110&displaylang=en

>

> No, true: You cannot install SP3 on a machine running WinXP Gold.

>

>

[Guest PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Re: Windows Update after Reinstall of XP

 

marina, you should be replying to my reply to you to avoid confusion.

 

Assuming you're referring to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144, you're

most likely running an x86 machine so dowload/install this one:

http://download.windowsupdate.com/windowsupdate/redist/standalone/7.0.6000.381/windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe

 

NB: Try Method 1 first!

--

~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/

 

 

marina wrote:

> PA Bear: I read the KB article on Updates. Under method 2 which Windows

> Update Agent should I install for Windows Home?

>

> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

>

>> DrewClayton wrote:

>>> On Jun 9, 11:35 am, PD43 <pauld1...@comcast.net> wrote:

>>>> DrewClayton <drew.clay...@gmail.com> wrote:

>>>>> On Jun 9, 10:54 am, marina <mar...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>>>>>> I plan on doing a reformat and reinstall of Windows XP upgrade. (The

>>>>>> machine is badly infected.) In other forums and sites I've read to do

>>>>>> download the Windows Updates & Fixes before anything else, but that

>>>>>> you

>>>>>> can also be attacked before you can get them downloaded and to do

>>>>>> them

>>>>>> through a networked machine. I don't have that option open to me.

>>>>>> Another option mentioned was to download them to a CD and reload

>>>>>> before

>>>>>> connecting to the internet. Looking at the Microsoft update site

>>>>>> there

>>>>>> are so many updates I wouldn't know where to begin. I don't want to

>>>>>> be

>>>>>> infected again but I just don't know what steps to take to protect

>>>>>> myself while doing the update process. Any suggestions?

>>>>

>>>>> I this what you are looking for are service packs. Download and burn

>>>>> XP Service Pack 3 fromwww.microsoft.com/downloads

>>>>

>>>> Won't do any good if either SP1 or SP2 isn't installed.

>>>

>>> not true.

>>>

>>> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=68C48DAD-BC34-40BE-8D85-6BB4F56F5110&displaylang=en

>>

>> No, true: You cannot install SP3 on a machine running WinXP Gold.

[Guest marina]

Re: Windows Update after Reinstall of XP

 

Sorry I posted in wrong place, I'm new at this. Glad you responded; I

thought first you did method 1 and then method 2. Thanks for the

clarification!

 

Marina

 

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> marina, you should be replying to my reply to you to avoid confusion.

>

> Assuming you're referring to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144, you're

> most likely running an x86 machine so dowload/install this one:

> http://download.windowsupdate.com/windowsupdate/redist/standalone/7.0.6000.381/windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe

>

> NB: Try Method 1 first!

> --

> ~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/

>

>

> marina wrote:

> > PA Bear: I read the KB article on Updates. Under method 2 which Windows

> > Update Agent should I install for Windows Home?

> >

> > "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> >

> >> DrewClayton wrote:

> >>> On Jun 9, 11:35 am, PD43 <pauld1...@comcast.net> wrote:

> >>>> DrewClayton <drew.clay...@gmail.com> wrote:

> >>>>> On Jun 9, 10:54 am, marina <mar...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

> >>>>>> I plan on doing a reformat and reinstall of Windows XP upgrade. (The

> >>>>>> machine is badly infected.) In other forums and sites I've read to do

> >>>>>> download the Windows Updates & Fixes before anything else, but that

> >>>>>> you

> >>>>>> can also be attacked before you can get them downloaded and to do

> >>>>>> them

> >>>>>> through a networked machine. I don't have that option open to me.

> >>>>>> Another option mentioned was to download them to a CD and reload

> >>>>>> before

> >>>>>> connecting to the internet. Looking at the Microsoft update site

> >>>>>> there

> >>>>>> are so many updates I wouldn't know where to begin. I don't want to

> >>>>>> be

> >>>>>> infected again but I just don't know what steps to take to protect

> >>>>>> myself while doing the update process. Any suggestions?

> >>>>

> >>>>> I this what you are looking for are service packs. Download and burn

> >>>>> XP Service Pack 3 fromwww.microsoft.com/downloads

> >>>>

> >>>> Won't do any good if either SP1 or SP2 isn't installed.

> >>>

> >>> not true.

> >>>

> >>> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=68C48DAD-BC34-40BE-8D85-6BB4F56F5110&displaylang=en

> >>

> >> No, true: You cannot install SP3 on a machine running WinXP Gold.

>

>

[Guest PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Re: Windows Update after Reinstall of XP

 

You're welcome. Please let us know how you're doing.

--

~PA Bear

 

marina wrote:

> Sorry I posted in wrong place, I'm new at this. Glad you responded; I

> thought first you did method 1 and then method 2. Thanks for the

> clarification!

>

> Marina

>

> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

>

>> marina, you should be replying to my reply to you to avoid confusion.

>>

>> Assuming you're referring to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144,

>> you're

>> most likely running an x86 machine so dowload/install this one:

>> http://download.windowsupdate.com/windowsupdate/redist/standalone/7.0.6000.381/windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe

>>

>> NB: Try Method 1 first!

>> --

>> ~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/

>>

>>

>> marina wrote:

>>> PA Bear: I read the KB article on Updates. Under method 2 which Windows

>>> Update Agent should I install for Windows Home?

>>>

>>> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

>>>

>>>> DrewClayton wrote:

>>>>> On Jun 9, 11:35 am, PD43 <pauld1...@comcast.net> wrote:

>>>>>> DrewClayton <drew.clay...@gmail.com> wrote:

>>>>>>> On Jun 9, 10:54 am, marina <mar...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>>>>>>>> I plan on doing a reformat and reinstall of Windows XP upgrade.

>>>>>>>> (The

>>>>>>>> machine is badly infected.) In other forums and sites I've read to

>>>>>>>> do

>>>>>>>> download the Windows Updates & Fixes before anything else, but that

>>>>>>>> you

>>>>>>>> can also be attacked before you can get them downloaded and to do

>>>>>>>> them

>>>>>>>> through a networked machine. I don't have that option open to me.

>>>>>>>> Another option mentioned was to download them to a CD and reload

>>>>>>>> before

>>>>>>>> connecting to the internet. Looking at the Microsoft update site

>>>>>>>> there

>>>>>>>> are so many updates I wouldn't know where to begin. I don't want to

>>>>>>>> be

>>>>>>>> infected again but I just don't know what steps to take to protect

>>>>>>>> myself while doing the update process. Any suggestions?

>>>>>>

>>>>>>> I this what you are looking for are service packs. Download and burn

>>>>>>> XP Service Pack 3 fromwww.microsoft.com/downloads

>>>>>>

>>>>>> Won't do any good if either SP1 or SP2 isn't installed.

>>>>>

>>>>> not true.

>>>>>

>>>>> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=68C48DAD-BC34-40BE-8D85-6BB4F56F5110&displaylang=en

>>>>

>>>> No, true: You cannot install SP3 on a machine running WinXP Gold.

[Guest marina]

Re: Windows Update after Reinstall of XP

 

The reformat & reinstall could not have gone smoother. No problems with the

Windows update at all. The computer is blazing now and and it's great to be

infection free! Thanks again for your help. Now on to the IE discussion

group. Since the last update this computer has been having "issues". Don't

know what I would do without this site.

 

Happy Marina!!!

 

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> You're welcome. Please let us know how you're doing.

> --

> ~PA Bear

>

> marina wrote:

> > Sorry I posted in wrong place, I'm new at this. Glad you responded; I

> > thought first you did method 1 and then method 2. Thanks for the

> > clarification!

> >

> > Marina

> >

> > "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> >

> >> marina, you should be replying to my reply to you to avoid confusion.

> >>

> >> Assuming you're referring to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144,

> >> you're

> >> most likely running an x86 machine so dowload/install this one:

> >> http://download.windowsupdate.com/windowsupdate/redist/standalone/7.0.6000.381/windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe

> >>

> >> NB: Try Method 1 first!

> >> --

> >> ~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/

> >>

> >>

> >> marina wrote:

> >>> PA Bear: I read the KB article on Updates. Under method 2 which Windows

> >>> Update Agent should I install for Windows Home?

> >>>

> >>> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> >>>

> >>>> DrewClayton wrote:

> >>>>> On Jun 9, 11:35 am, PD43 <pauld1...@comcast.net> wrote:

> >>>>>> DrewClayton <drew.clay...@gmail.com> wrote:

> >>>>>>> On Jun 9, 10:54 am, marina <mar...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

> >>>>>>>> I plan on doing a reformat and reinstall of Windows XP upgrade.

> >>>>>>>> (The

> >>>>>>>> machine is badly infected.) In other forums and sites I've read to

> >>>>>>>> do

> >>>>>>>> download the Windows Updates & Fixes before anything else, but that

> >>>>>>>> you

> >>>>>>>> can also be attacked before you can get them downloaded and to do

> >>>>>>>> them

> >>>>>>>> through a networked machine. I don't have that option open to me.

> >>>>>>>> Another option mentioned was to download them to a CD and reload

> >>>>>>>> before

> >>>>>>>> connecting to the internet. Looking at the Microsoft update site

> >>>>>>>> there

> >>>>>>>> are so many updates I wouldn't know where to begin. I don't want to

> >>>>>>>> be

> >>>>>>>> infected again but I just don't know what steps to take to protect

> >>>>>>>> myself while doing the update process. Any suggestions?

> >>>>>>

> >>>>>>> I this what you are looking for are service packs. Download and burn

> >>>>>>> XP Service Pack 3 fromwww.microsoft.com/downloads

> >>>>>>

> >>>>>> Won't do any good if either SP1 or SP2 isn't installed.

> >>>>>

> >>>>> not true.

> >>>>>

> >>>>> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=68C48DAD-BC34-40BE-8D85-6BB4F56F5110&displaylang=en

> >>>>

> >>>> No, true: You cannot install SP3 on a machine running WinXP Gold.

>

>

[Guest PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Re: Windows Update after Reinstall of XP

 

YW & thanks for your feedback.

 

marina wrote:

> The reformat & reinstall could not have gone smoother. No problems with

> the

> Windows update at all. The computer is blazing now and and it's great to

> be

> infection free! Thanks again for your help. Now on to the IE discussion

> group. Since the last update this computer has been having "issues".

> Don't

> know what I would do without this site.

>

> Happy Marina!!!

>

> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

>

>> You're welcome. Please let us know how you're doing.

>> --

>> ~PA Bear

>>

>> marina wrote:

>>> Sorry I posted in wrong place, I'm new at this. Glad you responded; I

>>> thought first you did method 1 and then method 2. Thanks for the

>>> clarification!

>>>

>>> Marina

>>>

>>> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

>>>

>>>> marina, you should be replying to my reply to you to avoid confusion.

>>>>

>>>> Assuming you're referring to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144,

>>>> you're

>>>> most likely running an x86 machine so dowload/install this one:

>>>> http://download.windowsupdate.com/windowsupdate/redist/standalone/7.0.6000.381/windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe

>>>>

>>>> NB: Try Method 1 first!

>>>> --

>>>> ~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/

>>>>

>>>>

>>>> marina wrote:

>>>>> PA Bear: I read the KB article on Updates. Under method 2 which

>>>>> Windows

>>>>> Update Agent should I install for Windows Home?

>>>>>

>>>>> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

>>>>>

>>>>>> DrewClayton wrote:

>>>>>>> On Jun 9, 11:35 am, PD43 <pauld1...@comcast.net> wrote:

>>>>>>>> DrewClayton <drew.clay...@gmail.com> wrote:

>>>>>>>>> On Jun 9, 10:54 am, marina <mar...@discussions.microsoft.com>

>>>>>>>>> wrote:

>>>>>>>>>> I plan on doing a reformat and reinstall of Windows XP upgrade.

>>>>>>>>>> (The

>>>>>>>>>> machine is badly infected.) In other forums and sites I've read

>>>>>>>>>> to

>>>>>>>>>> do

>>>>>>>>>> download the Windows Updates & Fixes before anything else, but

>>>>>>>>>> that

>>>>>>>>>> you

>>>>>>>>>> can also be attacked before you can get them downloaded and to do

>>>>>>>>>> them

>>>>>>>>>> through a networked machine. I don't have that option open to me.

>>>>>>>>>> Another option mentioned was to download them to a CD and reload

>>>>>>>>>> before

>>>>>>>>>> connecting to the internet. Looking at the Microsoft update site

>>>>>>>>>> there

>>>>>>>>>> are so many updates I wouldn't know where to begin. I don't want

>>>>>>>>>> to

>>>>>>>>>> be

>>>>>>>>>> infected again but I just don't know what steps to take to

>>>>>>>>>> protect

>>>>>>>>>> myself while doing the update process. Any suggestions?

>>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>>> I this what you are looking for are service packs. Download and

>>>>>>>>> burn

>>>>>>>>> XP Service Pack 3 fromwww.microsoft.com/downloads

>>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>> Won't do any good if either SP1 or SP2 isn't installed.

>>>>>>>

>>>>>>> not true.

>>>>>>>

>>>>>>> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=68C48DAD-BC34-40BE-8D85-6BB4F56F5110&displaylang=en

>>>>>>

>>>>>> No, true: You cannot install SP3 on a machine running WinXP Gold.