Windows updates.

[trish432]

Is it necessary to install all 90 updates, after formatting the drive and reinstalling windows?

[vehelpfulguy]

Yes I am afraid it is.

Many of these will be security updates and it is important that you install them.

When Microsoft announce a security hole in Windows many of the virus writers quickly try and write programs that exploit them.

So it is important to get these fixes on as they are the security holes are the most likely to be attacked.

If you go into Windows Update and select the Custom button rather that the Express button you get the same 90 fixes, but you can select to install them a number at a time (maybe 15 or 20).

I usually do a reboot between each batch to "save" the status and to make sure they have not caused any problems.

[trish432]

Thanks, I`ve always done so in the past, but have been wondering if it was really necessary.Just in the process of doing them now.
Now I`m wondering why keyboard is underlining some of my text with red dots!

[Elmek]

i`m probably a bit late here but i`ve found after i`ve formatted and reinstalled, put my internet back on, removed all the garbage programes and downloaded all the updates. i backed up my entire hard drive using acronis true image or similar type program. it saved me hours when i got problems a couple of weeks ago. it may be worth looking into trish

[vehelpfulguy]

Like elmek I back up my Windows image after doing a complete install (I use Ghost which is similar to Acronis).

I have 2 hard disks in my computer. I install XP on the "main" hard disk, then take an image of it that I put on my second hard disk.

I keep all my personal files on my second hard disk so my main hard disk only contains Windows.

If ever I get any problems I can use Ghost to "reinstall" Windows from the image I saved earlier in about 10 minutes.

[trish432]

Thanks both of you,I have acronis true image, but I`ve never used it, i`ll give it a try. I have it on a disc, can`t remember why I got it now, but I know it was recommended by someone on here.

[matt1e]

if you have your windows install disk you can make a slipstreamed copy which basically involves making an updated instal disc with all updates already installed
either google slipstreaming windows or see here
http://icrontic.com/articles/slipstreaming_win dows_easy
or here
http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?article ID=1626