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http://www.autopatcher.com Problem solved. Oh, and it's much better than Windows Update, too. Imagine that.

You're still screwed if you're a small business with one do-everything server that can't run SUS or WSUS for compatability reasons (e.g. MS Proxy server) and has no dedicated IT staff. Like ours.

I've ended up using AutoPatcher because windows update frequently just doesn't work through our shitty proxy / firewall.

He might be using autopatcher. http://www.autopatcher.com/ No IE required

0. Revised, not reversed.
1. AutoPatcher

Yes, all in one go!

I no longer use Windows update on any of the boxes I maintain. I've switched to AutoPatcher. http://www.autopatcher.com/

They release a full installer every few months and updates each month between the full releases. I just have to mount the share on the server and install. It sure makes my life easier!

AutoPatcher to the rescue!

www.autopatcher.com

Download and give them a copy of Autopacther. Just give them the latest full release (August's is ~250mb) and the update releases.

I prefer this method: go to AutoPatcher and choose your OS (Win2K, XP, 64, or 2k3). Benefit here is that they do have some nice registry tweaks and/or installers (TweakUI for example) all rolled in for you. Wonderful to bring a new install "up to speed" in as few clicks as possible and keep the file size requirements to a minimum.

Don't trust somebody other than Microsoft themselves? (I can even write that with a straight face :)

Go to: Microsoft Downloads and Search in the Windows sub-section. Search for "iso-9660". Be amazed. Problem with this is these downloads are huge (not that I mind on a 10Mbit synchronous pipe :) -- they cover the same Windows families, but to get one you have to download it ALL. This is, of course, good for multi-flavored environments...

Me, myself, and I? I prefer to click on the Apple and choose "Software Update..." (or softwareupdate -ia from the command line). Of course on the servers a good 'ol fashioned "yum update" does the trick. But hey, that's just me. Microsoft is making this WAY TOO HARD -- and I've begrudgingly paid for each and every one of my Windows installs (personal and/or corporate).

Make sure you are behind a firewall or physically disconnected from the internet when reinstalling SP1. Upgrade to SP2, the slipstream all the patches from the latest autopatcher bundles and your computer has theb latest XP patches on it ready to hit the net.

http://autopatcher.com/

http://www.autopatcher.com/

Or how about not using some very suspiciously weird looking website that requires you to install a plugin, and use autopatcher which you can take from computer to computer and update them as you go along?

http://autopatcher.com/

Windows Update Service is cool but if you've only got 20 computers and don'e have a server setup already it may be a bit of an overkill.

Personally I've been using a tool called AutoPatcher http://www.autopatcher.com/ which includes all the updates and a number of other standard companents, like flash, java etc.

If you have seen it yet then check it out. It soulds like it will be exactly what you are looking for.

There are many solutions to this problem, one of them being AutoPatcher. They provide many more updates (including hotfixes) than the standard windows update does as well.

http://autopatcher.com/

You could also try AutoPatcher for Post SP2 updates. http://www.autopatcher.com/

Just thought that you guys might wanna know that Microsoft has came up with an article on removing WGA.

I find it interesting that illegal copies of Windows aren't able to update the fix for the legal settlement. Microsoft have finally changed their WGA tool to "Do not allow update unless user PC submits 'Yes it's valid'" from "Do not allow update unless user PC submits 'No i'm not valid'", i thought it was odd the way their system worked before.

This is why i'm using Autopatcher XP (Annoying forum-based website), you can download the updates off them, see the details and unselect all the crap you don't want, without having to go through Microsoft and Windows validation. You just have to wait a while before they release the newest version.

Just slap the April Autopatcher full and the May update on a DVD-RW and you have an easily update able complete patch setup for Win2K/WinXP/Win2K3.So much nicer when you need to do multiple installs and don't want to hook them all to the net.

And IIRC neither the Autopatcher nor the Windiz have the WGA "Patch".Autopatcher also gives you a nice summary of the patches so you can uncheck any you don't want.

Try http://www.autopatcher.com/. It seems to have been created to get around this very problem (WGA). I've used the Win2000 patch and it works great.

It's simple. Just use Autopatcher. They make compilations every month with all of the updates and other tools and tweaks, without having to deal with Microsoft's FUD-ridden update process.

http://www.autopatcher.com/

By the way, Autopatcher will update pirated copies, for better or for worse...

Ok some tools I use to make my life easier (all free):

• nlite (creates unattended installs, needs dotnet) slipstreams automatically service packs and hotfixes and allows other unattended options (more then MS tools). w2k and higher only. http://www.nliteos.com/
• autopatcher contains all the hotfixes, tweaks and third party extras like dotnet 1,2, flash, shockwave, java. http://www.autopatcher.com/ **
• driverpacks contains all the winxp drivers in existence (I think) http://driverpacks.net/Projects/DriverPacks/
• RVM packs, contains hotfixes and some extras. And is compatible with nlite. http://www.ryanvm.net/msfn/ **

Basic usage:

• Drop the contents of your winxp install CD onto your HD. Download the latest service pack.
• Start and Point nlite to both.
• Choose any option that you like but don't create an iso.
• It will automatically integrate the service pack.
• About integrating hotfixes see RVM packs, which is compatible with nlite. http://www.ryanvm.net/msfn/ (also more info about appz integration)
• Again options, choose what fits you. (Talking about nlite)
• Save
• Now follow the driverpacks site instructions to add the drivers to your install CD/DVD.
• About integrating extra applications see: http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/page/list /switch/ for general info look at its home site: http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/ and google for specific appz.
• After first boot run autopatcher latest version. (if needed, RVM packs if done well, don't need this step)
• Run your personal little script.
• Now you have a working winxp installation with all tools and most actual updates.
• Deploy!

It sounds like you might really benefit from Autopatcher. Great tool, also has all the patches that M$ doesn't bother pushing through Windows Update (because they're not related to security), plus a lot of useful tweaks and necessities (Flash, Java and so on).

http://www.autopatcher.com/

Well,I can help with one of those headaches.Here you go==http://autopatcher.com/.Better than those moronic windows updates.One reboot only! And it has tons of great optional extras like clear type tuner/tweak ui/directX control panel.

Gotta love Microsoft and their insanely odd policies. Here's another one... at work, we have one of the site license agreements that allows employees to install a copy of Office on their home computer for work purposes, and we pay extra for the privilege. Except in the last version of their license, they changed a few things - now the only legal installation method (that's at all workable) is to have people bring in their whole computer to work. But they have to install the software themselves, and we can't touch their machine except to put in the CD key which they can't watch us do. Has to be installed from official MS media, so no chance of adding a setup.ini for keyless install, sorry. Oh, and their new Office 2003 Service Pack 2 disc (where we can't use the old ones due to some MS patent conflict) doesn't install FrontPage, and that's what most people want our Office for.

Anyway, for your situation, this sounds like a job for a tool like Autopatcher. Install your copy of non-service-packed windows, install Service Pack 2 from a CD, and then install/run Autopatcher. It doesn't do any slipstreaming, it's just a package of post-SP2 hotfixes with an automated installer, so it shouldn't get you in any licensing trouble. Additionally, it comes with some of the commonly-installed plugins (Flash, Shockwave, Java, etc) and there's a facility for unattended automatic installs of the whole thing.

google for AutoPatcher.

Aw, heck, I guess I'll google it for you.

http://www.autopatcher.com/

  That'll hook up your new windows installation right quick.

• One, as mentioned, is slipstreaming SP2 + the hotfixes. Pretty much a PITA, since you'd have to continually update your CD as new patches come up.
• Two, is AutoPatcher. Slipstream SP2 and run AutoPatcher after install, and you'll get 90% of the updates. Update AutoPatcher as needed.
• Three, is to hack your own. There's a couple of options for this. You can go the Unattended way and batch/Perl script it, but you still have to download the updates. But, if you do it from a network drive, at least you don't have to reburn a CD.
• The better way, IMHO, is to use the Windows Update API to force the client to run Windows Update, download, install, reboot and repeat until no new updates are returned. I hacked a .NET program together to do just that, but it seems to have issues installing SP2. I haven't had time to delve into the problem yet though. That, and you need the .NET framework installed first - but a bootstrapping installer can take care of that.

I'm sure that there is a more elegant solution, but I use Autopatcher, when I need to bring a system up to date.

Slipstream SP2 into an install CD. When it's installed copy over and run Autopatcher.

If I had to do it more often, I'd probably look into a better way but the 4-5 times a year that I need to install XP doesn't make it worthwhile.

LK

I can find service pack 3 just fine.. It's at this site called autopatcher. Also there's this tool to make slipstreamed and unintended installs, here. Also, windowsupates works just fine in firefox.

Fine tools from the folks NOT at microsoft..

WindizUpdate: http://windowsupdate.62nds.com/
They've been around for a while now and aren't shady.
You use it just like the regular windows update site.
Supports Mozilla, Opera, AOL & K-Meleon (?)

AutoPatcher XP: http://www.autopatcher.com/
They provide windows updates every month packaged in
one big executable (Full and Lite versions available)
Available through http, ftp, & bittorrent

Alternatively, you can disrespect MS by using a cracked LegitCheckControl.DLL

Remove IE (or whatever else) from Windows 98,Me,2000,XP:
LitePC

Get all your patches for Windows 2000,XP,2003 (Microsoft and otherwise) on one handy autopatching CD:
AutoPatcher

I am not affiliated with either product, however, I use both and would say they both work well. A machine running Windows98 with the MSHTML Engine removed is a thing of beauty. I used LitePC (then 98Lite) to run Windows98 with the Windows95 Explorer for several years until LitePC for XP came out. A note about the AutoPatcher. It have EVERY IMAGINABLE patch. Don't just check them all, just check the ones you actually want/need, otherwise you could create a mess.

Try this http://www.autopatcher.com/. it seems to be just what you want.

Riiight, like I'm going to let an ActiveX applet from Microsoft scan my system. What do they want next, a retina scan? DNA check? I don't encourage piracy (I *do* own a legit copy of XP), but forcing users to submit to this crap so they can get updates (I know, I know, *not* critical updates, but still) is just wrong. Anyway, use the links above and just say NO! to Microsoft ActiveX scanning.

Never had a machine with a live connection while installing, I'll have to try that.

It'll be ok if you're on a firewalled network and there aren't any infected Win32 boxes on that same network. If you're directly connected to the internet, there's a good chance that you'll be infected before the new patches are applied unless you have a good firewall.

Otherwise, the very best way IMO to install XP on a box is to:

1) Install XP on an unconnected box.
2) Apply all of the patches with MS offline patchers or use Autopatcher.
3) Install a good 3rd party firewall and A/V.

optionally

4) Make an image of the partition of that complete install and use it for installations in the future. All that you need to do is put that image on a new computer, change the XP key to the one that belongs to that box, and connect to the internet to register.

That way, you can build a box, install windows in 5-6 minutes (plus time for any driver changes), and have it legally registered.

Why not just go to http://www.autopatcher.com/ and d/l the latest full update. Whenever I do an O.S. reinstall for clients (which is becoming more often lately) I have a cd with the latest autopatcher full update and a copy of zone alarm. Before I connect it to the net I have the o.s. patched completely and a fire wall up. Nice part about autopatcher is its a start and forget update. Grab a beer and come back when it's finished.

Like autopatcher?

Try AutoStreamer(site is down atm, but just google for download locations), it allows you to update your windows XP CD to have SP2 in the installation. The program is an extension of AutoPatcher which will fully update a system (and should be what you download and burn to a cd instead of trying to find everything on windows update) DL/Torrents for autopatcher

Try AutoStreamer(site is down atm, but just google for download locations), it allows you to update your windows XP CD to have SP2 in the installation. The program is an extension of AutoPatcher which will fully update a system (and should be what you download and burn to a cd instead of trying to find everything on windows update) DL/Torrents for autopatcher

Seriously... just use Autopatcher 2000. Same functionality as a "Update rollup", but with some tweaks and such. It also means bringing Windows 2000 almost completely up-to-date (If you have SP4 slipstreamed.. if not, you can download the network install and put it on the autopatcher 2k CD in the Service Pack dir) before letting it touch the 'net. (I say almost - the only update I needed was for IE6, which I only use for Windows Update).

I totally agree, although i have not been able to find an automated-patch-from-cd solution from microsoft. Does one exist that i cannot seem to find? I have found this http://www.autopatcher.com/ though, which is quite nice, although the last release was in 8/04 so it is not quite up to date all the time. I appears also that they don't support sp2, they mention on thier news that the latest version is for those of you not wanting to upgrade to sp2.

1) Try the MS download site, not the Windows Update site. (Although you'll have to download the patches individually that way) AutoPatcher is a handy alternative for Win2k/XP/2k3, but the XP release doesn't work with SP2 as yet.

2) Try the MS Download site.

3) For windows? I use AVG Anti-Virus.

It does not interact with WU, but it does have an up-to-date install for all XP updates pre-SP2. They are currently working on it for Windows 2000 and 2003 as well. Check it out: www.autopatcher.com

Or wait a month or so to get the full updates from AutoPatcher.com.

I am running Windows XP Pro w/SP1 from http://www.autopatcher.com/, why should I upgrade to SP2?

Thought it wont necessarily help with Sasser, if you get a blaster or similar type of RPC attack, you can bring up the Run box and type in "shutdown -a" and it will prevent the machine from being rebooted by blaster or welchia or the like.

I used this at work all the time to get the patch installed so we could clean and patch the PCs.

Another suggestion, albeit an obvious one, is to put the most essential stuff on a USB drive or mini CD, and just slap on those before you do plug in the network. I made a "SasserAssassin" tool (in C++) that just killed and deleted any running Sasser copies and then applied the patch from MS. (only limitation is it wont delete system restore copies of it)

Anyone is welcome to download a copy of it at http://jayloden.com/SasserAssasinXP.exe or http://jayloden.com/SasserAssassin2000.exe (pick your OS version, obviously) if it helps you out.

This is how I always worked with computers at my university. There's no need to go through the hassle of downloading all the updates to CD, since all you really need are the major ones. In addition, there is http://autopatcher.com which handles that for you pretty nicely, including some extra goodies. Hope some of this info helps.

-Jay

note: just in case, I've got a backup copy of SasserAssassin located at http://elon.edu/student/jaleman/SasserAssassinXP.e xe and http://elon.edu/student/jaleman/SasserAssassin2000 .exe

Download all the relevant updates from AutoPatcher on a secure machine and burn them to a CD. Install 2k on the new machine and don't even plug in a network cable until you've installed the patches from the CD - that way you never have to let an unsecured box out onto the net.

Why not just reboot once when you update?


Why not just use Autopatcher?

Autopatcher.

It's as good as a Service Pack.

AutoPatcher.com

Though it should be simple enough for Microsoft to implement a blacklist of non-sold keys, all that would effect is WindowsUpdate. There are ways to disable product activation / authentication on the client side without ever touching a network connection.

What to do without WindowsUpdate? Why AutoPatcher of course.