DIY Service Pack For Windows 2000/XP/2003

Karsten Violka writes "Looking for manageable Windows updates even without an internet connection? Heise's script collection Offline Update 3.0 downloads the entire body of fresh updates for Windows 2000, XP, or Server 2003 from Microsoft's servers in one fell swoop and then uses them to create ISO-Images for CD or DVD. Included is an intelligent installer script that allows you to update as many PCs as desired." Sounds like a great idea, given the danger of putting an unpatched PC on the Internet to download security updates.

Comments

Re:Does MS offer this

[phantomcircuit]

They used to offer a CD that they would MAIL you for free (around 2002) but stopped doing that. (no reason was given for why they stopped).

Re:Well Einstein

[truthsearch]

Home desktops aren't usually behind firewalls. A new PC gets connection attempts from evil scripts and viruses within seconds of plugging it into the internet. Even with a high speed connection it takes quite a long time to download and install all of the Windows updates on a new PC. So the chances of getting infected are quite high.

nlite

[Danathar]

nlite does almost the same thing and is much more flexible and easier to use

http://www.nliteos.com/

What about Microsoft?

[febuiles]

I wonder what Microsoft thinks about this, right now I'm downloading updates that I wouldn't be able to get since I don't use a legal version of their software.

Thank you :D

Re:Well Einstein

[Shakrai]

That may have been true 10 years ago, but these days most home PCs are at least behind a NAT.

Umm, I'd have to disagree with that statement. Around here the biggest provider of internet connectivity for home users is Roadrunner. They provide you with a cable "modem" that acts as a bridge between their network and your PC. The PC gets a globally valid address.

In fact the only Roadrunner home users I know (not counting geeks/techies) that have NAT routers are those that have more then one computer. Otherwise it's right into the PC and come and get it boys cuz I'm wide open!

Re:nLite

[Jonah Hex]

Check out Microsoft Forum Network http://www.msfn.org/ for more do-it-yourself guides and forums dedicated to pre-building customized CDs/DVDs.

Jonah HEX

Torrents

[shmlco]

"Many exploits work just fine through NAT if you're actually using the machine to surf the web or read email, and way too many people seem to not understand this."

Or connect to a torrent server. Watch the number of attacks on your PC's FW skyrocket the instant you run BT and connect to a tracker. Lot's of hackers run torrent servers just to mine the connection information and find new, unprotected computers to attack.

Re:Already been done in a better form

[sbben]

Same with Nlite, located here http://www.nliteos.com/nlite.html/.

I believe a vista version was release as well known as vlite. I have not used either but they look very promising, I have been meaning to try out nlite for the next time I reformat but maybe I will try one of these alternatives instead. Any one out there used them all?

Re:Installed patched OS, same as old OS

[PAPPP]

One of the best "In Soviet..." jokes I've ever seen, for those not in the know, it refers to some US made technology, most famously pipeline control software, the soviets stole in the early 1980s which was carefully designed to pass QA tests, then go haywire. Suffice to say, the plan worked, and in fact produced the largest non-nuclear explosion seen from space when it took out a large natural gas pipeline in Siberia. A version of the story here.

Re:Already been done in a better form

[therufus]

And while you're into Nlite, make sure you download the RyanVM update pack. It has all the Windows updates up to a few months ago.

After integrating RyanVM, last check there are only 6 updates to do.

Check out Ryan's files here