Installing updates downloaded from Windows Catalogue

I currently help maintain some computers (Win 98 & Win XP) in remote
locations that do not have an internet connection. I downloaded updates for
the same via windows catalogue but the folder structure is unfriendly.
Additionally most updates require a restart afterwards which I think is
unnecessary (Windows update runs a whole set at a time before asking for a
restart). I have also had an experience in the past where I ran a more recent
update first and the computer would not run earlier (but seemingly unrelated)
updates after that. I am worried that if I go sequentially through the folder
structure this will happen again.

Is there a tool that can run the updates for me?

"Trevor Budd",

I'm sorry you are running into this issue. There are three possibilities
that occur to me initially. One is to load the latest Service Pack (SP2)
for Windows XP and then use Microsoft Update Service. Here is a link to
more information:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserv...n/compare.mspx

The second is to subscribe to Technet, a resource for IT professionals that
lets them update, by month, the updates that they need. Here is a link to
more information: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/default.mspx

It seems to me that the security updates could be copied to CD-R and taken
to the remote locations if they truly have no way to get out.

The third would be: Do you possibly have an FTP that they CAN connect to?

As to the requirement for restarting Windows on some updates, let me address
that here: The completion of update installation on many updates requires
that there be, while Windows is running:
1) Services that must shut down all the way
2) Files that must be replaced that are locked

If this does not happen, then the updates have not fully been installed. I
realize this may be semantics to you, since the site does say that the
"...updates installed successfully" but the restart is required in those
cases. This is decided on by the developer who fixed the issue and the
testers that performed the verification. It is necessary, but I do
understand and appreciate the difficulty that can pose.

As to running updates, the automatic update service recognizes supercedence,
so this part is usually handled (nearly) automatically every time. If an
update will not install, it might produce a popup stating that the update
does not match the operating system and service pack level of the current
environment.

I hope this was helpful, but please let us know either way.

Sincerely,


Pat Walters [MSFT]


"Trevor Budd" <> wrote in message
news:A009BD3A-345F-4E92-AB5D-...
> I currently help maintain some computers (Win 98 & Win XP) in remote
> locations that do not have an internet connection. I downloaded updates
for
> the same via windows catalogue but the folder structure is unfriendly.
> Additionally most updates require a restart afterwards which I think is
> unnecessary (Windows update runs a whole set at a time before asking for a
> restart). I have also had an experience in the past where I ran a more
recent
> update first and the computer would not run earlier (but seemingly
unrelated)
> updates after that. I am worried that if I go sequentially through the
folder
> structure this will happen again.
>
> Is there a tool that can run the updates for me?

The computers that I help to maintain have no telephone connection or any
other means of communication. I usually transfer updates by CD or memory
stick. I'm glad to hear the updates support precedence, so maybe what
happened to me was a fluke. I also do not remember the error message since it
was almost a year ago.

I also understand the issues why after updating the computer needs
restarting. However, I do know, based on what happens when running windows
update, that some updates can be batched together and then the computer
restarted when they are all complete. I wish there was a way I could do that
with the downloaded updates.

But most importantly, it would be extremely useful if microsoft had a tool
that could be downloaded and placed on the CD with the updates that would run
all the applicable updates and restart the computer on when necessary. It is
very time consuming and irritating when you have over 50 updates for Win98
and have to restart after each one is run.

"Pat Walters [MSFT]" wrote:

> "Trevor Budd",
>
> I'm sorry you are running into this issue. There are three possibilities
> that occur to me initially. One is to load the latest Service Pack (SP2)
> for Windows XP and then use Microsoft Update Service. Here is a link to
> more information:
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserv...n/compare.mspx
>
> The second is to subscribe to Technet, a resource for IT professionals that
> lets them update, by month, the updates that they need. Here is a link to
> more information: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/default.mspx
>
> It seems to me that the security updates could be copied to CD-R and taken
> to the remote locations if they truly have no way to get out.
>
> The third would be: Do you possibly have an FTP that they CAN connect to?
>
> As to the requirement for restarting Windows on some updates, let me address
> that here: The completion of update installation on many updates requires
> that there be, while Windows is running:
> 1) Services that must shut down all the way
> 2) Files that must be replaced that are locked
>
> If this does not happen, then the updates have not fully been installed. I
> realize this may be semantics to you, since the site does say that the
> "...updates installed successfully" but the restart is required in those
> cases. This is decided on by the developer who fixed the issue and the
> testers that performed the verification. It is necessary, but I do
> understand and appreciate the difficulty that can pose.
>
> As to running updates, the automatic update service recognizes supercedence,
> so this part is usually handled (nearly) automatically every time. If an
> update will not install, it might produce a popup stating that the update
> does not match the operating system and service pack level of the current
> environment.
>
> I hope this was helpful, but please let us know either way.
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
> Pat Walters [MSFT]
>
>
> "Trevor Budd" <> wrote in message
> news:A009BD3A-345F-4E92-AB5D-...
> > I currently help maintain some computers (Win 98 & Win XP) in remote
> > locations that do not have an internet connection. I downloaded updates
> for
> > the same via windows catalogue but the folder structure is unfriendly.
> > Additionally most updates require a restart afterwards which I think is
> > unnecessary (Windows update runs a whole set at a time before asking for a
> > restart). I have also had an experience in the past where I ran a more
> recent
> > update first and the computer would not run earlier (but seemingly
> unrelated)
> > updates after that. I am worried that if I go sequentially through the
> folder
> > structure this will happen again.
> >
> > Is there a tool that can run the updates for me?
>
>
>

"Trevor Budd" <> wrote in message
news:A009BD3A-345F-4E92-AB5D-...
>I currently help maintain some computers (Win 98 & Win XP) in remote
> locations that do not have an internet connection.

Do they have more than one machine?
If you or someone else attends them,
could a laptop be taken with you?

Even though they don't have an internet connection
you might be able to network two machines locally.
In that case you might be able to have one of the machines
be a SUS or WUS server and let it manage your updates for you.
However, I don't think that older OS are supported by those
deployment tools. There are separate newsgroups for each
tool though; so try asking your questions there.

Note this is not the best newsgroup for discussing even batching
of updates (aka slipstreaming updates). Perhaps a win2000 or
windowsxp newsgroup directed at administrators would be a better
source of ideas along that line. Again, though, I don't think you are
going to find any support for updating Win9x machines (not that there
are that many updates to worry about for them anyway <eg>).

If all your updates are Hotfix.exe based you could look at qchain.exe

<title>KB296861 - How to install multiple Windows updates or hotfixes with only one reboot</title>


> I downloaded updates for
> the same via windows catalogue but the folder structure is unfriendly.

That sounds like something which could be scripted around.
E.g. understood once and then hidden from view.


> Additionally most updates require a restart afterwards which I think is
> unnecessary (Windows update runs a whole set at a time before asking for a
> restart).

See this article for some considerations about that.
<title>Security Management - Oh Patch How I Hate Thee; Let Me Count the Ways: Microsoft TechNet Columns</title>
Section: Advanced Tips and Tricks
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/com...0404.mspx#EBAA
See subsection: Minimizing reboots by careful inspection


> I have also had an experience in the past where I ran a more recent
> update first and the computer would not run earlier (but seemingly unrelated)
> updates after that.

You could use the Security Bulletin Search tool or the MBSA
to check on some cases of supersedence. Notice that sometimes
you can't go by the numbers of the updates. For example, some
people have been confused to find out that 823353 supersedes
837009 (both Outlook Express cumulative updates).


> I am worried that if I go sequentially through the folder
> structure this will happen again.
>
> Is there a tool that can run the updates for me?

See above.


HTH

Robert Aldwinckle
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