Re: Automatic Updates

[Crossposted to Windows Update newsgroup]

Zak Nickotel wrote:
<paste>
>> I have Windows XP Pro configured to notify me of updates but don't
>> download
>> them unless I allow it.
>>
>> Now, it just advised me of a number of updates. So I allowed the download
>> to
>> proceed.
>>
>> I then went and got a drink.
>>
>> When I came back a few minutes later the downloads appear to have been
>> completed. However, there is no notification of this nor any messages as
>> to
>> what to do next.
>>
>> I had to reboot the computer for something. During this time no message
>> saying that the updates were being applied occured.
>>
>> One of the updates was Service Pack 3. It's a large one so I'm surprised
>> that the downloads finished so quickly.
>>
>> Any ideas as to what has occured?
>
> Absent any serious numerical Errors in your windowsupdate.log, you may be
> seeing a delay caused by excessive demand on the servers ("Update is not
> allowed to download due to regulation"). It can take up to 7 days or more
> (sometimes much more) for all Automatic Update users to get new updates,
> especially WinXP SP3. See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/910340
>
> You can try downloading/installing the updates via Windows/Microsoft
> Update
> (WinXP) or running Windows Update manually (Vista) instead: Understand
> that
> by doing so, you're pushing all the Automatic Updates users further back
> in
> the queue (which may explain, at least in part, why Automatic Updates
> hasn't
> brought them in for you yet).
>
> NB: When the updates finally download, I would choose to install all of
> the
> updates *except for* WinXP SP3. After the other updates have installed
> and
> you've rebooted, install WinXP SP3...but not before reading:
>
> WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
> http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron...tallation.aspx
>
> Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
> Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat and
> e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada. Go to
> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173 | select "Windows
> XP" then select "Windows XP Service Pack 3"
>
> NB: Be VERY patient when installing WinXP SP3 via Automatic Updates! It
> may
> take several hours for the installation to complete.
>
> TIP: Reboot twice after the installation of WinXP SP3 completes.
</paste>
>
> I have done this. My Computer/Properties tells me that it's still at SP2.
>
> I shall try a couple more reboots. Meanwhile the laptop is currently not
> connected to the internet so no auto updates/notifications will occur at
> this time.

NB: To keep track of things, it helps immensely if you include all of
previous message(s) in your replies to the newsgroup. Thank you.

There is no need to reboot if WinXP SP3 hasn't installed and you've been
prompted to reboot after the installation has finished.

Automatic Updates will inform you when WinXP SP3 is ready to be installed
but WinXP SP3 WILL NOT and CANNOT install via Automatic Updates if the
machine is not connected to the internet, Zak.
~~
~PA Bear