okay, so i reformat my hd about every 6 months (i don't know why, i really don't), but i'm really sick of having to download all the updates since sp2...i know HOW to slipstream a windows installation with the updates, but aside from manually downloading each and every update (~75) that has been installed since sp2 released, is there any way to simply download all windows xp updates? is there an update rollup available since sp2 (because i couldn't find it)?

i realize i COULD just stop reformatting, but even if i have to reformat only one more time before vista comes out, i feel it's worth it

2/20/2006 7:50:03 PM

I take a screenshot of the Automatic Updates window and download all of the updates manually and slipstream them in.

The next time the copy is installed the updates will be a "delta". I just integrate the updates that were released since the last set and roll them in.

Unfortunately Microsoft doens't make it very easy.

There are "Roll-up packs" online but DO NOT USE THEM, they alter the security certificates with the updates and the system will not patch properly later. (Learned this lesson the hard way.)

[Edited on February 20, 2006 at 7:55 PM. Reason : +]

2/20/2006 7:54:17 PM

Unless you have a slow connection, downloading the updates and installing them takes about an hour. Thats not too bad all-in-all ... do some HW while you wait for the updates to finish. Its not like your computer is TOTALLY inaccessible at that time. Also, look into Norton Ghost. Make an image next time you reformat and get everything the way you like it. Next time you format/reinstall, you only have 6 months of updates to catch up on.

Seems to me the issue isn't so much slipstreaming as it is reformatting every six months ... what's the reasoning behind that?

2/20/2006 8:03:39 PM

Quote :

"Next time you format/reinstall, you only have 6 months of updates to catch up on."

My process works too - but is more manual.

2/20/2006 8:09:22 PM

i just reformatted about 2 weeks ago, had to download a ton of updates after SP2, and it only took ~20 minutes... Is it really that bad to have to wait, and not have to do any work other than click 'download' and 'restart' ?

2/20/2006 8:09:58 PM

Installing SP2 is always the PITA.

It seems faster to install XP from an SP2 slipstreamed CD than it is to install SP2 on a machine that is already built.

2/20/2006 8:28:07 PM

at least your computer accepts updates. i'm guessing mine needs a format, b/c windows update will never load properly.

2/20/2006 8:37:19 PM