updates, applying (SP2)

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I need to reformat and reinstall Windows XP. I have an SP2 installation disk. I have compiled a consolidation of post-SP2 Windows updates that I will copy to a separate CD. This CD will have several folders, one of which will contain these updates, and, of course will be named “updates”. I am looking for script that I can copy to a batch file so that I can install all of these updates unattended and without a reboot after each.

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If a reboot is required, I would do it, as some updates will not install until the last required reboot is done.

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

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You would save yourself a great deal of time, effort and energy if you use AutoPatcher. Found at http://www.autopatcher.com/downloads/%5B/url%5D This is a free download (very big, May 2007 is 304MB). All you do is check the box next to what you want and walk away for the designated time it displays, which has been 45 minutes to 1 hour on the machines I have done. To view what is in it go here http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=564209%5B/url%5D for the list as it it is too long to post.

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Do you have any feedback to your other thread post sp2 updates (xp pro sp2), 24-25 May, regarding how to find updates? It seems you have collected the updates you need, so this is about deploying.

I have only done manual install. Yes, it took some time. Last rebuild around 8-9 months ago, my first batch was around 46 updates. Even if I installed 8-10 updates per hour (with a little time for checking, administration, and eventual reboot), it took some time!

In this case, the manual scenario, I did as Dave mentioned; if a reboot was required I rebooted, did not delay. For some I could install 3 updates before I came to one that needed a reboot, for others there was a reboot after each update, as most I think 7 in a row. On the other hand, I almost knew for every update if it included files that were in use, and needed a restart.

Updates can, as far as I know, be applied manually, in a chain, or as an integrated part of the OS installation.

You have a Windows XP SP2 CD, so you may have not thought about it, but for a slipstreamed XP SP2, if one integrate the service pack together with original install medium and create a new CD, there is no way to uninstall the SP2 after installation on a PC.

This is obvious, of course, the SP is now an integrated part of the OS, the same goes for integrated updates.

For integrated installs
There is information on the net and at MS on integrating updates, i.e. how to achieve what is done with some of those packages such as AutoPatcher.

How to integrate software updates into your Windows installation source files
Guide for Installing and Deploying Updates for Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003

If one create an integrated installation source with all updates, one cannot remove the updates that were installed, they are now part of the OS, there is no previous version of the file to replace the removed one. Only way is to reinstall the OS.

So, an integrated installation has it disadvantages (at least when it comes to updates).

This, and the fact that MS during the years changed update program (now called package installer) etc. did that I did not want to read my self into every part of the deploy process, and did a manual installation instead.

For thorough overview about the Package Installer, you may look at: The Package Installer for Microsoft Windows Operating Systems and Windows Components

Chained Installation
There is also information at MS at these pages how to install several updates, grouping them together, and running a batch file with only one restart at the end of installation; the files are renamed after the restart.

But for the same reasons, as above, I did not want to read my self into all about Chained Installation, since changes have been made how to use this from XP Gold till today. Earlier one had to use a tool called QChain.exe, for Package Installer version 5.3.12.0 and later this function is included. Now, one might say that this is only for older updates before Dec 2002, doesn’t concern XP SP2, true. But I don’t know when they changed update.exe to 5.3.12.0, and I don’t want to extract my updates just to check version.

But if you want to try this do some search at MS; there are some key words in my post: “Installing Several Updates Together”, “Chained Installation” etc. Or, as you probably have an English OS, if you trust AutoPatcher, try their package.

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