T42 new HDD, new XP install I: cumulative XP update source?

[bobox]

Folks,

Working towards a HDD upgrade for T42 2373 4WG. I've bought a WD1600BEVE and have a bootable Ghost Image CD which the supplier assures me "is what we use to reprep the machines before we send them out." I will use this to set up the new HDD to XP pro SP2 of October 2006. Since then there have been quite a few updates from Microsoft (KBxxxxxx) - I hoped there would be a single source somewhere that would cumulatively represent these , but haven't been able to find that.

?? Can anyone point me in the right direction for this?? (or confirm the tough reality that I have to download and install them all individually ... please tell this isn't the case!)

Thanks in advance!

[Neil]

If your current drive is up to date, why not just clone that to your new drive?

Otherwise, if you want a fresh install of XP on the new drive, do that and install sp3, turn on automatic updates, and all the updates will be downloaded and installed automatically.

[poshgeordie]

+1 with Neil.

Once I've installed the base XP, the first update is via a CD with SP3 on. Then it's only a further 68 or so updates!

[bobox]

THAT'S a relief! (-: Thanks Nick, thanks Neil.

The reason I'm not cloning is that I understand that the 'performance' (that's a euphemism) of the system I'm experiencing is probably down to having an old install, and I bought into the idea of an entirely new install for the new HDD rather than of getting into cloning strategies. I also thought it would be a good way of leaving any nasties behind, rather than cloning them across to my shiny new HDD. It'll all new to me, so I'm starting gently.
Cheers

[archer6]

Folks,

Working towards a HDD upgrade for T42 2373 4WG. I've bought a WD1600BEVE and have a bootable Ghost Image CD which the supplier assures me "is what we use to reprep the machines before we send them out." I will use this to set up the new HDD to XP pro SP2 of October 2006. Since then there have been quite a few updates from Microsoft (KBxxxxxx) - I hoped there would be a single source somewhere that would cumulatively represent these , but haven't been able to find that.

Google "Microsoft Update" _not_ Microsoft Windows Update. They are so similar & easily confused. The importance of installing & running Microsoft Update, is that it will scan the entire computer for Microsoft Products. For example, I've done the exact same thing you wish to do. By using MS Update, not only did it bring me current by installing SP3 and all updates since SP2, but it also detected MS Office 2003 and updated those to SP3. It's a great way to go. Just be sure you allow a couple of hours as there will be a lot to download, which thankfully is 98% automatic. Your only task is to OK restarts and to simply follow along with a few prompts. By the time you've got it done you are fully updated. All patches and any other updates are all included. It's smooth, easy, and reasonably fast.
.
In addition I greatly prefer doing an install instead of a clone, unless the drive I'm cloning is fairly recent, without a lot of "junk" on it.
.
Cheers...

[bobox]

Thanks for that solution - it saved a lot of time.

Sadly, it looks like I'll be doing it all over again (sigh) since I've got some odd-ball entries right at the end of my new HDD! This next time I'll install Office 2003 before I go off to windowsupdate.

Cheers ...