Windows Update

[Mikey20]

Ok here is the deal...I have 2 machines connected to a network via router. On 1 system it has windows 98se the other has windows XP sp1a. When i run windows update it finds 0 critical updates for both the xp and the 98 machine. I did a full format on both systems and it found sp1 and many other critical updates and i installed them fine, but i don't have the newer updates from microsoft...last update i think i got was in november i know december there were none...but i never got the janurary updates. I have auto update turned off but i should be able to download them manually from the website. Anyone eles have this problem? Is it because the updates are not necessary with my system configuration? It won't give me an update i dont need for example if i dont install windows media player it won't show that there is a critical update for it...but when i install windows media player WALA! there is a critical update for it...whats going on?

[GreNME]

Do you expect patches for software you haven't installed yet? Is the server supposed to be reading your mind?

[Zwitterion]

That was very hard to read. But you're saying that critical patches won't show up for the media player until after you've installed it? You ca'nt install the patch for the software without already HAVING the software.

[GreNME]

Unless you're running MistressCleOS.

[BobSutan]

^^^ what they said about the media player. But I do know what you're saying. I've installed multiple machines at the same time, identicle configs mind you, and done the windows update bit only to have one machine get one set of updates and the other machine recieving others. I'm not sure what made it into the systems that said to WU that they're different, but there was distinct differences in what was being updated. Strange indeed.

[GreNME]

Did you install every bit of software in the same order? If not, that would explain the different sets of updates when you looked, as well. I've done this many, many times, and if you install even the drivers in a different order, you will notice a difference when you go to WU. This is because the actual config of the machine will register differently for each. Both machines will get all the same updates, just in different orders, all depending on what hardware, drivers, and other software you install in what order.

Complexity: keeping not simple is more than a job—it's a way of life.