[SexPistoL]

I have 3 comps in my home, what do you guys think of "AutoPatcher" Instead of going through the windows routine, each time for updates?
It's that time again for bbwwwwwwwwwwuuuuuuuuu reinstalling XP on them all.

Is it reliable and trustworthy or should I just spend hours on Mr Gates' DL's, or go for the easy option of autopatcher?

[Firstperson]

I use autopatcher all the time, when I visit friends and family.

[OldBear]

I second that. Works great and a lot quicker.

[MIG-31]

Works well and saves a good amount of time.

[Tipstaff]

Works like a charm, but I should mention that it has a lot more uses than just patching up Windows. There are also a ton of tweaks, usefull programs, and a slew of other things that make this a worthwhile download. Everytime I install an operating system I'm using Autopatcher (2000 or XP versions) right after I get all the drivers installed. Saves me a ton of patching and time,and I never have to go onto the Internet once to get XP/2000 as up-to-date as I can before I actually have to go onto it.

It's well worth your time to grab it.

[Jitter]

I just discovered this about a week or so ago, and i think its great. I am on dial up so reformatiing used to be a day or 2 process. Now its only a couple hours. What is really great is it includes media player, the .NET framework, java etc etc. I havent gotten the Aug version yet, but I have used the July one on several PCs (including my own) w/o any problems.

[PangingJr]

Originally Posted by SexPistoL

Is it reliable and trustworthy or should I just spend hours on Mr Gates' DL's, or go for the easy option of autopatcher?

if you already have all of the files that can be used for updating your XP on your drive, you also know all of the changes that have been made on them, keeping on an up to date files. then, you don't/won't have to spend hours downloading and/or updating your copy of XP, you can update it locally. either by integrating all of the updates into the installation media and you used it to install Windows or, you can also run the updates after the Windows installation is completed and before you first go online. this can be done via scripts or batch jobs and it will only add and take 1-2 more reboot times depending on whether or not a slipstreamed version of SP2 was used...

as for changing some of the default registry settings of XP, if you've already known what you want to change you can prepare a custom setup files and use the custom installation to make all the changes in the same step as the initial Windows setup. or this can also be done via scripts after the Windows installation is completed it only take a few seconds to apply and only take one reboot time.

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actually, i just finished a clean XP install on a new hard drive i've not done something like this in the past 3 years. but due to major hardwere changes and i also need a new disk/partition images. the windows setup is finished in about 1 hour. this includes the time of installing Windows, changing registry settings, drivers, Windows hotfixes and about 10 most used applications. after checked at the Windows and MS offices updates web sites, not one update is required. i still installing some more programs then i should have the disk/partition images for using on other PCs and as a backup for this one in a few hours.

[INSTG8R]

Swear by it, format, install, SP2, AutopatcherXP,off and running

[SexPistoL]

At the moment my rig is fully patched from MS. Is there a way of saving all the patches, updates and drivers that are already installed on my system, burn to disc then install after putting in the OS and SP2 to save a lot of time?

[INSTG8R]

Autopatcher XP eliminates the need for it cuz thats basically what it is,all the patches.But Drivers you will have to get yourself.

[PangingJr]

Originally Posted by SexPistoL

At the moment my rig is fully patched from MS. Is there a way of saving all the patches, updates and drivers that are already installed on my system, burn to disc then install after putting in the OS and SP2 to save a lot of time?

i never save the updated files that way so i can't tell you how to save those files. normally, i would go to WU sites then click the more info on each hotfixes. this will take me to the hotfix homepage, link for downloading this hotfix will usually be provided on the page.
about the worthy of trust on the 3rd party program...
firstly, i can tell you that i never used it. secondly, i trust myself more and don't see the need to use any 3rd party program to update my Windows OS. the Windows already has a way to do it. i did tell you what i've been doing for saving my time. that's what you can do to save your time too since you were talking about spending too much time on the Windows updates. you just have to learn how to do it by yourself.

[SexPistoL]

Hey All, thanks for your advice, I appreciate it.

But is there a way to save window's drivers or are they all in SP2 (ie USB2 etc)

[PangingJr]

Originally Posted by SexPistoL

But is there a way to save window's drivers or are they all in SP2 (ie USB2 etc)

you mean the XP drivers that you downloaded/installed from the Windows update web site ?

here's pic on the hotfixes files on my drives (all the name of hotfixes files has been renamed)

[SexPistoL]

I have found a cheeky little app to save your drivers http://channels.lockergnome.com/wind...ckup_107.phtml

[daedal]

Originally Posted by SexPistoL

I have found a cheeky little app to save your drivers http://channels.lockergnome.com/wind...ckup_107.phtml

Looks like a nice little app but that would just backup the DLLs, right?
So you get functionality, but nothing more (CCC, Audio "Suite", etc) that comes with your drivers pack?

[SexPistoL]

yes

[The_Neon_Cowboy]

I used it for the 1st time on both my machine since the XP update authentication BS.
It pretty handy will use it again...

Its pretty nice

[SexPistoL]

Thx M8, I'm gonna give it a whirl......