service packs?

[nerdgirl]

Three basic questions that have nerdgirl confused...
But, it's not hard to confuse nerdgirl.

What is a service pack?
Do you need to have it?
Where do you get it?

Thanks in advance,
ng

Service paks are a bunch of fixes put into one download/cd depending on deployment - they are usually quite large - so if your on a slow speed - do them over night.

it usually covers all the know security holes as well as other fixes- and therefore I would consider them ness.

if running windows - what ever version - hit you Internet explorer help bar - it will open and hit updates. you should get a M$ page and it should be smooth from there

wiz

[JimG]

By the way, word of advice, make sure you select the backing up option when the service pack is installing. This allows you to restore your OS if the service pack screws up (yes, this is experience talking). Not backing up will result in several hours of yelling and screaming and trying to recover the OS.

Good point - especially the one yesturday about hitting the start screen, repeatedly? j/k

always back up - saves a lotta time - wiz

[nerdgirl]

So, you could just go to whatever site and download them? Are they free? How do you know for sure if and which one you need?

Thanks all for the help. I need all I can get and then some.

-ng

[JimG]

Yeah, a link would be helpful.
Ok, go here: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

Click on Product Updates. Since you're asking about service packs, I'm assuming you're running NT, Win2k, or WinXP. WindowsUpdate will automatically configure the updates to suit your computer. Make sure to download the Service Pack first, that fixes most of the bugs. Then, when that's done and everyting works, go back and check for Critical Updates (usually new security holes that have been found). Then you should be all set. And all those things are free. M$ doesn't charge for it ...