SP2 Automatic Updates Question

[-=gu=-]

Hello,
Mid sized company here. Automatic Updates is on on all XP
workstations. Have told users NOT to install SP2 when
prompted until we give them the green light. We've now
completed testing and ready to tell users to install it.
Question: Where did it go?
If the systray automatic updates icon is there, the user
can go in there and install it and that's fine. However,
the vast majority of them DON'T have the systray icon and
they HAVEN'T installed SP2 yet. I know this for a fact
because I run Audit Wizard.
At the bottom of System Properties, Auto Updates tab, is
a grayed out line that says "Offer Updates again that
I've previously hidden". Well it's grayed out! So where
do I find the installation file(s)?
It's probably something obvious that I'm overlooking.
Thanks!

[Jerry]

Why do that? Order the SP2 CD from here
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/sp2/cdorder/en_us/default810.mspx
or, if you have one, go to Staples and get the free SP2 CD from them.

"-=gu=-" > wrote in message
...
> Hello,
> Mid sized company here. Automatic Updates is on on all XP
> workstations. Have told users NOT to install SP2 when
> prompted until we give them the green light. We've now
> completed testing and ready to tell users to install it.
> Question: Where did it go?
> If the systray automatic updates icon is there, the user
> can go in there and install it and that's fine. However,
> the vast majority of them DON'T have the systray icon and
> they HAVEN'T installed SP2 yet. I know this for a fact
> because I run Audit Wizard.
> At the bottom of System Properties, Auto Updates tab, is
> a grayed out line that says "Offer Updates again that
> I've previously hidden". Well it's grayed out! So where
> do I find the installation file(s)?
> It's probably something obvious that I'm overlooking.
> Thanks!

[-=gu=-]

Thanks but no thanks on the CD. That's worst case. If the
update files have already been put on their machine, I
want them to install from there.
Anyone know where those files went? I'm wondering now if
they are automatically deleted if the user declines the
install when prompted.

[J.]

Yes, they are deleted if you decline. You can send them to Windows Update,
and it will download only the files & changes necessary.

"-=gu=-" > wrote in message
...
> Thanks but no thanks on the CD. That's worst case. If the
> update files have already been put on their machine, I
> want them to install from there.
> Anyone know where those files went? I'm wondering now if
> they are automatically deleted if the user declines the
> install when prompted.

Thanks J. That's the answer I was rapidly coming to.

[Alex Nichol]

-=gu=- wrote:

>Thanks but no thanks on the CD. That's worst case. If the
>update files have already been put on their machine, I
>want them to install from there.

I disagree: It is better provided it is available. The autoupdate
customisation to individual machines is for those with single machines
and unlimited download capacity. Take a look at
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/sp2predl.mspx
Download and Deploy to Multiple Computers. The executable you get on a
CD is identical to this download


--
Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows Technologies)
Bournemouth, U.K. (remove the D8 bit)