safety of critical updates for Dell laptop Inspiron 8600

SP2 updates have caused all manner of havoc with dell
laptops, so I have withheld installing it on my daughter's
system for several months. Now when I check for critical
updates sp2 is not listed. Rather there are 10 security
updates available to be downloaded and installed. These
include...


Security Update for Windows XP (KB833987)
A security issue has been identified that could allow an
attacker to compromise a computer running Windows and gain
complete control over it. You can help protect your
computer by installing this update from Microsoft. After
you install this item, you may have to restart your
computer. Details...


Security Update for Windows XP (KB840987)
Multiple security issues have been identified that could
allow an attacker to compromise a computer running Windows
and gain complete control over it. You can help protect
your computer by installing this update from Microsoft.
After you install this item, you may have to restart your
computer.

Security Update for Windows XP (KB841356)
A security issue has been identified that could allow an
attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain
control over it. You can help protect your computer by
installing this update from Microsoft. After you install
this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Security Update for Windows XP (KB841533)
A security issue has been identified that could allow an
attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain
control over it. You can help protect your computer by
installing this update from Microsoft. After you install
this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Security Update for Windows XP (KB873376)
A security issue has been identified that could allow an
attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain
control over it. You can help protect your computer by
installing this update from Microsoft. After you install
this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 6 Service
Pack 1 (KB889293)
A security issue has been identified that could allow an
attacker to compromise a computer running Internet Explorer
and gain control over it. You can help protect your
computer by installing this update from Microsoft. After
you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Security Update for Windows XP (KB885836)
A security issue has been identified that could allow an
attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain
control over it. You can help protect your computer by
installing this update from Microsoft. After you install
this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Security Update for Windows XP (KB873339)
A security issue has been identified that could allow an
attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain
control over it. You can help protect your computer by
installing this update from Microsoft. After you install
this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Security Update for Windows XP (KB885835)
A security issue has been identified that could allow an
attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain
control over it. You can help protect your computer by
installing this update from Microsoft. After you install
this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Microsoft GDI+ Detection Tool (KB873374)

---------------------------------------------------
My question is why is sp2 not listed as a critical update
for my daughter's dell laptop? AND most importantly, is it
safe for me to install these 10 critical updates on her
system? What is my risk of crashing the system and having
to do a fresh install of XP?

Thanks!!!

Your comment "SP2 updates have caused all manner of havoc with Dell
laptops" is not at all true. I've installed all critical updates on several Dell
laptops without a single issue. I encourage you do likewise.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...t/default.aspx

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Harleywrote:

| SP2 updates have caused all manner of havoc with dell
| laptops, so I have withheld installing it on my daughter's
| system for several months. Now when I check for critical
| updates sp2 is not listed. Rather there are 10 security
| updates available to be downloaded and installed. These
| include...
|
|
| Security Update for Windows XP (KB833987)
| A security issue has been identified that could allow an
| attacker to compromise a computer running Windows and gain
| complete control over it. You can help protect your
| computer by installing this update from Microsoft. After
| you install this item, you may have to restart your
| computer. Details...
|
|
| Security Update for Windows XP (KB840987)
| Multiple security issues have been identified that could
| allow an attacker to compromise a computer running Windows
| and gain complete control over it. You can help protect
| your computer by installing this update from Microsoft.
| After you install this item, you may have to restart your
| computer.
|
| Security Update for Windows XP (KB841356)
| A security issue has been identified that could allow an
| attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain
| control over it. You can help protect your computer by
| installing this update from Microsoft. After you install
| this item, you may have to restart your computer.
|
| Security Update for Windows XP (KB841533)
| A security issue has been identified that could allow an
| attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain
| control over it. You can help protect your computer by
| installing this update from Microsoft. After you install
| this item, you may have to restart your computer.
|
| Security Update for Windows XP (KB873376)
| A security issue has been identified that could allow an
| attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain
| control over it. You can help protect your computer by
| installing this update from Microsoft. After you install
| this item, you may have to restart your computer.
|
| Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 6 Service
| Pack 1 (KB889293)
| A security issue has been identified that could allow an
| attacker to compromise a computer running Internet Explorer
| and gain control over it. You can help protect your
| computer by installing this update from Microsoft. After
| you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.
|
| Security Update for Windows XP (KB885836)
| A security issue has been identified that could allow an
| attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain
| control over it. You can help protect your computer by
| installing this update from Microsoft. After you install
| this item, you may have to restart your computer.
|
| Security Update for Windows XP (KB873339)
| A security issue has been identified that could allow an
| attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain
| control over it. You can help protect your computer by
| installing this update from Microsoft. After you install
| this item, you may have to restart your computer.
|
| Security Update for Windows XP (KB885835)
| A security issue has been identified that could allow an
| attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain
| control over it. You can help protect your computer by
| installing this update from Microsoft. After you install
| this item, you may have to restart your computer.
|
| Microsoft GDI+ Detection Tool (KB873374)
|
| ---------------------------------------------------
| My question is why is sp2 not listed as a critical update
| for my daughter's dell laptop? AND most importantly, is it
| safe for me to install these 10 critical updates on her
| system? What is my risk of crashing the system and having
| to do a fresh install of XP?
|
| Thanks!!!

Your information "SP2 updates have caused all manner of havoc with dell
laptops" is true for all types of poorly maintained Windows XP computers.
Well maintained computers are more likely to have a successful installation
of an update or Service Pack.

Check with Dell and see if your Dell laptop has issues with SP-2.
If so ask for a web ling for specific.
If the tech can not provide specifics as for a supervisor or call back until
you get a competent tech.

Then follow the Service Pack Installation Checklist to install SP-2:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/


"Harley" wrote in message
...
SP2 updates have caused all manner of havoc with dell
laptops, so I have withheld installing it on my daughter's
system for several months. Now when I check for critical
updates sp2 is not listed. Rather there are 10 security
updates available to be downloaded and installed. These
include...


Security Update for Windows XP (KB833987)
A security issue has been identified that could allow an
attacker to compromise a computer running Windows and gain
complete control over it. You can help protect your
computer by installing this update from Microsoft. After
you install this item, you may have to restart your
computer. Details...


Security Update for Windows XP (KB840987)
Multiple security issues have been identified that could
allow an attacker to compromise a computer running Windows
and gain complete control over it. You can help protect
your computer by installing this update from Microsoft.
After you install this item, you may have to restart your
computer.

Security Update for Windows XP (KB841356)
A security issue has been identified that could allow an
attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain
control over it. You can help protect your computer by
installing this update from Microsoft. After you install
this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Security Update for Windows XP (KB841533)
A security issue has been identified that could allow an
attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain
control over it. You can help protect your computer by
installing this update from Microsoft. After you install
this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Security Update for Windows XP (KB873376)
A security issue has been identified that could allow an
attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain
control over it. You can help protect your computer by
installing this update from Microsoft. After you install
this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 6 Service
Pack 1 (KB889293)
A security issue has been identified that could allow an
attacker to compromise a computer running Internet Explorer
and gain control over it. You can help protect your
computer by installing this update from Microsoft. After
you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Security Update for Windows XP (KB885836)
A security issue has been identified that could allow an
attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain
control over it. You can help protect your computer by
installing this update from Microsoft. After you install
this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Security Update for Windows XP (KB873339)
A security issue has been identified that could allow an
attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain
control over it. You can help protect your computer by
installing this update from Microsoft. After you install
this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Security Update for Windows XP (KB885835)
A security issue has been identified that could allow an
attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain
control over it. You can help protect your computer by
installing this update from Microsoft. After you install
this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Microsoft GDI+ Detection Tool (KB873374)

---------------------------------------------------
My question is why is sp2 not listed as a critical update
for my daughter's dell laptop? AND most importantly, is it
safe for me to install these 10 critical updates on her
system? What is my risk of crashing the system and having
to do a fresh install of XP?

Thanks!!!

Hi,

SP2 has not been any problems on the 40 plus Dell laptops (various models
and ages) I have installed it on. All the systems are well maintained, as
long as your drivers are up to date, all spyware is removed and the other
steps followed prior to installing it, you shouldn't have any problems.
Most of those complaints about failed installs on Dell computers, were
because the user's either didn't maintain them or did follow the procedures
to properly prepare the computer.

Jeff

"Harley" wrote in message
...
SP2 updates have caused all manner of havoc with dell
laptops, so I have withheld installing it on my daughter's
system for several months. Now when I check for critical
updates sp2 is not listed. Rather there are 10 security
updates available to be downloaded and installed. These
include...


Security Update for Windows XP (KB833987)
A security issue has been identified that could allow an
attacker to compromise a computer running Windows and gain
complete control over it. You can help protect your
computer by installing this update from Microsoft. After
you install this item, you may have to restart your
computer. Details...


Security Update for Windows XP (KB840987)
Multiple security issues have been identified that could
allow an attacker to compromise a computer running Windows
and gain complete control over it. You can help protect
your computer by installing this update from Microsoft.
After you install this item, you may have to restart your
computer.

Security Update for Windows XP (KB841356)
A security issue has been identified that could allow an
attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain
control over it. You can help protect your computer by
installing this update from Microsoft. After you install
this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Security Update for Windows XP (KB841533)
A security issue has been identified that could allow an
attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain
control over it. You can help protect your computer by
installing this update from Microsoft. After you install
this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Security Update for Windows XP (KB873376)
A security issue has been identified that could allow an
attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain
control over it. You can help protect your computer by
installing this update from Microsoft. After you install
this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 6 Service
Pack 1 (KB889293)
A security issue has been identified that could allow an
attacker to compromise a computer running Internet Explorer
and gain control over it. You can help protect your
computer by installing this update from Microsoft. After
you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Security Update for Windows XP (KB885836)
A security issue has been identified that could allow an
attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain
control over it. You can help protect your computer by
installing this update from Microsoft. After you install
this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Security Update for Windows XP (KB873339)
A security issue has been identified that could allow an
attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain
control over it. You can help protect your computer by
installing this update from Microsoft. After you install
this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Security Update for Windows XP (KB885835)
A security issue has been identified that could allow an
attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain
control over it. You can help protect your computer by
installing this update from Microsoft. After you install
this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Microsoft GDI+ Detection Tool (KB873374)

---------------------------------------------------
My question is why is sp2 not listed as a critical update
for my daughter's dell laptop? AND most importantly, is it
safe for me to install these 10 critical updates on her
system? What is my risk of crashing the system and having
to do a fresh install of XP?

Thanks!!!