New install vs Windows Update(s) and SPs

[Bamainark]

New to the forum. I do a lot of computer work for friends. I ended up with several laptops I am working on. Most of these laptops come with Vista, in different flavors. Generally I am just using the images stored on these laptops to simply restore them to the way they were when they were first started. That of course means a basic Vista install with no updates or service packs.

My issue is it just takes Windows Update entirely too long to update and too many reboots. I am finding after a fresh install/restore I get update/reboot again and again before SP1 is finally offered. And then the same thing until SP2 is offered.

So my question is what is the proper procedure/order for updates after a fresh install of Vista? I have SP1 and SP2 that I can use. Should I attempt to install SP1 and then SP2 before actually trying to run Windows Update for the first time? I also have the latest Update Readiness Tool if that matters.

Can SP1 (and then SP2) be applied to a fresh install to help avoid the endless update cycle from Windows Updates?

At least with XP one could slipstream the service packs.

 

[Yard Dog]

Hello, and welcome.. check out the intro in this Tutorial please. : http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html

 

[Bamainark]

Thanks for the reply however I don't need to do a repair install. I am basically wiping these clean and starting anew. I was just trying to get the best ideas/practices for applying the patches/service packs post install on Vista.

Can you apply SP1 and then SP2 without having updated any patches/fixes via Windows Update? With the two systems I have worked so far it takes entirely too many downloads/reboots to get to the point where Windows Update offers Sp1 and then SP2. Seems stupid to check for updates and download 200 MBs of updates reboot then 5 more reboot then 10 more, etc, etc, etc. I realize after both SPs have been applied I'll be stuck with that unless I use AutoPatcher but that's after SP2.

 

[Yard Dog]

The reason I posted that tutorial was for info on the sp1 and sp2 slipstreams.. I thought that would assist you..

 

[Bamainark]

Yes and thank you. I'll eventually get to that. For these systems though, so far at least, I'm just using the Recovery partitions to restore the OS to like new and going from there and applying all the updates. No Vista install CD/DVDs for these systems. Just the restore partitions.

For myself I just bypassed Vista and went from XP to 7 so not much need for slipstreamed versions. But I find I am working on more and more older Vista systems that it's just easier to reinstall from scratch.

 

[Patonb]

He wants to know if its just fine doing the sp installs or let things go via winupdate.

Me personnally put in the sp's then i.e 9 as soon as I can. That should kill good portion of useless updates.

You can d/l the standalones ands pop the 2 in from the get go. Same with i.e. 9, after sp2 though.

From what I understand sp's are patches plus some core updates, so it has all the updates in them up till the release date.

So go get your 2 stand alones and enjoy.

 

[Bamainark]

He wants to know if its just fine doing the sp installs or let things go via winupdate.

Me personnally put in the sp's then i.e 9 as soon as I can. That should kill good portion of useless updates.

You can d/l the standalones ands pop the 2 in from the get go. Same with i.e. 9, after sp2 though.

From what I understand sp's are patches plus some core updates, so it has all the updates in them up till the release date.

So go get your 2 stand alones and enjoy.

Exactly! I wasn't aware of IE 9 though but will try that one as well. I just got tired of endless updates/reboots before WU even offered SP1 and then the same for SP2.
Slipstreaming is definitely the way to go however.

 

[Patonb]

I add 9, as vista comes with 8, then updates all through it, then asks for 9 to be installed..... such a waste.

Hmm, did some digging, and MS says this:

What Do I Need to Do Before Installing SP1?

Make sure your computer is up-to-date with Windows Update and there is a minimum of 7 GB free disk space. The service pack will install with 5 GB free space, but some system restore points may be deleted to free additional space. It is recommended that you backup any critical data before installing SP1.