I just upgraded Windows XP on my studio computer which hasn't been online since I bought it over four years ago.
Here are the steps I followed:
1. Click Start button > Settings > Control Panel > double-click Automatic Updates. In its dialog, click
Notify me but don't automatically download or install them. This will pop up a notice when you are on-line and there are Updates available. You don't have to do them until you choose to. Do this BEFORE you go online.
2. Only install about four Updates at a time and
restart Windows after each group of Updates you make. Often, Windows must do some "housekeeping" on Updates that have been installed, before making other ones. DEFINITELY SHUT DOWN AND RESTART. If you don't some Update(s) may cause weird and unexplainable problems.
NOTE: Each time you go to do more updates, uncheck all "Critical Updates" (I first saw and unchecked more than 90). Check only the updates whose titles are clearly related to the "major function" you just installed. For example, I first installed Netframework 2, then I would install 4 Updates with "Netframework 2" in their name. I did all of these, before I started installing Netframework 3. Make all the Updates to each major function.
3. First install WMP11 (Windows Media Player) and then its updates.
4. Next install netframework 2 and then its updates.
5. Next install netframework 3 and then its updates.
6. Next install IE7 and its updates.
7. Finally, install SP3 and its updates.
The order may not be important, but this worked for me.
I hope this helps anybody who hasn't had their computer online for a while and you want to update Windows XP so you can run a newer version of MTU software. MTU uses the latest Windows Updates as they update their programs. Thus, you must have those Windows Updates or MTU's latest version(s) may not run correctly. I have helped many users in the MTU.Community Forums who were reporting weird problems, and they disappeared after doing their Windows Updates.
If at any point you experience any kind of problem, you can do a System Restore back to before the block of Updates you just added.
Jim
(edited by Admin)