Vista Install & SP2

[#1]

Have just installed Vista Home Premium on a new HDD.. and it has done 120 updates... do I need to install the SP2 pack (Dated Dec 2009 ) ?

[#2]

The service packs are supposed to contain the updates up to the date the service pack was released. In your case, installing SP2 will install the patches up to SP2 including SP1. Once SP2 is installed you should find it only requires a few updates.

[#3]

Yes, I know.. BUT... this is a FRESH install... from Original CD ( presumably prior to DEC2009).... and it started the automatic updates before I had realised it... so wondering whether those 120 updates are partly SP2 contribution.. as I expect it should now be up-to-date to todays date from the Auto update.. if you see what I mean ?

[#4]

You have to install SP1 before you can install Vista SP2. Because Vista SP2 is several years old, there will be a lot of updates to install once SP2 is installed.

[#5]

So, what you are saying, is that th120 updates I have just had , are NOT included in the SP1 and SP2 packs... ? 

[#6]

You must have already installed SP1 at some point for SP2 to be offered.
Some of the previous updates may be part of SP2 and reduce the amount that has to be downloaded when installing SP2 via Windows Update.

[#7]

SP1 was part of the original install cd.... I had a seperate (own made copy) of SP2. dated Dec 2009  ... so would have thought the "Updates" would have superceded that...

[#8]

Service Packs contain many individual updates rolled up into one big update.  If you want your computer to be in a recognised and supported state then you must install the service packs, even though in the normal course of events most of what is in a service pack duplicates what you already have.  The sensible thing to have done would have been to install your copy of Vista with SP1 then immediately install SP2.  Only then should you let the computer see the internet and start downloading and installing the remaining updates.  I've made the same mistake as you myself but so much time was wasted that I have not made the same mistake again.

[#9]

Thank RR... good explanation... much appreciated.... will remember that next time