Hello Ian hind
Not late at all
I just got her done. Just under a 12 hour stretch from the bone stock XP 2002 to all security updates, including all optional updates (ie net framework, MSE , WMP 11 Japanese language support (don't ask)
Open office, foxit reader, winrar and a few other third party yada yadas.)
I planned on burning an image of the drive creating an ISO and burning that to a disk so Rick (the end user) will have that for safe keeping.
But I do thank you for the suggestion.
OK . for posterity
The Service Packs needed to update a barbone XP Home Edition are as follows:
Go to Microsoft KB and download the SP2 IT Professional network installation version.
( save the file, do not open/run from location)
WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU.exe
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download ... aspx?id=28
Disregard - I repeat, Disregard the instuction: "DO NOT CLICK DOWNLOAD IF YOU ARE UPDATING JUST ONE COMPUTER" becuase it will install just fine.
Then download the SP3 IT professional network installation version (WindowsXP-KB936929-SP3-x86-ENU.exe)
from
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download ... aspx?id=24.
And again,

Disregard the cockamamie advice from MS: "DO NOT CLICK DOWNLOAD IF YOU ARE UPDATING JUST ONE COMPUTER" . it works.
(One interesting tidbit, it is stated the reason one doesn't want to do this is because there is a smaller, more appropriate download available on Windows Update).... riiiiiight.
Two ~ fallacies regarding that instruction
One: Windows update will not support any version less than SP3 of XP.
Two: The only other version of SP3 I found is a 544 mb ISO version where as the IT version is only a 316.4 mb file.
......... Hmmmmm

perhaps MS has a cocked up interpretation of the ol adage. "Less is more".

more or less
After installing SP3 I was able to use the driver update tool for a few hardware issues.
Then I just

followed Bens advice

and let auto updates run a "few" times and went helped my friend install a rear main engine crank seal on his Blazer. Occasionally checking the update process.
Are ya completly knackered yet Ian - aka "speedbird fiver niner one"
Fin
Joe
Ok now I'm knackered.
nite
