Script & Sotfware Update

Windows XP Service Pack 3: XP SP3 (Pre-release)

admin — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:01:44 +0000

Description
The Windows XP Service Pack 3 (XP SP3) fixes a range of bugs in Windows XP. The file is a large download and can be applied to any version of Windows XP Home, Professional, TabletPC or Media Center. It doesn’t matter what XP updates you have previously applied to your system, SP3 will update any unpatched, partially patched or completely updated system (it includes all previously released patches, updates and features of previous service packs). Keep in mind that new patches made available after the Service Pack was released will still need to be applied.

Important note: This is a Beta/Pre-release - it is not the final version of Windows XP Service Pack 3. It should only be installed by users who understand the risks of installing Beta/Pre-release software. The file will download directly from Microsoft’s servers.

If you are going to reinstall the original release of Windows XP on a PC, it is important that you apply this Service Pack BEFORE connecting to the Web. You don’t even have to receive email or go to a web site - just being connected is enough. XP SP3 fixes the security holes so you won’t get attacked.

The advantage of this full download is that it can be used on any system - plus it doesn’t require an Internet connection to install. You can download SP3, copy it to disc and use it on multiple PCs.

Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) includes the following:

All previous security patches and fixes released for Windows XP. Note, however, that the Pre-release/Beta versions are not fully up-to-date with all patches: newer patches released after October 2007 are not included. It is expected that each subsequent release will include more recent patches.
All enhancements and new features that were included with Windows XP SP1 and Windows XP SP2
Only two new features are included: Black Hole Router Detection Windows and Network Access Protection (NAP).
The following are already available for Windows XP in stand-alone updates. Windows XP SP3 includes them by default (System administrators must choose to install each of these updates): MMC 3.0, MSXML6, Microsoft Windows Installer 3.1 v2, Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) 2.5, IPsec Simple Policy Update for Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP, Digital Identity, Management Service (DIMS), Peer Name Resolution Protocol (PNRP) 2.1, Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2).
From the Release Notes: “Microsoft is not adding significant functionality from newer versions of Windows, such as Windows Vista, to Windows XP through XP SP3. For instance, Windows XP SP3 does not include Windows Internet Explorer 7, although Windows XP SP3 does include updates to both Internet Explorer 6 and Internet Explorer 7, and it will update whichever version is installed on the computer. One notable exception is that, SP3 does include Network Access Protection (NAP).”

To download the complete 344MB SP3 for all English versions of Windows XP, click the download link at the bottom of this page.

Applies to:
Windows XP (English)

Requirements
Windows XP Home, Windows XP Professional, TabletPC or Media Center (32 bit)

Author/Supplier
Microsoft

File Name
WindowsXP-kb936929-sp3-x86-enu.exe

File Size
336MB

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Windows Vista Service Pack 1: Vista SP1 (Release Candidate 1)

admin — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:01:49 +0000

Description
The Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (Vista SP1) fixes a range of bugs in Windows Vista. The file is a large download and can be applied to any version of Windows Vista. It doesn’t matter what Vista updates you have previously applied to your system, SP1 will update any unpatched, partially patched or completely updated system (it includes all previously released patches and updates). However, any patches released after Vista Service Pack 1 will still need to be installed.

Important note: This is a Release Candidate - it is not the final version of Windows Vista Service Pack 1. It should only be installed by users who understand the risks of installing beta/pre-release software. User feedback suggests that the patch is reliable and improves the functionality, stability and speed of Vista.

The advantage of this full download is that it can be used on any system - plus it doesn’t require an Internet connection to install. You can download SP1, burn it to disk and use it on multiple PCs.

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) provides enhanced security measures that will hopefully improve defences against viruses, worms and hackers, along with increased manageability and an improved experience for users.

To download the complete SP1 for all versions of Windows Vista, click the download link at the bottom of this page. Release documents for Vista Service Pack 1 can be found here.

Applies to:
Windows Vista

Requirements
Windows Vista

Author/Supplier
Microsoft

File Name
Windows6.0-KB936330-wave1-X86.exe

File Size
548MB

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Windows Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP SP2 (final release)

admin — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 13:29:39 +0000

Description
Windows Internet Explorer 7 (also called Internet Explorer 7 or simply IE7) is the latest browser from Microsoft. This version of Windows Internet Explorer 7 will only run on Windows XP with Service Pack 2 installed.

According to Microsoft, Windows Internet Explorer 7 features a ‘new look’ and new capabilities - which is what they say every time they release an updated version. The toolbars have been moved around and redesigned, but no great leaps there. It also adds features currently in Mozilla - tabbed browsing and support for RSS feeds. As usual, Microsoft have promised improved security, but their track record in this area does not build much confidence (in a sadly predictable outcome, a new vulnerability in IE7 was discovered less than 24 hours after the official release of the final version). One feature that was actually helpful is the automated text shrink option available for printing. This makes it easier to print out the whole Web page.

Important: you should uninstall any previous version of Internet Explorer 7 before installing the final release - we would also advise creating a system restore point and making any other suitable backups. Microsoft have no plans to release a version of Windows Internet Explorer 7 for Windows 2000, Windows 98 or other operating system released prior to Windows XP.

Applies to:
Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2) installed

Requirements
Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2) installed

Author/Supplier
Microsoft

File Name
IE7-WindowsXP-x86-enu.exe

File Size
15MB

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CDCheck 3.1

admin — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 13:58:42 +0000

Description
As your CD and DVD collection grows, there are two important problems you face - do your CDs and DVDs still work? What can you do when a CD or DVD starts to have problems? These are crucial questions since the discs are used to store valuable files like email, home movies, photographs, business/tax records and music. The solution is to use a free program like CDCheck. It can scan most CDs in a few minutes to tell you if the data is OK - this way, you don’t have to find out the hard way that there is a problem. Plus you can use the time it takes for a scan to complete as indicator of the CD or DVDs overall health - even though files may not be recorded as damaged, slower results normally indicate a CD that is on the way out (expect longer times if there are more files on the CD).

If a CD or DVD is showing files with damage or you can no longer read a file in a drive, CDCheck can be switched to recovery mode and make a full sweep of the CD or DVD, recovering lost files along the way. When parts of a file can’t be fully recovered, the program will still recover any salvageable fragments. Many file formats such as Zip, TIFF and JPEG can still be used if incomplete (success of this technique varies, depending on the damage). Most zip tools have a ‘repair archive’ function, and a standard graphics editor can help repair damage to photographs caused by missing fragments.

Since CDCheck is freeware (free for personal use) and a small download, it is worth getting a copy and occasionally using it on your CD or DVD collection.

Requirements
Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP/Vista

Author/Supplier
elpros

File Size
1.5MB

File Name
CD-Check.exe

Download

Licence
Free (free for personal use)

OEQuick Backup 1.3 (free Outlook Express Backup tool)

admin — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 15:36:19 +0000

Description
Few people know how to backup messages, settings, address books or rules in Outlook Express. How would you feel if one day you lost all your messages and contact details but had no backup? In addition, there may come a time when you want to move your Outlook Express files and settings to another computer (a common occurrence when upgrading from Windows 95 or 98 to Windows XP). There is no simple button in Outlook Express to backup files, but there is a free program.

OE Backup will backup (and restore) all your Outlook Express settings and messages. The processes are managed with a few clicks of the mouse. Importantly, the program doesn’t use specialised file formats (some backup programs require you to use the exact same software to restore files). This means you have the choice to use the program to restore you backup, or do it manually without the program.

Requirements
Windows running Outlook Express 5 or 6

Author/Supplier
David Guess

File Size
1.9MB

File Name
oeqbfull.zip

Licence
Free

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iTunes 7.5 for Windows PC

admin — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 15:40:04 +0000

Description
This download for iTunes will update the core iTunes software and includes the latest version of QuickTime. It includes support for the newer iPod Nano models, video downloads and a has slightly newer look. Mainly this release is a bug fix, one of many over recent months and it also address security issues with the included Quicktime component. The download can be used to upgrade an existing version of iTunes or to set up iTunes on a new PC.

Important note: the earlier release, version 7.0, had some serious bugs. If you still experience problems with version 7 and want to go back to version 6 of iTunes, you can get it here. Most of the bugs have been fixed in version later releases of version 7.

Requirements
Windows 2000 (with SP4), Windows XP
Windows Vista - see below for an important clarification

Author/Supplier
Apple

File Size
52MB

File Name
iTunesSetup.exe

Licence
Free

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Adobe Acrobat Reader 8.1 (full standalone installation)

admin — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 15:43:41 +0000

Description
Adobe’s Acrobat Reader 8.1 is the latest release of this PDF viewing tool. It lets you view, print, search and share Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files using a variety of platforms and devices. Version 8 has a redesigned interface with the two-up mode to view page spreads without excess space in the middle and other tools such as Zoom in, pan over and ‘leverage the loupe’. You can also launch an online, real-time meeting via Acrobat and deliver online training, support or communicate with remote audiences in real time. According to Adobe, Acrobat Reader 8.1 also improves scrolling and zooming for the rendering of 2D and 3D graphics, plus it fixes a whole bunch of bugs encountered in version 8.0.

Applies to:
Windows 2000/XP

Requirements
Windows 2000/XP/Vista

File Size
22MB

File Name
AdbeRdr810_en_US.exe

Author/Supplier
Adobe

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Ubuntu 7.10

admin — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 15:46:32 +0000

Download - 700 MB

OpenOffice 2.3.1 (stable)

admin — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 15:52:50 +0000

Download

Office 2007 Service Pack 1 (Office 2007 SP1)

admin — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 13:51:50 +0000

Description
Microsoft Office 2007 Service Pack 1 (also called Office 2007 and Office 12 SP1) provides the latest updates to Microsoft Office 2007. SP1 contains significant security enhancements and stability and performance improvements. Some of the fixes included with SP1 have been previously released as separate updates. This service pack combines them into one integrated package, and it includes a number of other changes designed to improve the reliability and performance of Office 2007 programs. More information about Service Pack 1 can be found at the lengthy Microsoft support document KB936982.

Notes:

From Microsoft: “to successfully install SP1, you must have Microsoft Installer 3.1 (MSI 3.1) or higher”. See the Windows section of this site for the download, if required.
The Office 2007 SP1 download is the entire standalone package. It can be used to update different computers with Office 2007 SP1, plus it can be saved to disc for future use. The download is also a significant 220MB in size and may require a download manager if your connection is slow or unreliable.

Applies to:
Microsoft Office 2007 (Microsoft Office 12)

Requirements
Any Windows version of Microsoft Office 2007 or any component of Microsoft Office 2007 such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook etc.
Windows XP or Vista

File Size
220MB

File Name
office2007sp1-kb936982-fullfile-en-us.exe

Author/Supplier
Microsoft

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