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Run 'Windows Update' to solve
many networking problems
The importance of running Windows
Update
The Windows Update (found
in your start menu) is very important if your computer ever connects
to the Internet or other computers. It provides Microsoft with a way
of fixing bugs in your operating system - sometimes bugs that leave
your computer vulnerable to attacks. In any case, your computer will
network better and be safer if you apply at LEAST the critical
patches. I run Windows Update once a week on all of my computers -
you should try to do the same.
Things often solved with Windows
Update
*Unable to see computers in network
neighborhood
*Slow Internet and networking
speeds
*System Crashes
*Fixes vulnerabilities to many
Internet worms (a kind of virus)
How To
First of all, your computer must be connected
to the Internet. Without an Internet connection you can not run
Windows Update.
Windows 95
Windows 95 is very poor at networking without
installing some patches. Unfortunately Microsoft no longer has
those patches listed on their web site (that I can find). You
WILL have problems getting your Windows 95 computer working
correctly on a home network. Not much you can do about it except
dump Windows 95.
Windows 98/ME/2000
Click the Start menu. Above Settings,
Documents and Programs should be a large button called "Windows
Update". This will open Internet Explorer. From there,
select "Product Updates". The Microsoft web site will the run
a small program to see what updates you have already
installed. Be sure to insall all critical updates. You
may have to run Windows Update a few times to get all the updates -
they can not all be installed at once. Keep running Windows
update and rebooting till you have no more critical updates to
install.
Windows 98 users can instead download
each patch from here. If you do this, be sure to install
the 'System Update'. It is VERY important and can be found in
the recommended updates area. Windows XP
The "Windows Update" can be found in the main
start menu as shown here. Select it and Internet Explorer will
run and connect to the Microsoft web site.
Next, select "Scan for Updates". You
will then be able to select what updates to install. Be sure
to install all Critical Updates(). In
addition, you should install the items listed in the Windows
XP() area. There are many networking and networking
application related updates here.
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Run Windows Update!
Menu:
