You should combine your two options. Visit the Windows Update site to
determine which patches are required and then download them from the
Window Update Catalogue. Note that some patches will only be offered once
various components have been installed such as patches for IE6 so you will
need to cycle through the WU site and then the Catalogue a number of times
until you have got all the patches you need.

One question is common to both approaches. Should I first install
WMP9 and IE6 (or is IE6 itself an update?).


IE6 SP1 is essential. WMP9 very much optional.

IE6 does not appear on the list from Windows Update Catalog.

Check again or get it from the WU site but note that this will only be a
stub installer. See http://www.broomeman.com/support/wsiedown.html for
details of how to download the entire package for later use.

Has anyone yet posted the list and order of critical updates for a
Windows ME clean reinstall?

The very first update that should be installed is 290700 as without this
update you will be unable to use System Restore to back out from any
problems.

Don't try and install too many patches at a time. Install WMP updates
individually in the order in which they were released.
--
Mike Maltby



Allen Weiner wrote:

I've recently done a clean reinstall of Windows ME on a Dell
Dimension 4100 using a Dell reinstallation CD (PC and CD are six
years old). I'm looking for the least error-prone way of reinstalling
the critical Windows updates. I would prefer a procedure that can be
used after Microsoft drops support for Windows ME (this summer).

I have the Windows Update installation history for this PC. I also
have a recent Belarc listing of updates just prior to the clean
reinstall. My internet connection is dial-up (no broadband).

Reinstalling the updates would be easier if I had the Windows Security
Update CD. According to the Microsoft Order Desk, this CD is no longer
available.

There are two options I'm considering.

Option 1: On another PC, download the critical updates from the
Windows Update Catalog. Burn the updates to CD.

Option 2: Visit Windows Update and let it select the critical
updates. After updates are installed, take a disk image and burn to
CD.

One question is common to both approaches. Should I first install
WMP9 and IE6 (or is IE6 itself an update?).

I started by trying to use Option 1 (Windows Update Catalog). The
list of critical updates from Windows Update Catalog is much shorter
than my installation history list. Many updates on my installation
history are for earlier versions of IE and WMP. However, I'm
concerned that the list from Windows Update Catalog may omit some
needed updates. Also, there are a few updates listed from Windows
Update Catalog that are not on my installation history.

IE6 does not appear on the list from Windows Update Catalog.

Has anyone yet posted the list and order of critical updates for a
Windows ME clean reinstall?

How shoud I proceed?

PS: Prior to posting this, I searched the web for recommendations.
This search included checking websites aumha.org,
windowsreinstall.com, and crashfixpc.com. From the archives of the
newsgroup microsoft.public.windowsme.general I viewed the thread
"Windows ME Update Order" posted in November 2005.