>>>Al,
>>>
>>>>It'll be nice when finally ready, though. I just rebuilt an XP SP2 machine from scratch. Currently it requires 3 + 89 + 1 updates in 3 separate passes to satisfy Windows/Microsoft Update. Most of those will be rolled up into SP3.
>>>
>>>No SP3 needed for that - german magazine c't has a nice script allowing you to download the current updates into a subdir to be applied in installations working on multiple machines.
>>
>>That's good to know - got a link, for future reference?
>
>article in german (dunno if you can understand german or if an automatic translation is understandable<g>)
>http://www.heise.de/software/download/special/ct_offline_update/8_1
>
>DL site:
>http://www.heise.de/ct/projekte/offlineupdate/
>>
>>I haven't had to build up more than 1 or 2 machines at once for a long time, so (with a decent Internet connection) Microsoft Update works OK for me - just time-consuming. Downloading SP3 once (and burn to CD etc.) will probably be more convenient.
>
>Built 3 systems Xmas 2006 and used it back then. Saved some time, but as I also have a good connection reasonably safe behind a HW FW/router not that important - tested it to learn. They keep adding stuff: now X64 is also supported.
>
>So if you don't have a "gold DVD" you still can manage somebody threatening with the task of installing a platoon of PC's.
>
>my other tips/favorites in the install area:
>Acronis : Imaging / Backup
>xxClone : Safety install, Multiboot your current install FAST
>Paragon : disk managment/Linux file system access
>
>As I have a license for the Paragon stuff I use it, but today there are free versions for more flexible formating options (unlimited Fat32 for USB data exchange disks, linux EXT2/EXT3 systems) and RW drivers available and they probably work ok.
>
>not tested yet, but sounds interesting:
>nLite/(vLite) : create patched installation disks (SATA-drivers for example)

Thanks again, Thomas, for more great references.

Have a happy New Year!