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I almost always get them from the manufacturer myself, but this seems to have nicely fixed my very annoying connection problems and internet lag of the past few weeks. They were drivers for my network card. I'd actually tried to find newer drivers but hadn't been able to track them down. Microsoft actually done good! I should mark this day on my calendar..

It's an obnoxious assumption by Microsoft that they can review everything on your computer just because you're using their operating system. Would you let your realtor search your house anytime just because you wanted him to have one thing fixed that should have been good when you bought the place?

The Worst Things You Can Do To Your Computer.

1. Enable Microsoft Auto Updates.

2. On The Windows Update Website, install all of the updates it lists that you do not have installed. (Please note that I did not write that you need.)

The fact is that very few of the downloads listed on windows update are needed to fix problems. Many are junkie add ons that MS thinks you may want, but you do not need or in the case of Digital Copyright Management, may actually prevent you from doing something on your computer you already do. And if this isn't enough, some of these patches, updates and drivers can completely screwup your computer.
The best thing is to install only those updates that apply to you and the way you use the computer,like Service Pack 1 which give USB 2.0 support. The website below is a place where you can download updates for not only Microsoft , but also many more programs and hardware, then install only what you really need. And as a bonus there is an abbreviated description of each update, so that you can determine the need.

I almost always get them from the manufacturer myself

Occasionally MS fixes their problems.

I know it's sad for an IT guy, but my main machine is still 98SE with an Intel mobo and I've always had problems with the 98SE WinUpdate device drivers.

I've been meaning to upgrade the beast (to NT, then 2K, now XP) but it's got so many utilities and crap from over the years, I'm caught in dread between an upgrade or a building a completely new machine and reinstalling everything.

Even doubly sad since I've made a living fixing 'puters since early DOS (now through XP), and servers since NW 3.X through MS 2003.

It's kinda like the carpenter who never fixes his own broken stairway.