Windows updates?

I installed Windows XP on my netbook last night in the hope I will be able to get the webcam working. Thing is I'm still installing updates!!! You do a round of updates, reboot and check again. Blooming heck there are now updates for the updates! I understand that XP was sort of a rolling release but you would think that taking it from SP2 through SP3 and upto date could be a one step proses! and not take hours!