If I've got an unpatched EQ can I play??
 

well?

if not what extra steps do i need to follow to get the updates TO A CERTAIN POINT, hopefully not beyond eqEMU

thank you i hope this is in the right area

You can't. All you can do is patch to live which is not compatible. not aptching at all is too old to be compatible.

dang, then where can i check to see when i should patch? or get an old patch maybe?

getting old patches isnt an option, if you DO manage to get old EQ files your not gonna be getting them from these forums (ToS, and EULA stuff) best bet is to patch to live NOW, come back to this web site and check on when your able to play with the version you have. until then all you can do is just sit on yer hands and watch the grass level up...my grass is level 2...the large rats are gettin pretty stout around here though...LOL