Game patch changes?

[Scorcher88]

I was wonder if I can get updated no-cd patches to say v1.2 of a game if possible. If so does installing a game patch only affected the game exe file or does it also affected other files. so would i need to update the game first with the original patch and then install the updated no-cd patch. If it affect other file is there a program that logs the changes being made when you install the patch.

[GLH]

You can copy your gamefolder to a "safe place", before updating a game.
After updating the game, you can compare the old folder (from the "safe place") with the updated gamefolder, to see if more than the exe is updated.