Idiots guide to XP? Help. Techies look in. ;-)

brooce-leroy · Post by **brooce-leroy** » 12 Nov 2005, 02:06

Hi guys,

Just bought/received a new PC which has XP home edition pre-installed. I haven't had time to set the new PC up yet so still using my old one with ME.

What are the main things I need to be aware of when using XP (as I have been using ME all this time!)?

I'm assuming it comes with SP1? I remember brad telling me to install SP2 if I have XP, but also many others mentioning that SP2 has loads of bugs or something? Is this all been sorted now, or is SP2 still fucked up?

I would like to know stuff along these lines really?

I also believe XP has a firewall, so I would just really need to install an antivirus. Again brad was telling me about this ages ago, when I was going to get XP but didn't do it back then.

What other essential stuff re XP should I know about?

Cheers!

IronMonkey · Post by **IronMonkey** » 12 Nov 2005, 08:35

For the anti-virus, get AVG Free Edition.

It costs nothing and is a great little program that doesn't take up too many resources. You can get it from here.

As for Service Pack 2, there's nothing wrong with it! If its put onto a new installation of Windows XP then you will have no problem at all. The only people who did have problems either didn't know what they were doing or had PCs full of useless junk software & spyware which caused clashes.

I have installed SP2 onto probably nearly 20 PCs now & not one of them has had a problem since the installation.

In terms of changes between XP and Me, you'll certainly notice that there are a lot less crashes in Windows XP! The interface is obviously different, but not in such a way that it'll take you weeks to find your way around.

I've been using Windows XP Home for nearly 2 years now & I wouldn't look back to another operating system, thats for sure...

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 12 Nov 2005, 09:38

XP is a lot more stable than ME.
It's also a lot heavier and slower.

You have to manually remove all the services and features that you don't need.

( Run -> Gpedit.msc and Services.msc )

Since I'm using XP Pro, there's a chance that one of these msc files don't exist for XP Home.

IronMonkey · Post by **IronMonkey** » 12 Nov 2005, 12:10

Services.msc exists in Windows XP Home, but I wasn't aware of Gpedit.msc.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 12 Nov 2005, 13:07

It's in gpedit.msc that you can modify all the features of:

-The start menu (whether to display the favourites, the recently opened documents, the programs, etc...)
-Windows Explorer.
-Internet Explorer.
-Messenger.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 12 Nov 2005, 13:42

The firewall built-in to XP is utter rubbish. It can only control incoming traffic and not outgoing. Say you're infected with a trojan that harvests you're passwords/logins, you want to be able to prevent it from sending that information back to it's author or whatever.

Do yourself a favour and get a decent 3rd party firewall. The free basic version of ZoneAlarm is a good start. Be sure to disable the Windows Firewall before you're about to install the 3rd party one (and keep it disabled thereafter), otherwise they may conflict.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 12 Nov 2005, 15:06

If it's brand new Bruce it will have SP2 already installed. The rules for security in XP are pretty much the same as ME Bruce. You will find the OS is considerably better (in everyway).

I'd also not forget to run Defrag once every month-other month, PLUS invest in a DVD Writer to back up to. DVD Re-writables are cheap.

SP2 has caused problems for a few but remember MILLIONS all over the world have installed it without problem. You'd be an uber-fool not to install it. It fixes shed loads of security holes + more.

To find out what version of XP you're running right click on "My Computer" and choose "Properties". Next to Windows XP Home it will say Service Pack 1 or 2 or nothing of course.

If you don't have SP2 pop into PC World and/or Dixons and pick up a free CD. It's a 250Mb download.

IronMonkey wrote:For the anti-virus, get AVG Free Edition.

For £20 a year I seriously wouldn't get less than the best which is Norton Anti-virus or Norton Internet Security.

Besides Bruce has already bought a boxed version so he's safe.

AVG is okay but it's free at the end of the day is missing shed loads of features PLUS is it really worth risking getting a virus for £20 a year? I don't think so. I've used AVG and found it very basic.

IronMonkey wrote:As for Service Pack 2, there's nothing wrong with it! If its put onto a new installation of Windows XP then you will have no problem at all. The only people who did have problems either didn't know what they were doing or had PCs full of useless junk software & spyware which caused clashes.

EXACTLY! I couldn't agree more.

IronMonkey wrote:Services.msc exists in Windows XP Home, but I wasn't aware of Gpedit.msc.

No offence Bruce but for a newbie I wouldn't recommend you play around with the Services on your machine.

I don't know about Policy Editor.

EvaUnit02 wrote:The firewall built-in to XP is utter rubbish. It can only control incoming traffic and not outgoing. Say you're infected with a trojan that harvests you're passwords/logins, you want to be able to prevent it from sending that information back to it's author or whatever.

No offence but that's rubbish.

The Windows Firewall is simple to use, efficient and does what it says on the tin. The thing is ALL the firewalls you pay for give you shed loads of options (why you'd want to disable half of them is beyond me). My Dad runs Norton Internet Security and it bugs him far to much with silly questions. It's not to bad now but at the start oh man.

That said why use the free Zone Alarm PLUS a second virus checker when Norton Internet Security is an all in one package (PLUS Spyware and AntiSpam neither of which are in Zone Alarm or AVG). Not that he has AntiSpam enabled, common sense is a much better tool against spam (that and a second mailbox for people/sites you don't trust).

The Firewall is effectively free considering it's about £1 more than the standalone Norton AntiVirus (which does get you Spyware too, it's part of AntiVirus).

I run Norton Systemworks Premier (amazing piece of software btw) which gives me a virus checker but no firewall. When I need a firewall I'll use the Windows one, it's so much easier to use. You never get bugged with silly questions.

Currently my machine is effectively a slave of my Dad's master (with the Internet connection) so his machine does the firewall activity.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 12 Nov 2005, 15:15

What about McAfee AV/Firewall Brad? Thats not too bad

(You were talking about anti-virus software).

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 12 Nov 2005, 15:19

It is, as is Sophos. There are lots of them. I just prefer Norton's software it's so well made. If you're happy with it then there is no need to change it BUT the most important part of virus checkers is:

1. They're up to date - THIS IS CRUCIAL (in the days of Broadband and Automatic virus update checking it shouldn't be an issue)
2. You have the latest or fairly latest version

Like I said I use Norton SystemWorks which does considerably more than just a Firewwall+AntiVirus program.

IronMonkey wrote:Services.msc exists in Windows XP Home, but I wasn't aware of Gpedit.msc.

Tom and Iron Monkey do you guys know of a list of services that we can all disable? You know the sort such as the crappy CD Recorder Service.

I've disabled that as I use Nero (much better). I must have loads taking up resources.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 12 Nov 2005, 15:42

I've disabled quite a few useless services, but I don't really know how to translate their names.

Maybe IM could be more helpful on this matter.

BTW: I use the AVG antivirus. It doesn't detect much, but at least it's less heavy than Norton.

IronMonkey · Post by **IronMonkey** » 12 Nov 2005, 17:20

The only two links you'll need are these:

- Black Viper's Services Guide (currently down, hopefully back up soon)

- Tweak Guides (look at the 1st page and download the Tweak Guides Tweaking Companion.)

I disagree about anti-virus software. A lot of the big names tie up way too many resources & bog the system down. I believe you shouldn't cripple your system just to try and keep viruses out. I use AVG because its free & lightweight. I want my computer running in tip-top condition and it always is.

I virus detection system doesn't need to be complicated to work. AVG Free Edition may be basic, but it does what it needs to. Combine it with Ad-Aware and you've got a good protection system.

I only use the built-in Windows Firewall because I have a hardware firewall built into my router - much more effective than any software firewall will ever be...

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 12 Nov 2005, 19:34

Tom2681 wrote:Since I'm using XP Pro, there's a chance that one of these msc files don't exist for XP Home.

It looks like Group Policy doesn't exist for Home:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home ... sing2.mspx

I'm running Pro also. It's not hugely different but is enough different for me not to want Home.

Tom2681 wrote:BTW: I use the AVG antivirus. It doesn't detect much, but at least it's less heavy than Norton.

Isn't that another way of saying it's not very good?

I agree Norton Internet Security can be a heavy handed and I'm dubious that it really needs so many different programs to be run in my Task Manager but it does contain everything you need in one package.

Otherwise you'll have to run several programs to achieve the same results each taking up a slice of memory and therefore in essence it all evens itself out.

I can't talk for programs like Sophos or McAffee which may also offer a one stop shop.

IronMonkey wrote:- Tweak Guides (look at the 1st page and download the Tweak Guides Tweaking Companion.)

WOW this is an utterly fantastic guide Iron Monkey. I really suggest everyone downloads it.

It's a bit on the long side but no one said you need to read it all in one go. I'm up to page 45 of 166.

I have a few issues with it:

* The guide has one error: The latest version of DirectX is part of XP SP2 so you don't need to bother installing that.
* It barely mentions Firewalls???
* IMO he recommends you download far to many different programs. If you followed the guide step by step you'd spend every second of every day tinkering if your system. He even recommends if you've downloaded something you're not sure on before opening it scan the ENTIRE system. Talk about overkill! Scanning just the file is enough.
* For Spyware software (this is really to general a word) he recommends you install no less than THREE programs.

IronMonkey wrote:I disagree about anti-virus software. A lot of the big names tie up way too many resources & bog the system down. I believe you shouldn't cripple your system just to try and keep viruses out. I use AVG because its free & lightweight. I want my computer running in tip-top condition and it always is.

Like I said above your solution will mean you need to run several programs all eating up memory. It evens itself out but IMO is just nicer to have it all in one program.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 12 Nov 2005, 23:23

Has anyone considered running:

Microsoft AntiSpyware: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/securit ... /software/

It's currently a free beta and tbh is very good. It's easy to use and has a nice clean interface (something many of these programs do not have).

I'm not sure how long I'll leave it installed as the same functionality is built into Norton Antivirus but it is decent neither the less.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The bottom line Bruce which well agree on is:

1. Install SP2 (if it's not installed anyway)
2. Install an up to date virus checker and make sure it stays up to date
3. Run some kind of firewall
4. Run some kind of spyware.

gasteropod · Post by **gasteropod** » 13 Nov 2005, 00:53

I've been using it for some time now, and it hasn't had any updates available for ages. (It was supposed to have updates at least once a week, but perhaps that will be implemented on the final release version).

brooce-leroy · Post by **brooce-leroy** » 13 Nov 2005, 02:31

Just popping in quickly to say thanks! Will try to set up new PC in the morning if I get the chance/time!

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 13 Nov 2005, 09:12

How are you planning to backup your data Bruce?

gasteropod wrote:I've been using it for some time now, and it hasn't had any updates available for ages. (It was supposed to have updates at least once a week, but perhaps that will be implemented on the final release version).

There have been loads of updates:

* Firstly the different beta versions, which can be downloaded above. Do you mean these? I guess there hasn't been to many different versions. The current version expires on 31/12/05 so an update will be coming soon.
* Secondly the definitions which can be downloaded by clicking on File and Update (I think it's that).

Does Windows Update work for you? It links into that in the background to get the updates I think. Whenever I tried to check for updates (the File, Update one) it always used to say "No updates" until I managed to fix Windows Update.

Up until recently I was unable to use that service.

brooce-leroy · Post by **brooce-leroy** » 13 Nov 2005, 15:23

Don't know yet. Got some pointers aside from saving onto cd or dvdr? I also do have a dvdrewriter on the new PC.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 13 Nov 2005, 19:02

What about your old PC?

I'd use DVD-RW or DVD+RW (it makes no difference which) as they just so versatile and hold a decent 4.7Gb. Does your old PC have a DVD or CD Writer though?

If not you'll have to put the drive into your old pc I guess.

brooce-leroy · Post by **brooce-leroy** » 13 Nov 2005, 19:39

old PC has cdwriter.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 13 Nov 2005, 20:33

I'd backup to that then for sure. I can't seeing you need more than 1-2 CD-RWs.

brooce-leroy · Post by **brooce-leroy** » 08 Dec 2005, 01:28

Hi fellas,

How its hanging?

I have a boxed version of Norton internet security which I have installed on my old PC? I assume it is okay for me to use it again, and install onto my new PC? Thanks.

I know XP has its own firewall.

brooce-leroy · Post by **brooce-leroy** » 12 Dec 2005, 00:13

Anyone?

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 12 Dec 2005, 09:26

I dont see why it wouldnt be OK Bruce, even if your Norton is old.
How old is it?

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 12 Dec 2005, 10:58

Well not really as you pay for one license for 12 months on one machine however if you uninstall it from the old machine first then it really shouldn't be an issue from a legal point of view.

I can't see how they'd have a problem, you've got a new PC after all. I.E - You've already used part of the 12 months.

If you're going to use Norton's firewall disable the XP one.

p.s - FYI the install program checks the registry and starts the 12 months from what the registry says, as you're installing on a new pc there will be no record of an existing version and the 12 months will start again. You won't have any problem re-activating.

If you uninstall and re-install Norton on the same pc it won't renew your 12 months license, there is a way around this (without having to wipe Windows) by wiping all references to Norton/Symantec from the registry but it's a faf and takes time.

I've done it the once while I was waiting for my new Norton CD to arrive.

pp.ss - I wouldn't recommend paying for another 12 months as you're doing so on an old copy of Norton. I'd recommend buying a new version when it expires and installing that, so you'll get 12 months + a new version. eBay is your friend here!

The installation program will automatically uninstall any old version of the Norton software without prompting you first (it does a good job of doing this too).

brooce-leroy · Post by **brooce-leroy** » 18 Dec 2005, 14:48

Thanks Brad.

I was thinking maybe of just using an antivirus, and using XPs firewall.

What do you think?