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Windows XP Availability

Amended 25 June 2008

For anyone wanting to obtain a legal copy of Win XP go to TI Computers, Shop 5, 10-12 Clarke Street Crows Nest NSW - phone 94375437 - http://www.ticomputers.com.au - and check for purchase options. XP won't be there forever so if you need a copy you will find the price very competitive.

WINDOWS XP HOME OEM SP3 $110 - WINDOWS XP PRO OEM SP3 $177.

OEM means original equipment manufacturer. You get the CD, no boxes or booklets hence the less expensive price compared to retail versions.

More About Vista

Amended 28 Mar 2008.

Thinking of upgrading to Vista?

Avoid "upgrade" versions because any problems and accumulated junk present in XP gets carried across. Yes - that version is less expensive but....instead of paying upwards of $400 odd for a retail version check e-Bay for online specials. A business version can be obtained for as little as $230. OK it's an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) - that means you don't get a book or a cardboard box, and Microsoft is not responsible for support. But....Shcug is a support base. You do get the essential DVD in a plastic case. The only time to avoid OEM's in operating systems is when it's bundled with hardware or pre-installed on a computer. Then the operating system is generally locked to the hardware meaning if the drive or mainboard blows you can't re-install it.

As always - consumer law states that if you pay for pre-installed software you are entitled to the install CD/DVD. If a vendor tries to say otherwise then give them the flick and go elsewhere.

On the security side of things check on the manufactures web site for Vista compatible versions of your programmes i.e. Anti Virus, Firewall and Anti Spyware. Kaspersky Labs have a Vista compatible install file (version 6) on their web site. Be aware that Zone Labs Internet Security in the MS Vista version is missing many features that are present in the XP version. The current version of Spyware Doctor will run on Vista. AVG anti virus and AVG Rootkit Detector runs Ok with Vista but AVG Anti Spyware does not yet. AVG Anti Malware and Internet Security suite does run on Vista.

Although Vista includes an improved firewall in that it "monitors" outgoing data now as well as incoming (Win XP SP2 firewall does not), the Vista firewall allows all outgoing data through without exception unless otherwise specified by the user. It is therefore just as useless as the Win XP firewall. If a ADSL router/modem is being used it will be likely to contain a "hardware" firewall capability. Don't rely solely on a hardware firewall though. Also check the upload/download speed if the intention is to run both a software and a hardware firewall as in some instances performance takes a severe hit when running both.

Vista includes Windows Defender - Microsoft's venture into the security world. Recent vendor independent tests (Feb 2007) have revealed that Windows Defender built into Vista does not provide the level of protection that one may be led to believe. The conclusion was that third party security programmes still provide, as in the past, the best protection for anti virus, firewall and anti spyware. Remember that if third party security programmes are installed to replace Defender to first disable Defender. Duplication slows down the system. MS Windows Live OneCare has shown up as a poor performer in anti virus and anti spyware detection during lab testing in July 2007. Not a good choice.

Three or four generation older sound cards from Creative are now generally supported. Nothing is known about other manufacture's cards at this time.

Meantime if you want to see if your computer will handle Vista go to Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor address: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/ upgradeadvisor/default.mspx and download the utility. After examining your system a table is produced that lists what needs to be upgraded. It does become a matter of economics to upgrade an existing computer, buy one that will handle Vista, or stay with XP.

Be aware that the Upgrade Advisor does not identify every programme (it does some) that won't run under Vista so be prepared to search out possible upgraded versions.

For a software compatibility list go to https://winqual.microsoft.com/member/softwarelogo/ workswithlist.aspx

If you are running Vista and find the User Account Control to be a pain it can be turned off through Control Panel > User Accounts but.....doing so disables certain security features in Internet Explorer. The work around is to run Firefox, the browser everyone should be using for security reasons. If you run Firefox then download and install the IE Tab add on from the official Firefox web site www.mozilla.com/en-US. This adds a clickable icon to the icon bar allowing a switch in the rendering engine when web sites are encountered that are written to work only when viewed from Internet Explorer. Use the search function on the site to locate it.

Service Pack 1(SP1) for Vista packs a nasty surprise in that it wipes out the Search button from the Start menu. Fortunately there is a work around - from any window left mouse click on the Start button then tap the F3 key to open the Search dialogue. If there is a "Windows logo" key on the keyboard then tap that followed by the 'F' key for the same result.

Three computers at the Harbison education centre are now running Vista.

Security Topics

Amended 15 June 2008.

Recently a new record was set for spyware infection on a single computer - 8740 instances!

The final detection analysis was AdAware & Spybot Search & Destroy 0, while Spyware Doctor detected and removed 8740. That reinforces the fact that both Spybot & AdAware were designated as ineffective over three (3) years ago.

All round solutions offer a good choice since you get anti virus, anti spyware and a firewall in one bundle at less cost than the combined stand alone versions. Kaspersky Internet Security and AVG Internet Security are top performing choices in recent lab testing. Although Kaspersky is at the top of the scores it is not as easy to use as e.g. AVG. To check these go to www.kaspersky.com - www.avg.com.au and pctools.com for Zone Alarm Internet Security suite.

Another way is AVG Anti Malware for the virus and spyware protection and run the very capable Zone Alarm (free version)firewall. www.grisoft.com www.zonelabs.com

Testing has shown that with the exception of AVG the above Internet Security suites impose a high demand of memory resources e.g. 512Mb as opposed to AVG at 256Mb. That impacts severely on low to medium powered computers.

How Much RAM?

Many vendors are noted for supplying computers with insufficient random access memory (RAM). If it is noticed that the computer takes a longer than reasonable time to boot, the hard drive activity light on the front panel constantly or often springs to life while carrying out a task? That is a sure sign of not enough RAM. As a guide - running Win 98 then a minimum of 256Mb, XP requires a minimum of 512Mb. Thats just to run the operating system at optimum. Once other programmes are opened then the RAM requirement goes up.

Not enough RAM? Windows uses hard drive space called a swap file to unload data out of RAM to the hard drive then back as required. Because RAM is much faster than retrieving data from a hard drive the system slows down - often dramatically.

Answer? Fit more RAM. This involves checking how much is fitted, what type it is, whether there are available slots to fit more or if what is there needs to be replaced with higher capacity RAM. The mainboard book that came with your system will provide many of the answers while others require a look inside the machine. If you don't know how to do this a tech should be called as it is easy to blow something up if unsure. You must work with safety too so turn off the power and unplug the power lead into the machine before taking off the panels.

Beware of static discharge as your body can carry enough to blow computer electrical components. Touch the bare frame before unplugging the power lead will ground any static however a safer way is to take the machine to a area like a kitchen, fit a static discharge strap and clip that to a metal tap.

Open Office

Amended 25 June 2008

If you use Open Office 2.4.1 and have downloaded it from the official web site you may notice the Australian English dictionary, the spell checker and thesaurus is not available. This is because the programme is intended for international use and for users to add requirements in their countries language. This can also happen if 2.4.1 is installed over an earlier version. It will install OK but if it is then found the spell checker doesn't work then follow the below procedure

To overcome this you must be logged to the Net. Then go to File > Wizards and choose "Install new dictionaries". Follow the on screen prompts and the update is automatic.

Assistance with this may be available be appointment by calling Brian Pemberton on 4861 5685.

USB Flash Drives

Scandisk USB flash drives come with utility programmes installed in a partition not accessible for removing them with Windows Explorer or My Computer. If you use these then fine - leave them be. If not you can claim back some space by downloading and running a removal utility from http://www.sandisk.com/Retail/Default.aspx?CatID=1415

The drive will need to be formatted again. To do that right mouse click on the drive from My Computer and choose "Format". If the drive is to be used on a Win 98 machine choose FAT32 format from the menu. If it is a Win 2000 or Vista machine choose NTFS. The end space result will be the same, or close to it on a very large capacity drive.

It is not known at the time of writing if the utility works on other brand flash drives.

Windows XP SP3

Amended 12 Jun 2008

Service pack 3 for Windows XP has become available recently following a delay. If your Windows Update is set to "automatic" then it will happen behind the scenes. If you have Windows Update set to "notify but don't download or install" then you may encounter the Update site presenting SP3 for download. If you decline this update you could find that any other updates are made "unavailable" until SP3 is downloaded and successfully installed.

Be aware that SP3 breaks some computers, notably HP's fitted with AMD processors. The reason is manufactures using an operating system "image" intended for Intel processor machines on AMD fitted machines.

There are also millions of reports of SP3 being downloaded on non HP computers and causing a variety of problems. Microsoft have taken an unprecedented step of providing a utility that can be downloaded from their web site to prevent the install of SP3 for one (1) year. This is looking so severe that it may take a year to sort it out.

For tech advise on this call Jim on 4883 9254.

CD Burning Topics

Amended 01 Sep 2008

Format a CD-RW or DVD-RW

Applies to all editions of Windows XP and Vista.

Before you can copy files to a CD or DVD, the disc must first be prepared using a process called formatting. 3rd party CD/DVD burning software like Roxio Easy Media Creator contained a utility for DOS formatting an optical disc. The current version has dropped that feature. Other similar software does not contain this capability.

Why format a CD/DVD Because you can then use the right mouse button to drag and drop files or complete directory structures from a hard drive as backup to a CD/DVD from Windows Explorer.

Windows Vista and XP have the capability to perform a DOS format on CD/DVD media.Note the discs must be RW (rewritable) type and not R (write once only.

The CD/DVD can be read in another computers drive however this is not 100% so due to incompatibilities with some drives.

Steps

1. Insert a disc into your computer's CD or DVD drive.

2. In the dialog box that appears, click Burn files to disc.

3. In the Burn a disc dialog box, type a name for your new disc if you want, otherwise delete any text that appears.

4. Click Show formatting options, and then click one of the following formatting options: • Live File System; or, • Mastered.

Note: Live File System should be chosen.

5. Click Next to prepare the disc. A DOS format takes about 30-40 minutes for a 800Mb CD.

When completed you can copy files to your disc using drag and drop.

Choosing the right formatting option for the job

When you format a CD or DVD, you can choose either the Live File System or Mastered format.

The following link contains an explanation of Live File System and Mastered format:

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/3fdbacc1-0abd-4c62-a739-a3760508b59e1033.mspx

Data can be deleted from a CD/DVD that has been formatted just as if it was a hard drive. Erasing the disc to make it a blank may be done using 3rd party burning software.

Beware Vista SP1

Amended 16 Sep 2008

It would seem Microsoft have created a second rouge operating system update additional to XP SP3 in the form of Vista SP1.

Similar problems have resulted in Microsoft providing free support for Vista SP1 irrespective of what version of Vista is being used i.e. retail or OEM.

If you encounter a computer that wont reboot following an install of SP1, and the system cant be recovered from accessing System Restore from safe mode, or using last known good configuration from the F8 menu, then you will need to run a "repair install" using the Vista installation DVD.

This sort of stuff is too involved to describe here but if you get in a jam call Jim on 48839254 for advise and possible solution.

Take a look at the link to Microsoft where you can submit a support request for SP1 problems

http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?Gprid=12534