Is there a program to do for e-mail what Lazarus does for writing on browsers?

cc...

The site is supposed to be for programmers which I am not. However, I know enough about programming to pretend to be one. For the most part, I have noticed that non-programmers usually have the best success when they say they are stuck and ask if someone could help them with some script.

Once you have the script, it might still need some adjusting. At that point, you will probably be able to ask what you will need to add for the script to work on your PC...

Try a post like this:

Another trick you can use is to find the closest thing you can to the script you need and then post it and ask if anyone can help you refine it for your purposes.

No need to add the specs of your PC on this one cc. One of these guys will come through when he finds some time, but the specs won't affect the script...

 

cc...

Here is another site you can try if you don't get a reply at StackOverflow:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum?tab=Threads

Just select your OS and then choose the Windows Update option or Performance and Maintenance, either one.

You will need an account to use the site...

 

I have posted about a script to the Windows Update section. http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...-a8e0-46c7-9acb-c0849e752445?tm=1389909516958
No answers so far, so I will try Performance and Maintenance.

Every time I reboot Windows changes Automatic Updaste from disabled to Manual and Started. I have been having less trouble with svchost.exe in recent days, probably because I found a program, Windows Patch Uploader, that fetched 25 Windows updates for me. See screenshots. An outstanding freeware program. It certainly outdid Windows Update itself. Still, I know svchost will be back, because of my .NET Framework updates which have been failing since spring.

 

cc...

Interesting. Yet another freeware program for you to use that works better for you than a native Windows feature. Kind of mind numbing the number of freeware patch type programs you are running to get Windows XP to run on your P4 PC. Don't think you will have any sort of the kinds of problems you have had with the P4 and XP on the new PC with Windows 7.

There are certain problems that seem to crop up with Windows 7, and some of them are similar to XP problems, but the extra power will help tremendously and 7 is stabler by far. For this reason, once you get around to setting up the new rig, I am just thinking you might should avoid installing too much. I guess if it were me, I would probably install an uninstaller and a cleaner, but I don't think much else other than an anti-virus program. Once I learned my way around Windows 7, then I might add some programs, although as few as possible.

Got a tip for you on a firewall if you would like to try one. It's called Private Firewall. I've been using it for about 2 months now without a single issue. Any time a process tries to change something in Windows, I get an alert. On the alert I can choose to allow the process or even allow it every time, or I can block the process. I also get notices of IPs that try to place things on the PC when I'm on the net or any other time actually, which I can accept, reject, or just completely block. Even tells me when something on the PC is trying to make a contact from my PC. It's working very well with avast for me.

Fair warning...there is a huge learning curve with Firewalls. They are great once you understand what the program expects of you and once you understand what allowing and/or rejecting a process means or what it can cause. You have to learn to look at the firewall pop ups very closely and really examine what the potentially dangerous process is and what it's trying to do.

Maybe PF would be something you could experiment with on your P4 if you would like to try it out. Then if you like it, you could install it on the W7 PC once it's running. I read that it will run along side WinPatrol, which I believe you are using on your P4. However, apparently the two will do the same job for some things, meaning you will get two alerts at times. WinPatrol (paid) is great with all the features, but, for a free program, I think Private Firewall is more effective. This is why I have chosen it for the most recent PC I purchased.

Just something I thought I would pass your way, since you seem to tend to research and try numerous security programs...

I sense you are a little bit overwhelmed with starting up the new PC. I wouldn't worry though. If you put it on the front burner, it shouldn't be a very big challenge, and there is tons of help here at MG to help you with installing W7 and with installing any hardware you need to install. I know one thing, if it were me, I would have had that powerful a PC running in about 10 minutes LOL...

 

I just like to have a lot of programs. That's one reason I went for 2 TB internal hard drive and a 3 TB backup hard drive. I have found in my experience, in fact, that having more than one program for the same purpose is often quite useful. For one reason, because individual programs are imperfect. I keep both Weather Channel and Weatherbug apps because they give me different things; in fact their temperatures are seldom identical for my location.

After Windows failed to give me 25 updates, (and I know there are more to be gotten than those 25), there is no way I'm trusting them ever again on updates. I will certainly bring that Windows Patch Uploader over to my new computer to supplement automatic updating.

Indeed I will not be picking out a non-Windows firewall before taking time to study the subject of firewalls. My inclination is eventually to get the highest-testing firewall, Comodo. I see myself getting the Comodo Internet Suite, disabling the anti-virus and keeping the rest of the features, including the anti-spyware. Private Firewall rates very high in the testing, so I will consider it. It's interesting that with firewalls the ones that are available free only or choose between free & paid are as a group better than the paid only firewalls. Agnitum confirmed to me by email that the free version of their Outpost firewall is identical to the paid version.

 

I see. You make an interesting point here about keeping multiple apps. That way you can cover all the features. You certainly have had much success using an amazing number of programs, and there is no doubt your new setup will handle anything you determine is worthy of installing.

I went through a phase where I tried hundreds of programs. For me, it changed after I found the essentials that work for me. However, I understand that it's different for you.

Makes me wonder what was left out and what I don't have. Not going to try the program for now, as I haven't ever been all that impressed with most of the Windows updates that have been issued. The service packs are important and .NET is important for running newer apps, so I would say it's important, too. Otherwise, I'm not certain of the importance of the updates. PC runs fine with them on, so they will stay, but I don't think I will go out of my way for any extras at this point. Maybe later.

Certainly a good idea. I tried Comodo, and I found the interface clumsy and resource intensive. It was in principle fine as a firewall, but it crashed indexing on my PC. The installation wasn't the same after that, and I had to finally reinstall XP on the PC.

The comparison between Comodo and Private Firewall is something like comparing a happenstance designed super-sports car that looks impressive or say like a race car (Comodo) vs. an efficiently designed sports car that has the same capabilities but doesn't look quite so impressive (Private Firewall). The more I use Private Firewall the more I appreciate how much so it makes sense in use. Comodo doesn't duplicate the simplicity of use, and the GUI of Private Firewall blows Comodo away in my opinion. Who knows, maybe it will work for you.

Either way, there is a large learning curve. At first, it's easy to get torn over what choice to make when you get a pop up. On the one hand you want to make sure you don't cripple a program, while on the other you want to stop everything dangerous. Now I have learned to look at the pop ups very closely, and I am able to know for certain when a process is potentially dangerous or is one I just don't like (like an auto update connection for a program I don't care to update, etc.). I know now that I can take my time realizing that the process is auto-blocked until I make my decision. I can even scour the net for info when necessary. There is also the issue of how to set permissions for programs. The programs permissions interface can definitely be daunting. It even goes deeper...much deeper when you delve into the 20-30 individual permissions choices available for each program and net connection. Fortunately, looking over the default choices (at least in Private Firewall I can say so), the default selections are a nice balance of protection. You get pop up choices for things that might be dangerous, and you can decide then with some research how to handle the event. Well, at least it gets easier over time. I can say that...

If it makes it easier, I think it helps me now to remember that the firewall programs do not distinguish really between any one program and any other. The default settings are good, because they stop the process but still give you the pop up. If I look closely at each warning, over time I have begun to be able to determine what the process is and whether it's safe. If it's something that I don't recognize, I can just block it the once, and, if it runs again, choose then whether to block it every time. Same goes with allowing a process. Also, all these decisions are reversable.

Learning to use a firewall has been the biggest test for me so far when it comes to PCs. It's a big challenge. In that light, let me know when you get started, and I will try to make it a little bit easier for you if you like...

 

To give you an example, Weather Channel has an hour by hour forecast, which Weatherbug doesn't have. Weatherbug has a great radar, while WC's radar is not too great. Weatherbug also has an audible notification of eventful weather. So I don't wish to choose between them.

I think you're forgetting about the security patches. I would urge you not to neglect them. They are my main concern with Windows updates.

What do you mean by indexing?

Comodo is to firewalls what BitDefender is to anti-viruses. But it does have ample critics. That extra level of protection is not always worth it if you're plagued with false positives or your system is burdened by the application's draw on resources. I hope in the future that the latter will be no concern to me.

I'm puzzled by this. I have programs sitting unused in my directories that aren't familiar to me. But elective running processes never take me by surprise, unless it's an update process. The processes that come as strangers are generally things Windows throws at me. To me, the non-Windows processes I run are pretty uniformly trusted processes to me. When they were downloaded they got a thorough vetting by numerous AVs and malware scanners. I prefer that over sandboxing. I tried Sandboxie for an hour on this system, and it froze Pale Moon solid, so I ditched that. But I know that what I know about firewalls is a lot less than what I don't know.

 

To give you an example, Weather Channel has an hour by hour forecast, which Weatherbug doesn't have. Weatherbug has a great radar, while WC's radar is not too great. Weatherbug also has an audible notification of eventful weather. So I don't wish to choose between them.

I think you're forgetting about the security patches. I would urge you not to neglect them. They are my main concern with Windows updates.

What do you mean by indexing?

Comodo is to firewalls what BitDefender is to anti-viruses. But it does have ample critics. That extra level of protection is not always worth it if you're plagued with false positives or your system is burdened by the application's draw on resources. I hope in the future that the latter will be no concern to me.

I'm puzzled by this. I have programs sitting unused in my directories that aren't familiar to me. But elective running processes never take me by surprise, unless it's an update process. The processes that come as strangers are generally things Windows throws at me. To me, the non-Windows processes I run are pretty uniformly trusted processes to me. When they were downloaded they got a thorough vetting by numerous AVs and malware scanners. I prefer that over sandboxing. I tried Sandboxie for an hour on this system, and it froze Pale Moon solid, so I ditched that. But I know that what I know about firewalls is a lot less than what I don't know.

 

cc...

Yes, I agree with you about them. I have all the ones MS sends through the normal Windows updates client.

In Windows XP in order to have search indexing, you must download and install Windows Search 4.0. It's one of the optional updates from MS and puts a search box on the task bar. MS Office Outlook can't index e-mails without the service running, and searches are slower using the older XP search client than with the Search 4.0 task bar search box. Basically, the searches happen instantly from a database with Search 4.0, just like they do in Windows 7. When you get Windows 7, indexing is part of the program, because 7 has the Search 4.0 built task bar search built into the OS. I don't recommend the download for XP if you don't use Office Outlook for your e-mails.

Comodo somehow disabled the Search 4.0 indexer in XP on a machine I have here. I reinstalled Search 4.0 and got indexing back, but the PC was haywire after that, so I had to reinstall XP eventually. I can't recall the specifics of what annoyed me (partly the Comodo interface which it batty to me), but it ended about a week or so after indexing crashed with me attempting to remove Comodo firewall to regain control of the PC. Removed the program, but wasn't satisfied that all of it was removed, so I performed the XP reinstall. There were some loopy episodes during that week, but I can't remember to say what they were specifically. I knew it was Comodo.

I should clarify. Firewalls aren't like a-v programs. A-v programs use a database of known bad files to find dangerous programs and then do some behavior analysis to catch rogue processes (scripts...especially on the internet I have noticed with avast). With firewalls, all of the attention of the firewall is devoted to script monitoring and internet connection monitoring. No such thing really as a false positive with a true firewall. Instead, you the user decide if it's a false positive when the process attempts to make a certain change that the firewall sees as potentially dangerous (because it would be a change to an important OS file).

The great thing about the firewall is the depth of the examination of processes. It doesn't just examine the running process...it examines parts of running processes (elements of programs...sometimes elements of a program can run even when the program itself is not running). However, this means, when you get a pop up, it can take some real thinking to put together that, for example, the pop up is showing me that Windows updates is being flagged. The real issue is in reading more carefully to see that Windows updates is trying to make a change to let's say Windows Media Player. Further on the pop ups you will see that sometimes the behavior being blocked is internet related and some of it is script related. It's really important to look over the entire message and determine what is doing what to what.

It's complicated, but Private Firewall gives me a window into what is essentially parts of parts of parts (etc.) of program processes that attempt to change Windows. Then too I can see the exact file responsible and the file path. I can Google the file and thereby make a good decision about whether this element of program X that I installed should be allowed or blocked (not even the entire program...just the one behavior of it). Best of all, the firewall scan of a program isn't just when the program is started (launched)...it monitors all scripts all the time (unless you green flag a program you know well). Anyway, Private Firewall spells out what exactly is attempting to perform a change and what the change would be better than Comodo in my opinion, but you will of course have to see for yourself which you like better.

The firewall "learns" as you tell (by responding to the pop up requests) it to "allow this process every time" or ""block this internet connection this time". One time blocks are actually kind of cool in that they can buy you some time to research and decide how you want to treat the process next time it pops up. I will say this about firewalls. Each decision is important, because, when you decide to allow a process every time, you are deciding fully what is allowed on the PC...not the firewall. It just presents the options. Also, you will likely forget what it was you allowed if something causes a problem. I know it sounds archaic, but that is really what a firewall is like. The effectiveness of the firewall is totally dependent on the user...unless you simply choose to install and run the firewall's default settings for programs and connections and then choose to block everything. Not a bad tactic at first honestly (especially the one time block choice)...

Firewalls are a new animal compared to a-v I would say. I really do think the "use defaults and one time block everything" tactic is a good tactic for the first few months. With this tactic I would say it's important to remember that the settings will require much user patience and there will be many pop ups. As you grow in the knowledge of what to "allow every time", then the pop ups will begin to decrease.

 

Yes. I experienced the Windows Search 4.0. I found the search box on the taskbar obnoxious, but it can be disabled simply with resort to the taskbar Toolbars menu. A bigger problem was the fact that 4.0 was a monstrous CPU and memory hog. I could not run it realtime as Windows wanted, so I disabled it. In its place I discovered Master seeker, a really good search program. I often use it to remove programs I can't get rid of with any uninstall program, which is a very common event. (if there's a better way of dealing with such programs that would be interesting to know.)

I have never used Outlook.com. However I anticipate using it in the near future to retrieve emails which my Outlook Express interface lost recently. http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=282445

That is pretty concerning.

I'm rather daunted right now by the complexity of what you described with firewalls. Yes, I will do a lot of reading before I go non-Windows. Right now I do have Webroot Internet Security on a six-month trial. Its firewall is only outbound, and it leaves the XP inbound firewall in place. i have not had to deal very much with either firewall.

Thank you very much for your answer on my other question about email attachments.

I had my computer in the shop recently as I mentioned,and I had another scare a few days ago where I was afraid I'd have to do that again. I'm interested in getting a Boot CD. Are you familiar with them? I'm looking at these :

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sac...+XP+Recovery+Boot+Disc+Disk+CD&rt=nc&LH_BIN=1
http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Recov...YB16/ref=aag_m_pw_dp?ie=UTF8&m=A1TKO4WFUS57VO
http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Boot-CD-Windows-Recover/dp/B00BKT4RFY/ref=pd_bxgy_sw_text_z
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Computer-Re...7?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_210&hash=item1c3ad1d2b1

 

cc...

On the c2duo PC I had, search 4.0 was fine I guess. However, I started using a program called "Everything" on the PC I most recently purchased. Kind of miss the task bar search element which I liked in Windows Search 4.0. "Everything" is better though. It uses almost no resources and the search bar is very powerful.

Sounds like a good program. Honestly, that is the only way I know of to clean a PC after an unistall other than an unistaller.

Yes, firewalls are as complicated as feared unfortunately. In the first month, I estimate I had to make hundreds of snap decisions on prompts from the firewall (Private Firewall). It took me I guess two months of hands on work to be comfortable with my decisions with PF. In the end, though, it's been a very good experience, and I am confident it's doing a good job when combined with avast.

I have two of these. Really great to have one if there is a problem. I don't have any experience with any of the CD/DVDs you listed, so I don't know about those. I got mine for free (Hiren's and Falcon4). Hiren's is scrutinized heavily because it includes some software which is freeware but that is not intended to be distributed freely within corporations. Falcon4 is difficult to get unless you have some patience. It's only available as a torrent. Anyway, once you have the download, it's just a simple matter of burning to a CD.

I have seen this one mentioned by many, including plodr:

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/

I think this is the go to boot disk for most people these days...

 

I have Hiren's on my flash drive as of very recently. But I haven't really had time to examine what's on it besides security programs like Avira. Looked like great stuff, but what I want is something that will actually boot my OS when it refuses without me having to go to the shop and spend $50+, or help me to get to the point where I can once again boot my OS.

If I download Ultimate Boot CD, can I run it from my flash drive, or do I need to get a DVD and burn it to that?

 

The only way I know will accomplish this requires a Windows installation disk. If you don't have one, I have seen this link used before successfully:

http://www.dreamsupport.us/

Look for the link titled "Lots More Windows Tools". Click on the link and follow the instructions to get to the next page. On the next page, click on the "Windows XP" link. Then click on the listing that has "CLIENTS" in the listing. Take it from there.

A boot/rescue/repair disk like you have will give you alot of flexibility. You will be able to rescue files by moving them to a separate drive (i.e. flash or disk, etc.). Also, you will have access to all the files to make changes if that will help your PC. There are also some great diagnostics programs in those disks.

No experience with flash drives, so I don't know. If your PC will boot from a flash drive, I guess so. Anyway, from what I have seen of it, UBCD isn't fundamentally different than what you have.

 

OK, I got to http://dreamsupport.us/downloads/windows-pc/-WindowsXP/. I see the link Microsoft.Windows.XP.Professional.SP3.FOR-CLIENTS.iso. But my XP is Home, not Professional.

 

cc...

Oh yes, OK. I haven't seen it referenced in a thread for use, but there is one with HOME in the title near the bottom. It should work if you would like to try it...

 

Today there is a giveaway on Process Lasso Pro. http://www.****************.com/process-lasso-pro/

It says no free upgrades. I'm assuming that means one doesn't get the frequent free updates that free version users get. I don't know whether I'm better off with the free version or the giveaway therefore. I like the sound of some of the pro-only features. https://forum.raymond.cc/threads/process-lasso-pro-6-7-0-52-for-free.38871/

Is making a post announcing a giveaway in the Lounge or anywhere else on Major Geeks frowned upon?

UPDATE I guess I got the answer to the previous question with that asterisking. Duly noted.

 

Hello conceptualclarity...

PL is a nice program. That's a good deal.

I have everything I need from v 6.6 (can't recall the rest), so I turned off the updates and saved the installer for that version.

I have talked to Jeremy Collake who is the developer of PL. He has said that really meaningful updates might not be very many more. He said he's running out of ideas for the program.

Not sure the asterisking has anything to do with MGs policy. Don't know if I would post this on the board or not, but I don't think there would be any issues.

Thanks for the heads up on this.

 

Hey guys, I don't think it's too wise to post offers, sales or give-aways from sites that MGs is not affiliated with or may not be endorsed by MGs. After all, MajorGeeks is a Download Site. Next time you need to know something for certain, it's always best to contact an Admin. or a Moderator first just to be on the safe side.

 

I did get the message from how MG was configured to asterisk that other site, Nick T.

AtlBo, I had to give up running Process Lasso some time ago because it would have surges of CPU usage that I couldn't tolerate, especially Process Governor. Unquestionably my single-core processor is the greatest weakness of this old system that sometime soon will devolve to an auxiliary role for me. I wondered if you think you could help me tweak Lasso, especially with the Pro features, in such a way that I could use it amenably with my present processing limitations.

Boy, Lazarus is one great Mozilla extension. I just used it here to recover text after a browser crash.

 

conceptualclarity...

I noticed yesterday that Firefox is saving text in message boxes and search boxes automatically. I haven't installed Lazarus, but, when I reopen Firefox, all text fields are still in place. Very nice...

I run PL on a P4 with much less power than you have cc. It uses processor, but it's a trade off. I recommend PL, although I have heard the free is 64 bit for 64 bit OSes. I will look and confirm, but the giveaway ends in a few hours I think.

I don't use the Pro version. I went a different way with the program, combining the free features with features of other programs.

I honestly don't think processor usage is the enemy. When I was running a P4 full-time back 4 or so years ago, I used PL and GBoost, and the processor idle (including avast, too and Rainmeter and RocketDock and some others) was 5-8%. The PC was much more responsive, however, with those programs running.

One problem is avast (any a-v). The scanners on a-vs are brutal on P4 PCs. When you have a web page open, the scanner is running. When you run video, the scanner is running. If you look and notice the ball changing color, that's how you can tell the scanner is running.

If you use PL I recommend making your browsers and any heavyweight programs, like office programs or media players, exceptions. The restraints are annoying, especially for those. If you can get by those constraints for PL, I recommend adding CleanMem. This is a very good program, and the tactic used is not like any other memory management technique. It's the real thing. I make use of the ignore list in CleanMem much the same way as I do in PL. Overall, these two programs work extremely well together.

I will try to help with PL if I can cc. Let me know if you decide install it again...

 

I have installed the 32 bit Pro version. I had to get it from SharewareOnSale, because GOTD gave me the 64 bit version without offering me a choice.

If you look at that list of Pro features in my link above they sound pretty attractive, especially Process Watchdog (memory and CPU limits), Automatic gaming mode, and CPU throttling.

 

cc...

One setting in PL I recommend highly is the "Enable foreground process priority class boosting". I don't use the thread priority, just this one.

Don't know if it's in your version in the same terms. In my version it's in Options->Configure foreground boosting

This raises the process priority of the foreground process. Nice idea.

 

It was just a useful, friendly reminder, buddy.