New to XP - Beginner's Tips???

wetrat · Jul 13, 2004

When I get back from vacation I'm gonna get a new computer with Windows XP. I've only used WIN98SE & I imagine there will be a lot of differences.
I don't want a tutorial or anything, just any real-world, been-there tips/hints/suggestions from any of you guys & gals who've been thru the newbie-fog.
All I can say for sure is that I will not want it to do anything on a routine; task scheduler type stuff. I prefer to do updates, etc. myself.
Bells & Whistles are a no-no, too. If I don't need it, I don't want to be distracted by it.
Anything running "undercover" that's not necessary I would want to kill.

Thanks in advance if you have time to share your ideas.

The computer will be something like Athlon >2GHz, at least 512RAM, at least 80GB HD, latest Radeon vid, CDRW, DVDRW.

NeoNemesis · Jul 13, 2004

I believe we have all been there at least once in our geek lives. Basically if your an everyday computer user (type things, email, internet browsing etc...) then you wont have to worry since all you'll notice that has changed is the look and maybe the start menu. But if you are an avid windows user (programmer, like to experiment etc...) then the changes will be drastic (a whole new windows explorer, and control panel). I would recommend just tinkering and finding out how to get around and stuf in the windows explorer and the new control panel.

Also, I would recommend to anyone getting familar with any new windows operating system that they download all the available updates at www.windowsupdate.com because believe me, you will need them. If you do not have a fast internet connection (ie: DSL/Cable) I would recommend you go to a friends house to download the updates to the a cd rom or something or plan on leaving your computer on for a few days while you download the service pack and the other following updates. But make sure you do download these updates because they will be very handy and are essential even though you won't notice a difference (unless your a hacker) most of the updates are security updates (hmm I wonder why) so you can see why you need them. Also, make sure you have an antivirus program such as PC-Cillin, Norton, of McAfee (Office max sometimes offers norton 2004 for free so check out their weekly ads). I would also download SpyBot Search & Destroy and Ad-aware because those programs will get rid of a lot of spyware and adware (stuff that will load annoying popups and messages on your computer even though you may not be on the internet). They get a lot of spyware and adware that norton and all those other programs don't get because Norton and those other programs mainly search for larger (and more harmful) viruses that could potential, shall i say, fatally wound your computer.

Other than that you are fine, just remember to update, update, update. Oh, and you will have to update SpyBot and Ad-aware when you download them.

Adrynalyne · Jul 14, 2004

Ethan said:

your pc will be crashing every 5 seconds

your going to be a tech support nightmare to everyone in the industrialized world

let task scheduler run (its part of windows!!)

YOUR PC WILL BE CRASHING EVERY 5 SECONDS
Click to expand...

Excuse me?

Windows XP is very stable.

Just Playin · Jul 14, 2004

XP isn't perfect, but it blows 98 away. Then again, I'm not a hardcore power user either. I've had no serious problems, and this is the first computer I've ever owned (my friends have 98se,I've seen it in action ), so I am at the bottom of the learning curve. I've yet to run into a nightmare.

da chicken · Jul 14, 2004

Windows 98 is an Operating System in the same way that Notepad is a word processor.

Welcome to MS Word.

DavidGP · Jul 14, 2004

Well wetrat using a properly setup XP, you WILL NOT have crashes every 5 minutes ( with ME you might ), that comment ill-informed and just plain wrong! Yes XP will in some cases have issues and just not work on older PCs as the specs people are using are borderline to the minimum specs but as you will be getting new the hardware specs will be within what XP needs.

The only crashes I have had in the ...... 3yrs are wait for it............. two, dos, dyo, два, dhá and those 2 were my own damm fault for playing with Group Policy and Services and the other was trying to change some of the DLLs of the shell/look of XP, changed one I really shouldnt have and it just rendered the OS dead! "user error"

Now like some on here I havnt had spyware or virii ( until sometime later today after making comments like those.. murphys law ) I like others just put alot of this down to reading alot of what exploits and whats the best way to combat those...... a few tips are,

Windows Update and MS security visit them on a regular basis... if many had done this step Blaster and Sasser wouldnt have possibly been as bad as they were.
AntiVirus and ALWAYS keep it upto date,
Firewall, even if you have a router a software firewall is a must as it will alert you to applications wanting external access, SP2 has a firewall built ( should have had this from the start IMO )
Anti Spyware a must these days, a few must have ones in your arsenel are , Ad-Aware, SpywareBlaster, HiJackThis, A².

now thats some security issues out of the way and the best FAQs you can read in a nice easy layed out way are these by the gang http://forums.majorgeeks.com/forumdisplay.php?f=33 do please take some time, get a coffee some snacks and read away

The first thing you need to really do is to find out how upto date the loaded XP you are getting is, it should by now automatically come with SP1, but you need to find out if its patched against Download.Ject , Blaster and Sasser plus any other security patches, IF not then really before going online I would advise downloading any patches you can pop them on CD and install them on the new machine ( I will give links at the bottom ), install SpywareBlaster, Firewall, Anti Virus and all your other security packages and turn off the Messenger Service and DSO exploit.. then you should be OK to enter iNet!

after securing you machine as much as possible, just take time in looking through the menus and options once your used to how XP looks and feels then maybe start tweaking the background services for your setup.... their are no easy lists on what not to have and what to have as each PC is setup for different uses but Black Vipers website is damm usefull in giving you a clue to whats needed and whats possibly not ( do make notes of what you turned off or do then in small stages so you can backtrack if something doesnt work ).

onto some links.......

Windows Update you will know

MS Security
http://www.microsoft.com/security/default.mspx
under recient incidents is a section to start with.. info and protection tools against Blaster, Sasser, Download.ject

Messenger Service ( shoot the messenger )
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=3703
you need to turn this off otherwise you could get popups, it has nothing to do with the Instant Messenger

AntiVirus and Spyware
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=27385 AntiVirus
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=25834 Spyware
all the links and great info are had in these treads

A²
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4281.html

DSO Exploit
http://www.nsclean.com/dsostop.html

Black Viper
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm
do take care with these as most are needed, plus if you ever needed to re-install XP he has some clear guides on how to re-install XP home and pro.

some tweaks for XP ( just a few links to stuff I have that maybe of interest )

http://www.techspot.com/guides-os.shtml
http://www.windows-help.net/WindowsXP/
http://labmice.techtarget.com/windowsxp/default.htm
http://www.pureperformance.com/
http://www.tweakxp.com/default.aspx

troubleshooting
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp.htm

just a few rambelings to get you going..........

wetrat · Jul 25, 2004

Thanks everyone. Back from vacation & ready for the XPerience.
Gotcha on the update, protect & have at it!
Keep an eye out for me when I come begging again.
Don't know what I'd do without you 'Geeks'.
Thanks again.

bigbazza · Jul 26, 2004

Halo, Thanks for all the links. One of these days (sigh) I will move from W98SE to XP. Bazza

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New to XP - Beginner's Tips???

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