I am still not having any luck with IE. Certain other things on the net don't seem to be working either, For example part manuals and literature that requires the use of adobe, as well as some small video files and such, I think I am missing some plugins or something. I also do not have sp2, I have tried several times to download it, but everytime I get this dumb stuff that claims that my xp isn't a real version.
You need to get in touch with MS and resolve that problem. For the other stuff, reinstall adobe acrobat reader, etc.
I have that same problem when I try to get updates. I have also heard that updates are not always worth downloading and that they just bog down your computer, is that true? And no I have not used any kind of internet speed up stuff or any other strange programs.
Updates definitely are worth getting, at least the critical ones. They patch known holes in the OS which leave you wide open for Spyware/Virus/Trojan attacks.
As far as virus stuff goes, is there any one specific program you would recommend? (preferably free) I was using zone alarm for a while but it drove me crazy, everything was being blocked and you have it asking you permission all the time.
AVG Free is excellent. Don't confuse Antivirus software with a firewall, though. Zone Alarm is a firewall - it won't remove anything which makes its way through to your system. Also, there is a way of marking stuff as "Safe" in ZA so it won't ask you again for that particular issue.
What do you guys think of mozilla? I have heard that the newer IE versions have tabbed windows, (which is the main reason I use firefox) Is one any safer or more secure to use then the other? I would just as well use IE if it did everything i wanted it to.
The newer IE is still in beta; don't look for it to be released anytime soon. Firefox is safer, if for no other reason than the fact that it is a smaller target for the nitwits who write viruses, etc.
Last but not least, is there any specific threads you would point me towards to check my machine and make sure it is virus free? I have more other computer problems but I have to work for a living too, I can hardly find time to post read and then try to fix the problem, lol.
that last post was a big help, while I have a minute does anyone have anything quick to try to get IE working again?? I can't even install it with firefox.....
...I am guessing I pop my xp cd in and go from there? What all does this do? Will I lose anything in the process?
Boot from the WinXP CD and proceed as if you were doing a clean install. If you see an option for a Recovery Console ignore it - that's not what you're after.
At some point after all the initial rigamarole Windows will find your existing installation. At that point you will be given a choice of adding a new Windows install or repairing the existing one. Choose Repair.
All your data will be right where you left it and the programs you had installed previously should all still work. You will probably need to run Windows Update to reinstall patches and SP's, etc.
Comments
Updates definitely are worth getting, at least the critical ones. They patch known holes in the OS which leave you wide open for Spyware/Virus/Trojan attacks.
AVG Free is excellent. Don't confuse Antivirus software with a firewall, though. Zone Alarm is a firewall - it won't remove anything which makes its way through to your system. Also, there is a way of marking stuff as "Safe" in ZA so it won't ask you again for that particular issue.
The newer IE is still in beta; don't look for it to be released anytime soon. Firefox is safer, if for no other reason than the fact that it is a smaller target for the nitwits who write viruses, etc.
Take a look through our Spyware/Virus/Trojan Discussion Forum. Make sure you read through the instructions before posting there.
At some point after all the initial rigamarole Windows will find your existing installation. At that point you will be given a choice of adding a new Windows install or repairing the existing one. Choose Repair.
All your data will be right where you left it and the programs you had installed previously should all still work. You will probably need to run Windows Update to reinstall patches and SP's, etc.