Newbee asking XP advice for friend

LOL Now I have to ask for advice....

It ain't no secret that I myself still run W 98 SE with IE 5.5 SP2.

But in a few days I have to help a friend with her new XP-home (Dutch) box.
You think I'm nervous, yeah you're right
What do I know about XP......

OK, the machine came installed from the shop.
Darn, I'm jealous
P4 2.8; Mobo Asus P4 800 (same as Blaze was advised but not the Luxe version); Pioneer DVD player and burner; floppy drive; SATA WD HD (three partitions).

First I want to do is make a restore point; How?

Then I will try to install Acronis TrueImage 7 (just bought it for her; thanks to Anton for telling me how to do that).
And will try to make a full backup image before I make any changes.

Then installing the tool from gkweb here.

But then?
I guess either XPAntiSpy here and/or looking at BlackViper here .

An AV is installed by the shop (although she nor me are familiar with it...).
She has a licence for an AT; she is familiar with it; and it is allowed to install it on this new machine.
She knew a little bit about an old version of ZA Free; so I might install latest version.

Where to look for change to classical view of XP (if she wants)?

Where to change settings to show ALL files?

I'll try to install several anti-spyware to secure things (have been trying to fight every time I've been there to clean things...), like SpywareBlaster, Ad-aware, IE-SPYAD (oops, I still have IE 5.5 so have to look for the settings for IE 6) here.

Trying to get it connected to her slow ISP.
Then install all Windows updates.

And then I'm not talking about re-installing her old apps and once again trying to advice about security.

Any more thoughts?
Any advice?
Please...

Don't be surprised if I post the most stupid questions about XP those days LOL

 

As for creating a restore point. click start/all programs/accesories/system tools/system restore and create a new restore point.

 

To show all files. start/my computer/tools/folder options/view

 

Since this thread has to do with software I moved it to software and services where it will get more attention concerning the content. ==bigc

 

Thanks BigC and Ron !

Keep them coming your advices; they are all very much appreciated !

No problem BigC (of course !) with moving the thread to a more appropriate forum-section

I see I have ZA versions 4.5.538 in my archive.
Is that what you were talking about Ron?

Is the built in firewall of XP by default turned on or off?
Where to change its settings?
Does it run OK with ZA in tandem.......
What I wanted to do, is: download several apps on my own machine here (much faster connection), burn them on CD and then take them with me to her and install there before going online.


Oh, I would love to convince her to buy the whole DCS pack (oops, I don't know anything about ProcessGuard ) and NOD32, and lots of my own security apps, but I'm afraid that's not going to happen.....
I always hate it when I'm on a machine of someone else and I don't have my own tools...LOL

 

You really should not run the two firewalls together could cause problems.

Windows firewall settings. start/control panel/network internet connections/network connections/right click local area connection/properties/advanced and check or uncheck to what ever you want .

 

Settings for IE6. Start/control panel/network internet connections/internet options/security/custom level

 

IEspyad entries will be here

 

autopatcher xp
http://www.autopatcher.com/autopatcherxp.html
clear type
http://www.microsoft.com/typography/cleartype/tuner/1.htm?fname= &fsize=
sun java
xp power toys
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp
shoot the messenger
http://www.grc.com/default.htm
http://www.markusjansson.net/exp.html
http://www.uksecurityonline.com/husdg/windowsxp/wxpp2.php
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,1333507~root=security,1~mode=flat
and ive heard this last place isnt too shabby either
http://www.wilders.org/
i do alot of reinstalls,unfortunatly not other peoples,but mine when ive screwed-up.sorry if its abit too much.

 

Right now the XP Firewall is turned off by default (I think it will be on by default with SP2).

Some have posted success with both running in tandem, no real apparent benefit. The important thing is to have a firewall up and running before connecting to the internet. Since you are are going to burn ZA on the CD, you could just install that before going online.

Good luck!

 

Hi Jan..

Ronjor gave a site for classic view but I will post screenie and add a little more info for you as I "hated" the XP style of Start Menu.

Right click on the Task Bar/Properties

Select Start Menu Tab

Select Classic Start Menu

Done... BUT..

I go one step further

While still in that Start Menu TAB and AFTER you select Classic View Click the Customise Button and then Add or "Expand", especially for the Control Panel.

That will expand the Control Panel out for much easier accessibility.

pic of that next post.

TAS

 

Here you see the result of "expanding" the control panel.

Instead of just selecting the Control Panel, getting another window, then selecting what you want and having to close the window, this acts just like a 'Menu'...

TAS

 

Personally a couple of things I hated were the "effects" of menus in windows..

Fading/scrolling, etc. etc... hated it...

Takes too long for menu 'flyouts' IMO.

ok.. right click anywhere on Desktop/Properties/Appearance/Effects.

For me..

I then UNchecked "Use the following transition effects, blah blah" to stop that.

Then 'Check: Use following method to smooth edges of screen type.. Select Clear Type...oh.. you really eant to see the difference, select, hit 'Apply' while yuo are watching the desktop Icons wording... makes it much sharper and clearer. Show Shadows under menus [optional]

UNcheck Show window content while dragging. [Means when you are moving a window around the screen, all you see is dotted outline as you move it, instead of the whole window and it refreshes once yuo release the mouse button. Windows drag/refresh instantly.

 

Next.. This is a very powerful tool.. and a warning.... you *can* screw up your system with this.. but I love some of the features in here, especially in relation to those "Effect" I mentioned previously slowing things down.

Menu Speed.... now, usually the speed of how long it takes for a menu "drop-down" or "flyout" is usually default at 400ms.... not fast enough for me... I have mine set to ZERO.. Menus fly/drop out instantly.

The program.... Xteq Setup PRO

HERE

See the little red/green gear symbols.. they are fairly safe.. but some of the options they are RED... don't even click on those puppies...heh!

There are probably other proggies out there that can change menu speed, but I have never bothered to search. This is a really powerful program and it's ability to change whatever is awesome.

TAS

PS: If I think of anything else over next couple days, I will post. Have fun setting up new system.

 

Hi Ron LOL...

I am the opposite..

I like everything else about XP EXCEPT the bloody Start Menu.

TAS

 

Hi Ron,

Yep.... that is a good proggy I also have.. but the only thing I really wanted for sure was the menu speed and Tweak does not have it. [Unless a new version has been written]

TAS

 

Oh. that reminds me about TweakUI [thanks Ron] is the AutoFocus of your mouse.

I like that..

Mouseover a window auto brings it into focus.

TAS

 

i hope im not out-of-line here or going to far off topic,but you can use xsetup pro to have an inbetween classic and xp start menu.i think its just another vote for the program

 

thanks,now all i have to do is remember to resize,edit my pictures
if you are interested these are the settings i played around with.