As we had so many offers of help with the computer problem just wanted to give you an update. Stuart used a mixture of all the help and has got to a stage where the computer is usable. Strangely we don't seem (at this stage) to have any data prior to 2009. somebody, but I can't remember who, said as windows dont support the version we have, they won't help us in order to make us purchase an update?
Anyway, we'll keep plodding and yell out if we need to take up your kind offers of help.
Cheers Dianne
native pepper said
09:13 AM Feb 24, 2014
Good to see you got it going, make sure you save all your data to another device while you can. When you decide to upgrade, get someone to show you some open source, particularly linux mint, then you more than likely wont have to upgrade your computer or equipment and all the software you want and need will be free.
PeterD said
11:42 AM Feb 24, 2014
gooba53 wrote:
but I can't remember who, said as windows dont support the version we have, they won't help us in order to make us purchase an update?
That's no different to any other supplier/manufacturer. Try getting parts for a toaster or electric jug. Parts are not available for many cars over 10 years old from the manufacturer, you often have to rely upon the wreckers for parts.
Microsoft is no making you upgrade. You can still use your old system. You just have to rely more on a good anti-virus programme more. Get yourself something Avast, it got the best report amongst the freebys in the last round of tests.
KevinC said
12:21 PM Feb 24, 2014
I'm not contradicting anything previously said in this thread, just a bit of clarification.
From April this year Microsoft won't be sending out any more updates for XP. Nor will they welcome your phone calls asking for help. They've moved on. We don't have to. The service packs and updates that we've been using for years will still be found on their server and you're quite welcome to continue using them as you've been doing. Microsoft believe that will new technology comes new threats, and sooner or later new threats will invade XP installations. That's why they suggest an upgrade of your operating system to something (8.1) that's both modern and maintainable.
I still have XP. I also have Win 7 and Win 8.1. Because I'm so old fashioned I tend to use the XP device most. So if you want to stick with XP for a while longer, then don't feel threatened.
gooba53 said
12:54 PM Feb 24, 2014
Saving data to another device is really important to us, so that's next and we'll keep sorted through all the other issues. But it's great to be aware of possibilities. So again, thanks all
Dianne
normn said
12:59 PM Feb 24, 2014
KevinC wrote:
I'm not contradicting anything previously said in this thread, just a bit of clarification. From April this year Microsoft won't be sending out any more updates for XP. Nor will they welcome your phone calls asking for help. They've moved on. We don't have to. The service packs and updates that we've been using for years will still be found on their server and you're quite welcome to continue using them as you've been doing. Microsoft believe that will new technology comes new threats, and sooner or later new threats will invade XP installations. That's why they suggest an upgrade of your operating system to something (8.1) that's both modern and maintainable. I still have XP. I also have Win 7 and Win 8.1. Because I'm so old fashioned I tend to use the XP device most. So if you want to stick with XP for a while longer, then don't feel threatened.
I agree you can still use Windows XP
I have 2 Anti-virus programs running, both free if you want them to be.
Keep these 2 up to date and you will be a happy camper
gooba53 said
02:26 PM Feb 24, 2014
Wibbles said
08:11 PM Mar 19, 2014
As a computer tech with many years experience I thought I'd provide a little advice for those people planning on using Windows XP after April 8th - it's fine so long as you don't use it online. The problem is that the vulnerabilities that affect Windows Vista, 7 and 8 will most likely also affect XP and because it won't be patched like the more recent operating systems, it is very likely to be attacked.
Bear in mind that when I say 'attacked' I don't mean someone is sitting around looking for your PC to hack into - the hackers have automated 'bots' continually scanning thousands of systems every minute so it isn't an IF.... it's a WHEN your PC will get hit - sooner rather than later.
Also, we aren't talking viruses here - this is browser initiated attacks that will usually go completely unnoticed by your antivirus software, no matter the manufacturer. The malware writers these days aren't interested in wrecking your system, they just want credit card numbers, online banking details (easily stolen by a key logger program) and the like. I have seen so many PCs in my workshop just crippled with malware that are running McAfee/Norton/Trend security suites that have just let the stuff through.
I would even go so far to say that I wouldn't be surprised if an unpatched XP system could be attacked even if an internet browser is not running - just being connected through a wireless or adsl modem may be enough...
References to Linux in other posts are a good idea for those who just want to use the internet/email on an older PC that can't be upgraded to Win 7 or 8 - my favourite is Linux Mint. Remember though, that Linux won't (with some exceptions) run any Windows software, but there are free alternatives that do the job as well if not better.
This makes interesting reading if you want more info - http://blogs.technet.com/b/security/archive/2013/08/15/the-risk-of-running-windows-xp-after-support-ends.aspx
Andy the Senior Geek
-- Edited by Wibbles on Wednesday 19th of March 2014 08:11:41 PM
-- Edited by Wibbles on Wednesday 19th of March 2014 08:31:55 PM
Baz421 said
10:40 PM Mar 19, 2014
Glad you're up and running Dianne.
Well I sadly planned the end of my old XP for ages and last week bought a Toshiba L50-006.
Lucky I did as my old ASUS broke the left hand hinge and sheared the wire connection plug to the screen, very black.
It's the second ASUS skin I used and both broke in the same place.
RIP XP for me now and I like 8.1,,,, having a bit of fun navigating.
_wombat_ said
08:54 AM Mar 21, 2014
Baz421 wrote:
Glad you're up and running Dianne.
Well I sadly planned the end of my old XP for ages and last week bought a Toshiba L50-006.
Lucky I did as my old ASUS broke the left hand hinge and sheared the wire connection plug to the screen, very black.
It's the second ASUS skin I used and both broke in the same place.
RIP XP for me now and I like 8.1,,,, having a bit of fun navigating.
As we had so many offers of help with the computer problem just wanted to give you an update. Stuart used a mixture of all the help and has got to a stage where the computer is usable. Strangely we don't seem (at this stage) to have any data prior to 2009. somebody, but I can't remember who, said as windows dont support the version we have, they won't help us in order to make us purchase an update?
Anyway, we'll keep plodding and yell out if we need to take up your kind offers of help.
Cheers Dianne
That's no different to any other supplier/manufacturer. Try getting parts for a toaster or electric jug. Parts are not available for many cars over 10 years old from the manufacturer, you often have to rely upon the wreckers for parts.
Microsoft is no making you upgrade. You can still use your old system. You just have to rely more on a good anti-virus programme more. Get yourself something Avast, it got the best report amongst the freebys in the last round of tests.
From April this year Microsoft won't be sending out any more updates for XP. Nor will they welcome your phone calls asking for help. They've moved on. We don't have to. The service packs and updates that we've been using for years will still be found on their server and you're quite welcome to continue using them as you've been doing. Microsoft believe that will new technology comes new threats, and sooner or later new threats will invade XP installations. That's why they suggest an upgrade of your operating system to something (8.1) that's both modern and maintainable.
I still have XP. I also have Win 7 and Win 8.1. Because I'm so old fashioned I tend to use the XP device most. So if you want to stick with XP for a while longer, then don't feel threatened.
Saving data to another device is really important to us, so that's next and we'll keep sorted through all the other issues. But it's great to be aware of possibilities. So again, thanks all
Dianne
I agree you can still use Windows XP
I have 2 Anti-virus programs running, both free if you want them to be.
1/ http://www.malwarebytes.org/
2/ http://www.avgfree.com.au/
Keep these 2 up to date and you will be a happy camper
As a computer tech with many years experience I thought I'd provide a little advice for those people planning on using Windows XP after April 8th - it's fine so long as you don't use it online. The problem is that the vulnerabilities that affect Windows Vista, 7 and 8 will most likely also affect XP and because it won't be patched like the more recent operating systems, it is very likely to be attacked.
Bear in mind that when I say 'attacked' I don't mean someone is sitting around looking for your PC to hack into - the hackers have automated 'bots' continually scanning thousands of systems every minute so it isn't an IF.... it's a WHEN your PC will get hit - sooner rather than later.
Also, we aren't talking viruses here - this is browser initiated attacks that will usually go completely unnoticed by your antivirus software, no matter the manufacturer. The malware writers these days aren't interested in wrecking your system, they just want credit card numbers, online banking details (easily stolen by a key logger program) and the like. I have seen so many PCs in my workshop just crippled with malware that are running McAfee/Norton/Trend security suites that have just let the stuff through.
I would even go so far to say that I wouldn't be surprised if an unpatched XP system could be attacked even if an internet browser is not running - just being connected through a wireless or adsl modem may be enough...
References to Linux in other posts are a good idea for those who just want to use the internet/email on an older PC that can't be upgraded to Win 7 or 8 - my favourite is Linux Mint. Remember though, that Linux won't (with some exceptions) run any Windows software, but there are free alternatives that do the job as well if not better.
This makes interesting reading if you want more info - http://blogs.technet.com/b/security/archive/2013/08/15/the-risk-of-running-windows-xp-after-support-ends.aspx
Andy the Senior Geek
-- Edited by Wibbles on Wednesday 19th of March 2014 08:11:41 PM
-- Edited by Wibbles on Wednesday 19th of March 2014 08:31:55 PM
Glad you're up and running Dianne.
Well I sadly planned the end of my old XP for ages and last week bought a Toshiba L50-006.
Lucky I did as my old ASUS broke the left hand hinge and sheared the wire connection plug to the screen, very black.
It's the second ASUS skin I used and both broke in the same place.
RIP XP for me now and I like 8.1,,,, having a bit of fun navigating.
Baz, you need Classic Shell for 8.0 & 8.1 its free http://www.classicshell.net/downloads/
-- Edited by _wombat_ on Friday 21st of March 2014 08:54:37 AM