Replies

Like Ken, the only time I have ever done a Windows re-install was after deliberately crashing a computer in an attempt to solve a problem. Before I start fiddling with any computer, mine or anyone else’s, I always do an image backup.
What programs are booting up when you start your computer? A great program for finding out is Winpatrol ( http://www.winpatrol.com ). It will show which programs are in the boot sequence, and allows you to disable the ones you don’t really need. Apart from the necessary Windows services, the only things that start up on my computer are anti-virus, firewall, sound control, date/time and Snagit. All other programs are accessed by shortcuts on the task bar when needed.
My windows font folder only has 10 fonts in it. All other fonts are in a seperate folder for use when needed. My tests on defragging and optimising the HDD showed no difference in boot time or performance. Likewise registry cleaning and defragging showed no speed increase.
Temporary internet file cleaning on a friends computer removed over 5Gbs of temp files and did improve her internet experience.

Not sure what type of cleaning you did, but is the date correct in the BIOS ? If it is wrong, Windows sometimes will not let you reset it.

All that type of program does is remove all Windows temporary files, temporary IE files,redundant registry files,and empties the recycle bin, and some will defragment the hdd. The so-called speed up can be measured in milli-seconds. Windows built in disk cleaner and defragger do just as good a job, as does the free CCleaner. Cleaning up is only useful if you are constantly writing and deleting files on a regular basis, otherwise once every couple of weeks is all you need. As for defragging, maybe a couple of times a year just to keep the hdd tidy.
Most of the “free” programs will always tell you that you still have problems, in the hope that you will buy the so-called “Pro” version. I have tested just about all of those programs and found them not worth the money.

Sample files for Dos 6 and Win 3.1
autoexec.bat:

@ECHO OFF
SET LMOUSE=C:MOUSE
LH C:DOSKEYBOARD.SYS
LH C:DOSMSCDEX.EXE /D:MSCD001 /M:10
LH C:WINDOWSSMARTDRV.EXE /L C- D- 1024 512
SET BLASTER=A220 I7 D1 T4
SET GALAXY = A220 I7 D1 K2 P530 T6
SET SOUND = C:SGPRO16
PROMPT $P$G
PATH=C:WINDOWS;C:;C:DOS;C:PKWARE;C:FPROT
SET TEMP=D:TEMP
C:MOUSEMOUSE.EXE
WIN

config.sys:

DEVICE=C:DOSHIMEM.SYS
DEVICE=C:DOSANSI.SYS
C:DOSCOUNTRY.SYS
FILES=100
BUFFERS=10
DOS=HIGH,UMB
DEVICEHIGH=C:DOSCD-ROMMTMCDAE.SYS /X /D:MSCD001 /P:300 /A:0 /M:20 /T:5 /I:10
DEVICE=C:WINDOWSIFSHLP.SYS
SHELL=C:DOSCOMMAND.COM C:DOS /p
LASTDRIVE=G

Memory was controlled by running Memmaker

Preserving XP for future installation.
The best way is to use two programs: Wsus to download all the XP updates : nlite to integrate all the updates and your drivers into your XP installation CD.
This will take a couple of hours. nlite can set-up an unattended installation as well. Once nlite has completed its job, simply burn the new XP installer to CD/DVD.
Another good free disk imager is “aoemi backerupper” (site:http://www.backup-utility.com/free-backup-software.html‎). It creates either a Linux based bootable CD or
a Win 7 PE based CD. The Linux one is fairly limited. To create the WinPE CD you will need a computer with at least Win 7 installed, and the Windows WAIK .
This creates an exceptional “backer-upper” with a simple interface.

Kaiserbass. I have been using this system for some years now to convert VHS and camcorder tapes into dvds with excellent results. The kit cost me $47au. It comes with the required cables and an installation disc. Simple to set up, and very effective.

I use Mozbackup for both Tbird and Fox..Another program I recommend is mbox2xml..This program saves all your Tbird emails in an excellent html format which you can view in any browser..This then allows you to clean up your inbox, etc, and saves a lot of disk space. I have all my emails as far back as 2002 stored on a dvd

I will be staying with Xp as I only spend about 10 hours per week on the computer..a 10yr old generic breed, and can’t justify the expense of upgrading the computer,and accessories. I have used windows offline downloader to download all the latest updates, used nlite to integrate them into XP Pro CD. Will probably download the next round early in April and do the same thing. All my docs, music and photos are stored on an external hdd. The only things on my internal drive are Xp and my programs. I won’t be using XP for the internet when support ceases. I disconnected hdd ,inserted another one and installed Ubuntu on it. I then bought a rackmount system with two slide-in slide out trays,($40au), and fitted the hdds to them. Depending on whether I want to write docs, or go on the net, it is simply a matter of swapping trays.

Had the same problem when I installed a second DVD R/W. After some time trying to get it to work, removed it and replaced it with a DVD read only.
No more problems. XP would not handle 2 R/Ws.

Fooman

addendum: Downloaded both winxdvd and dvdflick . Winxdvd simple and did a good job of converting six mp4s to vob ready to burn to dvd. Dvdflick is a bit complicated -will have to try it out again later. Also tried Divx , which is listed as free, but only for 15 days – uninstalled it. Finalmediaplayer is excellent.

My son uses either winx-dvd-author from http://www.winxdvd.com or dvdflick from http://www.divx.com both are free programs . I haven’t used them, but son reckons they are great.
A good free viewer is Finalmediaplayer available from http://www.finalmediaplayer.com

This scam has been doing the rounds in Australia for quite a while. The caller claims to be from Microsoft, or either of our main telcos – Telstra or Optus. Several weeks ago my wife handed me the phone saying that the caller reckoned she had a problem with her computer. When I asked him what was wrong with it, he said it had some viruses and malware on it. I said “Oh sh..t,what are they and how bad is it”. He then, rattled off a list of backdoors, trojans, and viruses. I then acted in a panic mode and asked for details of each one. It took maybe 10 minutes of me questioning him. Then I asked him how to fix it. I was told to immediately go to a certain site, download and install the cleaner program at a cost equivalent to $US45. I told him that that would be a bit difficult as my car was in for a service. He wanted to know what the car had to do with fixing a computer. So I told him I needed it to go and buy my wife a computer, as she didn’t have one. I think the phone line melted with his comments I assume he was on an international call, so it would have cost him a lot more than the program he wanted me to buy.

Is XP the best OS? It depends on what you want to do with your computer. Are you a casual home user or full on productive user? I have been using XPPRO since it was first available, and with all the updates and a few freeware tweaks, have no problems with it. It is my main daily OS. I am experimenting with Win7, and get quite frustrated with it at times, when it won’t let me do things my way. I thought about a dual-boot system, but after reading of the problems associated with that, I went to a rack mount system, whereby I simply change the hard drives over depending on which OS I want to run. Win7 does have a steeper learning curve, but, with modifications, may turn out as easy to use as XP. Price wise, Win8 is out of my bracket.

This old bloke no longer supports any “yearly” subscription services. Still running XPPro. Office 97, which does all I need, Word, Access, Excel and PPoint. Running old versions of programs, which have now decided to charge a yearly fee to upgrade, without any problems. MS Office has become too big, bloated and expensive for the majority of computer users. There are free single programs, without the bloatwear, available if a person only wants a word or excel clone. Not everyone is running a multi-national corporation

As good as it is, CCleaner will miss some registry details. When I have problems doing a complete uninstall, I first look for any left over folders. They could be in “Programs” or tucked a way in “Documents and Folders”. After deleting them, I run “Registrar Registry Manager’ – freebee from Resplendence – and search for left-over registry entries. This program is fantastic. It will find whatever has been left behind, and you can then safely remove the bits. Eg. Norton is one of the hardest programs to completely remove. It tucks files away in at least three places on the hdd, and, even using the Norton uninstaller, will leave more than 1 hundred bits in the registry. Registrar Manager found all of them. Can highly recommend even for a novice.