Your advice needed re: end of Windows XP support...what to do?

Automatic Washer - The world's coolest Washing Machines, Dryers and Dishwashers

Help Support :

I am surprised that a security package could lock-out a hard-disk from usage under normal circumstances. Unless there is an encryption option, that is. 

 

I've kept an eye on the discussion boards at MSFN lately, and the only "update issue" noted has been that Microsoft released a dodgy Security Certificate Update that was later revoked. 

AFAIK, M$ also "pledged" to keep activation servers open indefinitely, although how long that lasts is beyond me. So, without hacks, if this happens Windows 2000 (and the POS line) will be the last OS's to be 'free to use' after support ends. What a shame... Its not like they'd be a problem into the future either, with the developments in software and hardware!!!
 
@arbilab: this may have happened to me

Two nights ago my computer would barely boot up, kept freezing, and clearly something was wrong. I thought maybe a post-XP virus. I tried System Restore to pre-April 7 and it wouldn't work. In desperation, I tried a Restore day of mid-March and it worked, now the computer works good as new. I'm having trouble removing Security Essentials, but I have turned down the update/scan function to once a week (at 3 am when I will have the computer turned off). Avast! is running, does not seem to crash/burn just because I could not remove Security Essentials, and the machine is running as good as new. I need a few days off from work to do back up, then run the Win 7 upgrade and reinstall everything.

The system is a 3 Ghz dual-processor/3 GB RAM Dell system from 2009. I am not a gamer, I just use internet/mail/Office/streaming video. The video card lacks a HD output, but this is not a deal breaker since I have a 50" smart LED tv and can stream in HD there (the 24" monitor IS HD, has a DVI input, but there is no HD output on the computer, just VGA---I did not understand when I ordered in 2009 that I needed an HD output to fully enjoy an HD monitor---the monitor was offered as an upgrade option--mainly because it was bigger--- on Dell's build it yourself site, without warning me that an upgraded video card with HD output was needed to enjoy full HD).

The system works perfectly for my needs. Since I am going from 32-bit XP to 64-bit 7, I might consider upgrading RAM to 4 GB, which is the max it holds. Crucial.com will sell you a single 2 GB piece so you can remove the 1 GB module while keeping the other original 2 GB module. This is a $32 upgrade. I know the upgrade will mean a lot of work, but I can't see throwing out a perfectly good computer. If I needed it at a second location, then I might just upgrade it and buy a new Win 7 model for home with HD, but I have all the computers I need at work.

PS to keep Security Essentials from starting up, I used CC Cleaner's start-up edit list to remove SE from the list of programs that start when the computer boots up. This move is working: Avast! starts with boot up, SE stays off (no icon in the lower right corner tray. There is a built in Windows command to edit this list, but I prefer the CC version because it's sortable by column, you can alphabetize the program if looking for a program by name, or you can sort by yes/no status (yes = start at boot up) if you are trying to find a program you want to turn off (or on). My "yes" list is much smaller than my "no" list.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top