The Digital Surgery (computer questions/problems here)

[buksida]

I would avoid anything from Baidu, it comes with a load of malware.

[richard]

Can't recall the number of times I've removed it cos of the crap it brings with it

[Pleng]

If you're using (genuine) Windows then download Microsoft Security Essentials. It's the least intrusive anti-virus/malware and it's free.

[hhfarang]

Thanks Pleng, I am using a genuine "paid for" windows, but it is XP Pro, which I think will no longer be supported starting in a couple of months, which probably means no updates to MS Security Essentials for XP as well. Before the bashing starts, I have Windows 7 on a netbook and like XP better and from what I've seen Windows 8 is only liked by people with pads... not very good for a desktop.

[Pleng]

Windows 8 is fine on a desktop, it's no different from Windows 7, really.
So that being said, if you prefer XP to 7, you'll prefer it to Win8.

If XP works for you then that's great, but as you said it's unsupported now. Do you prefer XP over 7 enough to deal with an unsupported OS? I'm guessing you like XP mostly because of it's familiarity. If you're that far into your comfort zone then you'll never learn to like Windows 7. If you installed it on your main machine you'd probably get used to it pretty quickly, something that you'll never be able to do with the alien Windows 7 on the "other" computer.

Anyway, what is it you prefer about XP? There's no real differences between it and Windows 7 other than Windows 7 looks a bit different and is about 200 times more secure. You can even make Win7 *look* like XP if you really want...

[PET]

I would avoid anything from Baidu, it comes with a load of malware.

If one were to just install a single Antivirus that does cause problems what would you suggest - either free of paid?

[buksida]

If one were to just install a single Antivirus that does cause problems what would you suggest - either free of paid?

You need both, antivirus and anti malware software.

I have been using the following and haven't had a problem for years ...

Avast Antivirus Free
Spybot SD 2
Firefox

[Big Boy]

I know it doesn't every machine at the same time, but the Avast problem with Expat TV seems to be a sort of creeping death. Are you still able to use Expat TV without problems?

[hhfarang]

Windows 8 is fine on a desktop, it's no different from Windows 7, really.
So that being said, if you prefer XP to 7, you'll prefer it to Win8.

If XP works for you then that's great, but as you said it's unsupported now. Do you prefer XP over 7 enough to deal with an unsupported OS? I'm guessing you like XP mostly because of it's familiarity. If you're that far into your comfort zone then you'll never learn to like Windows 7. If you installed it on your main machine you'd probably get used to it pretty quickly, something that you'll never be able to do with the alien Windows 7 on the "other" computer.

Anyway, what is it you prefer about XP? There's no real differences between it and Windows 7 other than Windows 7 looks a bit different and is about 200 times more secure. You can even make Win7 *look* like XP if you really want...

The main reason I paid $250 for XP (had an even older one) was because I was on a plane and saw the guy in the seat next to me viewing photos with "filmstrip" view. I liked that and bought XP mainly for that as I have about 100k photos stored on my machine and other than news and forums most of the time I spend is looking at, and manipulating my photos. That "filmstrip" view went away with Windows 7. If you Google it properly, you'll find that removing that function was one of the main reasons photographers stayed with XP or don't like later versions.

[caller]

Spybot SD 2

I'm currently using an older version, so I thought I'd update to the above, but what do I actually download? As after clicking on the free version, I get lots of further main mirror, ad free 1, 2 and 3 and then further mirror selections to choose form and I'm at a loss! I'd appreciate some further advice please.

Thanks

http://www.safer-networking.org/mirrors/

[buksida]

I know it doesn't every machine at the same time, but the Avast problem with Expat TV seems to be a sort of creeping death. Are you still able to use Expat TV without problems?

No problem here with those two, the only issues I have are when my crapola TOT connection decides to disconnect itself, which it does frequently.

Caller, download this: http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Sp ... 43809773/1

[caller]

Cheers Buksi, I'll do that in the morning!

[Pleng]

The main reason I paid $250 for XP (had an even older one) was because I was on a plane and saw the guy in the seat next to me viewing photos with "filmstrip" view. I liked that and bought XP mainly for that as I have about 100k photos stored on my machine and other than news and forums most of the time I spend is looking at, and manipulating my photos. That "filmstrip" view went away with Windows 7. If you Google it properly, you'll find that removing that function was one of the main reasons photographers stayed with XP or don't like later versions.

Should have come to me. I'd have knocked you up a program that mimics filmstrip view for half the price - or gotten you a much better deal on an XP licence

. If it's such a popular view I'm surprised that there isn't software out there already that does the same thing?

[musungu]

Just a thought, but are you using Avast? If you are, try disabling it for 10 minutes to see if it makes any difference. I've had to uninstall it for several friends, and I disable mine before using the laptop to watch TV.

BB
I have installed Avast ( yesterday ) and I also use Expattv and 365Sporttv, so I am a little concerned about your problems attributed to Avast. So far both of these TV stations have worked as usual for me with no obvious problem - what may I expect although I see that Buksi has never had problems - i use 3BB basic package.

[Big Boy]

It doesn't happen to everybody, and it doesn't happen at the same time, if at all. The first indication I had was Avast took a sudden dislike to Expat TV, and totally disabled it (would no longer work with or without Avast being active). I overcame this problem by uninstalling and re-installing Expat TV. This has happened to both Expat TV and 365 Sport several times since.

Several friends came to me with similar problems. I tried the same fix for them, but neither system would work for more than about 4 minutes before freezing. For friends, I uninstalled Avast and installed AVG. Their problems have now gone away.

I am now at the, 'system would work for more than about 4 minutes before freezing' stage. I usually use an Android Box, so its not such a big problem for me. On the rare occasions I need to use my laptop for Expat TV or 365 Sport, I simply make sure nothing else is running, and disable Avast for the duration.