[Inactive] I get redirected ,unable to set homepage

[WOODSY0]

Hoov where do you want me to post the 8 to 9 questions I have?

[Hoov]

Go ahead and ask them here.

[WOODSY0]

Cool Beans, The service pack disks, do they need to be made any specific way? Can I load other updates on disk similar to the SP1 and 2"s?

What devices do i have to disconnect, prior to install? The folder Printers and devices show an XPS document writer, and a Fax machine, neither of which are physically present. The Webcam cannot be uninstalled.
 
What do you think of Avira software security, the detectives recommended it, it's free for Home use.

Do you recommend an additional  firewall in lieu of windows firewall?

What can I do once I'm completed with install and up dates, to disable the things like NetBios,blah, blah blha, to prevent loopholes in my system that could be exploited? Can you think of a tutorial link or checklist covering the disabling items like windows media player, "The fax", remote desktop access, file sharing, and such., Prior to loggging on.

What do you think of me getting a static IP addres- it was suggested by the cops?

Should I still plan on getting the wireless router as you mentioned, to hardne the eggshell?
 I ahve a couple more
 

[WOODSY0]

Is ther any merit in installing windows XP (a valid copy) vs Vista.

What typpe of food or Booze do you like?

It looks realitively cheap to purchase a 250 GB (with a higher RPM) or higher Hard drive ? Will I see a decernable difference in performance?
 
May I use the current Sysinternals disk that I just made with Vista?
 
If I do need to by the wireless router as you mentioned what specs do I need to look for maximizing it's utility? By that I mean I saw 3 color code levels for Sun Micro System equipment, how critical are the differences? Primary purpose for my computer use is streaming audio, videoa and news research.

[Hoov]

About other updates, I have not had much luck with doing that, so I do the Service packs on a disk, and then just do windows updates for the rest. As for burning the CD's, all you need to do is burn the file to a CD just like any other file.

As for disconnecting devices, just external devices. Printers and the like. If the device is in the computer, or is a virtual one, don't worry about it.

About Avira, some folks like it, some don't. I have never used it, so I can't say either way. I use AVG, and there is a free version. Whichever one you can use is better than the best one that you can't.

About additional firewalls, yes I recommend one. Either a hardware firewall, or at least a software one.

About some list to secure windows, I don't know of one. TO much of it is subjective. One person will tell you to do it, and another will say you can leave it running. If you have a good firewall and set it up properly and use it, then the basic windows install is good.

About the Static IP address, I cannot believe anyone suggested that as a security precaution. It makes your computer a stationary target. Using a dynamic IP means no one knows for sure where you will be at.

The wireless router will help, especially if you secure the wireless connection. And if you get one with a firewall on it, then you can live with just the windows firewall if you want.

[Hoov]

Is ther any merit in installing windows XP (a valid copy) vs Vista.

What typpe of food or Booze do you like?

It looks realitively cheap to purchase a 250 GB (with a higher RPM) or higher Hard drive ? Will I see a decernable difference in performance?
 
May I use the current Sysinternals disk that I just made with Vista?
 
If I do need to by the wireless router as you mentioned what specs do I need to look for maximizing it's utility? By that I mean I saw 3 color code levels for Sun Micro System equipment, how critical are the differences? Primary purpose for my computer use is streaming audio, videoa and news research.

About the version of windows. I have gotten used to Vista, so I would say no.

About the food / booze  Salty foods, meat, cheese, and for booze, I prefer Crown Royal, and for Beer, Fosters. Unfortunately because of my medical condition, everyone of those things are on my barely consume list.

About the disk drive, it depends on the drive you have, and the one you want. If the seek time is shorter, cache is higher then it may be. There is a point at where it doesn't matter. If the computer cannot deal with it, then the faster drive will not matter.

About Sysinternals, yes.

About the router, just make sure its as fast as your wireless connection is. I am not familiar with Sun's ratings. I got a good solid Linksys wireless router, and it works good.

[WOODSY0]

 The reason the cyber detective suggested the static IP was to make me a more alluring target to draw out the culprit. When I think of it, It might prompt a curious intruder into making a bad decision. 
 Is AVG seperatye form super anti spyware? And Is the AVG you mentioned freeware?
 I get the message on the idiot-proofing. and I agree. I'm just trying to prevent stuff like my computer inviting another computer to connect with me unknowingly ports, 135. 137 138, asnd then 139.
 Copy you on the balance of that post.

Returning to that version 4 netbios over TCP/IP - until i start the vista install, should I check Disable netbios over TCP/IP or leave it since it's windows 7 and we're unfamilar with it?

[Hoov]

While you are using windows 7, I would just let it go. Because other than following the directions to turn it off, I have no clue.

Superantispyware and AVG are separate companies and software. Both are good. As for free, yes AVG has a free version.

http://free.avg.com/us-en/homepage

Just make sure you get the free one, and not the free Premium version via TrialPay.

There are two sites I am going to recommend that you check out. Both have helped me in the past with securing my system, and I continue to use them for reference.

http://www.grc.com/intro.htm

http://www.blackviper.com/

Black Vipers site is about the services that are running. Be careful with those. Make sure you are doing what you mean to do. And GRC is about security and locking down your computer.

[WOODSY0]

Thanks for the reminder, I was starting to check processes (i think) early last week and forgot about it. It's a interesting site. And I usually don't go erasing or changing things unless I can afford the mistake, and am directed by someone like you to do it.

[WOODSY0]

Attached is a sniping of the degradation I was experiencing. 

http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7install/thread/1d652365-4d3b-45c9-a712-cc3101ffb71f
 
I guess thisthread answers my qusetion that Microsoft tech support danced around the last day and a half.

Here are links to 3 of the major problems I was having with Windows &7.

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-malware-defense

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/forums/en-US/itprovistahardware/thread/d5f38918-d11b-45c4-861d-b53aa3dbdaed


http://www.vitalsecurity.org/2009/12/vista-update-deletes-my-images-folder.html

I have this problem on my second computer. the desktop icons are slowly getting smaller and smaller.

[Hoov]

The first link has to do with upgrades, not clean installs. That is why I always recommend backing up the data, formatting and doing a clean install of the newer OS.

Malware Defense is a different critter than the Windows Defender, or am I misunderstanding the second link?

The third link is a problem, but if you are reinstalling windows, you will probably not have to worry about this.

And for the last one, have you checked your screen resolution?  I have seen screen resolutions get changed by windows updates.

[WOODSY0]

On the second link I inadvertently downloaded software (malware) form a site that claimedto be Anti- Malwarebytes and it was bogus.

The diisk I was told to purchase by the software person at Home "despot" said I needed the Upgrade version of windows 7 So I did a clean "custom install" and then an upgrade.

According to what I've read my dell Inspiron 1525 is not Windows 7 compatible despite passing the compatability test.  That's why I have that 1393 driver issue.

I will check my updates but they're are not working for some reason- another "minor" issue with windows 7 and my Dell.

[Hoov]

WOODSY0, have you managed to get your system straightened out?

[WOODSY0]

no

[WOODSY0]

I have run DBAN successfully, and loaded Vista. I keep getting these weird Desktop.ini icons that contain  a text file %System Root%\System32\shell\32.dll- 21769

amd You asked me about a devices connected to my commputer, well I show an unknown device hardware profile device enabled to be docked in all system services, under properties and the log-in tab. I also found infrared devices in device manager.