Tech Support Guy banner
Cancel

What's best software for maintaining XP?

1036 Views 9 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  lunarlander, 
linsjean
A friend of mine has XP. I know MS has stopped supporting updates, or have they?

What is the best anti-virus to use for this OS?

I think he uses Microsoft Essentials, but when I click update, the progress bar stops about half way, won't finish.

He uses Chrome as his browser.

He is a roommate and lives out near the backyard in a room that is attached to our garage. So he bought a repeater extender and it did boost the range of my router so he can get online, but it's a weak signal.

If he uses my router to get online, is there a chance this will cause problems with my computer?

What are some good tips he can use to keep his XP OS running healthy and faster?

Thanks!
Save
Like
Status
Not open for further replies.
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
flavallee
Let's get a description of his computer.

Download and save the TSG System Information Utility (SysInfo.exe) to the desktop.

After it's been downloaded and saved, double-click it to run it.

Information about your computer will appear.

Return here to your thread, then copy-and-paste the ENTIRE text here.

------------------------------------------------------------

Let's see what's installed and running in his computer, and if any obvious issues need to be addressed.

Go here and click the large green "Download" button to download and save HiJackThis 2.0.5 (HijackThis.exe) to your desktop.

After it's been downloaded and saved, close all open windows.

Double-click it and allow its main window to load.

Uncheck "Do not show this window when I start HiJackThis".

Click "Do a system scan and save a log file".

When the scan is finished in 30 - 60 seconds, a log file will appear.

Save that log file.

Return here to your thread, then copy-and-paste the ENTIRE log file here.

------------------------------------------------------------
See less See more
Save
Like
flavallee
A friend of mine has XP. I know MS has stopped supporting updates, or have they?

What is the best anti-virus to use for this OS?

I think he uses Microsoft Essentials, but when I click update, the progress bar stops about half way, won't finish.
Click to expand...
If Microsoft Security Essentials won't update its definition files via its update feature, use Windows Update to get it.

Load the Windows Update main window, then select the custom scan option.

When the scan is finished, select the definition update to download and install.

--------------------------------------------------------------

I have a Windows XP Professional SP3 "test machine" that's running Panda Free Antivirus 2015 (15.0.1).

It's light-weight and basically "install it and then forget about it", so it's something that he might consider.

Just make sure that MSE is uninstalled first.

--------------------------------------------------------------
See less See more
Save
Like
lunarlander
If he uses my router to get online, is there a chance this will cause problems with my computer?

What are some good tips he can use to keep his XP OS running healthy and faster?
Click to expand...
There is a slight chance that if his machine gets infected, that it will attack your machine too. If your router has a true DMZ, (which provides a separate ethernet jack for it ) then you should insert the extender access point in there.

Don't go for anything that promises to make Windows faster. They will attempt to clean out the registry and cause a lot of problems. The registry does NOT need cleaning. There is no way that a 3rd party software can claim to know what a registry entry is for, since they didn't write the software that made the entry.

If the machine starts to run slowly all of a sudden, then start MSCONFIG and look in the Startup Tab. In there it lists all the programs that startup automatically when you login. The slow down is caused by running too many programs. You can un-checkmark the ones that serve no purpose leaving just the antivirus and firewall checkmarked.
Save
Like
linsjean
Lunarlander Thanks for your response. I do not have a place in my router to plug in this NetGear Extender into. I could plug it into a power strip in my wall, but I do not see a way to plug the thing into my router, for those are port holes for my router to my modem and yes it does have a blue ethernet cord, but this thing, is just a two-prong device. So any other ideas where I should plug it into or should I tell the roommate, that I may be in jeopardy by him using my internet to tap in from my router?

I will plug it back in, into where there's a room closer to his attached room outside, but please tell me more. I do not want to ruin my OS and I could just tell him to buy his own internet service.

Whatcha think?

Thanks
Save
Like
lunarlander
One thing I would suggest for XP users is to use Sandboxie. It creates a folder and makes the browser think that that is the full hard drive. And anything that infects the browser will only get written to this folder, which can be wiped automatically when one exits the browser. Sandboxie is located here: http://www.sandboxie.com/ Browser are a primary vector of attack because everyone uses them to reach the net.

What version of Windows are you running? You say the roommate is using XP.
Save
Like
linsjean
I am running Windows 7. I went into his room and can't even get online in there. It is recognizing my network _EXT but it won't accept my password. He says he can get online and I'm not familiar with the way he does it and I can barely reach him face to face. Have to keep writing him notes. I will send another email to him since he says he is now getting his email. And I gave him the link to all the directions previously posted here but he works full time and then is gone for the weekends. If he has his receipt, he can return that extender and not jeopardize my laptop here.
Save
Like
lunarlander
If your router have a guest network feature, then have him use that when using your router. Though I am not 100% sure of what the specific protection it offers, it should prevent your guests from accessing other computers in the network. Eg. DLink DIR 880L .
Save
Like
linsjean
lunarlander Wow, I don't know what DLink DIR 880L means. I can't find a place where it's giving me an option to have a guest login on my Belkin router. I worry about two things. He has XP which is no longer supported and 2) he is not updating anything or running his MSE antivirus program and he goes all over the internet, so pretty soon, if I don't connect with him in person, I will have no option except to have him get his own Internet service.

Thanks for your additional input.
Save
Like
lunarlander
Getting your friend to buy his own internet is the best option.

There is a hack which one can do yourself to modify XP to look like a POSReady Windows version, which still receives support updates. It is said that that version of Windows has the same core as XP.

http://www.ghacks.net/2014/05/24/get-security-updates-windows-xp-april-2019/

The best thing if you want to try that out, is to make an image of the hard drive first. Free software to do so here: http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx

It is also good security to have an image made regardless, as an XP user cannot predict when a fatal attack might take place.
Save
Like
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
Status
Not open for further replies.
Tech Support Guy
A forum community dedicated to tech experts and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about articles, computer security, Mac, Microsoft, Linux, hardware, networking, gaming, reviews, accessories, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Hardware Virus & Other Malware Removal Off Topic Lounge Thread Games & Discussion Networking
Top