The Underscore Archives

Chris Brock wrote:

> Im sadly running an old PC with windows millenium on it for web
> surfing at moment but soon to be on tiscali and have a spare oldish PC
> that needs an operating system on it. Where is the best place to buy a
> Windows XP disk, and what is the best version to go for.
> 
> ie , XP, XP Home, XP upgrade, and all the sp2 packs, xp professional??
> (im not particularly into Linux thing, and dont have that
> knowledge+time)

Unless you have a specific reason for going Pro (and I'd guess not!) 
then XP Home will do you just fine. Make sure you do two things:

1) Buy a legit copy! There are LOADS of cracks floating around the likes 
of ebay. For a full legal copy of XP Home expect to pay around £50 +VAT 
for the OEM version. The OEM version is perfectly safe for you to buy, 
is legal, comes with its own key, can be upgraded online, etc. Here's an 
example place to buy it:

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/114048/rb/27569439268

Buy it via Google Checkout and you'll even get £10 off.

My recommendation is don't try and upgrade the old Windows ME with XP. 
If you can afford it, buy a new hard drive specifically for your new 
operating system and install XP from scratch on it, then stick the old 
hard drive (with ME on) back in and copy over the files you want to 
keep. If that isn't an option then a bit of software like Acronis Easy 
Migrate could save you mucho hassle.

> also are free firewalls like OUTPOST? and virus software AVG? still
> good ways of protecting a broadband PC

The best way would be to use a router that has a built-in firewall. Most 
do these days. I use the Netgear Wireless ADSL Modem/Routers which have 
built-in hubs (4 port). Easy to set-up, easy to use. Have two of them 
and never a problem. Had a Linksys too, but had hell with it - your 
mileage will vary though! Use the firewall in the router as your main 
line of defence, then use Windows Firewall (which comes with XP) as your 
second. Windows Defender will protect against spyware and malware which 
only leaves anti-virus for you to sort out, and the best there is is 
NOD32 by Eset systems (www.nod32.co.uk). A lot of people on this list 
will swear by it. Fast, tiny memory footprint, doesn't hog your PC down, 
and best catches viruses no matter how they come into your PC.

> Im not fond of PC WORLD but their prices seem pretty good?

When it comes down to branded products like XP, a hard drive or a 
router, then it's just a matter of price - and if PC World can do a good 
price there is no reason not to use them. When you should steer clear of 
PC World is when you plan on buying a PC from them, but that isn't the 
case here.

Cheers,

Rich
-- 
Zend Certified Engineer
http://www.corephp.co.uk

"Never trust a computer you can't throw out of a window"