Non-techie needing advice

molezak

Hi, I've got a 4 year old Fugitsu Siemens with Windows XP Home, Service Pack 2 installed. I use Internet Explorer for browsing, version 6.0. Computer is just for browsing the internet/transferring photos/word processing/emailing. I do also have my own website (on Dreamweaver) if that makes any difference. My questions are:

• Should I Update to Service Pack 3 as recommended by the Microsoft Windows Update site? And if so, how do I 'back-up' my entire system as it suggests?
• Should I upgrade to IE 7? I have no probs with 6, just intrigued to know if things would be better?!

Thanks, Kate

Airwolf1

I would upgrade to IE7, although I'm currently using the Beta of IE8! I would also download SP3, and I'm assuming that you've read up on what SP3 does.

To back up your entire system you'd need software to copy your hard drive, although I would just copy My pictures and My documents onto an external hard drive. There is an add on from the microsoft site for backing up emails, and I would do this too.

Airwolf1

Sorry...am also assuming you do have installation disc of windows just in case.

Marty_J

I would suggest you ditch Internet Explorer and use Firefox instead.

molezak

Right, guess I'd better buy an external hard drive first then! Can you point me in the right direction... I've never bought one before so don't know what I'm looking for. i.e. size/make/price.

Pretty sure I have the original disc, will have to check that one.

As for Firefox, just thought it was 'better the devil you know'! Is there anyway of try before you buy so to speak?

Kate

Marty_J

molezak wrote: »

As for Firefox, just thought it was 'better the devil you know'! Is there anyway of try before you buy so to speak?

Hi Kate, you can just install it and try it out. It's free, and there's no limit to the number of browsers you can have installed on your computer. IE will still be there once you install Firefox.

If you decide you don't like it, you can just uninstall it.

aliEnRIK

molezak wrote: »

Hi, I've got a 4 year old Fugitsu Siemens with Windows XP Home, Service Pack 2 installed. I use Internet Explorer for browsing, version 6.0. Computer is just for browsing the internet/transferring photos/word processing/emailing. I do also have my own website (on Dreamweaver) if that makes any difference. My questions are:

• Should I Update to Service Pack 3 as recommended by the Microsoft Windows Update site? And if so, how do I 'back-up' my entire system as it suggests?
• Should I upgrade to IE 7? I have no probs with 6, just intrigued to know if things would be better?!

Thanks, Kate

I would advise upgrading to service pack 3 ~ as it has all the SECURITY updates that will keep your computer that little bit safer.
I would also advise upgrading to Internet Explorer 7 as its all safer (and better than 6)
As for 'backing up', Personally I never bother. Depends how much you value the data really.
I also agree you should check out firefox ~
http://www.mozilla-europe.org/en/firefox/
when combined with NOSCRIPT ~
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/722
It easily becomes the safest browser around

loyalstokie

I think what they mean by backing up your system is go to Start > Programs > Accessories > Systen Tools > System Restore. Then create a restore point.

Firefox crashes alot less than IE and most sites are compatable with it now.

Airwolf1

No, by backing up we mean connect an external hard drive to a USB port on the PC and click and drag contents over, hence a back up.

I don't use Firefox, IE has worked fine for me. If it ain't broke...don't fix it ;-)

External hard drives http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1726938704.1223313902@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccfdadefgfilhgicflgceggdhhmdgmk.0&page=ProductList&category_oid=-32889&show_all=true

Marty_J

Airwolf1 wrote: »

I don't use Firefox, IE has worked fine for me. If it ain't broke...don't fix it ;-)

Never been tempted to see what all the fuss is about?

molezak

Great, thanks for all your advice guys.... I haven't got exactly really important data as such just stuff that would be a total pain in the a** to lose and of course photos but they're already backed-up on cds anyway. It was more of a worry that the computer would crash mid-update and I would lose the important bits and bobs that busy themselves while I am blissfully unaware tapping away.

Think I'll invest in an external hard drive. As for the browser, I think I'm too curious not to try Firefox (far too curious for my own good most of the time ), and if I can uninstall if fear sets in.... it's all good...

Thanks again,
Katie