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Help needed in getting a new computer.

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  • albertross_2
    albertross_2 Posts: 8,932 Forumite
    Did it reset to an early version of XP? If so, please check that you have an icon in Control Panel called Security Center.. If that is not there, you are running an early version of XP that is prone to loads of automatic virus infections. Run Windows update to cure it.., it will upgrade to XP SP2 (service pack 2) and subsequent patches. If you plug an early version of XP into the internet, you'll probably get infected in minutes.

    The light flashing is probably the disk drive being accessed, it shouldn't flash continously when you aren't doing anything. If it does it, could be lack of RAM, a rogue program/spyware/virus, bad configuration, or someone on the other side of the world picking up your music downloads from your PC.. (this is how Limewire works). Does it still flash when you are not connected to the internet?

    If you are downloading copyrighted music,software or films, it's illegal. You can get some free music etc.. but everything that you can buy in a shop is protected by copyright.. (I apologise to your son if this causes a clampdown!).

    The wireless router is just a different box that goes between your PC and the phone line, and it will enable you to surf on your laptop from a different room, the garden etc.. It is fairly straightforward to setup, you just save your internet account name and password in the setup screen, and it should work.. But, to make it secure from your neighbours, you need to go through a 10 minute checklist which sounds complicated, but is straighforward if you just work through it. Search for my earlier posts for a short guide, or the internet for a more complete guide.
    Ever get the feeling you are wasting your time? :rolleyes:
  • gizmoleeds
    gizmoleeds Posts: 2,232 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    GIRLPOWER wrote:
    And I have not got a clue what you mean about wireless routers will have to get someone in..
    As this is a money-saving website I feel I must intervene here - you do not need to get someone in for every little thing!

    People ask here about routers all the time, and many equally-novice users set them up using the instruction manuals plus help from MSE!

    Basically what you would buy is a "wireless modem router" - this would basically replace your current modem, and does exactly the same job exact it allows several computers to be attached (some wirelessly) and also links them to each other (so a printer on one can be used by someone on the other for example).

    Your laptop would then need a wireless access card - this slots into the side and allows it to link to the router.

    For your PC you would just need a cable. Read this post here which was for somone in exactly the same situation:
    [post]1143845[/post]

    Ignore the part about needing an ethernet card, as Dells will all come with an ethernet port.
  • GIRLPOWER_2
    GIRLPOWER_2 Posts: 1,382 Forumite
    Have checked on the control panel..(scary place) and there is a little icon in the shape of a shield with secuirty centre under it.. I clicked on it and it says..

    Firewall... off
    Automatic updates...off
    virus protection... on

    at the right of the tool bar when i shaddow over the little icons they say...

    tesco broadband.. connected.
    spygate personal firewall..normal
    avast! virus recovery database (VRDB)generator
    avast! on access scanner: 7 providers total, 6 running.
    speedtouch ADSL modem
    safely remove hardware
    SIS utility tray
    Synaptics touchpad
    sound effect

    most of these have been put on by the guy who services the computer...

    Can I ask and be a further pain.. if I (and I will attempt it myself) to put a wireless router on and my son is on this laptop in his bedroom on a music site and I am on the net down stairs on the new one... can they access my computer as well or just his??? Hope you know what I mean as I am sure I make no sense.
  • GIRLPOWER_2
    GIRLPOWER_2 Posts: 1,382 Forumite
    gizmoleeds wrote:
    As this is a money-saving website I feel I must intervene here - you do not need to get someone in for every little thing!

    People ask here about routers all the time, and many equally-novice users set them up using the instruction manuals plus help from MSE!

    Basically what you would buy is a "wireless modem router" - this would basically replace your current modem, and does exactly the same job exact it allows several computers to be attached (some wirelessly) and also links them to each other (so a printer on one can be used by someone on the other for example).

    Your laptop would then need a wireless access card - this slots into the side and allows it to link to the router.

    For your PC you would just need a cable. Read this post here which was for somone in exactly the same situation:
    [post]1143845[/post]

    Ignore the part about needing an ethernet card, as Dells will all come with an ethernet port.

    You are quite right and I will attempt it myself... I will await the installation of the dell computer they said about 2 weeks.. take my laptop to a shop and ask them to provide me with what I need and stand by for the help questions.
  • albertross_2
    albertross_2 Posts: 8,932 Forumite
    Well that's good and bad news, you are fairly well patched, but all the protection is turned off.

    I suggest that you turn the firewall and automatic updates on now..!!!!

    Then change the windows update time to 6pm, and leave it switched on, so that it gets updated..

    Enabling firewall and updates is very important..
    Ever get the feeling you are wasting your time? :rolleyes:
  • GIRLPOWER_2
    GIRLPOWER_2 Posts: 1,382 Forumite
    albertross wrote:
    Well that's good and bad news, you are fairly well patched, but all the protection is turned off.

    I suggest that you turn the firewall and automatic updates on now..!!!!

    Then change the windows update time to 6pm, and leave it switched on, so that it gets updated..

    Enabling firewall and updates is very important..

    OMG!!!!!
    on route to the scary control pannel... stand by....
  • albertross_2
    albertross_2 Posts: 8,932 Forumite
    Sorry, just noticed that you have the sygate (spygate?) firewall instead, which replaces the built in XP firewall, so turning this on as well is probably not needed.. The windows updates should be on though.

    The routers are cheaper on the web, if you go to Curry's/PC world etc.. ask them to match their own web prices, as it was £40 cheaper last time I looked..

    Don't let them con you into buying a superfast 108Mb router, a 54 is fast enough and cheaper..

    Also, your laptop may already have a wireless card built in, what model is it, what processor?
    Ever get the feeling you are wasting your time? :rolleyes:
  • gizmoleeds
    gizmoleeds Posts: 2,232 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    GIRLPOWER wrote:
    You are quite right and I will attempt it myself... I will await the installation of the dell computer they said about 2 weeks.. take my laptop to a shop and ask them to provide me with what I need and stand by for the help questions.
    You don't need to take the laptop to the shop - all laptops use the same connections so they can give you the right stuff just by asking.

    Don't let them sell you a wireless card for the new PC - as that one is near the router it just needs a cat5e cable - which will cost £3-odd.

    If you have a Maplin (https://www.maplin.co.uk) store near you then they are very good.
  • GIRLPOWER_2
    GIRLPOWER_2 Posts: 1,382 Forumite
    cheers for that....Right they are on..

    How do I change the updates time??? It did not give my the option when I switched them on.
  • intel
    intel Posts: 6,404 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    :wave:

    Windows Firewall and Sygate are fine to run side by side, but Sygate will soon be no more so a change over to Zonealarm might be neccesary... :wave:
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