# Using Windows XP

Category: Geeks r Us

## Post 1 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Friday, 15-Aug-2014 21:50:34

If you wish to skip the background, please proceed to the second post. If you have nothing nice or helpful to say, please disregard this thread.
I have been using Windows 8.1 for a few months now, and honestly, I've had quite enough of it. I did all that I could to make it bearable (see post on simplifying Windows) and am still having problems. Here is a quick summary.
*NVDA constantly saying "unknown" or task switching, not only in Firefox, but when switching program windows.
*NVDA losing focus in Firefox. It will say I'm on one page, and then, when I try to navigate it, nothing happens. This is also true with System Access, and Internet Explorer as well!
*Just now, when I tried to go into Documents, it got stuck in the program manager. I closed it, tried again, with the same result. Even Disk Explorer, while it read the files, said that Wordpad couldn't open the document. I had to restart NVDA for things to work normally.
*Hearing "x is not responding" where x is either a program or a web page. Thankfully, Internet Explorer gives an option to recover the page.
*The completely different search interface. I can't choose criteria and have to go through programs, settings, and documents.
*Having to tab in control panel to do things, not to mention its strange setup.
*Having to tab around to use Windows Explorer.
*The annoying save dialogue, even in my modified Word pad (see tabbing above).
*Having to sign in each time I reboot (though I will need to do this in XP if I create a password for my account).
*Word pad sometimes not reading, even when I restart NVDA. This could be a result of my modification. It also used to bring up a dialogue asking me if I wanted to visit links, if I pasted them in and then hit enter before hitting space after the link. Whenever I tried to save a new file, it wouldn't remember the previous location to which I had saved, unless I kept making new windows from the original session. Thankfully, it no longer does either of these.
*I fully understand, and actually like, the feature that asks if I want to install programs, as this is very good for security. But I hate having to get permission to change certain files, and the fact that I'm not automatically given administrator rights even though I only have one account on the machine, and it's set up as the admin!
*The start screen. I use normal programs, not app's. But I fixed this with Classic Start. Perhaps, I should try Classic Explorer. as well. Still, I can't just use first letter navigation to find things. But I can on the desktop, so try to put my important shortcuts there.
*Skype. I absolutely hate the new version! Maybe, if I use an older version of Windows, I can go back to a decent one!
Some of this seems to be easier with System Access to Go, and it could also be that some is due to the fact that I am using the Asus EEEPC 1015E which has only 2gb of ram and a celleron processor. But I noticed a few of these issues, most noticibly the task switching, on my Elitebook 2540P, which has 4gb of ram, a much faster processor, and which is running Windows 7. Regardless, I'm sick of making do and pretending that everything is okay. It's not, and it's driving me mad!

## Post 2 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Friday, 15-Aug-2014 21:51:52

I have decided to keep my Elitebook, which now has a clean reinstall of Windows 7 Pro on it. I sincerely hope that this fixes the sound issues that I was having with it, as the machine itself is extremely powerful and fast. I will use it with 7 and also to test various versions of Linux. I also wish to downgrade my Asus to Windows 7 Starter, and will probably make my Thinkpad X60 into a 7 Pro machine, if I don't reinstall XP on it.
But Lee is also giving me his old XP computer, and quite honestly, I intend on using it! I did some research, and there seems to be a consensus on steps that can be taken to minimise the risks of using XP, now that Microsoft has discontinued support for it. If you type "XP safely" (without the quotes) into Google, you will find many such pages. This one seems to put most of the ideas together.
http://ronelfran.hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Safely-Use-Windows-XP-After-Microsoft-Ends-Support
Still, I have a few questions.
1. While I will have a real XP machine at my disposal, is it better, for security reasons, to run it on my Elitebook or Thinkpad, via a virtual machine or are the risks the same? If a virtual machine is better, how accessible is this with a screen reader and can I set everything up on my own? Which virtual software should I use?
2. My connection is wireless and secured with a password. Will this suffice or will I need a firewall program? I found and downloaded Microsoft Security Essentials. Do I also need something like Malware Bytes, and if so, which version is best?
3. From an accessibility standpoint, can I still use the internet without plugins like java, flash, etc?
4. I will not be using the cloud. Can I password protect the folders on my usb flash drives and compact flash cards? If so, can I then use them on Windows 7 machines?
5. There are a few sites where I shop and have done so for years. So I know that they are safe. Can I buy things from them with XP, or should I strictly use my 7 machines for that?
6. I won't be putting any sensitive documents on this machine, and whatever I do put on it will be backed up and password protected. I am considering download the script that will allow me to receive updates until 2019. If I do this, I must back up the system. But I heard that, should something go wrong, I will not be able to restore it on my own, unless I create a clone of my hard drive. How can I do this, and is there a way to just back up the Windows files and the programs that I want? Of course, I have the exe files, but I'm referring to a quick installation.
Thanks for reading this post. Any help would be sincerely appreciated.

## Post 3 by forereel (Just posting.) on Friday, 15-Aug-2014 22:01:48

I don't know about the issues with NVDEA, but the other issues are easy to change.
Most of the people I know using NVDA are also using Windows 7 and have no issues at all it seems.
Example.
You have admin right. You can turn of UAS completely so that message doesn't appear when installing programs.
Don't want to have to sign in each time you reboot? Make your account local.
There are other things you have on your list that are a couple keystroke fixes.
That is just two things.
If you are interested in the how to ask and I'll say, other wise I'll not post again.

## Post 4 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Friday, 15-Aug-2014 22:18:30

I am interested. But for the record, this machine has 8.1 and not 7 on it. So some of the fixes may be different or not possible. As for my other questions, could you offer any advice?

## Post 5 by Remy (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 16-Aug-2014 15:26:12

I've had the NVDA issue. It happened after I used C CLeaner. I searched all over, but couldn't find a solution. NVDA is great, but its community and support is severly lacking (unless I'm really missing something). What I did was refresh my PC. it keeps all your files and settings and returns your computer to factory defaults. Only annoying thing about it is it removes any programs not native to your computer, such as things like NVDA and JAWS. you'll also need to do a lot of windows updates and driver updates. I actually found I didn't need to do too many driver updates since native drivers are restored. Anyway, it fixed my NVDA issue. Although now Eloquence (which I use as a synthisizer) is too quiet and I am unable to change its volume.

## Post 6 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Saturday, 16-Aug-2014 15:35:16

I had some of these issues with Windows 7 as well, and I'm not sure how accessible a refresh and updates would be. Could I start the computer and turn on Narrator, or would it try to make me set things up without speech? What about the updates? I had these done for me, so didn't have to worry about them. Finally, what do I use in place of CCleaner? I used to use Cleanup, but it seems that CCleaner does more.

## Post 7 by Remy (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 16-Aug-2014 15:49:53

I beleive there is a keyboard command which starts narrator. I know you can use it on the log on screen and to set up your computer. Most of the refresh process is really simple; you just wait. Google Windows 8 PC refresh and you'll find steps to do it. One thing Windows 8 "IS" good for is making the process or refreshing or reformatting much more user friendly.

## Post 8 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Saturday, 16-Aug-2014 16:15:15

So if I wanted to do a full factory reset and wipe my personalisations, I could do that as well? Interesting.

## Post 9 by Senior (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Saturday, 16-Aug-2014 17:05:46

Windows key+enter starts or exits Narrator.
Task switching thing is an annoyance. I don't think it is an NVDA problem. It's just the computer taking time to switch tasks, possibly because one of the programmes is being slow.
You can use arrows in control panel but there are multiple columns.
The start screen can be customised. You can remove programmes you don't use and add programmes you do use. Then it's just a case of familiarising yourself with the layout.

## Post 10 by forereel (Just posting.) on Saturday, 16-Aug-2014 17:08:50

Okay, here a few of my opinions/ideas. I am going to ask a friend that uses NVDA if she’d kindly post to your thread with these answers if she has any.
See below.
*NVDA constantly saying "unknown" or task switching, not only in Firefox, but when switching program windows.
N-A
*NVDA losing focus in Firefox. It will say I'm on one page, and then, when I try to navigate it, nothing happens. This is also true with System Access, and Internet Explorer as well!
N-A
*Just now, when I tried to go into Documents, it got stuck in the program manager. I closed it, tried again, with the same result. Even Disk Explorer, while it read the files, said that WordPad couldn't open the document. I had to restart NVDA for things to work normally.
*Hearing "x is not responding" where x is either a program or a web page. Thankfully, Internet Explorer gives an option to recover the page.
Not responding happens for several reasons. Your internet connection is slow at this time, the page isn’t loading, or the program is having problems. It will happen from time to time, but shouldn’t be constant.
*The completely different search interface. I can't choose criteria and have to go through programs, settings, and documents.
I’d put the programs I use often on either the task bar, or my desktop. This keeps you from looking for them all the time.
When you are in there looking, pressing the application key and arrowing will show you these options accept for the desktop. You’ll need to go to program location to add something to it, or copy it to your clip board, and paste it on your desktop.
Remember, you can search for anything just by typing the name in the search area.
*Having to tab in control panel to do things, not to mention its strange setup.
Control panel is laid out in 3 columns. Arrow up and down, or left to right show you things. You can also type the first letter of the item you are wanting to get to. Example, if I wish to get to the user accounts, I can type the letter u until I hear it.
*Having to tab around to use Windows Explorer.
Same method works for the Windows explorer. If you’ve not changed the factory setup file explorer is on the task bar. It is not Windows explorer by name.
You can open this and type the letter D to get to your documents. Remember, I suggest anything you use often, such as documents should have a shortcut on your desktop. When I configure a system new, I put this there along with a few other things people are most likely to use.
*The annoying save dialogue, even in my modified Word pad (see tabbing above).
N-A
*having to sign in each time I reboot (though I will need to do this in XP if I create a password for my account).
Change your main account to a local account, not a Microsoft account.
There are several ways to get there, but you know how to get to control panel. Type the U until you get to user account. Click on make change to my account and PC settings. You will see your account, so disconnect it and change to a local account.
Once you have a local account, disable your password as you always did by click on your account and changing the settings. If you need help with that let me know.
*Word pad sometimes not reading, even when I restart NVDA. This could be a result of my modification. It also used to bring up a dialogue asking me if I wanted to visit links, if I pasted them in and then hit enter before hitting space after the link. Whenever I tried to save a new file, it wouldn't remember the previous location to which I had saved, unless I kept making new windows from the original session. Thankfully, it no longer does either of these.
N-A
*I fully understand, and actually like, the feature that asks if I want to install programs, as this is very good for security. But I hate having to get permission to change certain files, and the fact that I'm not automatically given administrator rights even though I only have one account on the machine, and it's set up as the admin!
Type user account settings or find them in control panel and set the security lower or off. 66 is a good range.
Note to readers, my next statement is not a Jaws is better than NVDA statement.
Because you are having so many screen reader issues, you might switch back to Jaws. I say this due to the phone support you can receive to fix your issues and even staff connecting to your system to do it for you.
I personally haven’t use the support, but I also don’t have the screen reader issues you do.
Reinstalling NVDEA and ditching your modifications might help as well. Screen readers are programmed to work with Windows, not 3RD party applications, so maybe by changing things you have actually hurt yourself.

## Post 11 by forereel (Just posting.) on Saturday, 16-Aug-2014 17:12:15

On the program switching.
I personally have no issues with this. I use my task bar, or control tab to move from one to the other.
It is smooth.
Task bar offers the option of just typing the first letter. I want Skype, I type S.

## Post 12 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Saturday, 16-Aug-2014 17:15:59

I changed these things due to the problems that I was having. As for JFW, if I can find it, I will install it. But I don't have $800 to spend on a screen reader. Thanks for taking the time to explain all of this. I will keep these things in mind while I am still using 8.1. But coud someone please help me with the questions in the second post?

## Post 13 by forereel (Just posting.) on Saturday, 16-Aug-2014 17:42:16

We talked about XP on another of your post. Reread that one. I think I gave you some suggestions as to using XP anyway.
In short, I'd not use it on the net unless I'm updating, or downloading something for it.
Otherwise I'd keep it disconnected and use it for in house stuff.

## Post 14 by forereel (Just posting.) on Sunday, 17-Aug-2014 7:40:12

You have said your computer doesn’t run as it once did, and I agree this is because of your modifications.
Windows 8.1 have a new feature that makes it easier to do a reset or reinstall of Windows. The old methods are not necessary anymore.
Press the windows key so you are on the start screen.
Type PC and click on PC settings app.
Arrow down to update and recovery and press enter.
Arrow down to recovery.
You will have two options. The first is resetting Windows without affecting your files. The next is cleanly installing Windows.
Try the first option to see if this cleans up all your modifications. If not, of course you’ll need the second.
You may need to reinstall NVDA after this, but that will be good, because now it should work properly.
In your case, I think it be far better to use another computer with XP, Windows 7, or whatever, and leave this one as it is built.
It was working really well when you first received it, so it will again.
Again, Microsoft has some wonderful tutorial pages to help you learn how to use Windows. Perhaps, put your energy in to studying these instead of modifying this computer.
Again, I do know this is popular, modifying, but as you have noted, and some others, these modifications cause us more problems sometimes, than they are worth.
Good luck.

## Post 15 by forereel (Just posting.) on Sunday, 17-Aug-2014 12:33:37

On the other part of your questions as to what to do about the NVDEA problems.
I've been told NDVA works just fine with Windows 8.1.
It will freeze now and then on some web pages, but restarting it covers this just fine.
The person that told me this uses it completely as I've stated, and I have been chatting with her easy on Skype this morning.
She never goes away, restarts, and such things as we chat, and uses her computer doing other task while doing so.
I hope this helps.
She is not the only person I know who uses this screen reader with Windows 7 or 8.1.
Now, her computer has not been modified and the one she currently uses is new, but even before that, it was stable even on her old computer.

## Post 16 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Sunday, 17-Aug-2014 14:19:24

I would be interested in seeing what kinds of improvements I can achieve with a refresh. It's not as if it's so slow that I can't use it, and really, as I've said, it's a nice machine, so I would like to give it another chance before deciding to sell it. I will try the refresh once at least one other machine is in my hands. I'm worried about something going wrong and having no speech. There's no way I'm asking Joanie to go through all the updates etc. again. So I want to make sure that I can do this on my own and won't get stuck.

## Post 17 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Sunday, 17-Aug-2014 14:22:17

i haven't refreshed the thing on my own, but know you can start narrator and get NVDA downloaded and installed without help, once it is started. i remember reading how you could even use narrator to start when you first get it up and running, so you don't need to have people help you with setting all of the stuff that comes up when you first get a puter.

## Post 18 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Sunday, 17-Aug-2014 14:35:42

As for XP, I want to use the latest versions of NVDA and Firefox to see if I run into the same problems. If so, then it's the fault of one, the other, or both. If not, then it's the fault of the operating system, both 7 and 8.1. I don't get the "unknown" or "task switching" with SATOGO. One thing that I notice on this machine, regardless of the screen reader used, is that it doesn't always keep up with my typing. I am a very fast typist and sometimes, even though I know I wrote something properly, it doesn't come out correctly. For example, I might write "the cat in the hat" and it would read "th cat i th hat". Sometimes, it might stop and do something, so it would come out "th thehat."

## Post 19 by SilverLightning (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Sunday, 17-Aug-2014 15:33:43

Somehow I doubt that you can type faster than your computer can register
the keys being hit. Its probably just that in your haste, you didn't press the key
far enough for it to be registered as a keystroke. Trust me, every single college
student has experienced that at least once, usually just before final papers have
to be finished. Unless you have the typing abilities of the flash, I'm pretty sure
its just a regular case of you not actually hitting the key, rather than your
computer rebelling against you.

## Post 20 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Sunday, 17-Aug-2014 16:19:24

It happens far too frequently for that to be the case. I also have NVDA key echo on and it doesn't always say the letters. Sometimes, there's a delay between me typing a key and hearing the result. This is no Model M keyboard, but it's not a silent one or a touchscreen either. You definitely know when you hit a key.

## Post 21 by SilverLightning (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Sunday, 17-Aug-2014 16:26:50

Unless its a typewriter, I'm still willing to bet you're not hitting the key
correctly. Its something all fast typers have to get over.

## Post 22 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Sunday, 17-Aug-2014 16:32:19

I have seen this before, but very rarely. Just as a test, I will actually plug the Model M into this computer and see what happens. You really can't type incorrectly on that, even if you tried. But the idea of using such a keyboard on this little machine is hilarious!

## Post 23 by SilverLightning (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Sunday, 17-Aug-2014 16:40:54

If you can type correctly on one machine, but not on another, its probably your
typing method. Every keyboard takes a bit of getting used to. Some don't like it
if you hit the keys at an angle. I had that problem for a long time, it caused me
to miss a lot of keys on the lower row of letters. But I'd almost be willing to
garrantee, barring any hardware defect, its you, not the computer.

## Post 24 by forereel (Just posting.) on Sunday, 17-Aug-2014 16:54:57

It is exactly as suggested.
The keyboards on some laptops don't always register when you press the key. This isn't the screen reader, nor the speed of the computer, but the keyboard or typing pressure.
You will notice this sometimes here on the boards, or in public chats where things are missing.
It happens to me and my laptop is way more powerful then your Asus.
On the refreshing. You'll not be doing anything but cleaning up, so you'll not have to reset everything using the first option.
On the second, you may need to use the narrator, because you'll be reinstalling Windows kind of.
It is always a good option to have help though.
Just like when I explained you'd likely require help to upgrade your system from 8 to 8.1.
One of your parents just click the few keys required.
Go downstairs and do the cleanup while visiting. If you need help, I'm sure they'll just do the few things required.
Just simple.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for doing it yourself, and I do, but I'm also not afraid to ask for a bit of help if required.

## Post 25 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Sunday, 17-Aug-2014 17:05:11

If I need help, I'll send it to Lee. My parents will just get annoyed. They're not into technology and I'm not into lectures and assumptions. That's the only subject where they become like that, and neither of them really has any idea what they're saying. It's easier to just send it to him and have him fix it. That way, if I do want to sell it, he can take care of that as well.
Anyway, thanks to both of you for the explanation about the keys. I feel a lot better now. *smile*

## Post 26 by forereel (Just posting.) on Sunday, 17-Aug-2014 17:13:01

Well my lkast word on the reset is that you'll probably not need any help, but I swear if won't frustrate anyone at all.
We are talking looking at the screen, and clicking the mouse button once or twice. Smile.
But okay.
I've given all the advice I have for you.
Again, good luck.

## Post 27 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Monday, 18-Aug-2014 12:46:33

I got so frustrated at all that was going on with my 8.1 machine yesterday that I broke down and turned on my desktop! This is the one with a 2.66ghz processor but only 512mb of ram, and of course, Windows XP. Windows Explorer and Wordpad worked beautifully and looked great! I could easily switch between them without hearing "task switching", could save things without then getting stuck on a blank screen, could manoeuvre around Explorer without getting stuck,, and there were only a few things in each one when I tabbed around! None of this search box, tree view, command module, name space, header nonsense. But I didn't properly safeguard that machine, so didn't spend much time with it online. Still, I would love to see how it handles things like Ebay, with the latest versions of Firefox and NVDA. Most likely, I won't constantly hear "unknown" and it won't keep losing focus. I had those issues with 7 as well.

## Post 28 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Monday, 18-Aug-2014 13:38:05

Granted, this is the Inquirerer, but they do make some very good points, particularly about why businesses (and some individuals) prefer the simpler interface of xP. Not everyone wants all the new and complicated features. I especially agree that, in their next version, Microsoft should get back to basics. Considering that they're having such a difficult time getting everyone to switch over (I have seen similar claims on more credible sites), I'm clearly not the only one who feels this way.
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/opinion/2323717/microsoft-should-just-rename-windows-xp-as-windows-9

## Post 29 by Imprecator (The Zone's Spelling Nazi) on Monday, 18-Aug-2014 14:06:42

Only had seven for about a week and I like it fine. Seemed a little weird at first, but what doesn't.

## Post 30 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Monday, 18-Aug-2014 14:55:15

I found another helpful link. Some of this (mostly the tweeks at the end) I won't be doing. But a few things seem like good ideas. I'm going to try to create a nonadministrator account with password protection, and uninstall and/or disable Java and Adobe Flash on my desktop. I might also try one of the update packsand see how that works. In general, what do updates do? Is it all about securiy or are there other things built-in? These are unofficial ones, so may be diferent from the ones that would have been designed by Microsoft. At any rate, that will be my test machine, since I no longer have any truly important software or files on there. I will also delete any saved passwords and cookies in Internet Explorer (which I won't be using) and Firefox. But can I keep my XMarks ad-on? I use it for updating bookmarks and history across my computers. Also, what is Noscript and will it cause any accessibility issues?
As for installing XP, whether on a virtual machine or a real one, it seems confusing and involves many more steps than I realised.
http://www.tweakhound.com/xp/installxp/installXP1.htm
I have heard of unattended installations. Do they make things easier? Also, I still don't know which virtual software is the most accessible, and whether or not I can install the system on my own in one of those. If so, would doing so under Virtual Box in Linux be a safer option than under Windows 7 or 8.1?

## Post 31 by chelslicious (like it or not, I'm gonna say what I mean. all the time.) on Monday, 18-Aug-2014 15:07:17

the OP wonders why she continually has so many problems with every machine she gets her hands on, and sadly, it'll never dawn on her that it's cause of all the tweeking she swears by doing, in combination with messing with things, when she has no clue how they'll affect her system.
I've had windows 7 for over a year, now, and it took some getting used to, but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle.
in fact, I wouldn't opt for another windows-based product, even if I had the chance to.

## Post 32 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Monday, 18-Aug-2014 15:22:16

Windows 7 is at least tolerable. Installing a few programs is hardly tweeking. The little thing that I did with Wordpad might count, but caused no problems at all in 7, and I doubt it's causing them in 8.1. At least one user had issues with CCleaner and NVDA but I had no way of knowing that before I installed it. I only installed Classic Start on this machine, so any problems that I have had with other computers were not due to that. Other than above, I haven't done any sort of tweeking. I wouldn't know how, and most involves the registry, which I don't touch.
Anyway, none of this is answering any of my questions. I'll try Samnet and Klango, since no one here seems to know, with the exception of the few who really did try to help me.

## Post 33 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Monday, 18-Aug-2014 15:32:44

I forgot to include that first link in my other post.
http://www.tweakhound.com/2014/03/24/expired-the-last-windows-xp-guide-youll-ever-need/

## Post 34 by forereel (Just posting.) on Monday, 18-Aug-2014 16:38:28

I don't guess it isn't that I don't know, it is I don't think running XP is the end all and do all.
Now, that isn't a smart remark.
I think people will run XP, but these that deside to do so, will also have to accept the risk.
If a person just runs XP for the pleasure of it, but doesn't expect it to perform 100% safely, all these fixes you post are fine.
If a person runs XP expecting 100% safe operation, these fixes are chancy.
Microsoft as suggested people running XP should not blame them for any problems they may have in the future, and has not shutdown any of these vendors of fixes.
They have taken the position, do what you like, but don't call us.
So, with Microsoft taking this position, I personal would not tell you great, wonderful, this stuff is going to work, so don't worry.
Go ahead, put your banking, personal documents, and any other items you want on your XP computer.
Shop, do business as usual, you will be just as safe as you were when Microsoft was supporting it. All you need to do is install X and Y!
These fixes have not been proven. They have no history. They don't come with any backing at all, so if the work, all is good. If they fail, people using them are going to have to accept they failed.
I think other users that have tried helping you would agree with my statement. If someone comes on here and says he or she knows, you would be unwise to follow that advice. However, you are not the only person trying.
I don't know, but aren't there XP groups where people discuss this?

## Post 35 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Monday, 18-Aug-2014 17:11:40

You're one of those whom I thanked for helping me. *smile* I am not expecting 100% security, which is why I am trying to take as many safety precautions as possible, including changing my administrator account and creating a decoy (I'm in the process of researching that), not keeping any important documents on the machine, not going to any suspicious or unknown sites, and doing my shopping on a computer with 7 or 8.1.

## Post 36 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Monday, 18-Aug-2014 17:13:38

As for the groups, I will try that. Perhaps, I can find one on Facebook. It would be even better if I could find some blind users, so that we can discuss accessibility of certain software, update packs, etc.

## Post 37 by forereel (Just posting.) on Monday, 18-Aug-2014 18:54:27

Honey, I understand all of this.
But, here's the thing. You do all of these things to protect your computer, but you only need one major nut deciding he or she just wants to mess you up.
Now, my next statement is sort of out, but here goes.
Good computing habits are going to be your best and only defence. That is true no matter what you are running.
When you start downloading 3RD party software and relying on it is when you invite trouble.
You are looking for a bullet prooff solution even though you aren't saying it, because you don't want your XP machine messed up.
There isn't going to be one.
Everytime you connect to the net, you must be watchful, and on your guard. When the system is not in use as for things you want on the net, it should be disconnected.
So, enjoying the chase and looking for all this stuff and reading and talking to people is great, but at the end of the day you are at risk more then you were while Microsoft was watching your back.
I am not saying you are waisting your time, but I am saying other than good computing habits, you won't find that bullet prooff program, download, running method.
With that settled, you are going to be the expert. You are going to be the one sticking your neck out, because no matter how good someone tells you something is, you don't have the pros doing this for a living.
No one is going to build a patch if I decide to create a virus to get you, so you are the guard.
So until you have experienced all these things you put here, and everyone else, you can't know. It simply hasn't been enough time.
Okay, I think I'e said it.
I think you got me going with that "well, I don't think you people know!" Or like that.
Hell no! They don't. They can't.
Experience it and come back here and tell us!

## Post 38 by forereel (Just posting.) on Monday, 18-Aug-2014 22:30:18

One other thing. I got interested to learn if a person could still buy a new or nearly new XP system.
You can. Amazon had some really good stuff for like 69 dollars. I'm talking 3GB 2.1GHz processors, quality stuff.
So, if I wanted XP I think I'd buy myself a second machine in case the one I had crashed.
I'd also make a mirror copy of my hard drive. That way if I did happen to get a virus, all I'd need do is reformat and reload my setup complete.
I'd update my image everytine I added something I liked. That way I could have a way to deal with problems.

## Post 39 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Monday, 18-Aug-2014 22:39:52

Wow! $69? I'll definitely go there tonight! So are these desktops, laptops, or both?
I am extremely interested in mirroring my drive, including for Windows 7. How do I do this?

## Post 40 by zackmack2000 ( extreme killer of the keys) on Monday, 18-Aug-2014 23:56:46

I have win7 as a virtual machine here on my mac and absoleutely love it. treats me a hell of a lot better then 8 ever did. can finaly update and not have any sort of errors. the one thing though that I just wished that ms would have left alone is the way that audio is being done. this audiodg.exe crap will seriously screw up your audio if you don't disable all of the damn e q settings in sound. trust me I hate it. also, as far as all of this unknown stuff and all of the colum header stuff that you see, that stuff has been around since the vista days. I've gotten used to them. I will say that I don't think you will ever find anything as good as xp was. I mean, 7 is great an all that, but when it comes down to just having hardly any errors what soever as far as stability and things go, xp was the best at that. I've hurd if you even attempt to connect your xp system to the net viruses will come at you out of nowhere. my friends old desktop has that problem. and I'm sure the old dell desktop in the kitchen here would have the same problem if we tried to connect to the network. I really think that after 7 support ends, I will be completely all apple and not windows. whatever version of windows is out after 7 dies better be damn good and fix a lot of this crap that I experienced with 8 if they wanna change my mind about it

## Post 41 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Tuesday, 19-Aug-2014 0:45:44

Oh Gods no! The only Apples I will ever use are my IIC and IIGS. I tried Leopard and Snow Leopard and they were horrible! They make 8.1 look good!
As for Amazon, I found a lot of great things, from laptops to desktops, for both XP and 7, and all at great prices! If nothing else, I will get a desktop, but I might grab a laptop as well. There are many good ones under $250, some, as you said, as low as $69!

## Post 42 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Tuesday, 19-Aug-2014 1:25:44

I really hope that the XP machine I'm getting has Pro on it, so that I can audit the various accounts and know if someone is trying to hack it. Plus, I can log into the built-in admin account. I cannot do this with Home, except in safe mode, which is inaccessible with NVDA, if I remember correctly. There is another way, with Tweek UI, and I may try hat on the desktop. But is that the administrator account that they say needs to be changed or do they mean a local one? I do have a local admin account, and it says "computer administrator" when I review the account type. They said that I should change the description, but I don't see a way of doing this. Is this another feature available only to Pro users? I want to create a decoy, call it Admin or Administrator and add that description to it, but again, I see no way of doing this.

## Post 43 by forereel (Just posting.) on Tuesday, 19-Aug-2014 9:53:01

If you mean on XP?
When you are online just use an account you create that is limited. The account that doesn't have admin rights.
I have to look up how to mirror XP, but 7 has this feature right in the backup section. You'll need a DVD, but otherwise it is as simple as using the tool to create it.
The machines I saw on Amazon, and a couple other places had XP pro, so that was easy to get.
I also noticed there was no reason to pay over 70 dollars. There all used, so.
The machine I liked best was 69 bucks, had a 2.1 processor, 3GB ram. I think the drive was 250, but that not matter to me. I'd store only things I had backed up anyway.
I also don't think it is true that connecting your XP system to the internet generates viruses out of nowhere. There are still many programs to protect it from brand name vendors that are working.
How long they'll support XP is one of these things that has to be seen.
Norton comes to mind, and I mean the newest version.
When I wanted to install a program I was not absolutely sure about, I'd download it on to say a Windows 7 computer.
Scan it with my tools, and if it were clean put it on a flash drive, or in Dropbox and install it.
No sweat.
The other stuff you just have to watch , and as I poited out, use good online practices. and

## Post 44 by Imprecator (The Zone's Spelling Nazi) on Tuesday, 19-Aug-2014 10:55:03

What's this about eq settings? Where is that? All I see is volume controls.

## Post 45 by SilverLightning (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Tuesday, 19-Aug-2014 11:05:23

I'd just like to point out that every single one of the steps mentioned in order
to use xp, or even to use 7, could be entirely negated by learning to use 8.
Seems like a really simple solution to me. You have a windows 8 laptop in front
of you, it works, its new, its yours already. Just learn how to use it. Is it a bit
annoying? sure, but its gonna be like that with every computer you will ever buy
for the rest of forever. You're always going to have a slight learning curve on
computers. Hell, some computers put keys in different spots. Welcome to a
learning curve. My solution, pull up your big girl panties and learn to use the
computer you bought. You're gonna have to eventually.

## Post 46 by Imprecator (The Zone's Spelling Nazi) on Tuesday, 19-Aug-2014 11:37:36

When are you gonna give up on her?

## Post 47 by SilverLightning (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Tuesday, 19-Aug-2014 12:11:04

I don't know. Eventually I'll have an aneurism and die, but until then I'll
probably keep trying to help people. Its a curse.

## Post 48 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Tuesday, 19-Aug-2014 14:34:24

For me, a 250gb hard drive is huge, no matter what operating system I use. So that's fine. I'll check out the antivirus. I do have Microsoft Security Essentials, and they said it will be updated until July of 2015, but it's always worth checking out other options.

## Post 49 by forereel (Just posting.) on Tuesday, 19-Aug-2014 16:50:07

I saw one at Best Buy with an 80 GB.
Now Best Buy has some brand new ones, but right now, they are listed with brand new prices too, so I'd not pay that much.
Now this is assuming you want XP when you take it out of the box.
On Ebay, you pay like a dollar or 2 for a installation disc, if you don't already have yours laying around.
Best Buy and other vendors, have some new lower powered 32 bit machines, but good, for like 150.
These will have Win 7 or even Vista.
That is fine. You grab one, format it, but make sure you have the drivers CD that comes with.
Load XP on, and use the key onb your existing computer to authorize it.
Now, you've got bran new XP.
I honestly was tempted to grab one of these cheaper systems just to see how long I could actually run it.
But, I decided, that didn't make sense, because I'm not actually interested in XP longevity, so that 70 bucks can go to something better.
I have a netbook too I don't use that originally had XP, but I'd have to put it back, and that requires a couple things I'd need to buy. Still didn't make sense.
But there you go.

## Post 50 by starfly (99956) on Wednesday, 20-Aug-2014 22:26:23

I have windows7 running under bootcamp on my mac and if I do move to the next windows it will be windows9 or what ever they call it later on. I honestly can not say XP was rock solid, it crash on my netbook that I gave my sister-in-law before I installed windows7 on it.

## Post 51 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Wednesday, 20-Aug-2014 22:28:52

i agree XP isn't rock solid, although it is pretty stable. you stil gotta install stuff to cvheck to make sure things don't get in your start up etc.

## Post 52 by forereel (Just posting.) on Wednesday, 20-Aug-2014 22:36:23

XP worked well on my netbook. The only reason I updated it was to see if I could.
It now runs Windows 7 pro. Still works well.

## Post 53 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Wednesday, 20-Aug-2014 22:38:36

does it run 7 better, wayne?

## Post 54 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Wednesday, 20-Aug-2014 23:29:24

What model netbook is it? I went back to Amazon last night and saw some amazing desktops for under $100, starting as low as $54 or so! I found the Asus 1025C, but it was $395, and that's far more than I'm willing to pay for a netbook. They do have some others on there, and of course, Ebay has even more. It all depends on what I want. But as far as fresh installs, both places have computers with those. I'm considering getting a usb firewall for the XP laptop that's headed my way. We've already uninstalled java and flash. AVG is on there now, but is that accessible? I put Avast on my Elitebook, since I heard that will work, but that's running 7. I also have Microsoft Security Essentials on there. If the two don't work well together, I'll have Lee uninstall one before he sends it off. Tomorrow, I'll play with my desktop and try out whitelisting for programs, and possible for websites as well.

## Post 55 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Wednesday, 20-Aug-2014 23:35:55

get rid of AVG. MS SE and malwharebytes will work and not b bog your system down

## Post 56 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Thursday, 21-Aug-2014 15:20:49

Thanks. I'll definitely tell Lee that today. *smile* But I heard that Malware Bytes is no longer accessible with NVDA. Is Avast okay? I put that on my Elitebook with 7. If not, I'll have him delete that as well.

## Post 57 by forereel (Just posting.) on Thursday, 21-Aug-2014 18:19:00

It is Dell's 1012 HD.
I upgraded it to 2GB ram. Balck in color.
I can't say it runs better with Windows 7. It is about the same.
It's low powered, so, butg I can Skype and such with it.