Category: Geeks r Us
Yesterday, I came across two very interesting articles for XP users. They essentially say the same thing, though one is slightly updated and has links. I will include both. Basically, there is now an unofficial release of Service Pack 4, comprising various updates from Microsoft, as well as the registry hack for official extended updates for the POS version of XP. Note that this service pack is, as I said, unofficial, and was not developed by Microsoft. You must also be careful to download from its creator, Harkaz, so as not to download any malware. I, for one, am going to try this. If anyone else does, please let us know how well it worked for you!
http://www.zdnet.com/want-windows-xp-sp4-unofficial-versions-are-on-the-way-7000033030/
http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Operating-Systems-Software-Recovery/Attention-Die-Hard-XP-Lovers/td-p/4518774
I briefly reviewed the actual thread where the updates are being discussed and where bugs are being worked out, and all I can say is wow!
http://www.ryanvm.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10321
I'm not entirely sure if I should download this yet! If I can just install it and go on my way, that would be great. But if I have to tweak things, I would be lost. It's not that I'm against working to keep using a system that I enjoy (I will need to do so with DOS as well). It's that I have no clue what I'm doing! I have never worked on a beta team as an end user, much less as a programmer.
Hopefully, all of this will be worked out so that it really will be just a matter of downloading things and keeping up-to-date with the project. Then, I could at least contribute as to how things are working for me, etc.
Try it on a machine you don't need to use.
Back that machine up first and store it someplace.
Now if you have a problem, reinstall your backup.
You most likely will require sighted help if you have to back up your system.
Try the system backup first, then if that fails, your stored hard drive copy, or mirror image.
Good luck.
Yes, this machine is an extra, so is good for experimentation. But I think I'll wait until therelease is more stable. I have never backed up a system. When I want to save my documents, music, etc. I just copy and paste them to a thumb drive, a pen drive, or a compact flash card. That said, I have taken all necessary steps to ensure it's safety.
1. I created a password for the administrator account, as well as a limited account (for daily use) with a password.
2. I installed Panda's a Vaccine program to stop autorun.
3. I do not use Internet Explorer, and have made Firefox my default browser.
4. I have uninstalled Java and Flash.
5. I do not keep files with my legal name, address, debbit card number, or other sensitive information on the computer or on any drives used with it. Those are stored on a separate drive for use with Windows 7.
6. Similarly, I do not shop with my XP machine, unless I absolutely trust and know the site.
7. I have my antivirus up and running, as well as Win Patrole, so that I can monitor programs that try to install without my permission.
8. I have not installed Noscript. I've heard this is a good idea but am not sure what it is or how well it works with NVDA.
So all in all, I should be fine, and now I know what to do when I get my Thinkpad X60 back. That will be a relief, as this laptop is huge and heavy. It's a fair desktop replacement (though it's missing a few important ports), but not very portable.
I cringe at "Unofficial service pack." Tiffanitsa, I know this isn't you But I feel for all the front line techs who are gonna get phone calls starting with, "I know you guys don't support this service pack since it's unofficial, but I was wondering if you could help me with something that is probably unrelated." ... happens a lot with these "unofficial" things, and it can be trouble.
How stupid can people be? This is why they are "unofficial"! Microsoft didn't create them. *sigh* If I really needed help, I would ask Harkaz!
I would have said, if you wanted a good program for backing up a system, you could always go by image for windows, I think it's about 40 bucks, the price could have changed, but I wouldn't know. This is somethingI don't think I would do, if I didit would be on a virtual machine thatI don't really plan to do much withat all. my old laptop could do it I'm sure, but it's intirely too slow to keep up with anything as old as it is