XP Essentials

cormie

Hi,
I've just installed a fresh copy of XP pro and updated to Service pack 2 on my new laptop. Before I use the laptop instead of the one I'm using now, I want to install the essentials. I do not want to clog it up with things I don't need.

First I need to know has service pack 2 made any of the following applications obsolete:
StopZilla (stops pop ups)
Lavasoft Ad-Aware 6 (removes spyware)
AVG 6.0 Anti Virus System (Anti-Virus)

Are there any substantially better applications out there or are these fine?


I need to access .rar files. Is WinRar the best? Is there a free or lite version that you do not have to pay for?

Can I download QuickTime without having to download iTunes?

When I try to play .avi files it says "Video not available, cannot find "vids:div3" decompressor.... How do I play these files? This occurs on my current laptop so maybe I did something stopped it being able to play them.

I want a FREE AND SIMPLE programme that will continue downloads if I become disconnected. Preferably without adverts or any of that. Any suggestions?


Should I download the new drivers for my graphics card or does it matter?
Like this one
and this



Any other tips are very welcome!
Thanks!

Creamy Goodness

try firefox or opera as a new browser, they'll block popups and will render stopzilla useless and they also have a wealth of features that Internet explorer doesn't have

sp2 has not rendered any of your listed programs obsolete

get spybot search and destroy 1.3 (search www.download.com)

run in tandum with adaware (you say you have adaware 6 latest version is SE think about update?)

win rar is good i use it, there's a demo (free version) where you got to click continue to keep using it (shows up at startup)

as for quicktime

for the avi problem maybe installing divx5 might help?

if you want to watch ram (real player) files google real alternative (think it's v1.3 latest)

for the download resumer try googling "get right" - it was ad free and free when i used it about 3 years ago though.

Shrimp

Get Ad-Ware and AVG.. but forget about StopZilla, you have a built in pop up blocker.

Yeah.. go for win rar..

yes.. you can download quicktime without iTues..

go to the windows website and download Windows Media PLayer 10 using that you should be able to play the .avi file fine!

Get a progeramme called GetRight.. it's the best for resuming downloads!

As for drivers.. go to the windows site.. then updates.. from there it'll scan your pc for updates, which you may need..

NotMe

cormie wrote:

Hi,
I've just installed a fresh copy of XP pro and updated to Service pack 2 on my new laptop. Before I use the laptop instead of the one I'm using now, I want to install the essentials. I do not want to clog it up with things I don't need.

First I need to know has service pack 2 made any of the following applications obsolete:
StopZilla (stops pop ups)
Lavasoft Ad-Aware 6 (removes spyware)
AVG 6.0 Anti Virus System (Anti-Virus)

Are there any substantially better applications out there or are these fine?

If you use Firefox you wont need Stopzilla. You can use the Adblock plugin. Ad-aware and AVG are good. It's worth getting Hijack This aswell. It might be worth downloading the new windows antispyware app discussed in another thread.

I need to access .rar files. Is WinRar the best? Is there a free or lite version that you do not have to pay for?

I use WinRar. It's a 40 day trial but it doesn't run out. I was gonna recommend Power Archiver for zip files. I use Power Archiver 2001 but when I looked at their website it appears they are charging for the latest version.

Can I download QuickTime without having to download iTunes?

Yep

When I try to play .avi files it says "Video not available, cannot find "vids:div3" decompressor.... How do I play these files? This occurs on my current laptop so maybe I did something stopped it being able to play them.

VLC Media Player is a great freeware media player. Try it out.

I want a FREE AND SIMPLE programme that will continue downloads if I become disconnected. Preferably without adverts or any of that. Any suggestions?

Can't help you here. I don't use one.

Should I download the new drivers for my graphics card or does it matter?
Like this one
and this

It's always a good idea to use the latest drivers for everything.

Any other tips are very welcome!
Thanks!

No problem!


*edit* it took me so long to type this all the questions were answered.... oh well

cormie

ALL replies appreciated greatly. Thanks allot. I didn't think I would get a reply at this time! I think it's time for bed! Thanks again!

cormie

Is it really necessary to have Ad-Aware and spybot? do they not do the same thing?

I can only find real alternative 1.29, this should be ok yeah?

John R

cormie wrote:

Is it really necessary to have Ad-Aware and spybot? do they not do the same thing?

Yes. Neither of them catch all the nasties on their own.

cormie

Ok thanks!!

One thing I forgot,
for viewing images,

Is ACDsee still the best to get? Is there anything similar that is freeware, no adds or spyware etc?

Stephen

I like IrfanView for that purpose. Free, no ads/spyware.

Also, make sure you update AVG to the latest version (7.0) as they are stopping support for 6.0 at the end of the month.

cormie

I'll check that out thanks, does it do thumbnail view? handy for browsing!

I got avg70free_300a419 I'm sure its the 7.0 version and it was about 10MB, I haven't installed it yet but looks like the right one:)

Bri

As above:

Adaware with Spybot + new Windows spyware catcher beta (look in the windows forum)
Firefox instead of IE
VLC Media player is almost perfect for all movie files without needing extra codec packs.

I use 7-Zip over Winzip et al. Presume it does .rars but don't use it for that so maybe you should google it - complete freeware.

cormie

Thanks for that, I got 7zip, it does .rar, handy enough, its nice and simple. It's a bit annoying that you can click files and drag them to a folder though.

I'll probably use this over winrar because its freeware.


what you you mean "almost" perfect regarding VLC? any problems?

NotMe

Stephen wrote:

I like IrfanView for that purpose. Free, no ads/spyware.

Yeah Irfanview is great for viewing images. It's free, small and fast. It does thumbnail preview and slideshows.

what you you mean "almost" perfect regarding VLC? any problems?

I think he just meant that no player is perfect for every single type of file. VLC Player works well with all the major types - mpg/avi/wmv.....

cormie

Thanks for your input.

Another thing, will I use Quick Time Alternative (info here ) instead of normal quick time?

Bri

NotMe wrote:

I think he just meant that no player is perfect for every single type of file. VLC Player works well with all the major types - mpg/avi/wmv.....

Spot on. I play my DVDs with it, .movs and everything WMP10 would do...but for some reason 3 of my .movs (official CD Videos) don't have any sound where as others do. They do in quicktime?!

Other benefits are the desktop option where you can play videos as desktop wallpaper and playlists - I have all my music videos (all 10) on shuffle in 1 playlist. Great program over all.

I had no luck with quicktime alternative and now that I finally found quicktime minus iTunes I'm happy enough with that despite its purchase ad.

cormie

what do you mean by no luck? would it not work as well as the original or what was the problem?

chump

I used AVG for ages, then found AntiVir, as recommended by someone here some time in the past, it's excellent, I'd recommend it.
The windows control panel thing in sp2 tells you when it needs updating and it has a seamless internet update facility built into it... try it out

Bri

No luck - installed but never really worked when it should or did things well. It's been a while. Go forth and try...

cormie

chump wrote:

I used AVG for ages, then found AntiVir, as recommended by someone here some time in the past, it's excellent, I'd recommend it.
The windows control panel thing in sp2 tells you when it needs updating and it has a seamless internet update facility built into it... try it out

Is it freeware? do you think it would be much better than AVG? I've gone ahead and installed AVG on the new laptop so do you think I should bother with the hassle of getting antivir?


Bri, haven't really got many QT files to test so don't really know.

NotMe

I had problems with Real Alternative not playing all real media files so I went back to Real Player (which I hate). That was a good while ago, maybe the latest version is better. I don't play real media files that much anyway.

chump

The personal edition is free... http://www.free-av.com/

Bri

NotMe wrote:

I had problems with Real Alternative not playing all real media files so I went back to Real Player (which I hate). That was a good while ago, maybe the latest version is better. I don't play real media files that much anyway.

Same here. I had problems with both Real and Quicktime alternatives, so despite liking the idea I've been dragged back to Quicktime. Have just done without real playability for some time now because I have the feeling Realplayer will takeover my music and auto-start and be in the system-tray, etc.

Am I just paranoid?!

Capt'n Midnight

cormie wrote:

I want a FREE AND SIMPLE programme that will continue downloads if I become disconnected. Preferably without adverts or any of that. Any suggestions?

have a look at the stickies and go back through this forum and the windows and sercurity ones for more apps.

downloads - freeware , no adds
- FireFTP , extension for firefox
- Filezilla
- netleach (HTTP and FTP)

winhttrack - for grabbing whole sites

Graphics cards
- use the microsoft drivers for compatibility / stability
- use the manufacturers drivers for bells/whistles and max performance

cormie

Capt'n Midnight wrote:

have a look at the stickies and go back through this forum and the windows and sercurity ones for more apps.

downloads - freeware , no adds
- FireFTP , extension for firefox
- Filezilla
- netleach (HTTP and FTP)

winhttrack - for grabbing whole sites

Graphics cards
- use the microsoft drivers for compatibility / stability
- use the manufacturers drivers for bells/whistles and max performance

Thanks, I got LeechGet2004, does the job well so far!

RE: Graphics Cards,
Can I use them both?
so ATI Would be the manufacturer I take it? I got some off omegadrivers.com (something like that)