My first WinXP computer: set up for WiFi Internet?

[Ed from AZ]

I'm finally getting to come out of the stone age and into the 90's!!
<g> I'm moving up from 98SE to XP Pro. Not the same computer - the
"new" one is a Dell laptop with a P4 1.6GHz - a large step up from my
867 MHz desktop!

I've used XP Pro before at work, where's it's always been totally set
up for me. The is the first time I'm trying to configure it on my
own. I even have to load it myself (the computer is coming with a
wiped drive; I bought an OEM CD from eBay.)

How do I set this up for WiFi? The computer has WiFi included. Also,
I know there are free firewall and virus programs available. Are
these recommended, or are there inexpensive ones that are better?

If anyone can advise or point me to some good resources for setting
this up, I would be very appreciative.

Thanks!
Ed

 

[Gordon]

I'm finally getting to come out of the stone age and into the 90's!!
<g> I'm moving up from 98SE to XP Pro. Not the same computer - the
"new" one is a Dell laptop with a P4 1.6GHz - a large step up from my
867 MHz desktop!

I've used XP Pro before at work, where's it's always been totally set
up for me. The is the first time I'm trying to configure it on my
own. I even have to load it myself (the computer is coming with a
wiped drive; I bought an OEM CD from eBay.)

How do I set this up for WiFi? The computer has WiFi included. Also,
I know there are free firewall and virus programs available. Are
these recommended, or are there inexpensive ones that are better?

If anyone can advise or point me to some good resources for setting
this up, I would be very appreciative.

Thanks!
Ed

Well first of all, you need to go to the Dell website and download all the
XP drivers for your particular model. Install them after you have installed
XP and your Wireless card should then work. It /should/ automatically
pick-up your wireless network and connect. (If you have a secured network,
you will need to enter the passphrase)

HTH

 

[Big Al]

I'm finally getting to come out of the stone age and into the 90's!!
<g> I'm moving up from 98SE to XP Pro. Not the same computer - the
"new" one is a Dell laptop with a P4 1.6GHz - a large step up from my
867 MHz desktop!

I've used XP Pro before at work, where's it's always been totally set
up for me. The is the first time I'm trying to configure it on my
own. I even have to load it myself (the computer is coming with a
wiped drive; I bought an OEM CD from eBay.)

I hope it was a Dell OEM CD. You'll have issues with swapping OEM CD's
between HP/DELL/IBM/SONY etc laptops.

How do I set this up for WiFi? The computer has WiFi included. Also,
I know there are free firewall and virus programs available. Are
these recommended, or are there inexpensive ones that are better?

XP comes with a firewall, and its debated if its good. I think not.
Get Zonealarm free (firewall), you can easily remove it later. And for
antivirus, either AVG or Avast. I've converted to Avast. Either
program can also be removed easily if you don't like them.
Programs are like cars. There are so many and each has their features
and price. AND THEIR FOLLOWING. If you test drive, you'll pick 'your
best'. I'd stay away from norton and mcafee for now.

If anyone can advise or point me to some good resources for setting
this up, I would be very appreciative.

No idea on this. I just became real buddies with Google. There are
so many helpful pages out there. Way too many.

One suggestion, if you are wireless, secure it. Google WPA or WPA2
and you'll get help. But get it working first then secure it later.

 

[Gordon]

I hope it was a Dell OEM CD. You'll have issues with swapping OEM CD's
between HP/DELL/IBM/SONY etc laptops.

Shouldn't matter as long as it's a generic OEM. BTW, OEM versions canNOT be
"swapped" between machines anyway, the licence is eternally tied to the
first machine it's installed on...

 

[Big Al]

Shouldn't matter as long as it's a generic OEM. BTW, OEM versions canNOT
be "swapped" between machines anyway, the licence is eternally tied to
the first machine it's installed on...

I've seen OEM's at Newegg and have wondered. I have a Dell and of
course OEM CD. I just thought they were tied to the PC regardless. Is
that then what Newegg is selling, a generic OEM? They seem to imply
that if you want to be the OEM you can buy it.

 

[Alias]

Shouldn't matter as long as it's a generic OEM. BTW, OEM versions canNOT
be "swapped" between machines anyway, the licence is eternally tied to
the first machine it's installed on...

Generic XP OEM copies *can* be moved to another computer. MS says they
*may* not be moved.

Alias

 

[Gordon]

I've seen OEM's at Newegg and have wondered. I have a Dell and of course
OEM CD. I just thought they were tied to the PC regardless. Is that
then what Newegg is selling, a generic OEM? They seem to imply that if
you want to be the OEM you can buy it.

You can certainly buy a generic OEM - the restriction is that if you move it
to another machine, it won't activate, unlike a retail version...

 

[Big Al]

You can certainly buy a generic OEM - the restriction is that if you
move it to another machine, it won't activate, unlike a retail version...

Good warning. Thanks. I usually buy retail. This Dell was my
first experience with OEM. Never knew it existed till now.

 

[Ed from AZ]

Thanks to all.

Yes, it is a DELL OEM.

Get drivers - ah, yes - WiFi drivers might not be on the XP CD. I
would have been wondering how to make it work!!

ZoneAlarm, Avast - I will check those out. When I was trying to put
my 98SE machine on the net through a dial-up connection, I think it
was AVG I was using. Couldn't tell if it was wortking too well -
either the connection kept dropping, or the machine couldn't keep up!

I'll be using the WiFi at the local public library. It's free, and
they have provided connection info (plus they have techs there if I
get too confused!). But not on Saturday morning - that's when they
have their kiddie matinee in the "WiFi Cafe" room!

Ed

 

[Big Al]

Thanks to all.

Yes, it is a DELL OEM.

Get drivers - ah, yes - WiFi drivers might not be on the XP CD. I
would have been wondering how to make it work!!

ZoneAlarm, Avast - I will check those out. When I was trying to put
my 98SE machine on the net through a dial-up connection, I think it
was AVG I was using. Couldn't tell if it was wortking too well -
either the connection kept dropping, or the machine couldn't keep up!

I'll be using the WiFi at the local public library. It's free, and
they have provided connection info (plus they have techs there if I
get too confused!). But not on Saturday morning - that's when they
have their kiddie matinee in the "WiFi Cafe" room!

Ed

The library help would be a good place to start, especially since that
is the network you are on.
PS. None of the hardware drivers are on the XP CD. So if you don't have
a Dell Resource CD with drivers, make one. If you have a tag on the
bottom of the laptop with a 'service tag' number, go to their website
for drivers and downloads. There should be a place to put in the
service tag. They will then know what you have. Download everything
and make a note as to what they say its for. Don't install it all, just
pick out the needed stuff later and install then.

 

[Alias]

You can certainly buy a generic OEM - the restriction is that if you
move it to another machine, it won't activate, unlike a retail version...

If it's been over 120 days since the last activation it will activate on
line, no problems. You are, of course, violating the EULA and whether
your want to do that or not is up to you.

Alias

 

[Gerry]

Big Al

A Dell OEM is not the same as a generic OEM. They are both intended for
installation in a new computer and to only be used with that machine.
Dell ( and some other large computer manufacturers ) make minor changes
to make the operating system work better with branded features
incorporated into the computers they sell.

--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Ed from AZ]

If it's been over 120 days since the last activation it will activate on
line, no problems. You are, of course, violating the EULA and whether
your want to do that or not is up to you.

Alias- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

If the other machine no longer needs XP due to death or upgrade to
Vista, how is it violating the EULA to transfer that OS to another
machine? Didn't the original user purchase that copy of XP, and may
now dispose of it as long as it is only on one machine?

Ed

 

[Gordon]

If the other machine no longer needs XP due to death or upgrade to
Vista, how is it violating the EULA to transfer that OS to another
machine? Didn't the original user purchase that copy of XP, and may
now dispose of it as long as it is only on one machine?

Because the OEM EULA specifically states that you cannot transfer an OEM
version from one machine to another - that's how it is in violation of the
EULA!

 

[Bob I]

If the other machine no longer needs XP due to death or upgrade to
Vista, how is it violating the EULA to transfer that OS to another
machine? Didn't the original user purchase that copy of XP, and may
now dispose of it as long as it is only on one machine?

Ed

The "reason" is that the very low cost of the OEM license is, for it is
licensed to be used only on the original PC it is installed on. If one
wants a license that can be transferred then one pays the higher cost
and it is called a Retail license.

 

[Alias]

Because the OEM EULA specifically states that you cannot transfer an OEM
version from one machine to another - that's how it is in violation of
the EULA!

No, you *may* not transfer a generic XP OEM but you *can* if you're
willing to violate the EULA that you agreed to after it was too late to
get your money back.

Alias

 

[Gerry]

Ed

As Gordon says. Further please note that you pay more for a retail
version. Part of the added value is the right to use the copy of XP on a
replacement machine so long as it has been removed from the original
machine.

This right is not granted ( I suspect ) if you use the original copy to
secure a favourably priced upgrade to Vista. You would need the original
XP CD if you needed to reinstall Vista.


--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I've seen OEM's at Newegg and have wondered. I have a Dell and of
course OEM CD. I just thought they were tied to the PC regardless. Is
that then what Newegg is selling, a generic OEM? They seem to imply
that if you want to be the OEM you can buy it.

That's essentially correct. A generic OEM CD isn't tied to any
particular brand of OEM computer and is essentially identical to the
Full retail version except for the following:

1. Its license ties it permanently to the first computer it's
installed on. It can never legally be moved to another computer, sold,
or given away (except with the original computer).

2. It can only do a clean installation, not an upgrade.

3. Microsoft provides no support for OEM versions. You can't call them
with a problem, but instead have to get any needed support from your
OEM; that support may range anywhere between good and non-existent. Or
you can get support elsewhere, such as in these newsgroups.

It's point number 1 above that makes me always recommend against OEM
versions. Instead I recommend retail Upgrade copies instead of
OEM ones. They usually cost only slightly more than OEM versions, and
come without the OEM version's restrictions. Moreover, despite what
many people think, Upgrade versions *can* do clean installations as
long as you own a CD of a previous qualifying version to show it when
prompted. Most people have such CDs, but worst case, if you don't,
they can be bought used inexpensively someplace like eBay.

By the way, I hope Ed is OK with the OEM XP he bought from eBay. There
are many instances of people being burned buying such copies and
finding out that there's no valid license and that they can't activate
it. I don't have any problem buying a used copy of Windows 98 on eBay
(see above) because it's inexpensive, and there's no activation to
worry about. But personally I would never buy a copy of XP there,
especially an OEM copy.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I'm finally getting to come out of the stone age and into the 90's!!
<g> I'm moving up from 98SE to XP Pro. Not the same computer - the
"new" one is a Dell laptop with a P4 1.6GHz - a large step up from my
867 MHz desktop!

I've used XP Pro before at work, where's it's always been totally set
up for me. The is the first time I'm trying to configure it on my
own. I even have to load it myself (the computer is coming with a
wiped drive; I bought an OEM CD from eBay.)

How do I set this up for WiFi? The computer has WiFi included.

The best source for information on that is probably Dell. Check their
web site or call and ask them.

Also,
I know there are free firewall and virus programs available. Are
these recommended, or are there inexpensive ones that are better?

As far as a firewall, I recommend that you stick with the Windows
firewall. It's as good as others out there.

Regarding anti-virus programs, I think NOD32 (with an annual license
fee) is the best choice. But the freeware Avast! is also very good.

Stay far away from Norton and McAfee, probably the two worst choices
on the market.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

If the other machine no longer needs XP due to death or upgrade to
Vista, how is it violating the EULA to transfer that OS to another
machine? Didn't the original user purchase that copy of XP, and may
now dispose of it as long as it is only on one machine?

No. Two points:

1. The "as long as it is only on one machine" rule applies to retail
copies. OEM copies have an additional rule (specified in the EULA). An
OEM copy is permanently tied to the first computer it's installed on.
It can never legally be moved to another computer, sold, or given away
(except with the original computer). That's true even if the original
computer dies.

This is the reason I always recommend against OEM versions and for
Retail Upgrades (which usually cost only slightly more) instead.

2. Regarding upgrading to Vista: when you do an upgrade, the product
you are upgrading from becomes permanently tied to the license of the
product you are upgrading to. You end up with one license, not two,
and that's the only reason that the Upgrade is cheaper than the Full
version.