Settings And Optimizing / Food for Thought / Any Ideas

[John]

Hello:

I have and old computer to work on / have fun with. This computer I have
unistalled, installed antivirus along with upgrading Adobe Reader.

I am new to News Groups and just started out working on this computer as a
beginner. Within this article can someone explain what I could do to
continue working on this computer. For instance by one example working with
and changing settings, optimizing the system so to make it run better? So
just as an example what are settings and optimizing in computers? And can
anyone explain or define other topics in computers / concepts that are
similar to this in nature to research and take things even further on this
old computer. What makes a computer do what it does? Something that I could
search the WEB for free that I could apply hands on this old computer to
practice with.

And lastly in this article within control panel in the add and remove
section. In a free download can any one suggest a program or a general
program in the add and remove section that all computers have that can be
removed and replaced with another program. Even if this added program is
similar the removed progam in nature? So all in all some food for thought.
Thank you.

 

[Don Phillipson]

I am new to News Groups and just started out working on this computer as a
beginner. Within this article can someone explain what I could do to
continue working on this computer. For instance by one example working with
and changing settings, optimizing the system so to make it run better?

Many WinXP functions are explained on line via / Start / Help -- but
many users prefer to keep a printed manual on hand, to look up
solutions to particuar tasks. WindowsXP for Dummies is the
single best manual for beginners, viz. answers several of your
questions. It also has good general advice (e.g. to enable the
System Restore routine, so that after some unsuccessful change
you can "turn back the clock" to the way the system formerly was.)

 

[Malke]

I have and old computer to work on / have fun with. This computer I have
unistalled, installed antivirus along with upgrading Adobe Reader.

I am new to News Groups and just started out working on this computer as a
beginner. Within this article can someone explain what I could do to
continue working on this computer. For instance by one example working
with and changing settings, optimizing the system so to make it run
better? So
just as an example what are settings and optimizing in computers? And can
anyone explain or define other topics in computers / concepts that are
similar to this in nature to research and take things even further on this
old computer. What makes a computer do what it does? Something that I
could search the WEB for free that I could apply hands on this old
computer to practice with.

And lastly in this article within control panel in the add and remove
section. In a free download can any one suggest a program or a general
program in the add and remove section that all computers have that can be
removed and replaced with another program. Even if this added program is
similar the removed progam in nature? So all in all some food for
thought. Thank you.

Your post is too general to be addressed satisfactorily in a tech support
newsgroup. Use Google and search for articles that are of interest to you.
This newsgroup addresses specific problems. Here is some information about
Usenet and how to post, as well as a link to an excellent web forum aimed
at computing beginners which might suit you for a more generalized
discussion.

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Usenet
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375 - How to Ask a Question
http://http://computerhaven.info/

I don't understand what you are looking for in your last paragraph at all.

Here are some links that may be of interest to you:

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&q=what+is+a+computer&aq=f&oq=&aqi=g10&fp=KxYPMM6r3XA
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&q=what+is+an+operating+system&aq=f&oq=&aqi=g10&fp=KxYPMM6r3XA
http://www.rickrogers.org/xpsware.htm - Installing and running software in
XP (MVP Rick Rogers)
Slow or Sluggish Computer:
http://miekiemoes.blogspot.com/2008/02/help-my-computer-is-slow.html
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Basic_Security
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Backing_Up
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Maintenance

Malke

 

[JS]

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_computer

 

[Bernd]

-------- Original-Nachricht --------

Hello:

I have and old computer to work on / have fun with. This computer I have
unistalled, installed antivirus along with upgrading Adobe Reader.

I am new to News Groups and just started out working on this computer as a
beginner. Within this article can someone explain what I could do to
continue working on this computer. For instance by one example working with
and changing settings, optimizing the system so to make it run better? So
just as an example what are settings and optimizing in computers? And can
anyone explain or define other topics in computers / concepts that are
similar to this in nature to research and take things even further on this
old computer. What makes a computer do what it does? Something that I could
search the WEB for free that I could apply hands on this old computer to
practice with.

And lastly in this article within control panel in the add and remove
section. In a free download can any one suggest a program or a general
program in the add and remove section that all computers have that can be
removed and replaced with another program. Even if this added program is
similar the removed progam in nature? So all in all some food for thought.
Thank you.

Look here:

http://www.amazon.com/PCs-Dummies-D...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1248010864&sr=1-1

Bernd

 

[dadiOH]

Hello:

I have and old computer to work on / have fun with. This computer I
have unistalled, installed antivirus along with upgrading Adobe
Reader.

I am new to News Groups and just started out working on this computer
as a beginner. Within this article can someone explain what I could
do to continue working on this computer. For instance by one example
working with and changing settings, optimizing the system so to make
it run better?

1. Don't mess with it. More computers are messed up by people "tweaking"
than anything else. IMO, YMMV.

2. Install only programs you actually need.
_______________________

And lastly in this article within control panel in the add and remove
section. In a free download can any one suggest a program or a
general program in the add and remove section that all computers have
that can be removed and replaced with another program. Even if this
added program is similar the removed progam in nature? So all in all
some food for thought. Thank you.

CP add/remove is simply an interface to the uninstaller provided with a
program; if that uninstaller is good and complete then the uninstall will be
good and incomplete; if it is bad/incomplete then the result of using it
will be the same. Many are bad/incomplete.

A better solution is to use a program to monitor the install of a program.
The changes - or most of them, at least - can then be undone via the
monitoring program. TotalUninstall (not free) is such a program. There are
also programs that will uninstall after the fact; i.e., they do not monitor
the install. Revo Uninstaller is one of those. Total Uninstall works well,
don't know about Revo, have never used it.

Neither program can reverse changes such as file deletions or the
replacement of a newer file with an older one. The best way to do that is
to use an imaging program to make a backup, do your installs, play with the
new programs for a few days, replace the backup image and do a new install
of any of the programs you wish to keep.

One program that everyone should have is ERUNT. It makes registry backups
(can be done daily & automatically) which it can then restore. Note that
"exporting" a registry and then "importing" it is *not* the same thing.

--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

 

[Ron Badour]

If you want to seek specific help here, please include in your post what CPU
you have and its speed, how much ram is installed, what size hard drive and
the amount of free space, what operating system it has and what
patches/service packs are installed, and what type of programs you intend to
use. With this information, perhaps we could offer some tips or maybe even
direct you to a more appropriate newsgroup.

--
Regards

Ron Badour
MS MVP
Windows Desktop Experience

 

[Jose]

Hello:

I have and old computer to work on / have fun with.  This computer I have
unistalled, installed antivirus along with upgrading Adobe Reader.

I am new to News Groups and just started out working on this computer as a
beginner.  Within this article can someone explain what I could do to
continue working on this computer. For instance by one example working with
and changing settings, optimizing the system so to make it run better? So
just as an example what are settings and optimizing in computers?  And can
anyone explain or define other topics in computers / concepts that are
similar to this in nature to research and take things even further on this
old computer.  What makes a computer do what it does?  Something thatI could
search the WEB for free that I could apply hands on this old computer to
practice with.    

And lastly in this article within control panel in the add and remove
section.  In a free download can any one suggest a program or a general
program in the add and remove section that all computers have  that canbe
removed and replaced with another program.  Even if this added program is
similar the removed progam in nature?  So all in all some food for thought.  
Thank you.  

Try https://www.videoprofessor.com/ - Learning Windows:

Once Microsoft Windows XP is under your belt, learning other programs
is a snap. It’s the most commonly used computer operating system
today, and it’s no surprise. Microsoft Windows XP allows your computer
to work and communicate with all other windows applications. Let our
Windows XP Tutorial be your learning guide Think of Microsoft Windows
XP as the world your computer lives in, and our Windows XP tutorial as
your tour guide. With Microsoft Windows XP help, the Learn Windows
tutorial lessons will guide you through the many elements of the
Microsoft Windows XP environment, including menus, toolbars, the
Taskbar, the Start button and much, much more.

Everything else is a snap! Money back guarantee! Free CD (all you
pay is shipping).

"Buy my product".

John W. Scherer
CEO & Founder
Video Professor

 

[Jose]

Hello:

I have and old computer to work on / have fun with.  This computer I have
unistalled, installed antivirus along with upgrading Adobe Reader.

I am new to News Groups and just started out working on this computer as a
beginner.  Within this article can someone explain what I could do to
continue working on this computer. For instance by one example working with
and changing settings, optimizing the system so to make it run better? So
just as an example what are settings and optimizing in computers?  And can
anyone explain or define other topics in computers / concepts that are
similar to this in nature to research and take things even further on this
old computer.  What makes a computer do what it does?  Something thatI could
search the WEB for free that I could apply hands on this old computer to
practice with.    

And lastly in this article within control panel in the add and remove
section.  In a free download can any one suggest a program or a general
program in the add and remove section that all computers have  that canbe
removed and replaced with another program.  Even if this added program is
similar the removed progam in nature?  So all in all some food for thought.  
Thank you.  

Or the ever popular reference for things unknown:

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/computers-software/operating-systems/windows-xp-vista.html

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

1. Don't mess with it. More computers are messed up by people "tweaking"
than anything else. IMO, YMMV.

Your opinion, and mine too. I strongly agree with you. What you say is
especially true of a beginner, as John clearly is.

 

[HeyBub]

Hello:

I have and old computer to work on / have fun with. This computer I
have unistalled, installed antivirus along with upgrading Adobe
Reader.

I am new to News Groups and just started out working on this computer
as a beginner. Within this article can someone explain what I could
do to continue working on this computer. For instance by one example
working with and changing settings, optimizing the system so to make
it run better? So just as an example what are settings and optimizing
in computers? And can anyone explain or define other topics in
computers / concepts that are similar to this in nature to research
and take things even further on this old computer. What makes a
computer do what it does? Something that I could search the WEB for
free that I could apply hands on this old computer to practice with.

And lastly in this article within control panel in the add and remove
section. In a free download can any one suggest a program or a
general program in the add and remove section that all computers have
that can be removed and replaced with another program. Even if this
added program is similar the removed progam in nature? So all in all
some food for thought. Thank you.

You didn't give us much to work with here, so I'll start my comments to what
you did say.

Get rid of Adobe Reader. There are many alternatives - Agent Ransack is
probably the most popular - that are free, are not resource hogs, and don't
call home asking for instructions.

As to first steps:

Before you expose this computer to the internet:

1. Install a hardware firewall. Most routers/switches will do the job.
2. Install a virus monitor, Avast and AVG are popular and free. Download
then via another computer that IS protected. Conversely, McAfee and
Norton/Symantec are generally frowned upon.

I'm as serious as a toe-fungus on these two steps. Most experiments reveal
that an unprotected computer will become infested within mere minutes after
unprotected internet access.

 

[Ron Badour]

I think you mixed your programs up--Agent Ransack is a file search utility
while Adobe Reader reads .pdf files.

--
Regards

Ron Badour
MS MVP
Windows Desktop Experience

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

You didn't give us much to work with here, so I'll start my comments to what
you did say.

Get rid of Adobe Reader. There are many alternatives - Agent Ransack is
probably the most popular - that are free, are not resource hogs, and don't
call home asking for instructions.

??? Did you mean to say something else here? Adobe Reader and Agent
Ransack are two entirely different programs, and neither does what the
other does.

 

[HeyBub]

I think you mixed your programs up--Agent Ransack is a file search
utility while Adobe Reader reads .pdf files.

Arghhh! I stand corrected.

"Foxit Reader" is my PDF reader of choice, but there are several others.

Thanks for the catch.