The ABCs of trouble-free Windows computing!

By ydsatgwregeryesry
in Essential Guides

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Grand Master

AimLXJ

Posted
Posted
b) Get Firefox, and USE IT.

Eh no thank you, Firefox < Opera secuirty is the samething but RAM usage is totally different

g) NEVER click on a .vbs file or a .reg file for any reason

Even your own created registry files? Eh no, I can just open up other created registry files and see whats in it before installing it

j) Run PeerGuardian. You should NEVER pirate, but it doesn't matter! If government, educational, and

commercial institutions want to probe your computer, that's a violation of your privacy, and it's your

right to block them from doing so. It's a good step towards REAL privacy. Despite the fact that this

program is designed for P2P users, it's good for everyone.

PeerGuardian has known to block many game ports which is a no no for gamers

p) Defragment with Diskeeper. The default windows defragmenter is mostly useless. Please don't use it!

Not exactly, with the right command lines in the CMD you can get what you want

w) If using BitTorrent, use a good client like Azureus or BitTornado.

This is from users opinion, some go for RAM usage, other go for UI etc...

and so on but to lazy to read them all :wacko:

Here's my guide:

How to secure your computer

Anti-Virus: http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

Registry Cleaner: http://www.ccleaner.com/download/builds.aspx

CoolWebSearch: http://www.trendmicro.com/ftp/products/onl.../cwshredder.exe

Scan and remove Spyware, Adware, hijackers and other malicious software: http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Adawa...nal/965718306/1

& http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html

Protection from Active-X spyware: http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Spywa...er/1056258294/1

Firewall: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=388

Is your IP crack?: http://www.dshield.org/warning_explanation.php

Secuirty port scanner: https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

All those are free for personal use

Community Regular

jake1eye

Posted
Posted

Do you have any examples? I've never heard of this. :)

Here a VBS Script that will defrag all the local drives 

 Dim Act : Set Act = CreateObject("Wscript.Shell")
 Dim Fso : Set Fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
 Dim Drv, StrD, GB : GB = 1073741824
 Set Drv = Fso.Drives 
  For Each StrD In Drv 
   If StrD.DriveType = 2 Then
	Act.Popup "Preparing to defrag this drive" &amp; vbCrLf &amp;_
	"Drive" &amp; Space(6) &amp; Chr(62) &amp; " " &amp; StrD &amp; "\" &amp; vbCrLf &amp;_
	"Volume" &amp; Space(2) &amp; Chr(62) &amp; " " &amp; StrD.VolumeName &amp; vbCrLf &amp;_
	"DiskSize " &amp; Chr(62) &amp; " " &amp; Left(round(StrD.TotalSize/GB,4),5) &amp; " GB" &amp; vbCrLf &amp;_
	"DiskFree " &amp; Chr(62) &amp; " " &amp; Left(round(StrD.FreeSpace/GB,4),5) &amp; " GB",4,"Defrag", 0 + 32 + 4096
	Act.Run("Defrag " &amp; strD &amp; "\  -F"),2,True
   End If 
  Next
Collaborator

Joshua-San

Posted
Posted

Ahahaha, thanks ydsatgwregeryesry, that was really funny :) I was just searching for some random crap on the internet, and it seems that I've found it. Your guide may stink, but at least you made my day :D So don't worry mister, the thread wasn't completely useless :)

Grand Master

brentaal

Posted
Posted

I know that Spybot IS a good program, but how do i run it in the system tray. I use windows defender and it hasnt done anything while running in the systray.

Run S&D, go to Mode - Advanced Mode. Pick the Tools menu, choose Resident and enable the TeaTimer.

Experienced

antally

Posted
Posted

There's nothing wrong with Biostar motherboards. I sell some motherboards (Abit, Asus, Gigabyte, and Biostar) on the side for extra income.

I get the most percentage of returns from Abit, followed by Gigabyte, Asus, and then Biostar.

Also, there's nothing wrong with pre Athlon 64 AMD chips, saying otherwise is ignorance on your part.

There's also nothing wrong with java, we use it where I work for enterprise class software solutions with high reliability. Sure, it's not as fast as a native language due to the runtime environment, but there's nothing wrong with it.

IDE is not horribly designed, and it's just as fast as SATA in practice. ATA-133 vs. SATA 150 will show no real world difference, the main limit here is hard drive performance not interface speed. This is like saying that a keyboard will perform faster if it's usb 2.0, you can still only type so fast...

  • 2 months later...
Explorer

Adequate

Posted
Posted (edited)

This has to be satire... I guess I'll follow suit!

a) Sure thing, I'll probably get a heap of problems with NOD32, since I actually PAID for it!

b) I'm willing to bet there are a lot more Opera-related vulnerabilities than Firefox-related vulnerabilities, amirite?

c) Right, I surely can record voice clips, update my personal message, and do whatever Messenger Plus allows me to do with GAIM, and more! Thanks, I would never have known...

d) Oh that's true, when on IRC, I cannot think straight and I accept DCCs from basically any bozo or even better yet, I'll happily double-click on that MSN Hacker program they advertise. I mean, a few dozens of zombies tell me about it, so it must be true!

e) Yeppers! And don't forget to NEVER let it change anything in your registry. ESPECIALLY when installing a program. TeaTimer FTW!

f) Better safe than sorry! Even if that means I have to scan winword.exe every time I run it!

g) Well that's a no brainer! Duh! If programs shouldn't be allowed anywhere near the registry, WHY SHOULD THE USER?

h) If you don't, the boogeyman's comin to getcha!

i) Same reason why you should NEVER install Messenger Plus by Patchou. Don't come crying if you got CWS on your comp because of that!

j) Why bother? Someone who doesn't pirate shouldn't need protection. Any intrusion is LEGIT, remember? If you have something to hide, you're guilty! Guilty of what you ask? Why, guilty of EVERYTHING!

k) Yeah, and don't even think about WPA2!

l) Well, as they say, the best security is when you restrict yourself. Best way not to get STDs is by not having sex! So you don't need any firewall, just discipline.

m) To take this even a step further, don't use e-mail, period. All you'll get out of it is harrassment!

n) see "m"

o) Including Windows Update! If it pops, it must stop!

p) And don't forget to scan your disk with Norton Disk Doctor, chkdsk is mostly useless as well!

q) We aren't sure if you'll be successful in downloading it, but give it a try. Never hurts!

r) To tell the truth on this matter, Software makers made it so when their software is pirated, that tiny little bacterias (almost like a computer virus, but requiring cyber-antibiotics to get rid of) will slowly but surely give you all sorts of trouble, even some that are not computer-related. Don't ask, it just happens, trust me!

s) Especially google's! Don't come around crying if your free anti-virus detects netsky because of it!

t) Oh, and while it hasn't been mentionned, don't EVER use ASUS hardware! Refer to this, sign number 3. They confused ASUS with AMD, though...

u) Good thinking! Let the software makers bother with testing themselves! Don't give them your valuable time!

v) But come to think of it, forget soulseek, since pirating is illegal.

w) See v, since we all know there is no legal uses of Bittorrent

x) This explains why you shouldn't use Azureus in the first place. "w" explains why you shouldn't use any bittorrent client at all.

y) Good call! Customization is for troublemakers!

z) Or at least... try having fun!

Grand Master

goretsky Supervisor

Posted
  • Supervisor
Posted

Hello,

Most anti-virus programs install fine on clean systems. If you do run across a problem installing anti-virus software on a clean system, a possible reason this may occur is because the previous anti-virus software may not have been completely removed. Some anti-virus programs' uninstallers do not do a good job of removing their anti-virus software and can do things like leave their update and disk-access scanning modules active even after uninstallation. In cases like these, the anti-virus vendor may offer instructions or even a removal tool on their web site to perform a "manual' uninstallation of any remnants that are not uninstalled by their uninstaller.

Of course, if you do have a problem installing a piece of software, you can always contact the vendor for technical support. After all, if you have paid a vendor for a software package you should make use of their support if you need to.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

This has to be satire... I guess I'll follow suit!

a) Sure thing, I'll probably get a heap of problems with NOD32, since I actually PAID for it!

[...snipped for brevity...]

  • 2 weeks later...
Grand Master

Allan

Posted
Posted
The ABCs of trouble-free windows computing!

a) Get a free antivirus program like "Avast!". AVG works well as well

b) Get Firefox, and USE IT. IE works just as well, and now is secure if your not stupid

c) Use Gaim for all your instant messaging, it's far more secure and functional at the price of certain

capabilities, like voice/video. WLM is secure, if your not stupid, and don't use Smile Central, you'll be ok

d) Don't use IRC unless you have read a primer first. agreed.

e) Get spybot search and destroy. It's an amazing program. Install it, run it in the tray all the time. Run

checks on your system with it, get to know it. Windows Defender is better, but SB S&D still rocks

f) DO NOT click on any program to run it, before scanning it with your antivirus program. Unless it's from a trusted site like Microsoft, Neowin etc

g) NEVER click on a .vbs file or a .reg file for any reason Agreed, 110%!

h) UPDATE WINDOWS. I REPEAT. UPDATE IT. If you're using a pirated version, then I can't help you. ;)

You need to go legit, and use windows update. Microsoft fixes security flaws every day, and you need

to make sure you're updating to fix them. Agreed again, go legit, or go Linspire

i) Don't go to ThemeXP.org for any reason. The themes include lots of spyware. Agreed again

j) Run PeerGuardian. You should NEVER pirate, but it doesn't matter! If government, educational, and

commercial institutions want to probe your computer, that's a violation of your privacy, and it's your

right to block them from doing so. It's a good step towards REAL privacy. Despite the fact that this

program is designed for P2P users, it's good for everyone. Don't know, never used

k) Use WEP or WPA for your wireless network. Please. Agreed again, and if you don't know how to set it up, get a D-Link wireless router, and they will help you FREE OF CHARGE!

l) You might want a firewall. I don't use one, because I don't need one. I'm a desktop user, and i'm not

dumb enough to invite anyone into my machine. Don't visit shady places on the internet, and follow this

guide, and you won't either! Use ZoneAlarm free... best program... OR if you have a router, use the hardware firewall.

m) For chrissake, don't give your email address out to anyone. Or anything. I gave mine to Neowin.

That's fine, neowin is safe. Some other places are, too. If you don't know what it is, don't give it out.

Also, don't give out any personal information on a website, that can identify you, unless it's necessary.

Make sure if you do this that it's reputable. Agreed, as this should be common sense.

n) SPAM is a big problem. To avoid it, never post your e-mail address anywhere. Keep an e-mail

account separate if you need to use it to access a site. Only give your main account out to people you

actually know and trust. This is good for all OSes! Agreed, as this should be common sense.

o) Make sure to never click on ad banners. Or on anything you didn't actually choose to pop up. Google Ad's ok. If it'll help a site like Neowin, then help them! (perhaps, buy a memebrship to help Neowin!)

p) Defragment with Diskeeper. The default windows defragmenter is mostly useless. Please don't use it! I'll call BS - I've always used MS's XP and 2000's Defrag, and it works well.

q) Try downloading/running Crap Cleaner. (silly name, GREAT program.) never used, have no need.

r) DON'T PIRATE ANYTHING! Most security problems for regular users occur when they're pirating

software, or are involved in related activities. agreed.

s) Don't ever install "Toolbars". ALWAYS use Google Toolbar. it'll block popups.

t) Use a stable hardware platform. This means, get a GIGABYTE, MSI, Intel, nforce type of motherboard. Get a good

CPU. I recommend either AMD64 or ANY Intel CPU. Pre-AMD64 AMD platforms can have more trouble than it's worth.

DO NOT buy Biostar. They use cheap hardware. Get a good CPU fan. Manufacturer's stock fan is the best. DO NOT

buy a low-priced pre-fab desktop. Like eMachines. They're terrible! Make sure to have WAY more power supply than

you need, you won't increase power usage with it, but you'll increase stability. Use SATA or SCSI when possible.

IDE is horribly designed. It's not right for today's high-speed machines.

Use an nVidia or ATi video card, and please don't get the bleeding edge.

Use as little "integrated" Motherboard hardware as possible! Especially don't use AC '97 sound! It's terrible. Nice to not have personal feelings in a guide ... try not to be biased.

u) DO NOT use any "beta" drivers or software. It's more trouble than it's worth. if you know what your doing then Beta software is ok. I'm still running Office 2007 B2TR

v) DO NOT use music sharing programs. Except soulseek. Soulseek is the only one that's spyware-free! Use a good virus checker and Limewiare is good too. Common sense is all you need.

w) If using BitTorrent, use a good client like Azureus or BitTornado. Ok, I agree with Azureus

x) Ideally, you'll avoid using Java at all costs. But sometimes it's necessary, so please don't use it with IE! (see b) for

a good browser. Opera is also fantastic. Again, use a good AV and Spyware checker, and voila, you'll be safe

y) Don't mess with system settings, it's the way it is for a reason! Get a person very profeciant to fix system issues.

z) Most importantly, make sure to do these things and then HAVE FUN! Don't do all them, but do most. Biased comments like b) aren't necessary.

Anyone want to add more? I probably forgot a lot of things, or was inaccurate somewhere - If anyone has anything to add, please do! I want this to be as accurate as possible. Secondly, it's just my opinion, so please don't flame me if yours is different, just post your own opinion!

  • 3 weeks later...
Collaborator

studio57lie

Posted
Posted

this sounds like somebody gave you 120 seconds to post something useful and this is all you could manage. honestly, this is useful only to people who have never heard about/used/touched/seen/talked about/etc a computer. you should only expect that a person on Neowin has an antivirus program, knows how to recover from security flaws, and knows all about everything else. as for toolbars, why not google, yahoo, etc toolbars? honestly I have never had a problem with those nor has anyone that I know. dont give your email to anyone? wow. so setup an email... but dont use it. i thought this was "The ABCs of trouble-free Windows computing!" not "Saving Children from Internet Crimes". also: how can you advise something "q) Try downloading/running Crap Cleaner. (silly name, GREAT program.) never used, have no need." but have not used it yourself. and what computer under normal use does not need it? i highly doubt that. also using defragmenter is useless? thats what i use and it does help after installing large programs or after a new Windows install. i also have to say that all of this information includes programs that you have used, and i am assuming that means that you had to look around the internet for them, opening yourself to possible viruses. i would also like to mention that i do agree with any comment that this response is biased, but its hard not to with incredibly garbage information which most of is lies. im not being biased NEARLY as much as you are, because you say that certain programs are spyware which you cannot prove. p2p programs such as Ares do not necessarily get spyware, unless you download certain programs which are infected. if they do, you got the install file from the incorrect source and that is your own freaking fault. you are also saying to click ads only for sites you like to help? first of all I dont see ads that you speak of on Neowin, and even if they were, what makes them so different from any other site? god before this is 9 million pages long I am going to stop here and just make and ending with this:

this is a completely useless guide. dont go near it. dont try it out, dont even consider the lies/bias comments/etc

Grand Master

+Warwagon MVC

Posted
  • MVC
Posted
UPDATE WINDOWS. I REPEAT. UPDATE IT. If you're using a pirated version, then I can't help you. wink.gif

You need to go legit, and use windows update. Microsoft fixes security flaws every day, and you need

to make sure you're updating to fix them.

Microsoft will let illegal copies download security updates via Automatic Updates, and don't forget you still have Autopatcher

Enthusiast

webpain

Posted
Posted
This has to be satire... I guess I'll follow suit!

a) Sure thing, I'll probably get a heap of problems with NOD32, since I actually PAID for it!

b) I'm willing to bet there are a lot more Opera-related vulnerabilities than Firefox-related vulnerabilities, amirite?

c) Right, I surely can record voice clips, update my personal message, and do whatever Messenger Plus allows me to do with GAIM, and more! Thanks, I would never have known...

d) Oh that's true, when on IRC, I cannot think straight and I accept DCCs from basically any bozo or even better yet, I'll happily double-click on that MSN Hacker program they advertise. I mean, a few dozens of zombies tell me about it, so it must be true!

e) Yeppers! And don't forget to NEVER let it change anything in your registry. ESPECIALLY when installing a program. TeaTimer FTW!

f) Better safe than sorry! Even if that means I have to scan winword.exe every time I run it!

g) Well that's a no brainer! Duh! If programs shouldn't be allowed anywhere near the registry, WHY SHOULD THE USER?

h) If you don't, the boogeyman's comin to getcha!

i) Same reason why you should NEVER install Messenger Plus by Patchou. Don't come crying if you got CWS on your comp because of that!

j) Why bother? Someone who doesn't pirate shouldn't need protection. Any intrusion is LEGIT, remember? If you have something to hide, you're guilty! Guilty of what you ask? Why, guilty of EVERYTHING!

k) Yeah, and don't even think about WPA2!

l) Well, as they say, the best security is when you restrict yourself. Best way not to get STDs is by not having sex! So you don't need any firewall, just discipline.

m) To take this even a step further, don't use e-mail, period. All you'll get out of it is harrassment!

n) see "m"

o) Including Windows Update! If it pops, it must stop!

p) And don't forget to scan your disk with Norton Disk Doctor, chkdsk is mostly useless as well!

q) We aren't sure if you'll be successful in downloading it, but give it a try. Never hurts!

r) To tell the truth on this matter, Software makers made it so when their software is pirated, that tiny little bacterias (almost like a computer virus, but requiring cyber-antibiotics to get rid of) will slowly but surely give you all sorts of trouble, even some that are not computer-related. Don't ask, it just happens, trust me!

s) Especially google's! Don't come around crying if your free anti-virus detects netsky because of it!

t) Oh, and while it hasn't been mentionned, don't EVER use ASUS hardware! Refer to this, sign number 3. They confused ASUS with AMD, though...

u) Good thinking! Let the software makers bother with testing themselves! Don't give them your valuable time!

v) But come to think of it, forget soulseek, since pirating is illegal.

w) See v, since we all know there is no legal uses of Bittorrent

x) This explains why you shouldn't use Azureus in the first place. "w" explains why you shouldn't use any bittorrent client at all.

y) Good call! Customization is for troublemakers!

z) Or at least... try having fun!

lol :-D

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