gene, i need help....i have windows vista, and i have window live one care
loaded....for some reason my firewall keeps turning it's self off.......i
came home at noon and logged on and it was off, i reset it, came home after
work and it was off again..........help
--
gaile
"Gene Fitz" wrote:
> Here are just a few lessons learned and some ideas and advice for those who
> may be getting ready to play with Vista the first time.
>
>
> 1. System requirements and meeting the grade:
>
> Before installation of Vista, read all the information, and make
> sure your system can handle it before you even start installation. This will
> save you a lot of time and issues during and after install.
> If you are wanting to take full advantage of Vista, you have to be
> running a stong computer, with the minimum of 32 bit or 64 Bit (P4 class or
> better). You are going to need at least one Gig ram, and if you are going to
> be using Aero, make sure you have a strong video card. (Note: A lesser video
> card can be used if you aren't worried about Aero graphics or DVD Maker).
> Read the System requirements on the "Get Ready" page, and make sure
> you got what it takes before you beat your head against the wall, trying to
> load Vista on your outdated system.
> Anohther good idea is to pick up a small external, or secondary hard
> drive. This will be a place to back up your system and a good storage space,
> which I will talk about more later in this message.
>
> 2. Post Load Installation:
>
> After you Load Vista, and get your drivers updated, you are not
> done. Like XP, some things like Multimedia codecs and such do not come with
> Vista. If you are a huge DIVX and XVID movie fan, you are going to have to
> get a codec pack. If you don't have it, when you go to your folder where your
> Videos are, you will get the infamous "Com Surrogate" failure. This will also
> happen if you have a sub-standard Codec pack. Many MVPs have suggested
> FFDShow. It is what I use, and have rarely found anything I can't run. Not to
> mention, no Com Surrogate failures.
> At post load, immediate needs should be taken care of, load
> anti-virus, Codec packs, and other important, needed software. Save the fluff
> for later, you will see why.
>
> 3. Complete Comupter restore:
>
> After you have all the NEEDED programs installed, check out the
> system, look around, make sure the OS and add on programs are working well.
> Do the Activation, then back the complete system up.
> Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Computer back-up and restore
> (Note the terms may not be exact, I am at work, and not at my Vista desktop)
> Choose Complete PC Back-up. This will Image your Vista drive, and store a
> back-up so that as you add new programs that Vista still doesn't like, and
> completely screw up your system, you have a way to get it back to where
> everything was working correctly. This will also keep you from having to
> re-activate your system.
>
> 4. Things to take into account.
>
> Vista has some extra security features that can be a great help, as
> well as a great pain in the ass. Most options you can disable, but remember
> that when you disable a security program, even as it may be annoying, you
> open yourself to issues.
> UAC: Will blink on your screen any time you try to load a program. Your
> screen will dark out and a yellow box will ask you if you are sure you want
> to load a program. Yes, it is annoying, but it has saved me a couple times,
> when I have clicked on the wrong thing, or have been spoofed in the internet
> into clicking something that may add a virus or spyware. This program will
> also allow you to lock out other users from loading programs, a dandy if your
> kids are also using the computer. But it can be disabled.
> Start > Control Panel > User Accounts and Family Safety > User Accounts >
> Turn User Account Control on or off
> Just remember that if you do disable this, you have no one to blame but
> yourself if you get "infected" So use caution.
> IE 7 comes with Phishing Filter. It may slow interent performance when
> loading a new site. It is a great tool, because it, from what I understand,
> will get updates from Microsoft on reported phishing sites. Again, it may
> slow interenet performance, but it can be turned off, by going to the
> security tab of your interenet options. Use caution id you do a lot of online
> business. There are a lot of threats out there.
>
> 4. WGA
>
> Software Piracy, depending on which school of thought you follow,
> you amy either apporve of it, or disapprove of it. Microsoft, now, does not
> tolerate it. Take that into account before even buying Vista. And BUY Vista,
> don't try to install a "cracked" version. It will cause you more problems
> than what it is worth. Timebombs and all will just make your life hell.
> Microsoft isn't playing around, if you update, they are checking you, if you
> have an always on connection, from what I understand they occasionally ping
> you to check. The old days of a downloaded version of XP and activation
> spoofer are gone. Be ready for it and pay the price, or don't, and pay the
> price. The choice is yours.
>
> 5. EULA:
>
> I know most don't read the EULA on most programs, lets be honest,
> for the most of us, it is usually a "click past" item. READ IT! The rules
> have changed. To name a couple, and the cause of most anger among users it
> the transfer once item and the upgrade vs new computer item.
> Now that we have gotten here, I will tell you now, I am not going to
> debate over these items, if you want to hear the pro's and con's please look
> at the dedicated posts "Ends to Piracy," "It's a Violation of Civil Rights,"
> And any post that has WGA, WGA-N, SPP, or EULA in the subject. You will have
> all the debate you need there. A lot of good opinions from both sides. I am
> not saying whether it is right or wrong in this post, just telling what it
> is.
> The EULA states that Vista will only be able to transfer the
> original liscense for the product to one computer, one time. This means, if
> you want to move it from this computer to your next computer, you can do
> that, but you can only do this once. If you buy another computer later and
> want to transfer the liscense, no dice, got to spend the money again. This
> also applies to major upgrades. From an understanding I have, hard drives may
> be a slip by, you will still have to re-activate, but you may get some room
> on that, but that is only rumor. Microsoft, in a nutshell says that if you
> make major upgrades that change the computer, it can be seen as a new
> computer. Take that into account.
> Best advice, if you are going to make majore system changes, or major
> updates, do it before you load Vista. But that is up to you. Lack of
> foresight could cost you quite a bit, especially if you are going to run
> Ultimate. $399 is a lot of money to spend because you didn't read the rules.
>
> 6. Read these groups:
>
> There is a lot of information that can be used in these groups. You
> can learn a lot from these posts. God knows I have. Many seemingly difficult
> problems are found to have surprisingly simple answers. If you experience a
> problem, most likely you are not alone. And most likely, someone has already
> found a solution. All you have to do is look, even use the search option at
> the top of the page.
>
> 7. Have fun:
>
> Look, this system now, isn't perfect. But remember that it is new. Learn it,
> and you may find you love it. Don't be afraid to report a problem. If
> something asks you if you want to send the error reports to Microsoft, I say
> let it. It may halp Microsoft find the error and patch it. You have already
> nade a Complete back-up, so push buttons, check this, check that, there is
> nothing that can't be fixed, if you restore it from your good working
> back-up. Get acquainted. Soon it will be released, and whether you spend the
> money for the Market release, or just get a Vista Loaded computer. This will
> be a good experience for you. I know it has been for me so far.
>
> Hope this helps :-)
>
>
>