End of Windows XP support!

[EagleMark]

Well it's finally happening and I think there's about 8 days left. I plan on getting the last of the updates and not really worried...

This is on my Panisonic CF-74 that I only use for tuning in cars. It's considered a Semi Tough, but that is what I bought it for, low dollar if something bad happens. Usually just leave it in car and do work from shop PC via my home network. I don't want to upgrade OS because of all the cool features the CF-74 comes with do not work when updating to newer OS. It's really a bare bones Tuning Software only laptop and plan to keep it that way. I know others have tuning laptops set up similar.

I wasn't really worried as I barely use Internet with it. But today got a notice that Security Essentials for XP is also going to end.

So what to do? I've had Norton and it's a HUGE power hog so no go there! I could just stay off Internet altogether but sometimes that is inconvenient...

What are you going to do and use?

[1project2many]

I used '98 until, well, until probably '02 or so? Upgraded to W2k because I got a free copy as a student, and because I needed newer borwsers to access web pages for school. Then I was more than happy with 2k but a few years ago the tax software I used wouldn't work without an XP upgrade. I have w7 at work and I just don't like it so I'll be sticking with something old for a while.

One thing I notice is that the OS doesn't get slower, it's the AV and security stuff that gets more and more complicated. I've got scripts disabled in my browser, run plugins to detect when bits of code from other websites are running, and generally watch incoming and outgoing traffic as much as possible.

Maybe I'll switch to Linux.

[steveo]

use google chrome, dont run any executables or even open files that you dont trust, keep your software up to date, use updated third party software for everything, image viewing, music playing, everything. disable all network servers.

security is one of those things, they need an attack vector. if you aren't running any network servers, that means malicious code has to be executed by you directly, or by exploiting a flaw in a program by opening a malformed file.

you'll be fine. hell i have internet connected windows 98 machines at work still.

[jim_in_dorris]

Mark. As i read the Microsoft release, if you already have microsoft Security essentials installed, they will keep releasing definitions until July 1015. If you do not have Security essentials installed, you will be unable to install it after the cutoff date. I also use an XP laptop for logging, and don't plan on updating it either. I wouldn't worry about it. If you were on the internet constantly with the XP machine, maybe.. but you are not, so don't worry about it.

[EagleMark]

Yeah that's what I was thinking... wasn't even concerned till my SE had a notice today! But if they keep releasing definitions until 1015... which I hope you mean 2015? Then it's more then I need for as little as this machine see's the Net!

Really the only time I use the net with this XP machine is for a bin or something here.

[steveo]

if you want actual security, air gap is the way to go. why even connect it to the 'net just for a few bins?

no windows xp flaw could ever be exploited, as long as all you're doing is transferring stuff on a usb stick or something

that is, if keep your MAIN machine virus free, so the usb stick doesn't become infected (although disabling usb autorun on the xp machine kills off 99% of those viruses..)

[EagleMark]

Chances of me getting a virus in is slim even on my desktop! I have protection, I don't go to sites where you have to click on stuff, my wife is constantly asking me "Should I click on, open, go here, update this, download that etc...?" She's learning what is safe. The kids computer and phone can not access my network, he and friends have their own guest wireless network. Plus my kid has never got a virus, he knows better. I never click on or open anything in my email. Unless it's something tune related and even then it's checked by virus protection first.

When I used to fix virus infested machines, 70% of them were loaded with porn, 29% were kids gaming or torrents, the other 1% were old people who clicked on stuff in email that had no idea where it came from but wanted to see whatever it was that was sent? "It may have been a picture of my grandkids!" :laugh:

[Six_Shooter]

I haven't used XP in about 5 years, been Win7 since then.

I do have an XP laptop, but my Grandfather has it right now, because the W2K laptop he was given died. I never really used that laptop other than to test some network connectivity and to use when friends and I went to the track, and needed two logging laptops.

For anti-virus, I've been using AVG free for years and haven't experienced any issues.

[EagleMark]

AVG! That's the one I was trying to remember!

Must have been a few years ago at our Old Farts Club aka Computer Users Group we started using Security Essentials on the refurbished computers we fixed up and gave away. It was just to easy, automatic for the people we gave them to. So I switched.

But if Jim is right and Security Essentials is going to still be updated for XP... then the only worry I had is gone.

[User Nameless]

I cruize the inner webz with my trusty Commodore-64 and a basic monochrome CRT monitor. I like WinXP - lots of great software for that system has been built over the years. I still have versions of Giant Anti-Spyware stashed away somewhere. That was the software Microsoft adopted for their own Windows AntiSpyware program. The user interface was nothing like it is now, but if you can recall the GUI of the first beta release, that's it.

Try this out for your XP updates and other stuff.
http://www.nliteos.com/
I recall this being great for stripping down the OS for a more compact and customized installation. I think it has the availability to aid with service packs and customized updating. apt-get install update WINXPPRO

[1project2many]

I cruize the inner webz with my trusty Commodore-64 and a basic monochrome CRT monitor.

Hahaha.... must have taken an hour just to type that reply!

[User Nameless]

Hahaha.... must have taken an hour just to type that reply!

Y < 5min

[historystamp]

Get a good backup of your system. Should it go away, you can restore it.

I use the free Clonezilla. I've successfully backed up & restored Windows XP.

http://clonezilla.org/

Robert

[User Nameless]

Get a good backup of your system. Should it go away, you can restore it.

I use the free Clonezilla. I've successfully backed up & restored Windows XP.

http://clonezilla.org/

Robert

My chosen WinXP utility of that nature is the 2003 version of PowerQuest Drive Image 7. Before Norton took it over and complicated it. Clonezilla is awesome indeed.

[EagleMark]

I'm really happy with True Image and have backup image of the HD on a USB stick. Along with backup on wireless HD and then use the non stop backup option as well as Syncing most files from My Documents to three PCs. Yup, I'm backed up! If one laptop dies I can just pick up one of the others and already have everything synced!

[Six_Shooter]

I ALWAYS start from scratch when installing any OS. I find I can get around a lot of quirks that may have been present in a previous installation this way.

[EagleMark]

Sometimes that is time consuming though, although I agree!

When I lost my laptop... well during the cup of coffee through the keyboard and out the USB ports... :yikes: then the brand new one I just spent a day on installing updates and tuning software and cables only lasted less then 30 minutes in a car while recording data I got cut off and slammed the brakes... while watching the laptop launch off the passenger seat and fly into dashboard then hit floor... :yikes: and never run again!

That is when I decided to look into the backup software and found True Image. Couple features it has is being able to load your OS, software updates etc... ready to roll on a USB stick with drivewrs and all that is needed to recover back to perfect even with a wiped or replaced hard drive. The other feature is the Sync. So my three laptops all Sync files constantly. The other features are good too like auto backups set to whatever you want, daily, weekly, monthly, to my wireless network 1 TB hard drive or the non stop back up.

When I first got my Panasonic CF-74 loaded with the original windows XP OS that had all the drivers, bells and whistles for the PC. I then did updates, loaded all tuning software, cables etc so it all worked fine. No fluff, no bloat software nothing extra! I then used True Image to make the USB stick backup which is a complete image of HD. Then used it to re install and it worked perfect. Now that is a secure feeling!

Did the same with my other 2 laptops but they are Windows 7 and needed much bigger USB sticks! Can also do it with CD or DVD or from network cable to another har drive. It's just a sweet software product!

[User Nameless]

True Image is another great program I have used before. The PowerQuest Drive Image (version 7 I think) also allows for an image to be created after the updates. It is time consuming to install a new WinDoze OS and update it and find missing drivers and..... and.... reboot.... and....
If the time spent on your own personal computer doing a fresh install and the updates, plus any software you commonly use is properly cloned or imaged, the reinstall time of this configuration is less than doing it the first time. PQ Drive Image took about 40 minutes to reinstall an updated WIN XP PRO with PDF reader, burning software, and other stuff. It is highly recommended for anyone to do create a clone or image of their OS if they are the one who is reinstalling it when a hard disk crashes or other disaster strikes. I remember installing the first Win Vista "Upgrade" to an existing SONY desktop with XP Media Center back when Vista was first released. The PC at the time was fully loaded and maxed out on RAM for its day. That install took 5.5 hours BEFORE I was able to go online and proceed with the updates and such. That took another couple of hours.. I can't tell you how many hours of PROGRESS BAR I have seen in my life..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX8yrOAjfKM