System take over

[1life2live4]

O.K. so
I reformatted this old DELL , It was a domination something with 256 Ram and a P3 running at like 700GHz. So I figured the only way I’m truly going to get this thing moving is to reformat and run a new copy of XP Pro. Which I did. Gave the system back to its owner with SP3 , all the security updates from Microsoft , fire wall On , AVG 8.0 free. So after I installed her printer right the next day her system is so infected with pop ups it doesn’t even respond. Not only that when you go to start all the options like ( My documents , My pictures , My music , Control panel , Run , printers and faxes ) All that is gone. Iv never seen that ever happen to a system. I’m questioning her son that gets on it at night.
Anyhow I’m going to run the XP Pro CD she purchased again , Get her all set with a clean system again , recommend that she’s the only user on the machine. My big question here is, How do I prevent from this happening to her again, What should I install once I get her system up and rolling. Understood it’s a slow system and anything that throws a punch can virtually cripple her.

Thanks
Chris
:confused:

[EzyStvy]

Should consider installing anti virus/anti malware software...

[1life2live4]

isnt that what AVG 8.0 free is .....

[Negeva]

isnt that what AVG 8.0 free is .....

Yes and no. Whilst it is supposed to help protect users as with all other anti-malware tools they are only as infallible as their human masters. The amount of times I visited clients that have disabled all their internet security because 'they were told to' by a piece of software is immeasurable. It is these same pll that will phone you days later moaning of malware infestation.

Some ppl here swear by SpywareBlaster (http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/products.html) to help protect users from several 'drive-by' malware installers. I cannot comment upon it as I've never tested it myself. However, one thing I do use is the Immunize feature of Spybot Search and Destory (http://www.safer-networking.org/index2.html). This uses a mixture of the HOST file and IE own blocking system to protect users from known malicious sites/installers.

Only problem with these tools it that it requires the suer to update regularly. One of the few draw-backs of 'free' software.

[1life2live4]

Great , Thanks for the reply , Ill be using this SpywareBlaster on the next round, You know one thing has always gone in my head for some reason, Is it ok to run more then one protection on a system. I’ve always thought one will counteract another . Is this true. If not I would like to run. Spybot S&D along with SpywareBlaster & AVG FREE 8.0

[glc]

Those 3 are a very good combination. Spybot and SpywareBlaster do not run in the background - they do their thing by modifying the registry and hosts file.

[1life2live4]

So running all three shouldnt be a problem ....





Thanks GLC :)

[glc]

The only thing that's going to be annoying is Spybot's "Tea Timer" if you enable it. However, it may be what that customer needs - it gets in your face any time anything wants to change anything in the registry.

Try to sell her a ram upgrade if it will take more than 256. 700 MHz and 256mb ram is not designed to run XP well at all. That was a Win98 machine.

[1life2live4]

Ya that was the first thing I tryed but the mobo is at its max!!! Thats why I thought a clean install may help. I will just need to find a copy of win98< and put that back on it along with what we talked about. I should have known better then put XP on it but we live and learn.


Thanks

[glc]

Hmm - $140 for XP Pro to put on a machine that old? Money not well spent.

The machine should have come with a full set of reinstall media for whatever OS it was shipped with.

[Negeva]

Hmm - $140 for XP Pro to put on a machine that old? Money not well spent.

The machine should have come with a full set of reinstall media for whatever OS it was shipped with.

Aye, with those sort of specs a flavour of linux might be a better idea. Xunbuntu is designed to run on 'older' machines.

If all this customer is doing is basic office tasks with some internet surfing, linux would be better choice.

[1life2live4]

Without getting in to further discussion about my copy of XP , I have a volume licensing program with Microsoft because im a computer reseller , Therefore get my software rather cheep. Anyhow let me ask would I be able to run office 2003 with linix

[shadowpr]

Not that i know of, but you could use open office.

I honestly think it's just as good. Only thing it's missing is a few editing features I think.

[glc]

No, but you can run Office 2003 with Win2000. You can legally downgrade licensed XP Pro to 2K Pro. 2K will run better with those specs than XP.

[Negeva]

You can run Windows applications under Linux using WINE. Though in all honesty, why bother when Open Office is 100% Microsoft compatible and free.

My point here is that machine is so old and under powered it won't be used for anything more than office duties. Installing Windows/Office is a waste of money IMHO. Plus, since linux isn't targeted like Windows is by the malware writers you can get away without installing internet security: though if you wanted to it would be free!

It beggars belief that system builders are missing out on the wonders of linux. Free software where all you need to is charge customers a service charge for showing them how to use it. And, if you really must you can make it look just like Windows: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=396169

[1life2live4]

Yes I very much agree with you that putting a copy of office windows will be a waste. I will install Linux and use open office. Iv used Linux a few times in the past, but since windows is so openly available to me I’ve never sealed it as a main system for me. Thanks for everyone’s input.