New to XP

[efc]

New computer will arrive Monday. This time I opted for XP Home Edition instead of SE. Do you have any pointers for the setup.

I am looking for fixes when things don't work as expected.

[Conan]

With XP you will notice a world of a difference in stability. If you encounter any problems just post away and someone will here will help!

[FastGame]

Originally posted by Conan
With XP you will notice a world of a difference in stability. If you encounter any problems just post away and someone will here will help!

*Ditto*

[efc]

If the computer was for me, I wouldn't be concerned. Believe this or not, the computer is for an 84 year old man.

Not only is he a senior-senior user, he had me order one slick machine.

AMD 1800 XP
40 GB 7200 rpm HD
Gforce 440 - 64 MB video
256MB 2700 DDR RAM
48X12X48 CDRW

Quite a step up from his current Celeron 400 MHZ, machine with 64 MB of memory.

I want him to have a trouble-free start with his new toy.

[piaqt]

Hi and welcome to techzonez!

I got a pc for my mother (age 77) so I know whereof you speak.

as to problem-solving: It depends what KIND of problems. Posting here works very well.
http://www.aumha.org/ for startup/shutdown problems and registry patches.
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/ for xp-specific issues
http://mvps.org/ for MS MVP's
...and there's always the KB and google searches.

[Big Booger]

I recommend you to:
Use SiSoftware Sandra to do a burn-in test.
Update all the system and hardware drivers.
Install SP1(might help, then again it might cause more issues).
Install the latest in freeware:
adaware
daemon tools
power toys
etc...

Also you might want to teach him how to setup a remote assistance that way he doesn't have to ask you to come over to help when the poo hits the fan...

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/p...st/default.asp

Further, you might also want to set the PC to autoupdate windows critical files and patches, install IE SP1, etc...

I would show him how to defrag, scan disk, checkdisk etc... You might even set them up to run automatically at certain intervals...

Other than that, he should be more than happy with his new machine and windows XP Home edition.
As always if you run into any trouble let us know.
BB

[egghead]

efc :
what motherboard is it?

the motherboard is the root of many xp problems

all of which are due to old drivers installed
or problem chipsets specs and shoddy manufactures and bad solder points

on some new boards the driver discs do not support xp

installing the auto setup has caused many stability problems in xp

post the motherboard here

dont install any drivers from cd

goto the manufactures website and get all the latest drivers and updates and burn them onto cd for easy re-installation


cheers

[MSNwar]

Senior users often have poor eyesight. To change the font size, color, and themes goto start > all programs > control panel > appearance and themes > display. A shorter method and easier to remember is to right-click the desktop and select properties.

More options for the handicapped and/or senior users such as the on -screen - keyboard, and magnifier can be found start > all programs > accessories > accessibility.

I noticed that he has a CD Writer. Maybe he wants to create a photo album and burn it to CD. I placed a shortcut to Windows Explorer on my Mom's desktop, so she could manage her photos, and use the send command to transfer the photos to CD. Unfortunately, Windows Roxio Software is poorly integrated in Windows XP for this purpose. After using a PC for years I had to stop and figure out how to burn CDs using Windows XP. I would definitely show him how-to burn with XP.

Have Fun

[efc]

I have been gone for several hours. Thanks for all of the input. I will start reading now.

To egghead - MB is EPOX (8K3AE)

To MSNwar - We bought him a 19" monitor to compensate for eyesight.

[egghead]

its a via chipset

you must get the updated drivers for them

i did a search on newsgroups and found 100's of messages all in another language

dont know if good or bad

sorry i cant be much help

btw

i would try to get something other than via

just update your drivers and you should be ok

[efc]

Thought that I would report back. No problems with the install.

There was one issue that I will post on the virus protection forum. His old machine was giving him problems. Since we were networking the old and new machine. I needed to find the problem.

It turned out to be the nimda was present. I found it by loading and running AVG. Vcatch had not found it.

Thanks to everyone for the help. I read all of the recommendations and feel more comfortable with XP.