Media Players to play all your music and videos. Windows XP and Windows 7. April 2014

  This is my section on media players. 

FileHippo list of MultiMedia device
http://www.filehippo.com/software/multimedia/

This is your best bet as you while find most good free media players here.

MediaMonkey
http://www.mediamonkey.com/

Running on my desk top...



It's free of course, and will play anything I can throw at it.
There are plenty of add-ons too, such as skins, device and languages.

RealPlayer
http://www.real.com.au/

Winamp
http://www.winamp.com/  but download it at Filehippo, here...
http://www.filehippo.com/download_winamp/


VLC Media Player from VideoLAN
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html

VLC is a free and open source cross-platform multimedia player and framework that plays most multimedia files as well as DVD, Audio CD, VCD, and various streaming protocols.

Cheers. Si.

Checked April 2014 for links and relevance to Windows XP and Windows 7.

My response to spam emails. Windows XP and Windows 7. April 2014

This is my response to people who send me spam emails and chain letters.
I keep it in a word document, and just copy and paste and send it back.
** All updated as of April 2014. This is the post that started this whole website and inspired me to keep all my links here.
This is to help me and others debug computers and keep them as safe as possible.

Feel free to copy and paste this into a WORD doc' so that you can do the same.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QUOTE
You are receiving this message because we have a received one of the following from your email address.
a spam email (buy Viagra etc) or
a junk email (send these Angels to twenty friends etc) or
a virused email (nasty Trojan viruses that make my anti virus program flash red warnings)
Furthermore, it appears that this email has been auto-sent to random people in your address book.

If you sent this email deliberately, then in the nicest possible way, please don't send anymore like this.
If you didn't knowingly send this email, you computer has been virused.
Here's what to do.

Create a new folder in My Documents called "PC Security".
Download and save all the following FREE programs.
I use all these myself and recommend them myself.

 Start with CCleaner from here …
Download from "File Hippo" where a lot of goodies are stored.

http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner 

It’s free and easy to use. Two buttons. “Analyze” and “Run Cleaner”.
This removes all the junk from your computer and keeps it clean.

Make sure you SAVE the file in that new "PC Security" folder.
It should look like this “ccsetup412.exe”
Double click on it to install.
Two buttons. “Analyze” and “Run Cleaner”.
Learn to use it. Clean up once a week.

Use this first to clean out as much rubbish as possible before you start big virus scans.

  You made need to do an online virus scan first.

Here are the links for the virus scanners. You may need them all.
BitDefender QuickScan
http://www.bitdefender.com.au/scanner/online/free.html

ESET Online Antivirus Scanner
http://www.eset.com/int/home//products/online-scanner/

Microsoft Security Scanner
http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-gb/default.aspx

TrendMicro HouseCall Free online virus scan
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/au/?WT.mc_id=2008HP_TRC_HouseCall

  Anti virus program from FileHippo once again...
That's the free AVG 32 bit edition for Windows XP
http://www.filehippo.com/download_avg_antivirus_32/

Or the free AVG 64 bit for Windows 7
http://www.filehippo.com/download_avg_antivirus_64/

Or for that matter, any free anti-virus from FileHippo...
http://www.filehippo.com/search?q=anti+virus

BitDefender has a good reputation...
http://www.filehippo.com/download_bitdefender_antivirus/

If you're using Windows 7, maybe try Microsoft Security Essentials
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/security-essentials-download#dlbutton

Make sure you SAVE the file in that new "PC Security" folder.
It should look like this “avg_free_x86_all_2014_4569a7320.exe” or this "Antivirus_Free_Edition.exe"
Double click on it to install.
(A lot of viruses will stop most anti virus programs from starting or running properly).
Do a FULL scan straight away.
Obtain any updates and scan again.
Let the program delete or quarantine any viruses.

  Download and install all the Microsoft updates from here …
http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate - redundant now - it's built in - but get all the latest updates.

** Support for Windows XP ends April 8, 2014

Allow to install. Reboot. Go back and look for more. Reboot and keep repeating until you have ALL security updates. You will have to use Internet Explorer for this, not some other web browser like Firefox.

 Free Firewall from FileHippo …
http://www.filehippo.com/search?q=firewall

Try ZoneAlarm...
http://www.filehippo.com/download_zonealarm_free/

Or try Comodo...
http://www.filehippo.com/download_comodo/

Make sure you SAVE the file in that new "PC Security" folder.
It should look like this “zafwSetup_130_208_000.exe”  or “cispremium_installer.exe”
Double click on it to install.

You will have to learn how to use its pop-ups to allow good programs access to the internet.

 Chrome web browser from here...

https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/browser/

Google Chrome is a very secure web browser program.
You can import you bookmarks or favorites from Internet Explorer.

Incidentally, don't be afraid to use more than one web browser. They will all import bookmarks from each other.
I use 'Internet Explorer' for it's Citrix abilities.
I use 'Opera' for some website editing and just for a change.
http://www.opera.com/


 Thunderbird email program from here … 
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/thunderbird/

Thunderbird is free from the Mozilla Foundation and is a secure email program.
Make sure you SAVE the file in that new "PC Security" folder.
It should look like this “Thunderbird Setup 24.4.0.exe”
Double click on it to install.

You can “Import” all you email and address book from Outlook or Outlook Express.

  FileHippo.com update checker from here …
http://www.filehippo.com/updatechecker/

The Update Checker will scan your computer for installed software, check the versions and then send this information to FileHippo.com to see if there are any newer releases. These are then neatly displayed in your browser for you to download.

Also check here for all free software downloads.
http://www.filehippo.com/

  Subscribe to the free newsletter “Ask Leo”.
http://askleo.com/

You will find a lot of extremely useful advice here.
There is a lot of good advice on his archives, so have a good read.
Like this …
http://askleo.com/internet_safety_8_steps_to_keeping_your_computer_safe_on_the_internet/

http://ask-leo.com/how_should_i_set_up_my_computer_part_i.html

END QUOTE ---------------------------------------------------

Generally people get the hint after the second or third time - no more "send this to twenty friends".
Note that all the above is also useful for fixing virused computers in general.
Cheers. Si.
Links checked April 2014. Still very relevant to Windows XP and Windows 7.

How To check what programs are running on your computer with Process Explore. Windows XP and Windows 7. April 2014

Here's a program I added to my boot menu. Process Explorer.

As a techie geek, I am often curious as to what programs are running on my computer.

This is the link to Microsoft Sysinternal Process Explorer, to give it its full name.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx



I added Process Explorer into my boot using GlarySoft Quick Startup.
http://www.glarysoft.com/quick-startup/

Now when my computer boots, I can see exactly what's running and hogging my system resources.
I can also see what needs to be deleted from my start up menu.
Almost everything these days adds yet another program to your start up menu.

Cheers. Si.
Checked and still relevant in April 2014. I still use these on my Windows 7 rig.

PC Security Free Software for Windows XP and Windows 7 - April 2014

This page is a summary of all the free PC Security Software that I have found and use.  You will also see screen captures of this stuff running on my own computer.
AVG free anti-virus - that's the link.
http://www.avgfree.com.au/

"AVG Free provides you with basic antivirus and anti-spyware protection for Windows and is available to download for free."

Avira free Anti-virus - that's the link.
http://www.avira.com/en/avira-free-antivirus

"Basic protection
Protects your computer against dangerous viruses, worms, Trojans and costly dialers.


 BitDefender anti-virus.
http://www.bitdefender.com.au/solutions/free.html


CCleaner - that's the link to download from FileHippo.
http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner

"CCleaner is a freeware system optimization, privacy and cleaning tool. It removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. Additionally it contains a fully featured registry cleaner. But the best part is that it's fast (normally taking less than a second to run) and contains NO Spyware or Adware!"running on my computer. I run 
this once a week to clean out my junk.



 Comodo free firewall - that's the link.
http://personalfirewall.comodo.com/

Malwarebytes - that's the link.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/downloads/

"Malwarebytes is a site dedicated to fighting malware. Malwarebytes has developed a variety of tools that can identify and remove malicious software from your computer. When your computer becomes infected, Malwarebytes can provide the needed assistance to remove the infection and restore the machine back to optimum performance."

It's free, but you can also buy a paid subscription.
Download the free version, but always manually obtain updates.
running on my computer. This is serious gear. Use this to remove those nasty viruses.
I also use their website to help debug and devirus friends computers.



Microsoft Update .** April 2014 - no longer valid. Windows Update is included in the Control Panel.

This may seem a bit redundant or unnecessary. But it's important.
I had to help fix a friends computers recently.
They hadn't received any Microsoft security updates for years. There computer was a mess of viruses, and not having any Microsoft Security Updates for five years certainly did not help.

Microsoft Security Essentials anti-virus - that's the link
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/security-essentials-download#dlbutton

This is Microsoft's own free anti-virus program.
To quote Microsoft...

" Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.
Microsoft Security Essentials is a free download from Microsoft that is simple to install, easy to use, and always kept up to date so you can be assured your PC is protected by the latest technology. It’s easy to tell if your PC is secure — when you’re green, you’re good. It’s that simple."

Microsoft Windows Defender - All gone now. See the post above.

 Online Virus Scanners
BitDefender QuickScan
http://www.bitdefender.com.au/scanner/online/free.html

ESET Online Antivirus Scanner
http://www.eset.com/int/home//products/online-scanner/

Microsoft Security Scanner
http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-gb/default.aspx

TrendMicro HouseCall Free online virus scan
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/au/?WT.mc_id=2008HP_TRC_HouseCall

Zone Alarm firewall - that's the link.
http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/zonealarm-free-antivirus-firewall.htm

"ZoneAlarm pioneered the personal computer firewall used by over 60 million people worldwide, and our parent company, Check Point Software, invented the enterprise firewall used by every member of the Fortune 100. We know how to keep the bad guys out."

So there you go. That's a good start to protecting your computer, all for free.
Load it up. Si.
Checked April 2014 for link and relevance. Still valid for Windows XP and Windows 7

Web Browsers for Windows XP, Windows 7 and Android - April 2014

Here's a list of web browsers that I use on my Windows XP and Windows 7 desktop PCs, as well as my Android phones.

For Windows desktop PCs or laptops.

You may be used to using Internet Explorer and have never tried anything else, but maybe it's time for a change. You really have nothing to lose by trying out a new web browser.
You can download and install three or four and just swap between them.

I have Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera and Google Chrome all running.
I usually use Google Chrome because I love all the add-ons and for syncing my Contacts and Calendar from my PC to my phone.
I use Opera to check that my websites look good across all browsers.
I use Internet Explorer for its Citrix ability for virtual application access.

Google Chrome Web Browser.
https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/browser/


Here's the link to Google Chrome Extensions.
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/extensions


Chrome is my main web browser on my desktop PCs. I constantly use the Google Calendar and Contacts to sync my life to my phone and workplaces.

*** A really good tip is to make entries that repeat monthly for various things, such as all your house bills. Chrome gives me the ability to put a huge amount of text in one calendar entry.
I have one huge entry for all my house details, including rent, insurance, taxes, rates, purchase date, bank loans and so on. I can always find it whenever I need it, on the 4th of any month.

I have another monthly entry for all my phone plans for the family. When they were started, what they cost, when we broke all those phones, account numbers, and so on.

I have a monthly entry for all my major purchases - just date, what they were and what they cost. It's been surprisingly useful.

Opera
http://www.opera.com/

I use this occasionally to check my websites.

Internet Explorer
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-au/internet-explorer/download-ie

I use Internet Explorer for its Citrix ability for virtual application access.

Firefox
http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/products/

I confess I haven't used Firefox for a few years after all those rapid changes. It wouldn't even work on my Windows XP box for a while.

For Android phones.

Google Chrome Web Browser - link to Google Play Store
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.android.chrome

I use Chrome as my secondary browser on my phone. I prefer Opera Mobile.

Opera Mobile
http://www.opera.com/mobile or this link for Android
http://www.opera.com/mobile/android

Opera Mobile is my main browser on my phone. I just prefer how it looks and handles.

Firefox - link to Google Play Store
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.mozilla.firefox

UC Web Browser - link to Google Play Store
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.UCMobile.intl

I use this to check the mobile versions of my websites... and it's also kind of cool.

DuckDuckGo Search and Stories - link to Google Play Store
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.duckduckgo.mobile.android

This is also kind of cool. I like the stories idea, and the anonymous browsing.

Cheers. Si. Happy anonymous browsing.
Links checked April 2014