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I still have 3 OLD desktop PCs, using only single-core AMD CPUs, installed with Windows XP Pro OS. I aware that Microsoft is going to stop supporting their Windows XP from about April 2014, but I have NO plans to upgrade these 3 pcs due to a) money issues & b) these PC's HW are too old and would not give me a satisfactory performance even I prepared to spend money upgrading their OSs to Windows 7/8.
I know there are other OS related S/W risk issues, which can only be rectified by upgrading to a newer Windows OSs such as Windows 7/8, but could I be continuing using XP with these PCs after that cutoff date from April 2014 IF a) I installed with a full-version of anti-malware S/W like Malwarebytes, and b) switched off my said PCs inter-networking ability, but still allowing individual internet access?? Alternatively my other option is changing the OSs of these PCs to the FREE Linux?? However for these Linux OS , would it offer an alternative Internet Browser as good as Firefox, which is what I'm now using and what about the Linux's S/W driver supports issues???
Thanks in advance
Edited by deleted (Sun 17-Nov-13 11:06:23)
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Linux offers a browser every bit as versatile as Firefox - it's called Firefox. And Linux has few driver issues unless you have very esoteric hardware. You should experience less problems with Linux than with XP.
As for safely using XP after support ceases, I believe the only way to do so is to not connect to the Internet and to install no new software. The problem is that Microsoft will reveal security holes in XP in the form of patches supplied for later versions of Windows, but they will not fix those holes. It will be a field day for the bad guys. But I can't blame Microsoft; support has to cease at some stage, it has been well documented, and they need to keep updating current versions of Windows.
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Thank you for your reply!
Would my existing Windows XP Pro OS support installation of Linux's OS and then I can multi-boot to either Linux or XP as I wanted??? That is, just install my chosen Linux's Distribution in my existing PCs which have already installed with Windows XP Pro in them???
Thanks
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That is certainly possible. You would need to repartition the hard disks and then install Linux in is own partition. All fairly easily done with free tools. (But you really need to back up anything important before messing with partitions, just to be safe.) Linux would be able to see the Windows partition, but not the other way round.
If you Google "dual boot" you should find quite a lot of information.
An alternative, in the short term, is to boot Linux from a live CD. This let's you check out different distributions before committing to an install. But it's a lot slower than a proper install, so not good as a permanent solution.
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Antivirus products will continue to be supported and release definitions after April 2014 - continue using one of them, use a good firewall, and perhaps switch to an alternative up-to-date browser like firefox, and you can continue using XP without problems.
Zen 8000 Pro
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This let's you check out different distributions before committing to an install. But it's a lot slower than a proper install, so not good as a permanent solution.
Slightly different tack - any suggestions for which "flavour" of Linux?
I've recently got a new PC - hence I was thinking of converting my old PC to Linux in order to get familiar with it!
I should add that I have NO experience of Linux whatsoever!
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My favourites for a beginner would be Fedora and SuSE. (You wouldn't like my real favourites.) Ubuntu, and it's derivatives, are very popular but I don't like them - they seem, to my mind, to follow the Windows / OS X philosophy too closely.
For an older machine you would get best performance by using the XFCE desktop rather than the "fatter" ones like Gnome, Unity, or KDE. But, if you want a flasher desktop, KDE is my favourite.
PS. If you have no Linux/Unix experience then it's well worth getting at least one book on the subject; you'll get a lot more out of it that way.
Edited by deleted (Sun 17-Nov-13 16:11:25)
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PS. If you have no Linux/Unix experience then it's well worth getting at least one book on the subject; you'll get a lot more out of it that way.
Ta!
Have just ordered:- 'Linux In Easy Steps 5th Edition' by Mike McGrath
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Well, I may try both! That is, when I am surfing with MS Windows XP Environments alternative Firewall for both downstreams & upstreams, better anti-wares S/W rather than relying on MS's SE could be used, and be very careful about my clicks when getting on internet. Certainly I will try multi-boot to Linux Environment as well for more serious internet surfings, however, is there any good & free anti-malwares & Firewall apps for Linux, just in case???
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You're worried too much, XP isn't going to get suddenly insecure even if people do start reverse-engineer patches for newer OS and try and attack XP. AV and firewall and common sense and you'll be fine for a good few years.
Zen 8000 Pro
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Well, I hope so but it is better be safe than sorry though especially for on-line orderings which I have been exercising a lot this day!
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Firewall is built in to Linux; anti-malware is, currently, not necessary.
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As long as your system has not been exploited containing malware and your browser has established an encrypted channel with the website there is no reason why there should be any problem.
I would recommend GFI VIPRE Premium as it contains both a good antimalware and firewall (which is based on the good old Kerio Personal Firewall), make sure Java is uninstalled if you aren't using it. Lock the firewall rules down very tightly to just allow traffic from known executables (rather than leaving it on automatic or beginner mode which may just allow any outbound comms).
You should be fine, if you aren't there will be mass hysteria in the press as many XP machines get infected etc etc (this will still be most likely ones without AV and firewall), but don't blame Microsoft they did warn you!
Zen 8000 Pro
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I'm still using Windows 2000 on one laptop with no issues, XP on a PC and W7 on another laptop. All networked together with all virus' contained with AVG antivirus and ZoneAlarm firewall on all machines.
Was Eclipse Home Option 1 & VM 2Mb
Now O2 standard
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Really, I'm glad to hear that too! I may consider upgrading all my old PCs to suitable Linux OS IF the Windows XP security situations are seriously getting worse after that cutoff support date.
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This let's you check out different distributions before committing to an install. But it's a lot slower than a proper install, so not good as a permanent solution.
Slightly different tack - any suggestions for which "flavour" of Linux?
I've recently got a new PC - hence I was thinking of converting my old PC to Linux in order to get familiar with it!
I should add that I have NO experience of Linux whatsoever!
Elementary os, seems to be a good one for starters and for older machines. I am using it n my laptop and at the moment it is installed on my desktop, in fact I am using it now and running Chromium on it writing this message
Based on Ubuntu, so drivers should be ok and a fair bit of software in the software centre.
Adrian
Desktop machine now powered by windows 8 pro 64bit, no dreaded metro and Linux , laptop by Linux
ALLPAY Wireless broadband
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You're worried too much, XP isn't going to get suddenly insecure even if people do start reverse-engineer patches for newer OS and try and attack XP. AV and firewall and common sense and you'll be fine for a good few years.
That is true, but i know a few people who have older machines running Xp and looking at Linux. it can't be a bad thing to get more people running linux and open source software to be honest.
Adrian
Desktop machine now powered by windows 8 pro 64bit, no dreaded metro and Linux , laptop by Linux
ALLPAY Wireless broadband
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...Until there is a problem...
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...Until there is a problem...
Which can and do happen with Windows. i know people who have had Linux installed on a computer for a few years and not one problem, try doing that with Windows.
Linux is no good if you are a games player and at the moment there is not really a video editor that comes close to Vegas, but for a lot of people a good linux distro would be better than keeping Xp installed, at least it would be more secure.
Going up to a mates place over the weekend to stick a Linux distro onto his old toshiba laptop, ok his wifes Toshiba laptop. Not sure with distro yet, but we will look into that at the weekend.
i am not saying linux is for everyone, but if you only use your computer to browse the net, do a bit of word processing, then it is ideal, of cause you can do more with it.
Adrian
Desktop machine now powered by windows 8 pro 64bit, no dreaded metro and Linux , laptop by Linux
ALLPAY Wireless broadband
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An Extension to April 2015!
This may be of interest.
http://speedtest.net/result/2459383290.png
Solar Results
Nov 143, Dec 125, Jan 77, Feb 174, Mar 210, April 384, May 450,
June 485, July 512, Aug 433,
Max Day 25.2
Edited by philippercival (Thu 16-Jan-14 10:42:51)
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Microsoft extends security fixes for Windows XP to 2015
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25758308
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But no security patches, so this makes it more vulnerable for online banking, shopping etc.
I know its not the safest OS as it is now.
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Nice to know BBC can't write a nice article without trying to bash Microsoft in some way. I'm referring to this bit
This longevity is partly because of the poor reception that its successor Windows Vista received and because some businesses have found it hard to adapt to the changes introduced in Windows 7 and 8.
Microsoft should be fully applauded for this decision, they are in it for the long run.
Zen 8000 Pro
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But no security patches, so this makes it more vulnerable for online banking, shopping etc.
I know its not the safest OS as it is now.
Oh absolutely, but we are talking about a 15 year old operating system here, which is quite frankly amazing that it has stood the test of time so long.
Zen 8000 Pro
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But no security patches, so this makes it more vulnerable for online banking, shopping etc.
I know its not the safest OS as it is now.
Oh absolutely, but we are talking about a 15 year old operating system here, which is quite frankly amazing that it has stood the test of time so long.
Agree, but it is time to let it go, i can understand why some people want to keep it on older machines, but when they want it put onto newer machine I have to ask why?
windows 7 is far better than XP and a new machine running XP don't make sense. I can understand people for not wanting windows 8.
Adrian
Desktop machine now powered by windows 8 pro 64bit, no dreaded metro and Linux , laptop by Linux
ALLPAY Wireless broadband
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Microsoft will be releasing security notices for it until 2015...
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This doesn't really solve the problem. True the security products will be updated with new virus definitions (for example), but any security vulnerabilities in the OS will remain unpatched. This will still leave XP systems open to attack in a way that patched systems are not. Don't mistake this for continued support for XP, just a slight reprieve whilst you migrate to a modern OS.
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I'm still using Windows 2000 on one laptop with no issues, XP on a PC and W7 on another laptop. All networked together with all virus' contained with AVG antivirus and ZoneAlarm firewall on all machines.
If I keep running XP, would it be best to keep MS Security essentials, or revert to AVG?
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MSE has gone all red and cross on my XP
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Indeed, but it will still update itself and MS will continue to issue updates to MSE until July 2015
Tony
We have more and more laws, and less and less enforcement
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Really? Do you have a source for that info, perchance?
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As reported by IT Pro last week, the software giant originally planned to pull support for Microsoft Security Essentials on 8 April 2014, but has now extended the cut-off date to 14 July 2015. and If you are still using Windows XP and the separation anxiety is just too much to deal with, you will be able to stay protected with antivirus support after July 2015.
Tony
We have more and more laws, and less and less enforcement
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Thanks 
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