I'm keeping one Windows XP machine because...

[stratman]

They are not exactly plug and play
but if you follow the correct install sequence they work fine
briefly
with printer off
install printer driver, do not click do a test print
plug in USB end of adaptor to PC, windows should recognise this and install driver.
connect adaptor to printer
go to printer property’s and change port from LP to USB
Turn on printer and do test print

Nice info!

Is this process OS dependent or any MS OS from XP on up (including Windows 8.x) will work?

 

[mikling]

The problem I had years ago was that it would install and work but need to be reinstalled frequently.
My 870 based AM3 is suiting my needs for the time being and it has a built in LPT which works perfectly. The computer is plenty quick enough and I have not activated two extra cores yet. Lotsa life left. Even with the SSD in native IDE, it is mighty fast and SMART works properly in Seatools but the BIOS has an small issue in accepting the data.

Since I have another rig, I use that for long drawn out processing even it is a bit slower. It just sits in the corner and crunches numbers while I still work on my regular rig so I never feel the slowdown. I don't game so I hardly ever feel the need for more speed. It is responsiveness that I treasure and the SSD does that for me. My 240GB SSD with MLC nand only cost$109. How could I pass that up! I can now install apps with all options and no longer worry about the space taken. Win 7, has been very good for me and I simply can't think of why I would give it up.

 

[LeeE]

For anyone that wants to continue using windows XP should consider the following:

Use a different browser (not Internet explorer) actually this should have been done long ago!
Consider a different firewall

Microsoft thinks all users are idiots and implemented many "helps" so that users could have others remotely evaluate and fix their systems!
These "helps" are a bonus for anyone wanting to hack into your system, however most of these can be disabled in windows XP services,
There are many articles, on line, about which services should be disabled, one is at Jasonn.com (perhaps not totally complete)

Also limit the item in your startup!

Sure you should have a good anti-virus program and backups for your system.

Also remember the longer you are "on line" the easier it is for a hacker to do his work,


If you still need previous security updates you can still get them manually, however you need to know which ones you don't have. The last I checked Berlarc Advisor provided this info with links to the update page.

 

[The Hat]

Microsoft thinks all users are idiots and implemented many "helps" so that users could have others remotely evaluate and fix their systems!

I really do love your statement; it says an awful lot about Micro users in general.

Now all of the steps you mentioned above can only help to slow down the hackers for a brief moment in time but it won’t stop them, so is it really worth it to go to all that trouble just too end up in even more trouble.

There are loads of diehard’s out there that won’t be forced to change their O/S just because M/S say they should, but stop and think for just a second what might or could happen when you do eventfully get hacked !

You probably won’t even notice it has taken place and may be even the last one to know, till someone contacts you to say something like: thank you for subscribing to our gold premium weekly Newsletters or you’re overdrawn on your bank account again, maybe you have just slandered someone very important on Face Book. Ops..

Still if you’re not using Internet Explorer and have a very good firewall then none of this can happen, or can it ?

 

[stratman]

none of this can happen, or can it ?

That made me laugh out loud.

 

[stratman]

There are many articles, on line, about which services should be disabled, one is at Jasonn.com (perhaps not totally complete)

I have used Black Viper's Services information to good effect with Windows XP. (http://www.blkviper.com/)

There is information for all MS operating systems from XP and Windows 2000 through Windows 8.1.

 

[The Hat]

Most guys are under the impression that when they get one of the many viruses (Hacked) that they’ll know straight away because their machine will start to behave particular, not respond to their inputs slow down or get all the files deleted in some way and so on till their computer becomes unusable.

But no none of that will happen at all it’s the complete opposite to what you think because you more and lightly won’t know you’ve been compromised, a good virus won’t reveal itself at all and wont effect the daily running of your computer in any way, that the beauty of these things.

Their sole purpose will be to monitor all of your daily activities and record every key stroke and to continue to do this for as long as possible, they will then try to use your computer to infect any system you may log onto while still collecting as much data as possible.

Surly my antivirus software and firewall will stop this from happening, wont it ? Well even if you have the US marines stationed outside your front door that still won’t stop it, no offence to the Marines intended boys !

Once the Updates for the rest of the Microsoft O/S are released next month then that will be a key indicator for the hackers to get started, whether it be, the side door, back window or the skylight that’s been comprised then that’s where they’ll make their entry. (Like bats in the belfries)

Like this for instance.. Heartbleed flaw revealed in OpenSSL and if that can get hacked then your old and aging O/S won’t stand a chance against these wizards..

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/388111/...letter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter

 

[bsanotrun]

Nice info!

Is this process OS dependent or any MS OS from XP on up (including Windows 8.x) will work?

well it should work on any OS that the printer driver will install
possibly even win8 in compatibility mode
Apple Mac no idea
Linux definitely not ;(

 

[stratman]

well it should work on any OS that the printer driver will install
possibly even win8 in compatibility mode(

I have not needed Windows Compatibility Mode for any peripheral yet. My Canon MP830 has a Win 8 driver - good job of Canon to upgrade their driver on a 7 year old out of manufacture printer! - and my Thermaltake BlacX eSATA docking station that Windows installed without outside drivers required.

Maybe my Panny laser printer will need this Compatibility Mode. I almost feel like spending $10 on the Parallel to USB cable to find out.

 

[The Hat]

It shouldn’t take you too long to save up the $10 for the cable !