volant: Yes, I think it is. Occasionaly, you can use it to scan your registry and delet needless paths and keys in registry.

Furthermore, I have a good experiences using Advanced Uninstaller 2006 instead of using remove programsa app. in control panel in windows. It deletes you all trash of application you want to be deleted, than scan your registry and finaly deleted all uncessery keys in it (or created when installing prog).
that is what I can really recommend and this way you can preced to overload your registry in Win.

Plaintiger,
I found this comparison of performance of the Xserve Server Platform using mac and pc on very prestigious server anandtech.
For more infos, please see this page
Briefly resuming, it says "The difference between the PowerMac running Linux and Mac OS X Server is absolutely striking. Mac OS X server shows better performance going from one to a second connection (and thus thread) because the second CPU steps in and helps carry the load. After that, however, performance completely collapses and stabilizes at around 50 queries per second. "

Another result of to be not competitive to pc performance is starting of building new mac= s using intel processors.
The problem is not even in hardware but unfortunallz in operating system.
And what is funny all of that? If you want to use service packs of Tiger, let´s say 10.1, 10.2,10.3 or 10.4, the only possibility of using them is to buy them separately as a NEW, yes, new operating system. Can you imagine that you have to pay for each service pack of Windows?

And one more example:
the price of iMac starts on 1299$ (see for example page of apple )
I can give you several examples what kind of hardware is possible to buy for 1299$.

You can be sure that Mac´s cannot compare to those computers.

Finaly, I would like to say that I respect all opinions but imho who really care about his/her money won´t buy mac´s. There are too many reasons for not doing so.

Any comments?

plaintiger: sorry plaintiger, but MAC OS X is is so slow and for most of common user not so easy to use. Btw, how many applications can you find for Mac? For example when comparing with Microsoft it is minor ammount and not to forget Mac´s are so expensive without getting any added value.
Probably Mac users will not like me, but Macintosh is only waste of money. They have good marketing but nothing more...and security of computers doesn´t matter on operating system but on behaving of user, protection (firewall, anti-viruses etc) so it is very easy (but not true indeed) to say, use Mac´s, you´ll be secured.

mrloupcity:
Does your router have switch (lan ports mainly 10/100BaseT)?
Did you make any management settings on your router first before you get connected on your "work" computer?

Try to find if network card on your´s wife computer is fine (in way as bitwisexor has explained you).

I don´t think there can could any problems due to ME system.

You can try to share your inet connectivity through XP system on your computer. (it´s easy to try) But disadvantage is that your computer have to be always switch on to keep connectivity for your wife.

So the best solution is to make it through ethernet cable directly to router. Than it is enought to set up your wife comp "mask, DHCP server and your IP addres (in this case you will make lan network).

For example, I have at home dsl router+switch all in one (4x10/100BaseT ports) so that we have been able to make own network and share internet connectivity from one place (and it´s cheaper :) )

After connecting ethernet cable to switch of router you have to set up TCP/IP settings on your wifes computer (network settings, TCP protocol)

my router has IP address 10.0.138
it will be also your dns address and gateway on wife´s comp
than you have set up IP address on wife´s comp staticly or by DHCP server (some routers have a problems to obtain it by DHCP)
we have in our network for example 10.0.0.1 (2,3, and so on)

set your mask on 255.255.255.0

option IP/DNS/WINS set up automatically (in this case it have to be ip address of router)

Come back and tell us what you try so maybe we can help you more (maybe :) )

Hope it will work for you.

bitwisexor:
"If I had to (which unfortunately I have had to on a few occasionas) 'secure' a Windows box then I'd start by disabling all the unneeded (and theres a lot of that!) junk on it - which Microsoft seems to have intentionally made a harder task."
Maybe you meant this: (posted few months ago from me)

I thinkg MSN messenger and others application in Windows XP that I find useless to have it installed can be uninstalled completely from system and register by this very nice utilities: nLite or XPLite. Also I recommend to switch off several services that XP is using when running but for a common user they are useless and can only caused vulnerability and problems of system.
You can uninstall at least these applications (from register):
Advanced Components:
Active Directory Services,
Distributed Link Tracking Client,
Error Networking Service,
Network DDE,
Secondary Logon,
Web Client,
Windows Time,
Internet Authentication Service,
Microsoft Message Queuing,
all MS Networking Services (Alerter, Computer Browser, Messenger, Microsoft Network Redirector, Net Logon, NT LM SSP, RPC Locator, Server, Server Message Block Redirector, TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper, a Workstation),
System Restore (I can tell you this is very dangerous app.,
Terminal Services.

Accesibility Options:
Accesibility Mouse Cursors,
Accesibility Wizard,
Magnifier,
Narrator,
On-Screen Keyboard,
Utility Manager.
Communication and Messaging:

Addres Book,
Fax Service,
Chat,
NetMeeting,
Outlook Express,
USR/3Com modem drivers,
Windows Messanger,
(Wireless Zero Configuration).
Internet Utilities:
Internet Connection Wizard,
Internet Explorer (!) (use Opera - now is free or Firefox, or Maxthon)
MSN Explorer,
VB Script for MSIE,
Windows Automatic Updates (místo používání Windows Update
Windows Update Manager,

Multimedia:
ATI SP1 driver.
Common Files,
Dokumentace,
Modul snap-in IIS,
service FTP,
web service,
Operating System Options:
Clipbook (Cltr+C, Cltr+V, Ctrl+X will still function),
Help and Support Center,
Microsoft Agent,
Out of Box Experience,
Program Compatibility Wizard,
Search Assistant (instead of it use Copernic Desktop Search),
System Information,
Windows Tour.

Server Components:
Indexing Service,
Indexing Service Language resources.

System Services:
Remote Registry,
Smart Card Services,
Telnet Service,
UPS service,
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP).

System Tools and Utilities:
Briefcase,
Dr Watson,
Files and Transfer Wizard,
Remote Assistance,
Security Center,
Security Center Background Service,
Task Scheduler,
Windows Script Host,
ZIP Compressed Folders.

You don´t expected it can be so much :) Am i right?
Just wait few minutes, then reebot and your system will boot much quickier and safe.

And thanks bitwisexor for your comments

playBunny: Yes playBunny I agree with you in this point. There was no intention to command people to use that or this. Just my suggestion.
Everyone can make their own decission how will secure their operating system by whatever they want(advice from friend who´s keen on this comp´security things,security webs,company focusing on this matter and so on). The basic thing for me is not to log in with admin rights, not to browse on "suspicious" web pages, not to open e-mail from "unknown" sent and its enclosure, use spam filter, install microsoft updates....and so on.

there are a lot of possibilities to search on web and find out what keeps you (relatively) safe or not. Of course, there is never no 100 % safety. I know that.

I would be glad to hear from playBunny and bitwisexor how they imagine safe system on Windows (XP or others) not Unix systems, so what application to use to protect agains worms, hacking attacts, viruses and other network threats.

Bitwisexor, I know why is firewall using for -to prevent unauthorized access to or from a private network. Firewalls can be implemented in both hardware and software, or a combination of both.
It basicily incluedes packet filter, application gateway, circuit-level gateway, proxies....

Ok guys....witing for your responds. :)
I´m curious

playBunny: well playBunny, you can say it that way, but don´t u think it will be late when you find out that your system has been infected or attacked?
It´s my recommendation not command! ...let them proof themselves.
Btw, can you tell me playBunny one reason why not to use free safer firewall instead of built-in XP one?

I am using - Kerio PF + NOD32. For me it is best solution that I can have.

Kerio personal firewall is better solution than XP´s firewall....trust me, I know what I´m saying.

Marfitalu: It seems that rewritable CD´s you have bought are not compatible with your writer.

If possible, try to exchange it by another types of CD in shop you bought previous ones.

What kind of CD driver do you have?
It can be that you bought faulty or defective CD´s . Try to find some app using to find out all infos about your CD´s for example in www.cdmediaworld.com. Maybe that can help.

Eriisa: If you really thing that your registers has crashed and other problems cannot be fixed, the only way how to solve this problem is reinstallation.
Perhaps, you can try to find some appropriate utilities to fixed your register on XP and it could help.
What did you mean with "no desktop icons"? It sound strange to me... :)

I thinkg MSN messenger and others application in Windows XP that I find useless to have it installed can be uninstalled completely from system and register by this very nice utilities: nLite or XPLite. Also I recommend to switch off several services that XP is using when running but for a common user they are useless and can only caused vulnerability and problems of system.
You can uninstall at least these applications (from register):
Advanced Components:
Active Directory Services,
Distributed Link Tracking Client,
Error Networking Service,
Network DDE,
Secondary Logon,
Web Client,
Windows Time,
Internet Authentication Service,
Microsoft Message Queuing,
all MS Networking Services (Alerter, Computer Browser, Messenger, Microsoft Network Redirector, Net Logon, NT LM SSP, RPC Locator, Server, Server Message Block Redirector, TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper, a Workstation),
System Restore (I can tell you this is very dangerous app.,
Terminal Services.

Accesibility Options:
Accesibility Mouse Cursors,
Accesibility Wizard,
Magnifier,
Narrator,
On-Screen Keyboard,
Utility Manager.
Communication and Messaging:

Addres Book,
Fax Service,
Chat,
NetMeeting,
Outlook Express,
USR/3Com modem drivers,
Windows Messanger,
(Wireless Zero Configuration).
Internet Utilities:
Internet Connection Wizard,
Internet Explorer (!) (use Opera - now is free or Firefox, or Maxthon)
MSN Explorer,
VB Script for MSIE,
Windows Automatic Updates (místo používání Windows Update
Windows Update Manager,

Multimedia:
ATI SP1 driver.
Common Files,
Dokumentace,
Modul snap-in IIS,
service FTP,
web service,
Operating System Options:
Clipbook (Cltr+C, Cltr+V, Ctrl+X will still function),
Help and Support Center,
Microsoft Agent,
Out of Box Experience,
Program Compatibility Wizard,
Search Assistant (instead of it use Copernic Desktop Search),
System Information,
Windows Tour.

Server Components:
Indexing Service,
Indexing Service Language resources.

System Services:
Remote Registry,
Smart Card Services,
Telnet Service,
UPS service,
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP).

System Tools and Utilities:
Briefcase,
Dr Watson,
Files and Transfer Wizard,
Remote Assistance,
Security Center,
Security Center Background Service,
Task Scheduler,
Windows Script Host,
ZIP Compressed Folders.

You don´t expected it can be so much :) Am i right?
Just wait few minutes, then reebot and your system will boot much quickier and safe.

a lot sucess :)

RAHVIN666: If the problem still appears, maybe the last possibility is to reinstall windows.

I know, it´s a pitty, but it is very strange.
And I assume you have Windows XP....

RAHVIN666: You have overclocked your processor for sure.
It´s fine to have latest version of bios but I Think it is not always necessary. What typie of motherborard do you have?

Now, you have one more possibility to return bios of your motherboard on default status.
You have to clear CMOS on motherboard and than you will be able to boot to windows or bios, whatever you want.
Also, the common rule or tenet is to not play with BIOS when you are realy not for sure what happens and what you has changed. :)

And sometemis, it´s better to format disk (or partition where your systems is installed) and make a new instalation. But before that, back up all things you wish and are important for you (documents, photos, mp3) and that reinstall everything with new drivers if available.

And if the problems with booting of your system will persist, that ask some of your friends, if he can scan your harddisk and then make backup of thing you wish.

Let us now how you have solved a problem.

Pedro Martínez: LOL

BerniceC: I´m not sure, but think that SNAGIT is shareware.
Just look here and maybe you´ll find some suitable for you.

Furbster, open this page where you can download the latest version of firefox(1.0.6).
Then install is, just follow instruction during installation and try it.

furbster: have you properly installed all drivers and system on new hardware configuration?
Maybe problem is in net connection, your browser, firewall....etc
You have to be more concrete...

Well, so I think thunderbird would be suitable for you. You don´t have to always log in on same page and write your passwornd and login name.
I think at gmail you can find guidance how to settle your e-mail account and then it is more compfortable. :)

Hrqls: Opera is paid browser (if you don´t like advertising banner) and firefox is freeware. I like and use them both.
Did you try thunderbird - email client?

My questions is: what application are you using for your work (have installed)? I mean basic needed for everyone (compress formats, burning software, browser, audio, video, antispyware, antivirus, firewall, image tools...etc)

It would be interesting to know what is popular and why.

Hrqls: Yes I´m not expert too, but it should be simply explained your way....
Well, I read on web these experiences:
WinXP + SP2, EI 6 --> reboot
WinXP + firefox --> reboot (but I think version 1.0.4 should not have problems with it
Win 2000 + IE --> reboot
Win 200 + firefox --> reboot
Opera no problem (it is very good browser)
win2k sp 4 + firefox1.0.4 --> reboot
Win 98 + firefox1.0.4 --> reboot
linux no problem

So as you can see, win has a problem with it and IE too.

Here is explanation about it:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=293078

Hrqls: yes, you´re right, it is very primitive but it works :) of course it depends on what kind of operating system and browser you are using. (maybe this can be one of the way how to find out how many people are using Bill´s system and IE )
On that page is simple image, size 1024x768 but in HTML code and his size is settled as width="9999999" height="9999999" so when you open the page, your browser is trying to load image of size 9999999 x 9999999 by allocating needed space in memory...and then You need to have some TeraBytes of memory to be able to load that image

Sometimes I am very suprised and scared how your system easily can be attacked.

Here is Html code of page:
<p><img src="pic.png" width="9999999" height="9999999" alt="puh" /></p>

Hrqls: so tell what has happened when you opened the page...

Hrqls: try to visit this www.game-wow.kvalitne.cz page or this one and then come back.....

I am awaiting your comments on it.
Thanks.

Hrqls: I can agree with you mostly in all points. Btw. chessmec said he hates windows :)) But I don´t care.
Yes, the main problem (but for linux users it is its advantage) you need to have some acknowledge and it is more difficult to understand and learn using it, but I think when you find how works all applications on it you can tweak it and use it how you like it. But....with Windows you can do that too, maybe in not so "deepest" way, but you can.
The problem of windows is it is more vurnelable to viruses, trojan horses...etc because of its majority. It´s true.
But didn´t you thnk sometimes that user and it´s behaviour (browsing, ignorance) caussed all problems and then....you can only pray .

About MAC I think the popurality is based on its marketing which is excellent. No doubt about that. But when you come to see closely on its hardware, software, op.syste "TIGER" you realised that has nothing to do with good and stable alternative. Yes, it look great, it has interesting desing, but nothing more apart that. And it is very, very I say very expensive. You can spent your money more effective using intel,amd and windows or linux. Just one example:
it use slowly G5 processors, old ATI 9600 graphic cards, old PATA hardrives...and everything for more amazing 1000$. And Tiger?
Each new uptade is considered as a new system (they are crazy, aren´t they?), so when you buy for example MacOS 10.1 and you want to upgrade to Mac OS 10.4 you have to buy as a new system. And it cost a lot of money inspite of fact it is based on UNIx system...yeah, it is the way it goes.

Any comments appreciated... (MAC fans, where are you? but not blame please)

Sorry guys.... and girls :), it is very simple to say "I hate Windows..etc" but then on the other hand you have to say some facts why.
I´m not a big fan of it (and Bill too ), but for an average user it is good operating system. Yes, you can say it not safe system, it has many security holes, it´s true, but when you have your system protected in good level (I mean antivirus,firewall...) you can use this system in many ways.
It has "friendly user" interface, it is not so difficult to "get in" and work on it.
There are a lot of applications for Windows, but can you tell the same about Linux?
I don´t blame Linux, I am about to learn how it works and keen on about all things connected with this system, but you cannot compare Windows (XP) to Linux.

And I am sure everyone of you is using Windows beside LInux or UNIX, Mac....

Any thooghts?

Danoschek is right, it is recommended to disable windows system restoration to be able to repair system after infecting.
There are also many other steps that must be done to be protected from viruses, spyware etc.
Simply things are recommended: use antivirus and firewall and don´t browse on "dangerous" sites.
Also I would recommand (very suitable) to disable this services on windows which only makes your system more vulnerable and occupy tons of MBs in your RAM and I guess you´ll never use this serveces in real life (cmd-services.msc)
-automatical configuration WiFi (if you are not -using wifi conectivity of course)
-ICF (firewall in Windows ´cause I guess you are using better one )
-Indexing Service
-NetBIOS (port 135) over TCP/IP
-NetMeeting
-nvidia driver helper service
-protocol SSDP
-sever (if you don´t have your own private network)
-telnet
-terminal services
-web client


and others can be found. (see blackviper).
Certainly disable automaticaly windows updates - only when notified you´ll download them.
And don´t use Exploer but some better alternatives such as Firefor or Opera, and Mozilla Thunderbird instead of Outlook.
Sometimes it is good to scan system with ad-ware or Spybot-Search&Destroy.

Or use LINUX.

volant: maybe problem is between keyboard and chair.... I´m joking...sometimes the reason why this or that have happened to Windows are...hmmmm....let´s say inexplicable . Really this should be happened by any other applications you have installed into your computer or this might be indication that your computer have been infected by some spyware,adware,virus or something like that from net.
I have some experiences with system restioration too, and after 2 or 3 months it didn´t work good as you wrote.I think this is not good way to backup your system. Maybe you can try NortonGhost or other applications that are hundred times better and works very good. It is a shareware but I am sure that there can be found any other freeware programs that will be able to satisfy your needs.
Try google it.

Very nice programm, that was very helpfull to me was Aida32 that gives you all informations about your computer, drivers,installed software and have included diagnostic moduls. But since this year the development of this application has been stopped for sure. It's a pity, isn' t it? ;o) I found out that the utility with the same features and by the same author! has been released. This new utility is called EVEREST and have the same feautures as Aida had. (of course it's by the same author). So Everest gives you full hardware,software,directX,overclock information, have diagnostic moduls,benchmark tests,tweaking features and all this informations can be printed or exported in HTML or XML. So if you were looking for something like that, try this monitoring utility.I'm sure you'll be pleased.

have a nice day
(and sorry my english)

Another good browser is Opera. In the beggining of month has been released new version, actualy v7.51. It has only 3,4 MB (with Java 16.4 MB). It also included e-mail client (M2),you can use opera to connect to IRC channels, pop-up blocking, chat client, WAND password manager, download manager, cookies manager and another very usefull features. E-mail client has its own SPAM filter of good quality, multiple document interface allows you to resize and pose pages next to each other, you can configure Opera in your own style with a very good preference..... I think it´s a good choice instead of using IE (more safer, comfortable and simple to use).
Here is official site where you can learn more about this brilliant browser, you can find there documantation, features
, language options of interface, and of course download it<a/>.