New Computer Question

Collarspace Discussion Forums

Home Login Search

New Computer Question

View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest

All Forums >> [Casual Banter] >> Off the Grid >> New Computer Question

Page: [1]

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

New Computer Question - 2/28/2009 11:34:48 AM

popeye1250

Posts: 18104
Joined: 1/27/2006
From: New Hampshire
Status: offline

I bought a new computer and I tried to download Yahoo Messenger on it but a window keeps popping up about not being able to download messenger because of the the "firewall." settings.
I don't even know what a "firewall" is!
Could someone give me the steps I need to take to be able to download Yahoo Messenger?
Thankyou in advance and please be specific as I'm not good with computers.

_____________________________

"But Your Honor, this is not a Jury of my Peers, these people are all decent, honest, law-abiding citizens!"

Profile

Post #: 1

RE: New Computer Question - 2/28/2009 11:37:46 AM

ThatDamnedPanda

Posts: 6060
Joined: 1/26/2009
Status: offline

Popeye, what operating system are you using? I'm assuming Windows Vista if it's a new machine, right?

_____________________________

Panda, panda, burning bright
In the forest of the night
What immortal hand or eye
Made you all black and white and roly-poly like that?

(in reply to popeye1250)

Profile

Post #: 2

RE: New Computer Question - 2/28/2009 11:41:08 AM

popeye1250

Posts: 18104
Joined: 1/27/2006
From: New Hampshire
Status: offline

Yup, Vista on a Dell computer.

_____________________________

"But Your Honor, this is not a Jury of my Peers, these people are all decent, honest, law-abiding citizens!"

(in reply to ThatDamnedPanda)

Profile

Post #: 3

RE: New Computer Question - 2/28/2009 11:51:48 AM

aravain

Posts: 1211
Joined: 8/26/2008
Status: offline

Oh good, vista, I can answer this...

You know where you can turn automatic updates on and off? In that same window there should be an option for firewall settings.

I'd suggest you get an actual *commercial* firewall, and turn the windows one off afterward, it's generally easier to control.

Firewalls are used (basically) to stop outside connections from accessing your computer.

(in reply to popeye1250)

Profile

Post #: 4

RE: New Computer Question - 2/28/2009 11:55:14 AM

popeye1250

Posts: 18104
Joined: 1/27/2006
From: New Hampshire
Status: offline

Ok, I think, so how do I download Yahoo Messenger?

_____________________________

"But Your Honor, this is not a Jury of my Peers, these people are all decent, honest, law-abiding citizens!"

(in reply to aravain)

Profile

Post #: 5

RE: New Computer Question - 2/28/2009 12:09:11 PM

Termyn8or

Posts: 18681
Joined: 11/12/2005
Status: offline

Get the downgrade to XP, XP Pro preferably. Highly recommended even if you have to download some drivers.

This is only one of many issues with Vista, and what I've heard, if you are a twelve year old or something, Vista is a good thing because it "protects" you automatically. From your posts I take it you are not a kid, and don't need nor want to be protected automatically.

Even in XP Pro you will need to turn off a bunch of crap, but with Vista there is much more. Once you get XP Pro, and you have at least SP1 with it or SP2 if you intend to use wireless internet, shut off all automatic updates and all automatic everything. I go so far as to not even use any power saving options or screen savers. I am big enough to reach the power button.

If you learn fast and really don't know much about Windows in the first place, you might consider Linux. There are versions that will run straight off the CD with no installation at all so you can try it out. The difference is not unlike driving a car instead of riding in the back seat. In fact Linux has some really cool tricks, for example you can crash any website you choose with it once you know how. It is also pretty much impervious to all virii and worms, trojans and whatever they might come up with. All that shit it written for Windows, you could also get a Mac if you want to spend the money and believe me I have considered it. The firewalls on alternative OSes are primarily just to limit access to your files, you won't get a virus, worm or trojan except in very very rare cases, if at all.

The only drawback to an alternative OS is if you are a gamer. The choices are quite limited. With Linux it uses a microsoft based chipset, so you can go dual boot if you want, every time you can choose Linux for online or whatever, but when something requires Windows, it is a simple matter of a few keystrokes.

The exception is Mac, which uses a different "chipset", a very different processor and you do not have that option. However I have found that with alot of people, they say "Once you go Mac you never go back". The software is out there. Most of it is better, but then your popular games and other things might simply not run period and you can't do a thing about it unless you get what's called a Windows emulator. All a pain in the ass.

Weigh your options.

T

(in reply to popeye1250)

Profile

Post #: 6

RE: New Computer Question - 2/28/2009 12:32:55 PM

FullCircle

Posts: 5713
Joined: 11/24/2005
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Termyn8or
Get the downgrade to XP, XP Pro preferably. Highly recommended even if you have to download some drivers.

This is only one of many issues with Vista, and what I've heard, if you are a twelve year old or something, Vista is a good thing because it "protects" you automatically. From your posts I take it you are not a kid, and don't need nor want to be protected automatically.

The firewall looks pretty much the same in Vista as it did in XP, I've noticed no vast difference in operation either relating to that function.

quote:

Even in XP Pro you will need to turn off a bunch of crap, but with Vista there is much more. Once you get XP Pro, and you have at least SP1 with it or SP2 if you intend to use wireless internet, shut off all automatic updates and all automatic everything. I go so far as to not even use any power saving options or screen savers. I am big enough to reach the power button.

Humm is your PC safer with or without the updates? I don't know exactly how effective the updates are since there are updates on the updates but I'd say to the lazy cyber criminal that relies on common exploits your machine would be more welcoming. There was also that worm floating about causing XP to reset itself remember that old one, global nightmare but we all had time off work which was nice.

_____________________________

∞ ﮒuקּƹɼ ƾɛϰưϫԼ Ƨωιϯϲћ.

(in reply to Termyn8or)

Profile

Post #: 7

RE: New Computer Question - 2/28/2009 12:51:30 PM

aravain

Posts: 1211
Joined: 8/26/2008
Status: offline

It's exactly the same as XP Pro.

The main difference is the security settings on the computer... which will take info and things that the firewall in XP would politely say 'hey wait a moment...' and instead say 'no fucking way!'

To Popeye,

disable the firewall and download yahoo. :)

(in reply to FullCircle)

Profile

Post #: 8

RE: New Computer Question - 2/28/2009 12:58:02 PM

sappatoti

Posts: 14844
Joined: 10/30/2006
From: the edge of darkness...
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Termyn8or
...
The exception is Mac, which uses a different "chipset", a very different processor and you do not have that option. However I have found that with alot of people, they say "Once you go Mac you never go back". The software is out there. Most of it is better, but then your popular games and other things might simply not run period and you can't do a thing about it unless you get what's called a Windows emulator. All a pain in the ass.
...

T, since 2006 Apple has built Macs using the same Intel processors that the Windows PCs use. There doesn't need to be an emulator any more. All Intel-based Macs can run the Windows OS natively from a choice made at boot up time (dual booting). That's good if you're into the all-or-nothing Windows or Mac OS X use.

If you need to run both at the same time, you boot up in Mac OS X and use a virtualization engine, like Parallels or VMWare, to run Windows OS alongside the Mac OS X. It's the same type of virtualization that Windows-only users can run if they choose to run the various flavors of Windows at the same time on one machine.

The "different "chipset"" you speak of, the Motorola, Freescale, or IBM PowerPC chips, left Apple's inventory in 2006.

Just to bring you up to date on the Mac world...

:-)

_____________________________

Never mind the man on the edge of the darkness... he means no harm...

"Community, Identity, Stability." ~ A Brave New World, Aldous Huxley, 1932

If you don't like my attitude, QUIT TALKING TO ME!

(in reply to Termyn8or)

Profile

Post #: 9

RE: New Computer Question - 2/28/2009 1:04:17 PM

Termyn8or

Posts: 18681
Joined: 11/12/2005
Status: offline

Wow sapp, I stand enlightened. Since 2006 ?

I guess I am just on top of everything huh ?LOL.

T

(in reply to sappatoti)

Profile

Post #: 10

RE: New Computer Question - 2/28/2009 1:06:57 PM

sappatoti

Posts: 14844
Joined: 10/30/2006
From: the edge of darkness...
Status: offline

No worries. It didn't make much news outside of the Mac fandom.

:-)

_____________________________

Never mind the man on the edge of the darkness... he means no harm...

"Community, Identity, Stability." ~ A Brave New World, Aldous Huxley, 1932

If you don't like my attitude, QUIT TALKING TO ME!

(in reply to Termyn8or)

Profile

Post #: 11