Advice on getting new tower working OK

[AlanHo]

I am about to update my computer by buying a new tower pre-loaded with Windows XP Home and no other software.

I will re-use my keyboard, mouse, monitor and USB card reader. Plus I will transfer my Pinnacle DC10 video card to the new computer. I also need to transfer my DVD burner so that I can read my DVD RAM back-up discs on the new tower.

Although I have Drive Image - I will reload all my software from original CD's in order to start off with a nice clean system and then re-load my data from my DVD back-ups. I realise that this will be a rather long chore - but I have time on my hands and it will keep me amused for a few hours.

The bit I am uncertain about is swapping my Telewest internal cable modem from one computer to the other. I am comfortable with the physical relocation but am not sure what I need to do to get it up and running. The original installation was done by a Telewest engineer and he seemed to make a lot of changes to various settings and I cannot remember him loading anything with a CD - but I am not sure about this.

My second concern is how I avoid catching any web nasties once I get the modem working. I can pre-instal my McAfee anti virus, AdAware, Spyware blaster etc and will have the XP firewall activated - but I will need to be on line to download all the software updates before I am fully protected.

Hence I would appreciate advice as follows :-

1. Procedure for getting the cable modem working

2. Best procedure for installing and updating software to avoid any infections.

[Redhat]

Re : Telewest Broadband

The way most connections are set up, just plug the ethernet (assuming it's an ethernet cable) cable into the NIC and you should be good.

BUT! As you say, before connection we need to load some programs first :)

Make sure you have a personal firewall running before ever connecting, like Zone Alarm to stop the infection of Blaster, nachi etc...

I don't suggest using the XP Firewall, at least not until SP2 is released.

Might be an idea to preload Anti-Virus first too. Make sure as soon as you connect to the net, update the definitions.

Then Download and install all critical patches.

Then install spyware programs and any other browsers you may use :)

Hope tht helps,

Matt

[Besty]

why not download an antivirus and firewall and put them onto a disk then scan the disk for viruses and if there are none then put em onto ur new comp

[-pops-]

As above but I would suggest downloading the blaster patch from MS on to floppy now and make this the first thing that you install on your new machine - before you do anything else.

Also download Stinger on to floppy - just in case of other nasties getting in at first 'net connection.

[Scarecrow Man]

Just get a firewall on there before you do anything. I've had trouble with blaster and sasser, mostly because I didn't have protection while trying to set up a net connection.

As for your modem, a lot of companies have specific ways to set up the software and settings. In Canada, you can call the company your with, tell them your moving your modem to another computer and they come set it up for free (usually takes 5 minutes). So try that. If not, it should be plug and play, as cable modems are 'always on' modems.

[bvw]

How do I connect a new device to blueyonder?

http://www.blueyonder.co.uk/blueyonder/get...nced_cablemodem

[trackrat]

Any problems with the Blueyonder connection, give this number a ring

0845 142 4422. this is the technical support line it is charged at normal rates and they are very knowledgable.

[Boris]

I'm not sure about whether your DC10 will work under XP ?

I tried installing a miroVIDEO DC30 Plus, Motion JPEG Capture/CODEC Board under XP Pro over the weekend and XP didn't like it at all. Didn't seem to be any drivers produced for it. I presume your DC10 is an earlier model ?

[nellie2]

You could make sure that you are dcombobulated before you go online!! :P

dcombobulator

[Boris]

But I did just find this !

http://plugins.members.easyspace.com/dll.htm

No idea if it works or not :unsure: I won't try it out as the card isn't mine.

[AlanHo]

I'm not sure about whether your DC10 will work under XP ?

I have XP Home on my present box and the DC10 is very happy with it.

Thanks for the thought though.

[Boris]

I'm not sure about whether your DC10 will work under XP ?

I have XP Home on my present box and the DC10 is very happy with it.

Thanks for the thought though.

:o Where did you find the XP drivers for it ?

[AlanHo]

Boris

I cannot recall ever getting any special drivers. I simply installed the Studio 8 and presumably DC10 software from the CD provided and went from there. However - it was a rocky ride.

I keep a computer diary in which I record all the changes made to the computer and any problems I meet together with solutions.

The diary entry for the Pinnacle installation reads as follows

Pinnacle DC10 Studio 8 installed. Clashed with Hauppauge WinTV card which had to be removed and software uninstalled.

Audio not being captured. Uninstalled Pinnacle and reinstalled two or three times whilst wrestling the problem until I discovered that Pinnacle had locked on to the wrong audio driver. It had found the C Media device motherboard audio which is not used. Used device manager to switch this off and Pinnacle then found the Sound Blaster card OK.

Problems with lack of moving pictures in preview window.

Installed Microsoft NVidia XP patch – now improved but still not acceptable.

Downloaded and installed Pinnacle PCI Performance Enhancing Patch (PPE patch).

Set BIOS PCI Latency Timer back to 32 (Had been reduced to 8 to get WinTV working)

Moving pictures in preview window now OK.

My original installation was in Jan 2003 Studio 8 V 3.18. There have been 5 upgrades to date and I am now on V 12.7. It is my practice to store all downloaded files on my hard disc rather than install from the web - hence I am able to replicate the original installation and all stages of upgrade.

A few months ago I had to reformat my hard disc and re-install all my software. I followed the same procedure and all worked OK.

Incidentally - a friend has the same system running on Windows ME but he has stability problems from time to time with the occasional computer lock-up.