i just put XP on my pc,what basic programs do i need so that i can open other programs?see details..?

Question

After i put XP on my computer i downloaded a few other programs and windows cant or wont open them.I went from Windows 2000 to XP and it has pretty much nothing on it.So far,for critical programs, i downloaded flash player WinRAR and java.I also put norton on here but i cant even open it because i dont have the initial software that i need.Any other computer i've had didnt have this problem because they had everything i needed in them.So anyways,what are the basic but essential programs/software that i'm gonna to get this thing running right?Thanks for the help.

Answer 1

The basic discombulation is the installation of the features is not gonna get the pc to run software if the software is not in the winrar of the java download. Once open in XP the windows 2000 is not necessary so download certain software to open software. These are the details. So get norton from the install software that you don't have. Once you find it, you don't have it install.

I hope my answer made as much sense as your question.

Answer 2

if i knew the file extension, i could have helped. anyway...you need free programs like "7zip, VLC Media Player, Opera or Firefox browser, Free Download Manager, remove ur Norton...put AVG, Comodo or Zone alarm Firewall, DvdShrink, DvdFab free, Trillian.

all those are freewares, there are plenty more.....

Answer 3

how is java and Flash "critical"? I always get all the Windows updates before going around the 'net downloading plugins!

Answer 4

Go on line to Microsoft and download any patches and upgrades your windows thinks it needs. Then restart your PC and check again for errors.

Answer 5

First Firewall, Then Virus and Spyware Protection.

Start with the Windows firewall. You can always update to a different one later.

All the following programs are free.
---------------------------------------------
Full Time (Active) Virus Protection
If you do not have active virus protection, install only one. All are excellent.
Try AVG first.

AVG Antivirus 7.5 Free Edition
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/avg-anti-virus-free/lng/us/tpl/v5
http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10669237.html?tag=lst-0-1
or
Free antivirus - avast! 4 Home Edition
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
or
AOL Active Virus Shield (powered by Kaspersky)
http://www.activevirusshield.com/antivirus/freeav/index.adp
---------------------------------------------------------
Full Time (Active) Spyware Protection

Windows Defender
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
---------------------------------------------------------
Install the following five programs and run weekly or at least monthly. You need all five. They will greatly increase your protection. They are not a substitute for full time spyware and virus protection.

Ad-Aware SE Personal (update + full scan)
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad-aware_se_personal.php

Spybot Search & Destroy (update + immunize + scan)
Do not enable Tea Timer and SDHelper
After installation: update + scan + immunize
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html

SpywareBlaster: Update then open and click “enable all protection”.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

SUPERAntiSpyware free version: (update + scan)
http://www.superantispyware.com/

CCleaner: Do not install toolbar option
Removes tracking cookies, unneeded files, history
In options.
Set to run when computer starts.
Place cookies you want to keep in save list
http://www.ccleaner.com/
---------------------------------------------
McAfee Site Advisor: Internet Explorer and Firefox
http://www.siteadvisor.com/
Indicates if a site is unsafe and can link to a page to explain why it is unsafe.
========================
IMPORTANT:
Install all the drivers for your computer. Go the the manufacturers' sites for your computer, video card, sound card, etc. Download the latest drivers.
===========================
Microsoft Update "Custom Mode"
Install everything reboot, repeat until nothing is left to install.
http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us
=============================
Some software I consider essential

Firefox
+ add ons ( Adblock Plus, Google toolbar, McAfee Site Advisor, NoScript, DownThemAll! , FEBE )
SmartSearch (for advanced users) )

IE7 add ons
Google toolbar, McAfee Site Advisor, IE7Pro, BackRex
http://www.ie7pro.com/

Microsoft Office or OpenOffice (free)

DivX, Quicktime / iTunes, RealPlayer Free, Winamp,
Windows Media Player

DVD/CD burning software. Nero or Roxio

Adobe Reader, Audacity, AZZ Cardfile (get beta version), Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, Adobe Flash Player, Adobe Shockwave Player, Java

Answer 6

Try a program called alzip it's free

Answer 7

Well said, Daredevil. You nailed it.