Hi Mike, First thank you for your reply. Yes, that's correct. Now, what makes it even more strange, is that when you sent me your reply, and I clicked on the link, as expected Firefox opened it, but when I scrolled down to answer you I had to log in again, but this time it wouldn't accept my information (User/Password)so I went back to IE and entered the site name, computer am now replying. No, the Dell tech made sure IE was default in all categories. That's what we thought originally that somehow an area had not been checked, but IE is the default. BarbB

Thanks everyone. A mixed bag of feedback, but mostly stick with XP and keep programs updated and run antispyware and antivirus programs. I do those already. I browse on Firefox and Chrome - never IE. Thanks Pipsy for your perspective. I hear it - and will keep it in mind. But given those that feel caution is sufficient for now, and my real constriction to switch systems this spring, I will probably continue with all cautions. Here are some follow up questions from everybody's posts: 1 - Unplugging external drive when not in use. I have a problem because my Synology NAS is always in use - as is one of my two external hard drives. First, I have lots of video stored on both that the family accesses to transfer to our Tivo's to watch on the television. That needs to be plugged in. I also have my desktop and my daughter's Mac esktop set to back up to the NAS weekly. Owbist - can you (or others) tell me what kind of vulnerability I'm exposing myself too? 2 - Can somebody provide a link and explanation of the ESET online scan? That's one new to me. 3 - I tried NoScript on my firefox and disabled it. Azinoh and the XP security article I mention below, both recommended it. But when I tried it, it was really interfering with a lot of things I was doing. That's been awhile so I dont' remember specifics, but it was just a big pain. Can somebody tell me more about the protection it offers - and are there settings to address how often it popped up and interfered with things? 4 - I do keep flash and java updated. I know many disable java, unfortunately one of the streaming stock programs I run depends on it. 5 - For my work laptop running Windows 7, I had a BSOD from conflicts with Avast. It was a known issue and was recommended to use MSE instead. If MSE isn't that good, should I risk trying Avast again? if there was a conflict in August/September, is it likely fixed since then? anybody know about this? 6 - In another post on this topic, somebody recommended this site/information: http://windowssecrets.com/top-story/securing-xp-pcs-after-microsoft-drops-support/ This site is certainily suggesting to stop with XP - but offers some safety measures if you continue. One was setting up IE so that it can't connect to the internet (but will connect to the homenetwork). "Disable Web browsing: After support ends next April, consider reconfiguring Windows XP to block its access to the Internet. (Remember: You’ll no longer need IE or Windows Update for system updates from Microsoft.) To do so, open IE, go to Tools/Internet Options, and then click on Connections. Click the LAN settings button (see Figure 1) and then check the “Use a proxy server …” box (see Figure 2). Next, enter 127.0.0.1 into the Address box. Finally, check the “Bypass proxy server for local addresses” box." Until this week, I had not encountered proxy servers. I stumbled on it bc. in updating my husband's Windows 7 computer, somehow both chrome and FF got reset to use a proxy server and they weren't connecting to the internet. Using Chrome's troubleshooting info, I was able to disable using proxy server. But now that I've seen the setting, I could set up proxy server for just IE. My question is, will this prevent me from accessing the internet using FF and Chrome (I don't think so but want to be sure)? Is there any reason to do this if I'm the only one in the family with an XP computer and I don't go on IE? Lastly, why do I need to keep IE if I'm not getting Windows updates? is it also for other microsoft updates that I could use (like Word)? Thank you. Lynn.

urlee the difference between the cd and getting it through your windows update is that with the cd you get the full install with windows update it is supposed to check your pc and give you just what you need but it seems more of the problems are happening to people who use windows update, so they are urging people to use one of the full methods. Now it could be that people using windows updates are not turning off all their antivirus and firewall and spyware protection when doing it that way which is definitely advised, when those things are not disabled first real issues can arise. However a word of caution, just because you use the cd does not mean or guarantee there will not be problems. The problem that is specific to people with AMD processors for example HAS to be addressed and the patch applied before any install of sp3 or those issues will happen. So it still means you have to do your homework and find out what has to be done to your pc prior to install if you choose to install it. Which is why we highly suggest backing up everything you do not want to lose or create an image of your system just in case the worst happens.

I haven't found any problems at all with IE7 either, XPSP2 here. My many bookmarks were all there, unchanged. I did get a warning for the first couple of months that it was not compatible with my Quickbooks program (this was after I'd taken steps to make changes at my bank so my computer with new browser was recognized online), but I double checked payroll, invoicing by hand and all was fine. After about 8 weeks, Quickbooks came up with a patch so that I no longer get the warning that I should reinstall IE6. (the warning prompt I find now is that Vista will not be compatible with my accounting program, 2 years old and $400 - will be waiting on that one:))