There are applications that are critical to having a computer that performs well. Some of these products are third party (from a source other than Microsoft), though some also are available from Microsoft.
Windows XP Service Pack 2 provides good protection for the actual connection to the Internet. However, the firewall capabilities do not protect from some forms of attack. The most common form of attack is when a person opens an email attachment that is really just a virus. The virus then infects the computer, usually with disastrous results.
There are a few mainstream suppliers of anti-virus software such as the commercial products from Symantec, and McAfee. As well, Grisoft offers their anti-virus software (AVG) in either a free single user version, or a pay for version that protects servers and networks.
Personally I have found that AVG from Grisoft to be an excellent program. The fact that it is free for a single, non-commercial, license is good, but the fact is the program is excellent, and updates are frequent.
Windows XP supports, directly, CD-R/RW burning. This was a major step forward from previous editions of Windows. For creating data CD/DVDs, Windows Explorer works well. For audio CDs, there is the Windows Media Player (WMP).
WMP will not copy an existing audio CD directly. WMP will instead copy the tracks to the hard disk, and then write them to the CD. Also, Windows XP does not support creating ISO images. ISO images are an absolute rendition of a CD's contents including the boot information if the disk is bootable. Look at ISO images as being the same as the old DISKCOPY command in DOS.
Special CDs are not an option with Windows XP's built in functions. Instead a third party program (such as Roxio's Easy CD Creator) will be needed.
To play a DVD on your computer requires:
· A DVD movie.
· A DVD drive.
· A DVD decoder.
· A program, such as Windows Media Player, to display the DVD's contents.
The first, your DVD, is easy. The next, a DVD drive is also relatively easy--you would not be reading this if you didn't have a DVD drive in your computer.
The third, a DVD decoder, is a bit more of an issue. DVD decoders are implemented either in software (as a driver), or hardware (part of the drive or drive interface). Without a DVD decoder you do not have the ability to watch a standard DVD disk.
Software DVD decoders usually come with your computer or DVD drive. The decoder will usually be a separate CD (probably the best way to have a DVD decoder, more on this later), or pre-installed (which works well if you are restoring the original operating system, but may not be usable with new installations), or as a download.
DVD decoders typically cost about $20, though there is variation in these prices, so shopping around is a good idea. Sources for DVD decoders include:
· NVIDIA, who offer a decoder system, and as well a free 30 day trial version. The good thing about a trail version is that if you find that watching DVDs on your computer is not what you want to do, you don't have to buy it. (Some notebook computer screens do not provide acceptable video quality.)
· Inter-Video, who is a main-stream player in the DVD marketplace, offers their product either as a disk, or a download.
· Cyberlink -- this particular company's product is highly rated and considered one of the better offerings.
· Sonic is one of the early players in the field of DVD video. Their products are respected, though may not offer the most features.
· TheaterTek -- a newer company that provides a highly configurable product. The decoder is more expensive, oriented towards home theater markets.
Tip
If the idea has not come to you already, consider this… With a DVD equipped computer, and a video projector (most cost around $1000), you have the makings of a truly impressive home theater. Many video projectors support screen sizes of up to 300" in size.
The downsides to this configuration are that projector technology generates a lot of heat, and that replacement bulbs (which have a typical lifespan of 2000 to 4000 hours, about 1 to 2 years) are expensive.
There are few difficulties in a Microsoft Office installation. Office uses a product activation key, in the familiar 25 character format. Unlike Windows, which has a fixed grace time to authenticate, Office allows 50 executions of the programs before it must be activated.
If Office is not activated after 50 uses (of any combination of products) then document save, and new functionality is removed. Other functions may also not work. However, once activated, all Office functions will be supported.