[Yosemitest]

"Otherwise, chuck it, and get a newer used system.
2600+ to 3g boxes are readily available under $100 (or at least they are around here).
One way or another, your system has to receive critical updates.
There really isn't any good prevention (in Windows) without that solid base."

I want an "Apple Laptop" and I'm trying to make this one last until I can afford a new one.
I'm sick of "Windows" and the virus headaches.

I can take it back to factor specks and load SP2 from a disk and then get my firewall up and running, and then get the updates from windows.
But I still worry about getting viruses the first time I get on the internet, while I'm updating Windows XP.
It may be time to buy a new computer.

[roamer_1]

I want an "Apple Laptop" and I'm trying to make this one last until I can afford a new one. I'm sick of "Windows" and the virus headaches.

load your present laptop with Linux - Ubuntu is as easy as it gets, providing it will run everything from the Live! disk. Go dld the Ubuntu Live! ISO, grind it, and boot to it. Try it out. If everything works, then shove it on there. Why pay for the Apple, when you can get the tree for free? *snicker*

I can take it back to factor specks and load SP2 from a disk and then get my firewall up and running, and then get the updates from windows.
But I still worry about getting viruses the first time I get on the internet, while I'm updating Windows XP.

THERE's the problem. Screw "factory specs." Get ahold of an OEM XP SP3 disk

*ahem* *mumbles "torrent"* *cough*

Pardon me... something in my throat...

As I was saying, find an OEM SP-3 Installation disk (make sure Home vs. Pro)
Go to toshiba's site, dld the drivers for your box, unpack them and grind them to a second disk.
Boot up the OEM Install disk, rub off the system partition, and install.
After it is up and running, install the drivers, starting with the chipset drivers, then video, and whatever after that.

It will work. If it doesn't, you can always restore it to factory again

**NOTE** Do not remove the recovery partition (if it has one) when installing Windows, or the restore/factory function will not work.

**NOTE SOMMORE** Be sure your windows key is legible on the bottom of the box, ELSE use this to suck it out of the current installation before you rub it off... Similar problems exist for MS Office, etc...

***NOTE SOMMORE EVEN, YET*** Only a total moron wouldn't understand that this process will result in the loss of all data on the box. Get all important files off the box before you begin... Not sayin', just sayin' :D

OR, if your box is clean now (viruses gone):

You can try loading SP-3 from the IT distributable version. These work better than Win Update.

It may be time to buy a new computer.

It is ALWAYS time to get a new box. :D
If this is your excuse, it is as good as any...

But as far as laptops go, A Win7 64bit is the cat's a$$. With back 2 skewl going on, you should be happening in $450-$600 (think Acer).

Disclaimer: I am not a Win fanboi. Just don't like spending heavy bucks for fruit.

[roamer_1]

BTW, If you haven't upped the ram in that box, 2- 1g. sticks would make it scream... Even another 512 stick would make it a whole nuther thing. It's about a 3g processor (IIRC), so it is still way useable...

If you can get it running SP-3+, I would stuff a big drive (250+) and big ram in it, and drive it into the ground.

Befriend a good service tech in your area (back alley, not bow-tie)... good used parts are cheap.

[roamer_1]

BTW sommore,

You say you are loading your AV before allowing update to SP-3 - Some AV’s screw with installation. try disabling it, or use a different AV.

SP-3 update can look like it is totally froze up... it will sit there looking at you for 10 minutes. Let_it_finish.