Microsoft rescues XP users with emergency browser fix

Reuters ^ | May 1, 2014 | Jim Finkle

[dayglored]

Microsoft is helping the estimated hundreds of millions of customers still running Windows XP, which it stopped supporting earlier this month, by providing an emergency update to fix a critical bug in its Internet Explorer browser.

Microsoft Corp rushed to create the fix after learning of the bug in the operating system over the weekend when cybersecurity firm FireEye Inc warned that a sophisticated group of hackers had exploited the bug to launch attacks in a campaign dubbed "Operation Clandestine Fox.

...

[GGpaX4DumpedTea]

I too am one of them still using XP one machine, the one I am using now as I type. I downloaded the fix today too. I have two other machines running Windows 7, but am slow to get used to it, having run XP for so many years. Windows 7 does not have the ‘feel’ of XP and many things seem different.

After I transfer everything from this machine to one of the newer ones, including all my Outlook files, I will be using one of the ‘7’ machines.

Btw, I need help to know how to transfer the Outlook files. I would welcome suggestions on the know how. These files are in Office 2007 and I am going to Office 2010 on the newer machine. I could upgrade this to 2010 if it would make the transfer easier.

[ctdonath2]

Sure they’ll understand. Explain that it’s like having an old car that you can’t get parts, oil, battery, etc for: run it as long as you can, but when it breaks ain’t nobody interested in fixing it.

[SunTzuWu]

Go to your device manager and find the brand and model of your video card. Then google it alone with the word driver. Windows update should find the drivers automatically for things like your mouse, audio, etc...

[ansel12]

I didn’t expect to be doing this tonight, but I just put a discarded 20GB hard drive with XP service pack 1 on it, into one of my machines.

I got past the Admin password and am now admin, and now will try to go with service pack 3, but I don’t know if Microsoft update will require a license number.

[Swordmaker]

Xfinity didn’t work for me. Complained that I needed the iosx6?

That's a different situation. The technology simply didn't exist for streaming video in the earlier iPhones. . . or iOS. . . that Xfinity takes advantage of to stream their signal. Nor was it in the original iPad. That was a later development in the graphic ability and band width capabilities. The hardware couldn't support it.

[Woodman]

If by Outlook files you mean your mail and offline folders, upgrading won’t make any difference since there is no file format change. The files are normally in a subdirectory of your profile on the C:\ drive (next to your Documents) It is a hidden file so you need to enable viewing hidden and or system files in your Explorer. Find the folder with “filename.pst” file(s) in it and move all of the contents to the new install in the same location. BTW in the same directory tree with the .pst files you will also find other office files like your custom dictionary, signature files, and address book.

Good luck.

[Not gonna take it anymore]

“Alternatively, I just installed Apple OSX.9 Mavericks, the latest Mac operating system, on my SEVEN YEAR OLD 24” iMac with no problems. Works faster than it did with the OSX4 Tiger it shipped with. “

THIS.

Any time I have updated the OS on my Mac the computer ran faster. When I updated the OS on my PC the computer slowed down.

[dhs12345]

Ya. I know. I have done it a gazillion times. I have installed Linux on a number of machines and I have built a few systems from scratch. Linux was especially “fun” and I fear that an upgrade will be a similar experience.

The issue is support for older hardware and that is the manufacturer's responsibility. It wouldn't be surprising that, for example, a video card mfgr not write new win 7 drivers for an 8 year old video card (after is “discontinued”). Now if you can use the xp drivers in Win7 then it should be okay. But that doesn't always work as promised.

My old raid mother board might not have the needed drivers and will probably default to some generic functionality.

[dhs12345]

Ya. But a pretty serious one.

BTW, I am not interested in streaming. I am only interested in reading my email. I can probably find other email apps but I like the one from xfinity.

BTW, my android cell phone is 3 years old and the xfinity app runs great on it. And it is free! Also, I am finding that many apps that are free on android cost from Apple.

[dhs12345]

Actually a car is a good analogy.

It is all about supply and demand.

There are very profitable companies that supply parts for 80 year, 90 year old cars. I own a 1929 model A ford and have no problems finding parts for it. Even original parts.

Why? Because there is a demand for it. Because there is a business justification for it.

Now, lets consider XP. Apparently 20% of all PCs are still running it. That is probably 10s of millions of computers. I wouldn't mind paying a fee for continued support. Even if the fee ended up being more than the cost of the upgrade (over time). I suspect most people would agree.

The real question is “would MS be willing to offer the source code to a third party.” My guess would be no way, no how. Because there are probably features in XP that are in Win7 and Win8. So, would MS be willing to support XP for a fee? Apparently not.

[dhs12345]

I have gotten used to Win7 and it isn't bad. I know it is painful. You just have to use a bit. BTW, I am still stumbling around with Win8 although I am learning. Win7 is much better, IMO.

The transfer. It is pretty easy but you should read up on it on the Internet. The Internet is your friend.

Brute force solution:

You'll have to locate the .pst file and copy it to the new machine and read it in. Questions: will the 2007 .pst be compatible with 2010. It should be since 2007 and 2010 are close together in time.

Also, the pst file can be rather large. ~ GBs. So, you'll need a flash drive. And you may have to OVERWRITE the pst on the Win7 machine. So make sure that you back up everything! I don't know how to merge two psts. The internet might help here.

And you can export your address book; csv (comma separated values) option is best. You should be able to read in the address book. Csv is a generic format and compatibility is not an issue.

Hey, I suggest that you network the two computers. Transfers will be a bit easier plus you'll be able to share files. You'll need is a place for both computers that is near your router and an Ethernet cable. Try to avoid wifi if you can.

Send me a personal note once you have started. Good luck!

[dhs12345]

My apologies. My error.

Thanks for the pointers and info. Sounds like you are in the “business.”

It must be tough for the hardware folks. I have noticed that computers have gotten “cheaper” in quality in recent years. At least Dell, anyway. Probably their effort to try to compete. Dell computers used to be built like a Sherman tank.

I read a while back that the touch screen market killed the laptop. I guess that it makes sense for the casual user however I prefer a desktop or laptop with a real keyboard if I am going to be typing a 50 page term paper. So there should still be a demand for PCs. Who knows.

Anyway, thanks!

[itsahoot]

Also, it gets expensive having to buy a new $500 iPhone, iPad and whatever every couple of years.

Why do you have to upgrade? I have a first generation iPad and it still works just fine. I have some 10 year old Macs that still run just fine, however if I want to move to 4K those older machines just won't handle that, but I don't have to move to 4K.

[itsahoot]

I thought that MS were directing everyone to win 8.1.

They are but everyone won't go. Some Box makers are shipping new computers with Windows 7 installed.

[Swordmaker]

BTW, I am not interested in streaming. I am only interested in reading my email. I can probably find other email apps but I like the one from xfinity.

BTW, my android cell phone is 3 years old and the xfinity app runs great on it. And it is free! Also, I am finding that many apps that are free on android cost from Apple.

Why are you using an Dedicated App for email??? The iPad and iPhones have an excellent built in email client to do that for you with a unified mailbox for every kind of email. It's considered one of the best around. . . easy to set up. I would never do what you're doing for email on an idevice.

The problem is not with Apple, it's with Xfinity and their App designer if THAT is where your problem lies. They could easily fix that. They are choosing not to. . . probably because they want you to have the streaming feature which requires the later phones and iPad. It is not just that Android.can magically do it . . a lot of Android phones of the vintage as yours could not have done it either. . . it depended on whether they had the right hardware too. Yours did.

As to free Apps and paid Apps. . . The difference is that on Android there are a LOT of advertising supported Apps. . . You only think they are free. But they are only free in exchange for YOU being willing to see advertising, giving up private data about you the app mines from your phone and your usage of it and other apps, and your movements. On Apple, none of that is allowed, so you buy the app. . . and you don't put up with invasive ads, invasions of your privacy, and being snooped on. If you get in bed with Google, expect the bed to be crowded.

You'll find the apps on iOS are more finished and work better, too. ;^)

Oh, and the latest report from the malware division. . . 99% of all mobile malware is written for, you guessed it! Android. In all of the malware for mobile there is only one for iOS. . . and then it's for Jailbroken iOS only. The rest of the one percent is RIMM, Symbian, and Windows Phone 8.

[dhs12345]

Apps are not working. Especially simple functions like xfiinity and reading my email.

At some point, maybe soon, xfinity will no longer provide the legacy app. At least hat is what the message said.

[dhs12345]

Xfinity integrates everything — email, phone.

Yes, I can use the crappy embedded email app.

I like to use XP example. XP was supported for 12 years. IOS4 only three/four.

Free is free. And the advertisements are not that obvious. I don't appreciated paying for an app that takes me to a website that I can find freely via a computer.

How much you wanna bet that they fee is an Apple thing. A tribute to Apple for the privilege of being on their platform. They developer probably gets nothing or very little.

That is they way Apple have always been.

Also, there is a cost premium with Apple products. Sometimes plus 50%. Always has been, always will be. It is because the are very monopolistic with their platform. Their platform is closed. Always have been, always will be.

[dhs12345]

Yeah. Long live win7.

Thanks for the info.

It is the same story with MS — every other OS is their beta test version.

Win98/Win2k was okay, WinME was terrible, XP was great, Vista was terrible, Win7 is great, Win8 is well, not that good.

[Swordmaker]

How much you wanna bet that they fee is an Apple thing. A tribute to Apple for the privilege of being on their platform. They developer probably gets nothing or very little.

That is they way Apple have always been.

Also, there is a cost premium with Apple products. Sometimes plus 50%. Always has been, always will be. It is because the are very monopolistic with their platform. Their platform is closed. Always have been, always will be.

Simply amazing. The sheer depths of ignorance and assumptions that your opinion is true when the facts are so easily learned that would pop your bubble.

• 1: Your point about iOS 4 support compared to Windows XP and EOL for both. iOS 4 is not analogous to Windows XP. It's analogous to a service pack to XP that adds functionality. Eventually another version of iOS comes out that supports better hardware.

• 2: Your contention that Developers probably get nothing or very little. Laughable!!! As of today, Apple has paid developers approximately $18,000,000,000 for their efforts. Nothing or very little. . . Oh my. . . That's 18 BILLION DOLLARS, dhs12345. . . With a "B!" I think you LOSE your bet.

• 3: Of course Apple is about making and maximizing profits. Aren't you a believer in the Capitalist system? I am. I want Apple to thrive, continue making great products that please me.

• 4: Cost premium. Funny one. That has been shot down so many times it's hilarious you bring it up. Apple doesn't play in the bargain basement. However, when you compare similar specced computers with similar features, you'll find the Apple products are competitive to if not less expensive than the Windows equivalent. Attempts to even duplicate the new MacPro in the Windows world at a competitive price have failed miserably. Just to match the lowest version Off-the-shelf Apple costs a minimum $1700 MORE, and is still missing features and ability. Go up in capacity to the fully loaded MacPro? The price differential hits over $7000 more for the Windows workstation. Where's your Apple premium there?

  How about here? Bold are better specs:

  The Apple MacBook Pro 13" - I5 intel 2.4GHz, 8GB w/256GB SSD 2560x1600 PPI - OSX.9 Mavericks, 3.45lbs., ten hour battery usage.—retails brand new for $1499.

  The Acer Aspire S7 13" - I5 Intel 1.6GHz, 8GB w/128GB SSD 2560x1440 PPI - Windows 8.1, 3lbs., six hour battery usage.—retails brand new for $1399.

Of course, YOU can always find a junk Windows Laptop far cheaper, but you would not be comparing equivalent build quality. But note. . . The Acer Aspire, although $100 less expensive than the MacBook Pro, has a far slower I5 processor at 1.6GHz than the Apple's 2.4GHz, it has half the Apple's solid state storage capacity, and only 60% of its battery capacity, lower screen resolution, it also has older, slower RAM, and slower connectivity, a lesser brightness screen by about 25%, considerably slower graphics . . . Oh, and the MacBookPro comes with an entire suite of productivity software. Did I mention the MacBook Pro could run ALL Windows software, too, if you want? Which is the better deal?

Oh! and where is your so-called "Apple 50% premium" in this comparison of similar offerings in premium laptops???? Frankly, only bottom feeders claim it's there. Shall I compare phones? How about tablets?

[dhs12345]

Hey, I have been in the business for 30 years and I know all about the Apple strategy. Apple products ARE more expensive and they always be because their platform is closed and that results in little to no competition. In the end, this means more profit for Apple.

That is why, Apple only had minimal market share only up until very recently. What is their current PC market share? Still ONLY around 10%? And Android is still kicks arse in the handheld market.

1. My point is that Apple abandoned ALL OS upgrades for THEIR older hardware. And only after 4 years. That means in a couple of more years, I’ll have an expensive door stop. Apple is a BAD investment if you are a smart and frugal consumer.

2.So you are saying that developers don’t pay a “tribute” to Apple for the privilege of selling into their systems? I disagree. And guess who pays for the tribute that the developers pay to Apple? Lemme help you here — THE CUSTOMER. And that is why in part that Apple products are so much more expensive.

That is total BS that Apple is price competitive and you know it. What people pay for when using an Apple platform is ease of use. That has always been their strategy and some people, the less computer literate, are willing to pay for that premium.

As for quality:

My definition of quality is all inclusive and INCLUDES both the hardware AND the software. Because, if either doesn’t function that I end up with a useless brick.

We can talk about the Ipod battery issue of a few years ago, too. And yes, consumers are angry. Just read the blogs.

My final point is that paying for a new computer every 3 to 4 years at $1500 a pop is expensive. I want that investment to last as long as possible. And it is very clear that Apples business strategy is planned obsolescence at the expense of their customers.