XP PRO questions vs hdds 4

[nelljack]

I am planning a clean install of xp pro. The questions I have for this are:
1. Will xp pro install on 40GB hdd with fat32?
2. If yes, will xpp read the second hdd that is fat32?
3. I don't want to change fat if not needed, but if I must put xpp on ntfs will the second hdd be accessed by xpp?
4. I read in the xpp book that it installs a firewall. Will this keep unwanted ads, viruses, etc off my pc?

I have asked several different techs from diff places and get diff answers.

I can't think of anything else right now. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Freestone]

In answer to question 1, from

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;314463

"You cannot format a volume larger than 32 gigabytes (GB) in size using the FAT32 file system during the Windows XP installation process. Windows XP can mount and support FAT32 volumes larger than 32 GB (subject to the other limits), but you cannot create a FAT32 volume larger than 32 GB by using the Format tool during Setup. If you need to format a volume that is larger than 32 GB, use the NTFS file system to format it. Another option is to start from a Microsoft Windows 98 or Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Me) Startup disk and use the Format tool included on the disk."

2. & 3. Xp Pro will read the second drive that is FAT32, regardless

4. I'll leave to others more experienced using the built-in firewall

 

[nelljack]

Thanks Freestone. I'll put your input into my notes. I may just partition to 30/10 and use the 10GB for swap space. Not sure yet.

Thanks again.

 

[Freestone]

Yes, you could do that, though it'd probably be better to put the swap file on your second hard drive.

http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

has disk images for boot disks. I downloaded and created the Windows 98 SE Custom, No Ramdrive diskette and see that it has fdisk and format on it.

 

[linney]

At the moment the inbuilt firewall will protect your computer from incoming hacks, it will not (yet) prevent anything that does get in phoning home.

A good site for XP's firewall is -

http://www.gamespyarcade.com/helpers/workshop/xpfirewall

There are plenty of firewalls around (many are freeware). This may help you further.

http://www.firewallguide.com/software.htm#Comparative

http://www.garykessler.net/library/securityurl.html#firewall

Depending on what firewall you end up with you may require a third party program to block "pop ups". A separate virus scanner (and Trojan or Worm scanner) will be required as firewalls don't check files on your computer for virus or other infection, they just stop programs from phoning home.

Most nasties enter your computer via email attachments or downloads. A google search will find many possibilities for scanners, again some virus scanners are freeware, many are not.

A couple of good anti spyware programs are advisable.

Spybot

http://security.kolla.de/

Ad-aware

http://www.lavasoft.nu

Will check your computer for spyware and adware.

These following sites are general security sites.

Beginners Guides: Spyware Protection and Removal

http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=1458&page=1

This is an 8 page article but worth the read.


Here's one from CERT, the Carnegie-Mellon Software Engineering Institute.

http://www.cert.org/homeusers/HomeComputerSecurity

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=Markus+Jansson+security

Microsoft TechNet Security - Columns

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/columns/security/default.asp?frame=true

 

[nelljack]

Thanks linney. I have NAV 2003, have run spybot and adaware.

Thanks for the info.

Do I really need the 98se disks to do this? I was told to make bootable 98se disks it would take about 50 to make. That does not seem right when the startup disk only takes 1-2. The site you listed above makes how many?

Thanks again.

 

[bcastner]

1

 

[SYAR2003]

Tip to anyone that has Spybot 1.2 installed
Don't just use it to scan now and then..
USE IMMUNIZE .

Beginning from version 1.2, Spybot-S&D allows you to immunize your computer against some spyware. It currently offers three different immunities:

Permanent Internet Explorer immunity

Similar to JavaCools SpywareBlaster, this allows you to tweak some internal Internet Explorer settings to block the installation of known spyware (and similar threats) installers. Spybot-S&D is able to set all entries for those that are in its database to be blocked. If you want to distinguish, you should install SpywareBlaster.

Permanently running bad download blocker for Internet Explorer

This is a second layer of protection for IE. While the Permanent Immunity blocks installers by their ActiveX ID, this one blocks anything that should come through by different aspects.
You can view a log of blocked installers in the Tools / Resident section.

Recommended miscellaneous protections

These are very small changes recommended to make your system a bit safer and more secure. Locking the hosts file will prevent most hosts hijackers (even unknown) from doing harm; locking the IE settings will prevent other users of your computer to change your preferences.

SYAR

 

[nelljack]

Thanks all. I will check out everything.

Kudos to you all.

No more help is needed.

 

[nelljack]

One more question. If I just leave the 40GB hdd and format xpp with ntfs what is the command?

format c" /mbr /sys or something like that?

OR

does the xpp cd do all of that for me switching from win98se to xpp?

Thanks in advance.

 

[linney]

Read the article, make sure the Bios is set to boot CD ahead of harddrive, just follow the article.


HOW TO: Partition and Format a Hard Disk in Windows XP (Q313348)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q313/3/48.asp

Read the paragraph,
"How to Partition and Format Your Hard Disk by Using Windows XP Setup."

 

[nelljack]

Thanks linney. I will read and print what I need. Kudos to you.

No more help is needed. Thanks to all.