Installing Firefox on XP SP3 for first time...

mikelt98 · 01-27-2009, 07:43 AM

Due to accumulated crap and poor performance/corrupted system files, I just reformated my HDD's and reinstalled Win XP Pro. I was running IE7, but it seems like every time I turned my head there were new issues or performance problems with it.

Once I get all of my hardware drivers updated, I'd like to try a switch to Firefox - I hear I'll have fewer problems with it. But first a few questions:

1. I have used MS Update to patch XP with all of the security and program updates. However I disabled/hid the IE7 update for now. Do any of these updates (there were some WMP updates included) impact Firefox?

2. Should I install Firefox before installing other appplications (Office 2007, iTunes, AV etc.)?

3. Can someone direct my to a primer on this topic with tips/tricks/pitfalls to avoid?

4. Anything else I need to know???

FYI - System specs follow. Thanks!

Mike T
~~~~~~~~~~~
Mobo: Intel DP35DP
Bios: DPP3510J.86A.0517
Proc: Core 2 Duo, 2,666 Mhz, Socket 775
Bus: 1,333 Mhz
RAM: 2x1Gb 800 240 pin PC6400 DDR2
Video: xFx GeForce 8600 GT, 512MB, PCI-e
HDD1: Seagate 80Mb ST380215SCE SATA (System)
HDD2: Seagate 320Mb ST3320620SV SATA (Data)
Added an 8Gb partition to the data drive for the XP swap file

**wmorri** · 01-27-2009, 07:46 PM

Hi,

I will answer these questions for you in the order that you gave them and hopefully they will make sense.

1. Do all the updating that you need to. It wouldn't even hurt to do the IE updates as there might be something else in there that is important.

2. You can install FF in any order that you want. It is just another piece of software, that is on your computer. I always install it first, but that is just because I hate IE and love FF.

3. I don't know what website you would be looking for. As long as you are a smart internet user you shouldn't have any problems with anything.

Cheers!

acraven151 · 01-29-2009, 02:30 AM

Firefox is a great choice! I would like to say, that you should definitely let the IE updates go anyway. Again, to mirror what was said already, there might be some other things that need to be taken care of as well.

I personally, use IE for just two things, getting my AV (if I have not saved on an external) and to download Firefox. But that is because I absolutely detest IE. I try and use as much Open Source software as possible. Same functionality, better price :)

Anyway, good luck with your install, and you have made a step in the right direction!

Mcninjaguy · 02-02-2009, 12:42 AM

Firefox is also my first choice

I find that firefox doesn't need any special permissions or anything like that to install.

swingman011 · 02-02-2009, 06:06 AM

I like firefox. it's so nice to browse any sites and no pop-ups (it will block unwanted pop-ups easily). unlike IE, firefox has an extensive feature and much user friendly.

01-27-2009, 07:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
mikelt98 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Missouri Posts: 6 OS: Win XP SP3	Installing Firefox on XP SP3 for first time... Due to accumulated crap and poor performance/corrupted system files, I just reformated my HDD's and reinstalled Win XP Pro. I was running IE7, but it seems like every time I turned my head there were new issues or performance problems with it. Once I get all of my hardware drivers updated, I'd like to try a switch to Firefox - I hear I'll have fewer problems with it. But first a few questions: 1. I have used MS Update to patch XP with all of the security and program updates. However I disabled/hid the IE7 update for now. Do any of these updates (there were some WMP updates included) impact Firefox? 2. Should I install Firefox before installing other appplications (Office 2007, iTunes, AV etc.)? 3. Can someone direct my to a primer on this topic with tips/tricks/pitfalls to avoid? 4. Anything else I need to know??? FYI - System specs follow. Thanks! Mike T ~~~~~~~~~~~ Mobo: Intel DP35DP Bios: DPP3510J.86A.0517 Proc: Core 2 Duo, 2,666 Mhz, Socket 775 Bus: 1,333 Mhz RAM: 2x1Gb 800 240 pin PC6400 DDR2 Video: xFx GeForce 8600 GT, 512MB, PCI-e HDD1: Seagate 80Mb ST380215SCE SATA (System) HDD2: Seagate 320Mb ST3320620SV SATA (Data) Added an 8Gb partition to the data drive for the XP swap file

01-27-2009, 07:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
wmorri Moderator/Fedora Amb. Join Date: May 2008 Location: /pm/etc Posts: 2,819 OS: Window 7/Fedora 10 My System	Re: Installing Firefox on XP SP3 for first time... Hi, I will answer these questions for you in the order that you gave them and hopefully they will make sense. 1. Do all the updating that you need to. It wouldn't even hurt to do the IE updates as there might be something else in there that is important. 2. You can install FF in any order that you want. It is just another piece of software, that is on your computer. I always install it first, but that is just because I hate IE and love FF. 3. I don't know what website you would be looking for. As long as you are a smart internet user you shouldn't have any problems with anything. Cheers! __________________ Linux Forever!

01-29-2009, 02:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
acraven151 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Ramstein AB, Germany Posts: 20 OS: Windows XP Pro SP 3	Re: Installing Firefox on XP SP3 for first time... Firefox is a great choice! I would like to say, that you should definitely let the IE updates go anyway. Again, to mirror what was said already, there might be some other things that need to be taken care of as well. I personally, use IE for just two things, getting my AV (if I have not saved on an external) and to download Firefox. But that is because I absolutely detest IE. I try and use as much Open Source software as possible. Same functionality, better price :) Anyway, good luck with your install, and you have made a step in the right direction!

02-02-2009, 12:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
Mcninjaguy Temporarily Banned Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 10,422 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit My System Blog Entries: 1	Re: Installing Firefox on XP SP3 for first time... Firefox is also my first choice I find that firefox doesn't need any special permissions or anything like that to install.

02-02-2009, 06:06 AM	#5 (permalink)
swingman011 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 37 OS: winXP sp2	Re: Installing Firefox on XP SP3 for first time... I like firefox. it's so nice to browse any sites and no pop-ups (it will block unwanted pop-ups easily). unlike IE, firefox has an extensive feature and much user friendly.