Note: Ad-Aware 7.0

Ad-Aware SE has expired effective December 31, 2007. Lavasoft has replaced the program with a new version: Ad-Aware 2007.

We have recently experienced many problems with this version in both Windows XP and Vista, and therefore are no longer installing it on updated systems.

[Top]

What's New: Comodo™ Free Firewall Software

We finally have a free software firewall program to recommend since the disappearance of the Sygate Personal Firewall program in November 2005, when Sygate was acquired by Symantec Corporation.

Click here to go to the COMODO Firewall Pro 3 web site.

Also, be sure to download the Comodo Firewall Pro 3.0 User Guide.pdf (3.2 MB) in PDF format.

[Top]

AVG Free Edition 7.5

GRISOFT has announced a new version of the AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition. The new version 7.5 features improved performance and full compatibility with Windows Vista.

[Top]

IE7 Annoying Security Warning

A new annoying warning shows up after IE7 is installed on Windows XP systems if you try to run a program on your own local area network.

Open File - Security Warning. The publisher could not be verified. Are you sure you want to run this software?

We have found a solution to get rid of this warning on our technical tips page.

[Top]

Internet Radio Shows

Streaming (audio) Internet radio shows dealing with computers and the latest technology that we recommend. Broadband connection to the Internet recommended, but not required. The stream links are active only while the show is broadcast.

[Top]

Windows XP Startup Menu

We have added a new page that describes how to setup Windows XP (Home and Professional) to use a boot menu similar to our instructions for Windows 98 and Windows ME.

This is handy if you often want to boot to Safe mode without having to hit a Ctrl or Function key.

The default options are set for a standard Windows boot, so if you do nothing when this menu is displayed, Windows will boot normally after a short delay. Instructions for Windows 2000 and XP may be found here.

[Top]

Protect Your Windows System!

If you connect your computer to the internet, you need: anti-virus software, spyware detection software, either a hardware or software firewall, a safe web browser, an e-mail client that will filter SPAM, and a secure operating system.

Here are excellent, FREE software products available on the web for you to download and install:

• AVG Free Edition for anti-virus protection
• Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy for spyware detection
• SpywareBlaster for blocking spyware from installing
• AVG Anti-Spyware Free for spyware protection
• Sygate Personal Firewall for a software firewall (now discontinued, but available on our downloads page). AVG is also offering a Firewall product, but it is not free.
• D-Link, Linksys or Netgear routers for a hardware firewall (not free ;-)
• Mozilla's Firefox for web browser
• Mozilla's Thunderbird for e-mail

For a secure operating system we recommend one of the many versions of Linux, including Ubuntu, or Apple Mac OS X. If you must use Microsoft Windows, then be sure to keep up to date on the Service Packs and Critical updates that released every month. This is most important if you are using Windows XP, as there have been many security flaws that have been patched since it was released.

[Top]

Tips and How Tos

• (Win98) Windows 98 & Hard Drives Larger then 64GB
• (Win9x) How to Setup the Windows 9x/Me Startup Menu
• (Win9x) How to do a Clean Install of Windows 98 & 98SE  [Testimonials]


• (WinMe) How to do a Clean Install of Windows Me


• (WinXP) Switching Windows XP to the Classic Style
• (WinXP) How to do a Performance Tuneup on Windows XP
• (WinXP) How to Setup the Windows XP Boot Menu


• (Win9?) How to Configure the Ricoh Aficio 2003 Digital Color Copier with Fiery XJ80e Postscript Color Server as a Network Printer on a Windows 9x Peer-to-Peer Network
  [PDF 310KB] This document is available by request. Please send an e-mail to

[Top]

Microsoft Windows XP SP1 & SP1a support ended on October 10, 2006

Support for Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1) and Service Pack 1a (SP1a) ended on October 10, 2006. Microsoft will end support on this date. This also includes security updates for these service packs. Microsoft is providing final notifications to customers regarding the end of support for these products.

We recommend that you install Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) if you are running Windows XP SP1 or SP1a.

[Top]

Microsoft Windows 98SE Support ended on July 11, 2006

Effective July 11, 2006, Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, and Windows Me (and their related components) transitioned to a non-supported status. Microsoft now no longer provides any incident support options or security updates. Microsoft is not offering a custom support agreement for these products.

More information from Microsoft can be found here: support.microsoft.com/w98.

HexFF LLC will continue to host all of our Windows 98 related tips pages and continue to offer Windows 98SE tune-ups in the lab.

[Top]

Business & IT Consulting Services

• Windows PC Tune up available for Windows 98se, 2000, XP and Vista.
• Business Computer Technology Consulting (30+ years experience)
• Custom Software Design, Programming & Testing Services
• System Installation, Setup, & Trouble Shooting
• Internet & Intranet Web Page Design  [Portfolio]
• Network Setup (including Cable/DSL Modems & Routers)
• Virus, Spyware, Malware Removal & Prevention
• Data Conversion
• Disaster Recovery
• Product Evaluation, Professional Beta Testing
• Web Site Hosting & Design
• Domain Name Registration
• Annual Technical Support Contracts
• Hardware Upgrades
• Custom High-Performance PC's & Servers

[Top]

Internet Services

Please see our Internet Services page for information on Domain Name Registration, Web Site Design, and Web Site Hosting.

There are also links from our Portfolio of recent web sites we have designed.

[Top]