Support For XP is Ending

Initially I was going to do a post on VPNs which would give you access to On Demand TV services.
But decided to write about that at a later date.
 Microsoft has announced that it will stop supporting Windows XP from April 8th 2014. After all the operating system is over 12 years old.
So what does this mean.

• Well this means no more automatic updates to correct system issues. 
•  Microsoft will also stop providing Microsoft Security Essentials for download on Windows XP on this date. (If you already have Microsoft Security Essentials installed, you will continue to receive antimalware signature updates for a limited time, total support will stop on July 14th 2015)

Don't Panic it doesn't mean you trusty reliable Windows XP machine will suddenly stop working, it will continue to work.  After all there are still 500 million computers still running windows XP worldwide.
Many Antivirus and Antimalare Software companies will continue to support XP, for the foreseeable future, so you can download one of these listed Antivirus programs instead of the Microsoft Software.
I like AVG Free or Avast Free. both do a good job. And remember its important to keep these up to date, by regularly updating the software.  Avast has said it will continue support for XP, since almost a quarter of its users still use XP, thats about 50 million users.
 Microsoft has also released (Tuesday 11th March 2014) a series of updates/patches for XP service pack 3 or if you are running the 64 bit version service pack 2 this may be the last batch of patches/Updates we will see for XP. 

Other alternatives would be to upgrade your PC, but this may not be compatible with either the awful Windows 8 or Windows 7 (if you can still get a copy of it). You could go out and buy a new PC but this will more than likely have Windows 8 and not be that cheap.

There are other options and most of these are free.
I will write another post, in a couple of weeks, about the free alternatives to the Windows  Operating System.

Some interesting factoids for you.
Did you know;

•  85%  of PCs in Britain’s National Health Service are still running Windows XP.
•  55% of computer users in China still run XP
• 70% of computer users on the Cook Islands run XP
• Spain has some of  the oldest computer software and hardware in use in the whole of western Europe
•  3.5 million small and medium-sized companies in Spain still use XP on their computer systems

UK TV With Out a VPN

There has been many discussions about the great TV switch off, as many people have lost their UK SAT TV channels here in Spain.This is due to recent changes to the Astra satellite network.
So what options are available if you want UK TV.
Well fortunately there is a free option if you have a computer and of course an internet conenction.  There is a website called Filmon . This has at the moment 27 Free To Air (FTA) UK channels. These are part of what you would get if you where in the UK and using the terrestrial  FreeView service. Sometimes referred to as Digital Terestial  TV.
So you get BBC 1,2,3,4, ITV 1,2,3,4 and the plus one services. CH4, CH5 etc and Quest.  I won't list all of them here. Film 4 is also on there but this is under the heading of Feature Movie. So just scroll down and select the Feature Movie Option and you will find Film 4 in there.

Screen Shot Showing BBC One on Filmon, working.

 If you have an Android smart phone or iPhone FilmOn  have an app, so you can watch UK TV on your mobile. But I would only do this if you are connected to WiFi, rather than your mobile data plan.








But is there a way to connect my TV to my computer. Fortunately there is. If you have a modern flat screen TV then its quite easy.

Just look on your laptop for either a VGA socket or HDMI socket.

Typical VGA socket on a Laptop

The VGA socket on your laptop will look like this.  Most VGA sockets are blue in colour, but this isn't always the case. Now look for a similar socket on your TV. 






The socket on the TV will look a lot like this one below.

Typical VGA socket on a flat screen TV

Once you have located the sockets on your laptop and TV you will need to buy a VGA lead. You are probably better off going to your local PC shop, so you make sure you get the right one.
 9 times out of 10 you just need to connect the cable to the TV and then to your Laptop. Your laptop should automatically see the TV. Just make sure you have selected the correct input on your TV.

The tricky one is sound. You will need to use either a 3.5mm stereo jack to 3.5mm stereo jack  lead .   It should look like the one on the left.

If your laptop is quite new then it may not have a VGA socket or your TV might not have one either.
So what can you do. Well the next socket to check for is what is called HDMI.


The HDMI socket will look like this one below.

HDMI socket on a TV

You should find something like this on your TV.





On your laptop it will look like the one below

If you have these sockets then you just need an HDMI to HDMI cable.






You have checked your laptop or PC or TV can't find the required sockets what do you do. Well there are several options.
Best one is to either call your local PC repair guy such as myself. I work in the Costa Blana area of Spain. And ask them what to do.
Another option would be to buy an Android Smart TV box but make sure it can connect to your TV. You would then need to download the Filmon app from Google play.
 The following Android Smart TV will work on TVs that have a scart socket.

Android Smart TV box showing an AV connector (Ringed in red)

Android TV Box Showing Composite Video and Audio Sockets.

 Then you will need to but a scart to composite video and RCA stereo adapter.

The picture shows a Scart to RCA audio (Red and White) and Composite video (Yellow) adapter

This will work with both the shown Android TV boxes.
The picture showing the Av connector comes with a special lead. As shown below. These leads can also be bought separately as well.  

As always if in doubt contact an expert in these matters.

Next month how to get iPlayer and other catch up services.