PC idiot needs help

Can someone help me, how to install Arena 3.5, and how to install Stockfish engine? Keep it simple if possible, I am a total retard with these things. A fart is more intelligent than me with the PC...

I use windows XP.

If you use still XP you should never more connect this pc with the web!!!!

Go to the Arena website (http://goo.gl/e2Hkc0) and download it. Open the file and search for a button to "extract" it. Double click to install then and follow the instructions.

Do the same thing with Stockfish, find the webpage and download it. Once you have extracted it, you have to add the engine to Arena. This is the "tricky" part.

You should find an option inside the program, something under the engine tab, but I don't really remember since I'm on mobile.

I tried to extract files from the arena zip folder, it creates 30 other folders on my desktop and when I try to open the thing, nothing happens. Hmm... I tried to read through all the how-to page but I can't understand a thing... I'm stupid :-)

Here's a tip. When extracting zip files, first create a new folder and extract the files inside the folder, that way you won't end up with 20 icons on your desktop. Generally speaking, a program that's going to run under Windows will have a file extension labeled `.exe`. Try looking for something like that among the files you extracted. I've run Arena in the past and it was the easiest piece of cake I've ever used.

@OP, the best tip I can give you is, whenever someone is trying to help you, you must use precise communication. For example, a statement like "...and when I try to open the thing, nothing happens" doesn't tell me specifically what you tried to do. So I'm left to guess what you actually did, which just lengthens the whole process.

You're right. But I repeat, I'm dumb when speaking of these things (and many others but that's another matter...). What I was trying to say is that I downloaded the Arena 3.5 zip, saved it on my desktop, extracted the files and tried to open the program (the .exe with the king icon). It said that there was an error and that I should try to download the program again. I tried it but the same thing happened. The funny thing is that I had another version of Arena a couple of years ago, did the same process and it worked fine. Is there something you should do before you can actually open and use the program?

You might have noticed that there are actually two versions of Arena 3.5 that can be downloaded: the zip file, which you've already tried, and the setup file. Since you're having problems with the zip file, maybe it would be easier to download the setup file and just install that one?

Why?

There's no longer any security updates for XP.

Wrong. They are security updates for XP until 9th of April 2019, although they are not "directly" available. A simple registry hack takes care of the issue, google it.

Ok, sure the "PC idiot" can just simply hack his registry and do manual updates.  Easy-peasy.  /s

It's as easy as doubleclicking a .reg file, and now having automatic security updates, via Microsoft Update. A LOT of low-end business machines are using it!

You just have to avoid using Internet Exploder, in favour of Opera, or PaleMoon.

Until Microsoft decides to turn that switch off which could be any day, really. They are aware of the hack. Also all these updates are not necesserely safe to do either. Are they not intended for ATMs and cash registers, using Windows Embedded POSReady 2009?

Mostly yes, although all embedded systems are covered.

pfren wrote:

cryptoff wrote:

Ok, sure the "PC idiot" can just simply hack his registry and do manual updates.  Easy-peasy.  /s

It's as easy as doubleclicking a .reg file, and now having automatic security updates, via Microsoft Update. A LOT of low-end business machines are using it!

You just have to avoid using Internet Exploder, in favour of Opera, or PaleMoon.

He should consider getting the free Windows 10. I tried it but didn't like the constant sales pitches from Microsoft,so I switched back to 7.Do you guys know how to stop the sales messsages from Microsoft,or do I have to buy Windows 10,instead of the free version?

I have no idea, and I don't bother too: using Linux...

AFAIK W10 is "free" for one year, for users of windows 7 or more.

Operating systems are getting worse. They snoop around, babysit you, and smell of secret agendas and backdoors. It's disgusting.

Windows XP is hardly the solution though. I wish more people would turn to linux. Maybe when at some point dirt gets out in the open on the commercial OSes, Snowden style. For me it's impossible ATM because of software I need for work, but the minute I get a viable alternative for linux I'm making the switch.

Wow, thanks. Didn't even see that. It's working without problems. But jesus this is a complicated gui, a year to learn how to use it... well I hope it'll be rewarding... thanks again!

I agree with those saying that you should at least get off Windows XP.  It's really not supported anymore by MS, and is slow and antiquated.  At least go to Windows 7 or something else.  If you upgrade before downloading you won't have to download twice...

By the way, what are you using for security?  You need a package that runs a firewall, security scans, process monitoring and file cleanup so you have a reasonable chance of not being invaded.