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Copper Catcher
Administrator
USA
2092 Posts |
 Posted - 09/09/2008 : 09:15:11
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Yesterday, I go home after a long day and want to unwind and check out the forum and eBay and do a little surfing and of course check my email. My computer shuts down after one of what seems like constant and countless Microsoft updates and boom my wireless connection stops working.
I try all sorts of stuff. I first have to find the stupid software for the router and then I try to unload, and reload and get another message saying device is not XP Windows approved, then I try to do a system restore and that does not work either.
All this is stuff that I really have no business trying because I know I will screw up more than I could possibly fix!
So I now have an appointment with a Geek Squad person who get this says they will be over between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and they are going to charge me at minimum $129.99 to fix a problem Microsoft created!
I feel like ripping someone's head off at the moment.......
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redneck
1000+ Penny Miser Member
1273 Posts |
Posted - 09/09/2008 : 18:44:58
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Turn off automatic updates.
Go to control panel - click on automatic updates and turn them off. Thats what I did to solve a whole list of problems.
It's mostly bull$hit anyway....
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eharrison
Penny Pincher Member
USA
234 Posts |
Posted - 09/09/2008 : 19:52:45
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That's why ya gotsta get a MAC ladies and gents. While I don't have one (YET!) I worked with one all summer and let me just say it beats the he!! out of the HP I am using right now.
SOooooooo If any of the copper gets to cumbersome, one should def. trade it in for a mac.
(Thus ending my shameless plug for mac) 
P.S. WARNING the mac really won't help if TSHTF just so ya know. |
Freedom is popular
That's why I voted
Ron Paul! |
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natsb88
Administrator
USA
1850 Posts |
Posted - 09/09/2008 : 20:18:16
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I'm no expert on the financial articles that are often posted on this forum, but here's a topic I can respond to 
I've been building and repairing computers on the side for about 4 years, and I've been working for Tech Desk Advanced Support for my university for a little over a year, diagnosing and repairing dozens of laptops each month.
I can tell you that turning off Automatic Updates is a BAD idea, unless you make an effort to manually check for updates at least once a week. Believe it or not, a good portion of those updates are security patches that fix holes in the operating system.
Make sure you're running some sort of antivirus software as well. The free version of AVG is good place to start if you don't want to buy something like Sophos.
We had a computer last semester that was compromised through an unfixed vulnerability in Windows. It began streaming the client's keystrokes and screenshots of everything they did to a server in Texas which then relayed it to a server in Europe. The client was an exchange student who had scans of important documents on the computer, so the university detective, local police, and INS all got involved right away. Not a good situation.
Macs are extremely popular right now due to advertising, but they're by no means immune from the problems you experience with PCs. The main problem with Macs is repairing hardware. While they operate exactly the same as a PC nowadays, they don't always use standard components, meaning you have to buy replacements directly from Mac, so they can charge an arm and a leg. They're also not immune from viruses as many people think. It is certainly much less common, but there is malware out there that attacks Macs.
If you're in the market for a laptop, avoid anything from HP/Compaq, Gateway, Toshiba, and low-end machines from Dell and Acer. The Dell Latitude series machines are built well, and I'm a big fan of just about anything from Asus and Lenovo.
If you're in the market for a desktop, I say build your own. I've built almost 10 in the past couple years. Once you get the hang of it, it's a piece of cake  |
Nate
The Copper Cave
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moboman
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
2555 Posts |
Posted - 09/09/2008 : 23:38:44
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| If I were closer, since you are such a generous guy, I'd fix it for free. If you fly me out...:[D]. |
"99% of all lawyers give the rest of them a bad name"
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pencilvanian
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
2209 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2008 : 17:11:42
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"If you're in the market for a laptop, avoid anything from HP/Compaq,"
Avoid anything from HP/Compaq Period.
I have a ten year old Compaq that is still running and I had (emphasis on the word had) a HP/Compaq that died on me after the warranty ran out. It seems after HP bought Compaq the quality for Compaqs went downhill fast.
I am thinking of buying a new computer but only after
1. I save up enough
2. They get the bugs or holes fixed for Vista
or
3. I will consider an Apple.
Does Apple have/recommend an anti virus software for its machines? I will not under any circimstances buy a computer if anti-software cant be installed on it or isn't available for it. A computer that odesn't have such defenses is just begging for trouble from a hacker or virus.
Any other Wintel machines that seem to run OK or seem reliable? |
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Delawhere Jack
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1680 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2008 : 17:49:30
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Absolutely install Windows updates, BUT, wait until a week or so after they are released. MS has issued updates in the past, only to withdraw them a few days later after learning they caused unforeseen issues of their own.
STAY BEHIND A FIREWALL. Whether a software firewall on the machine itself, or one built into your router. ZoneAlarm makes a decent, fairly cheap and easy to use software firewall. Software firewalls are a good choice for laptops, where you may connect to wireless networks where you don't know if they have the firewall turned on. DO NOT rely on the built in firewall in WinXP, it is insufficient.
NEVER connect to a wireless network unless you know without a doubt who's network it is, and trust that provider. If you've got a wireless network at home, crack open the manual, connect to the admin interface and set the router to NOT broadcast it's SSID. Basically that means the Joe the Mad Bomber, (or other bad characters, use your imagination), can't park in front of your house and use your network. This is in addition to setting encryption, and creating a security key. WRITE THIS INFO DOWN on an index card and tape it to the router.
In addition to Compaq/Gateway etc, avoid Toshiba.
Lenovo and the better model Dells are both good laptop, and they back up their hardware. I support about 125 Dell workstations, and about 20 IBM/Lenovo laptops, and have never had a hassle getting waranty part.
MAC's are great if you live on an island.  But they are far inferior in client server environments. Expect limited software choices at higher prices, and propietary hardware, at whatever price Apple decides to charge you.  I'm just not sold on the MAC hype. If you asked a Windows machine to do as little as most MAC's are expected to do, people would love them too.
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"Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty." Thomas Jefferson
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Delawhere Jack
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1680 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2008 : 17:50:48
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| Oh yeah, if you can't afford to lose it, BACK IT UP! |
"Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty." Thomas Jefferson
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natsb88
Administrator
USA
1850 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2008 : 18:09:55
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Yes, you can get antivirus software for Macs.
They will never have all the holes fixed in Vista. Heck, they're still issuing updates for XP, which means they don't even have all of the bugs out of that yet.
Are you looking for a laptop or a desktop? What do you mainly use it for? |
Nate
The Copper Cave
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kieblera5
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
859 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2008 : 18:21:17
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quote:
Originally posted by Delawhere Jack
Oh yeah, if you can't afford to lose it, BACK IT UP!
Back up my hard drive??? How do you put it in reverse?
Ahh, I had to... |
Democracy is being allowed to vote for the candidate you dislike least.
Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you mercilessly with experience.
Caller number seven gets the Peace Prize!
Get coding tips, tricks, and more at: http://codingmonday.blogspot.com |
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pencilvanian
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
2209 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2008 : 19:34:49
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Are you looking for a laptop or a desktop?
.....Desktop, I don't need to carry my computer around with me, and a desktop is tougher to walk off with than a laptop.
What do you mainly use it for?
........Net surfing, accessing this forum, reading stuff on the net. I am not really computer savvy, I just want the thing to work when it is turned on.
Time frame to buy a new machine-
when I save up enough for a new one. Metal fund first, computer fund second.
As far as the Mac/Wintel arguement is concerned-
it sounds almost like the arguement which is best to buy, old coins or new, coins or rounds or bars, junk silver or Maple Leafs/Eagles/Mexican Onzas,
Which gold coins to buy, old pre 1933 or Kruggerrnads/Eagles/maple leafs/soverigns, etc.
Personal choice, what is best for you, what is most comfortable for you is the best answer to the either/or arguement. |
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Delawhere Jack
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1680 Posts |
Posted - 09/12/2008 : 21:16:50
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quote:
Originally posted by kieblera5
quote:
Originally posted by Delawhere Jack
Oh yeah, if you can't afford to lose it, BACK IT UP!
Back up my hard drive??? How do you put it in reverse?
Ahh, I had to...
Reverse the polarity of the power cable...let me know how it works out.....hehehe! |
"Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty." Thomas Jefferson
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pencilvanian
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
2209 Posts |
Posted - 09/12/2008 : 21:35:42
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quote:
Originally posted by Delawhere Jack
quote:
Originally posted by kieblera5
quote:
Originally posted by Delawhere Jack
Oh yeah, if you can't afford to lose it, BACK IT UP!
Back up my hard drive??? How do you put it in reverse?
Ahh, I had to...
Reverse the polarity of the power cable...let me know how it works out.....hehehe!
If you accidentally reverse the flow of time and find yourself stuck in the year 1981
BUY PENNIES LIKE MAD!!!
(And buy Apple & Microsoft stock while they are available and still penny stocks. You know how much we all love pennies ) |
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