Windows-probs, Linux more prbs...back to Windows

[Kistler]

Am probably showing my stupidity here has been apparent for years, according to Brenda, my present wife.

I have really had a bad week with my computer; had prbs, I knew...was slow and we got these cute things ... like new programs installed for us...and interesting "lady's pic" on the desktop.

Called the "guru"....he sold me Stop-sign...it worked but while he was here he also sold me on Linux....

I am/was not able to deal with Linux--Lindos--aka also Lindspire. So

Had to order a recovery set of (8) dsks from HP....sent them overnight FedEX and I am back to Windows....and after a long talk with the Stop-sign people on the Kitsap...am back to where I was....sorta minus $250 from my bank account.

Just an update...wondering if you people, any of you people, ever have prbs like I do.

[john hd]

welcome back to the dark side!

john

[Pahaska]

Originally Posted by Kistler

Just an update...wondering if you people, any of you people, ever have prbs like I do.

Install Service Pack 2. You can either download it (big!) or get a free CD from Microsoft. It fixes a lot of security problems. It probably isn't on the disks you got from HP.

Next, install a better firewall than even Service Pack 2 has. I use ZoneAlarm Pro Suite which is also a virus checker.

Next, get and run Ad-watch. It protects your registry. If it tells you that something is trying to change the registry which is what most viruses and spyware try to do, you can refuse to let it change.

I also run AdAware once a week. Even with all my other security measures, it usually finds one or two tracking programs.

I run Netscape 7.2 as my browser (free). It is less a target for hackers than the MS browser.

With all of the above, I never have problems.

[Kistler]

Glad to have the empathy from you guys White Russians help with this also...do/is there a website?

Kis Ryan

[Janets Husband]

Originally Posted by Pahaska

Install Service Pack 2. You can either download it (big!) or get a free CD from Microsoft. It fixes a lot of security problems. It probably isn't on the disks you got from HP.

Janet 's office computer installed XP SP2 and the wirless network stopped working. Neither Microsoft or the Netgear will take responibility for it.
There are many reported problems with SP2. Warning read microsofts compatability page on hardware for SP2.
If I were to vote on it, Oh I do. It will not be installed on any of our other machines.
Thanks Microsoft.

[rluhr]

To answer your question, yes, millions of people have these problems and it's completely unconscionable. You have been stuck with poorly designed software that is IMHO defective as supplied. John proposes work-arounds that will help, but if our operating system software market were rational, you wouldn't have to do all that just to have a reliable PC.

[Kistler]

Eeeek!

Kis

[Pahaska]

So far, I haven't had any problems with SP2 on the 3 computers in our house. We have circulated some SP2 CDs and most of our unit have installed it without reporting any problems.

[wahoonc]

Kistler and Gary,
I know exactly how you guys feel, I downloaded SP 2 and the computer locked up and was worse than before. So I rolled it back until I have more time to deal with it. I also have an elderly laptop that still runs Win98se The motherboard had gotten real flaky...so I installed a spare board that I pirated from parts laptop....then had to reformat the harddrive and reinstall all the drivers...the ones that I could find
Kistler, consider taking a basic intro course to computers at you local community college? It might help you understand what is going on...or better yet go to one of John's Computer rallies FWIW I use Zone Alarm Firewall, AVG anti virus, Mozilla Firefox, AdAware SE, and Spybot. I can usually catch things before they get too far gone.

Aaron

[jcanavera]

Be sure to check out the Microsoft web page on SP2 before you update. It has a list of known problems and software that SP2 has problems with. I updated my home PC to SP2 about a month ago and have no problems. I did my work PC today with no issues. In both cases I do not use the inbuilt firewall from Microsoft. My work PC connects to our network where we use a hardware firewall. At home I use ZoneAlarm as my firewall which works great.

Jack

[53flyingcloud]

I find this meetings of like minds, interesting ..
John,
Like you and several others, I installed SP2 within a week after it was released. I recall the total download size was less than 76 mb..It has worked flawless since "zero hour" of installation.
Like so many on here, I employe spybot, spyblaster, spyware, ad-aware se, panda's anti virus, protector plus anti virus, zone alarm, plus several really neat regdet programs for "fine tooth" picking of deleted/loose ends.
Over the yrs, I tried just about everything that has casted a shadow on the puter landscape..All of the programs mention in this thread, for my money, seem to work the best as designed. They exist together on the same harddrive without causing "weird" interactive problems..
Linux is/can be an excellent O/S but, unless you know and understand the lingo, it's best left for the puter geeks..I've known people who could write books on puters throw up their hands and pull hair trying to get every aspects of Linux to work..
ciao
53FC

[Silvertwinkie]

Cloud is right, unless you can talk the talk and walk the walk, Linux isn't for the average person (yet).

Sorry to hear you all have OS issues. Get a Mac....and most of the issue go away. I don't need anti spy, ad or other simialr software, though with a DSL connection I do run a hardware and software firewall to keep those folks that I don't want around at bay.

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by jcanavera

Be sure to check out the Microsoft web page on SP2 before you update. It has a list of known problems and software that SP2 has problems with. I updated my home PC to SP2 about a month ago and have no problems. I did my work PC today with no issues. In both cases I do not use the inbuilt firewall from Microsoft. My work PC connects to our network where we use a hardware firewall. At home I use ZoneAlarm as my firewall which works great.

Jack

Jack,
What irritated me about the whole update thing is that my computer is box stock from Dell and when I installed the SP2 it would not allow IE to access the internet...now that makes a lot of sense! I suspect it is making its own firewall settings in XP, which was turned off, but when it reinstalled it turned itself on, I normally firewall thru a router. But the whole security update routine is a bunch of crap, they need to get it closer to right the first time, if they want to sell it. "No warranty expressed or implied"

Aaron

[somefun]

I initially had problems with SP2 (couldnt bring up browser - several programs wouldn't work). I then reformatted my hard drive, re-installed Windows XP Pro, then installed SP2. Everything ran perfectly! Sometimes it's best to start from scratch!