Your computer

[jcsmooth]

Hi all,

I'm currently looking into getting a new computer, and even though my current one was recently refitted with a ton of new hardware, I think I'm getting sick of PC's in general. I won't go into too much detail, but I had a dell computer before that was running at about 75 degrees celcius (insufficient fans), making the insides literally melt. I had to replace a ton of things, and when I tried to reinstall my copy of windows that came with it, because I had a new motherboard the copy no longer worked! Neither Dell nor Microsoft wanted to help me.

Do you guys remember that polly shore video that came up? My virus program never detected anything, but soon after I viewed it my bios became completely corrupt. I'm getting so sick of viruses, pop-ups, spyware, etc., that I'm thinking about getting an imac. I just want things to be simple again. I think dell shouldn't have called it an XPS, but rather Pandora's box.

For those of you running a pc, how often do you run into problems?
For those of you running a mac, how often do you run into problems, and how did you find the switch from a pc to a mac?

JC

 

[Patsheba]

Ahh, yes, you think you have it bad with XP, you should be on wireless and running it!

So, I have all these problems, so I talk to the guru guy and purchased a new system.

Only, I can't transfer any of my data off this one, it's OS2 (or DOS) and the new one is Linux or Linus or something and they hardly communicate enough together for the new one to even access this networked internet antenna connection.

So I will use this stupid one with XP until it dies, then I will cry and be crabby and maybe start to use the other one, but it will take 2-3 years until it has any history like this one and neither one will read the disks from my last one..... And the other one is getting very dusty-I hate to dust.

And I truly to believe it's all Windows fault!

 

[ChrOniCHiGhz]

Windows is prone to problems, as its the most commonly used OS, its the one most frequently targeted by hacker and virus writers. I've always had alot of problems with windows too, so I've switched over to linux (ubuntu) as my main OS. I dual boot, I can boot linux, or windows, I only have a windows boot for gaming, as very fews games are supported by linux, without the use of wine or celdega.

 

[Guest]

i used to have all kinds of fucked up crashing problems on a pirated copy of windows millenium.

i put windows xp on a fresh system and i never have problems anymore. i got this laptop in september and it hasn't crashed on me once (win xp). it's running all the time, i run different stuff on it all day and surf the web, play games, edit photos, burn dvds, this thing hasn't had a break since i bought it which is why i'm amazed it hasn't crashed. it was the cheapest one money could buy at the time

 

[bounty29]

I bought every piece of my computer individually, and put the whole thing together exactly two years ago, give or take a few days. It can still run new games fine and doesn't get bogged down too easily.

There have been a few viruses on it in those two years, but they got onto the computer when I let someone else use it. In my experience, common sense will do a lot more effective job of anti-virus than any software will. Don't download unknown things, don't sign up for free things, don't open attachments from people you don't know, etc.

Some helpful software to put on your computer, if you're tired of dealing with viruses and problems.

AVG - Free antivirus software. I ran it for a while, but I decided I didn't need it, so uninstalled it. (I prefer to run my computer with a minimal number of processes in the background.)

ZoneAlarm - A firewall, the trial version does quite a bit. I've heard varied opinions on this but I've never had a problem with it.

PeerGuardian 2 - If you're going to be using torrents to download stuff, get this. It blocks tons of IPs from media companies, RIAA, MPAA, etc.

Last, but what I think is the most important step... USE FIREFOX, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. It's easier to use, safer, has sooooo many more features and add-ons. You'll appreciate it.

For all I know you could be using all of these, but maybe they're new to some people reading. Another thing that has kept my computer running in peak condition is the fact that I do a format every 3-6 months, wipe the hard drives clean, and start over. I'll back up the essentials to a CD and start over. Everything is so quick after that, very nice.

Edit: Wow, several people got replies in while I was writing this. I've had one copy of Windows XP home since I got my first computer, which was some piece of crap gateway desktop about four years ago. After upgrading several times, and finally building a new computer from scratch, I still use that copy of XP. Sure there are lots of people that will say Windows sucks, but I'm not one of them. I'm not saying it's great, I've just never once had a problem with it. (Except that time I tried to get a wireless card to work on a Win98 machine, that was no good.)

 

[TTIC]

WIndows Vista is coming out January 30, 07. Microsoft, CNET and just about everyone else says it will be a more secure OS. You could also run linspire linux. This is a very easy to use version of linux. I wouldn't go the mac way - I know a number of people with a mac and there's all sorts of compatibility problems.
I would build my own comp - much cheaper than buying a new comp.
Go to www.pricewatch.com and pick out components that you want to buy. When using this site make sure you buy from companies that atleast have 80% positive feedback as there are some companies that post on this site that have awful feedback and for good reasons. I've bought many components off of this site and haven't had problems as long as I read feedback prior to buying. Pricewatch is much cheaper than ebay or anywhere else on the web and probably 1/2 or a 1/3 of the price of buying pc parts at the store. I've bought a network card, two video cards, multiple units of ram, etc from pricewatch and I've had good results.

 

[The Bling]

build your own you can have an amazing computer for like $800

 

[jcsmooth]

I just purchased a legal copy of Windows Media Center 2005, but since almost every new computer sold has a copy already installed, that doesn't do me much good.

I realize that hackers design viruses to affect the most amount of people, which is users who use windows. Since I don't find much time these days to play games, I think a mac is well suited to my needs. I can pretty much fix anything on a pc (I was designated pc fixer by my family, somehow), but for the amount of crashes I've had lately I can't deal with it anymore.

I went through three hard drives in two years, a power supply, a motherboard, a dvd drive, and a few fans. That was all because Dell did not install sufficient cooling fans for my pc, which made it run at about 75 degrees Celsius. I hadn't had a crash until that Polly Shore video, which thankfully didn't mess with anything other than my bios.

Any mac users out there? What are your experiences? Happy with your purchase?

JC

 

[ChrOniCHiGhz]

I bought every piece of my computer individually, and put the whole thing together exactly two years ago, give or take a few days. It can still run new games fine and doesn't get bogged down too easily.

There have been a few viruses on it in those two years, but they got onto the computer when I let someone else use it. In my experience, common sense will do a lot more effective job of anti-virus than any software will. Don't download unknown things, don't sign up for free things, don't open attachments from people you don't know, etc.

Some helpful software to put on your computer, if you're tired of dealing with viruses and problems.

AVG - Free antivirus software. I ran it for a while, but I decided I didn't need it, so uninstalled it. (I prefer to run my computer with a minimal number of processes in the background.)

ZoneAlarm - A firewall, the trial version does quite a bit. I've heard varied opinions on this but I've never had a problem with it.

PeerGuardian 2 - If you're going to be using torrents to download stuff, get this. It blocks tons of IPs from media companies, RIAA, MPAA, etc.

Last, but what I think is the most important step... USE FIREFOX, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. It's easier to use, safer, has sooooo many more features and add-ons. You'll appreciate it.

For all I know you could be using all of these, but maybe they're new to some people reading. Another thing that has kept my computer running in peak condition is the fact that I do a format every 3-6 months, wipe the hard drives clean, and start over. I'll back up the essentials to a CD and start over. Everything is so quick after that, very nice.

Edit: Wow, several people got replies in while I was writing this. I've had one copy of Windows XP home since I got my first computer, which was some piece of crap gateway desktop about four years ago. After upgrading several times, and finally building a new computer from scratch, I still use that copy of XP. Sure there are lots of people that will say Windows sucks, but I'm not one of them. I'm not saying it's great, I've just never once had a problem with it. (Except that time I tried to get a wireless card to work on a Win98 machine, that was no good.)

Pretty good advice, I don't believe windows sucks, but like all software, it has bugs that people can exploit, its the most common OS, virus writers/self-spreading virus writers focus on windows.

Now for zone alarm, I don't recommend it, I did like 5+ years ago, now I advise against using it. There is a lot of better firewalls out there. Some software I recommend for anti-spyware type things, Hijackthis is a godsend. You can run it, then post the log on a forum of people that know what they're doing (me for example, not to be cocky) and they'll tell you what to remove. Also, going to start, run, and type in msconfig, and goto the start up tag, and uncheck anything that isn't needed to start on startup will prevent a lot trojans/remote access tools from starting. Never download or run any .exe files that you are unsure of, only use .exe from dependable sites. Firefox, like bounty29 is another godsend that will keep you from getting a lot of spyware, its so much safer then IE.

I find that most AVs are a joke and never really used them. If you choose to use one, I would recommend Kaspersky or NOD32

 

[treble]

I never have problems but... heres the thing. I dont travel the net unprotected. I use:

a) anti virus product - not NORTONS which is complete rubbish. Use TrendMicro PCcillin internet security, mcaffee perhaps or AVG. AVG has a free option and it is as good as the other two.

b) microsoft defender - its free and it works pretty well

c) install a real firewall like Sygate. One you can interact with. The Microsoft one and most AV ones are a bit clunky

d) install Firefox for visits to those dark and dangerous parts of the internet if you have to go there

e) install google tool bar and disable EVERYTHING except options and popup blocking. You will need to re-visit these setting each time google updates as it gets reset to defaults.

I don't visit places I dont know and if I have to go to a risky type of web site I go in Firefox. It has better popup blocking capabilities and script exection interception.

Trend and Macafee has Anti SPAM and email scanning so they can get the bad stuff before it gets to you.

Sygate is a firewall with some advanced features. A non Windows firewall is good because it looks for programs connecting out to the internet from your PC and it pops up and tells you. Then you can check the program out and if it is ok you can allow it. if it is not ok you can block it and then investigate further.

All of these trojans and shit will connect to the net and sygate or similar is the quickest way to detect and block them.

Finally resist that temptation to click or open any old shit and if you see popup's right click and close them as quick as you can. I don't use the "group similar task bar buttons" option for my Windows task bar so that I can see what IE Windows are open and if a popup appears I can see it on the task bar immediately and either right click there and close or find the red cross on the window and close before it has a chance to load the web page and potential threat.

Dont use MySpace or MSN messeger... especially messenger in auto login mode... sheehs talk abut leaving the keys out.

If you know anything about routers then you could set your router to block everything but the ports you want. e.g. email, web, ftp and maybe chat - 6667. You can block everything else or send it all to an made up ip address on your network which doesn't have an actual computer on it.

ok thats my advice. I have been a 10 year net user and my infection rate is 1 real virus and about 6 spywares in all that time. My SPAM is about 200-300 per day with maybe 2 or 3 getting through.

It is possible to keep a PC clean but you need layers of protection and you need to think before you click.

treb

 

[Guest]

G5, get her done

 

[ChrOniCHiGhz]

I never have problems but... heres the thing. I dont travel the net unprotected. I use:

a) anti virus product - not NORTONS which is complete rubbish. Use TrendMicro PCcillin internet security, mcaffee perhaps or AVG. AVG has a free option and it is as good as the other two.

b) microsoft defender - its free and it works pretty well

c) install a real firewall like Sygate. One you can interact with. The Microsoft one and most AV ones are a bit clunky

d) install Firefox for visits to those dark and dangerous parts of the internet if you have to go there

e) install google tool bar and disable EVERYTHING except options and popup blocking. You will need to re-visit these setting each time google updates as it gets reset to defaults.

I don't visit places I dont know and if I have to go to a risky type of web site I go in Firefox. It has better popup blocking capabilities and script exection interception.

Trend and Macafee has Anti SPAM and email scanning so they can get the bad stuff before it gets to you.

Sygate is a firewall with some advanced features. A non Windows firewall is good because it looks for programs connecting out to the internet from your PC and it pops up and tells you. Then you can check the program out and if it is ok you can allow it. if it is not ok you can block it and then investigate further.

All of these trojans and shit will connect to the net and sygate or similar is the quickest way to detect and block them.

Finally resist that temptation to click or open any old shit and if you see popup's right click and close them as quick as you can. I don't use the "group similar task bar buttons" option for my Windows task bar so that I can see what IE Windows are open and if a popup appears I can see it on the task bar immediately and either right click there and close or find the red cross on the window and close before it has a chance to load the web page and potential threat.

Dont use MySpace or MSN messeger... especially messenger in auto login mode... sheehs talk abut leaving the keys out.

If you know anything about routers then you could set your router to block everything but the ports you want. e.g. email, web, ftp and maybe chat - 6667. You can block everything else or send it all to an made up ip address on your network which doesn't have an actual computer on it.

ok thats my advice. I have been a 10 year net user and my infection rate is 1 real virus and about 6 spywares in all that time. My SPAM is about 200-300 per day with maybe 2 or 3 getting through.

It is possible to keep a PC clean but you need layers of protection and you need to think before you click.

treb

A router is a excellent idea, mine blocks all ports that are open and unused, until I port forward them, I have had a lot less problems since I got my router.
Port 6667 is a common port used by IRC based trojans to set up a host IRC network for the "bot-master" aka usually script kiddies that don't have any idea of how the program they compiled works, to control their "botnet" some of the smarter ones will pick a odd port other then 6667 to help from keeping it detected as much (they often use FTP + some exploit to transfer the trojan to a computer. I know, I used to play with those things in my younger days, then I learned C++ and coded my own, then realized it was childish and a good way to goto prison early dropped out of that stupid scene, now I work to stop botkiddies )

 

[Milky]

Unfortunately for all us AVG users, it won't be free anymore come January

 

[shakey]

Ive had good luck with spy sweeper and spy doctor those are the only two programs that I found to be good and actually find stuff.

peace

 

[ChrOniCHiGhz]

Spy sweeper and spy doctor are also both really good programs for getting rid of spyware. I've also used SpyBot Search and Destroy and Ad-Aware with good results too. For a good firewall, I suggest Sunbelt Kerio Personal Firewall, its good, and free (some features do disappear after 30 days, spends a little money and get those features without them expiring)

 

[Grat3fulh3ad]

I love my mac, and will not ever go back to pc...
I have parallels and windows xp installed, and never boot windows... no need...
Even when window's OS X clone Vista comes out mac will still be better...
IMHO

 

[jcsmooth]

What was the learning curve like from a pc to mac?
I've been using pc's for about...hmm...12 years? Can't say I love them, but I know how they work.

These mac's look so easy and simple, almost oversimplified, but I've got a Uni. degree so I should be able to figure it out. ya? hehe

Apparently a new OS for Mac is coming out soon, leopard or something.
Seems like we're always anticipating the next latest and greatest...gotta buy in sometime though right.
Who's law is it that states that technology will double in speed/capability and half in price every year?

JC

 

[Grat3fulh3ad]

I'd always used pc... loved the mac from day one...

 

[ChrOniCHiGhz]

PC to mac is a easier switch from say windows to Linux (Linux uses a lot of console commands too remember, ect ect.) I've been wanting to get a mac, but I don't have the money yet -_-

 

[jcsmooth]

console commands you say? I think I am looking for the opposite of that

My two options at the moment are
1: Use my current working components (The few left) and use them to help rebuild a pc from scratch.
2: Buy a new imac and start fresh, white to be exact

JC