Having Major Computer Problems

[Glenda]

Hey everyone I'll probably be off line with this computer for a while. I'm looking for a new computer. I've been having so much trouble with this one. It's only six years old! With the money I've spent to get it repaired several times I could have bought another upgraded one, so I'm looking. I haven't been able to get on and stay on for a couple of days. I'll be right in the middle of sending or receiving a message and it will completely lock up on me. The cursor and nothing will work. I'll re-boot it but it still won't work. I'm surprised it has let me on this time. I'll use my husband's lap top from this office. Maybe I can keep in touch that way for a while. You guys are like family to me and I need to check in on everyone once in a while. Has anyone got any good ideas on a good computer. A friend of mine told me to just get one at Wal Mart. They were cheap and were really good.

Talk to you all at a later date.

 

[PapaHappyStar]

I think it might be best to buy a low end machine with a warranty direct from the manufacturer -- I have had a good experience with Dell, a home PC for internet etc should be around $300-$500:

www.dell.com
www.hpshopping.com
www.emachines.com

 

[Granbonny]

Hi Glenda

Hi Glenda

Be sure and get all hooked up by June 10th..Our Birthday I know we will have soooo many good wishes.. I love my Compaq...3 1/2 years and no problems..from Radio shack...Bonnie

 

[gadgetman]

Whatever you buy make sure you have a good virus software program installed AND KEEP IT UPDATED DAILY. The things you describe could very well be caused by a virus or adware program that has gotten into your computer. Although I am a "self-taugh" computer geek, in my opinion, the virus, worm and adware infections out there on the internet are the worse enemy of all of us here. I have Norton AnitVirus, Ad-Aware SE (a free download program) and Spyware Begone that I bought. All three of them are continually finding and stopping invasions. Others will probably pass on their preferences.

Good luck on your search and like others have said, unless you like to play high graphic computer games or do a lot of photo editing, almost any inexpensive computer will serve you well. My last two have been HP's which have held up very well (both purchased at Sam's Club). My wife has a Toshiba laptop which has served her well. Now if I could just get DSL or cable hook-up instead of "snail-mail" landline my computer world would be complete.

Good Luck and,

May God Bless,

Danny

 

[Mary]

Be sure and get all hooked up by June 10th..Our Birthday I know we will have soooo many good wishes.. I love my Compaq...3 1/2 years and no problems..from Radio shack...Bonnie

It better be sooner than that. I need you with me on the 7th!
I've left a designated poster for yours and Bonnie's birthday wishes in the event I can't get to a computer.
I've heard Wal-Mart is fine. I've had two emachines and they've worked great.
Mary

 

[Ross]

Glenda whatever you get, make sure you put every piece of spyware protection on it you can. This is definately what ended this system you have now. It was loaded with it and I'm not sure that the people who fixed it, removed it at all. It would have been a major undertaking requiring a reformat of the hard drive for as bad as it was/is.

 

[tobagotwo]

There is a good likelihood that your PC is choked with spyware, and isn't really broken. Ross has posted some really good antispyware information. MIcrosoft also has a great antispyware program you can load for free: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...A2-6A57-4C57-A8BD-DBF62EDA9671&displaylang=en It requires a Windows 2000 or WIndows XP operating system.

It is also somewhat possible that your mouse is giving up the ghost. Mine just did that at work - apparently the same symptoms. It was a three-year old Microsoft optical wheel mouse. It would seem fine, then just freeze. Sometimes took an hour to freeze up, sometimes 90 seconds. Try an old mouse in place of the one you have, just to see, or borrow the one you're using now, just for overnight.

If you have actual PC parts wearing out, such as a CD drive, I'll tallk you through them. You'll need a screwdriver. Much easier and less greasy than tractor parts. Honest.

I build my own PCs, so I would probably have an attitude about the prices and content of most premade brands.

The bottom line is that most people don't need all that much PC to do the things they want. Mine is pretty fast, but it's just ego, because I put it together. Gamers need fast processing (I'm not big on computer games), and people who work in video, engineering, or design. But most of us don't fall into those categories.

Nothing against WalMart, but they do sell a lot of (very) old technology, and newer technology really doesn't cost much more. I think Burair might have a good point with the Dell units.

Best wishes,

 

[hensylee]

i CRASHED mine a few weeks ago. I couldn't get one spyware program off when I wanted to install Norton so I just went ahead and installed Norton - the two didn't like each other and their fight just shut down the system. All I could get to come up was the 'clouds' picture. The techie couldn't get it fixed, so he wiped clean and started me all over again from scratch. I asked him if I should get a new computer - he said I didn't need to, this one is fine. Probably same as your problem.

 

[McCln]

Glenda

Glenda

Temprary solution till you get a new one, get a rebuild for $99. I did and it runs like a kitten, though it has windows 98, works for me for know. Goodluck on the search.

 

[Glenda]

I can't believe I actually got on again. Maybe the stupid computer realized I was about to throw it in the trash. It seems to be working again. First time in a week! The computer guy that fixed it last time put a couple of virus software programs on. I run them about every two days. The problem was I couldn't even run them here lately because everything would just freeze. The mouse wouldn't work. I couldn't even shut the darn computer down. I would have to turn it off manualy. Oh well, I've got my brother-in-law hunting for a new computer for me. I probably do need a updated Windows program and more memory. I don't play games. All I need is Word Perfect and Word. The only internet programs I go into is this one and an CML web site. I do get a lot of e-mails from friends that have attachments so I wonder if that could be causing me problems.

Mary, I will always be there for you. You are always in my prayers.

Bonnie, I sure don't want to miss our "twin" birthdays. I'll sure be here if I can.

Thanks everyone for the advise.

 

[Ross]

Glenda if you can, download to your desktop HiJack This, open the zip file and run the program and post the log file. If that New dot Net is still on the machine, that is guaranteed where your problems are. It's widely known for messing up connections bigtime.

http://www.merijn.org/files/hijackthis.zip

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Glenda,

CLEAN YOUR MOUSE !!!

Use alcohol and a lint free rag.
Also, look inside where the ball resides
and use a toothpick or tweesers to pull
all the dust and dirt out.

I just did the above and was amazed at
how much 'stuff' was inside the mouse ball
housing.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Harrybaby666]

Hey Ross.....Glenda...

Hey Ross.....Glenda...

Glenda if you can, download to your desktop HiJack This, open the zip file and run the program and post the log file. If that New dot Net is still on the machine, that is guaranteed where your problems are. It's widely known for messing up connections bigtime.

http://www.merijn.org/files/hijackthis.zip

Just for a heads up, I do know from my own experience that if the computer is infected with the "Cool Web Search" Spyware, that "HiJack This" and "CWS (Cool Web Search) Shredder" will not download or work if the computer is already burdened with the spyware...just wanted to let you know to hopefully try and prevent further frustration. Harrybaby

 

[Glenda]

Things seem to be working okay this morning. I am going to get some alcohol and clean my mouse if I can figure how to get it apart! I did run several virus programs and everything seems to check out okay. No virus at this time. Thanks again everyone for your help.

 

[Wise]

Things seem to be working okay this morning. I am going to get some alcohol and clean my mouse if I can figure how to get it apart! I did run several virus programs and everything seems to check out okay. No virus at this time. Thanks again everyone for your help.

Glenda. If I didn't already know better, I may have thought that you were going to get some alcohol...then you were going to clean your mouse (LOL!) Just struck me funny. Only a joke. You were clear really, I just must've needed to laugh. BTW, glad things are going better.

Wise

 

[Glenda]

I'm not a drinker but at times if it could have helped I think I would have tried it. At least I wouldn't have cared! LOL

I'm trying to respond to every post that I can today while it's working because it may decide to lock up on me anytime.

Hey, would hydrogen peroxide work to clean the mouse? I've got some of that.

 

[Ross]

Just for a heads up, I do know from my own experience that if the computer is infected with the "Cool Web Search" Spyware, that "HiJack This" and "CWS (Cool Web Search) Shredder" will not download or work if the computer is already burdened with the spyware...just wanted to let you know to hopefully try and prevent further frustration. Harrybaby

Me has tools of every form to eradicate the nastiest of nasties. Of course, there are a couple new ones that have sprung up that I have no fix for yet, but it's a matter of time. If I can't kill it, I'll send you to some people who can.

 

[tobagotwo]

The point being, if the problem is spyware, it's not a problem with the PC itself...

 

[gadgetman]

What are you folks doing cleaning mices? Mine are just find, dirt and all. If they need cleaning they can share the shower with me . Gonna get that alcohol now and see if that MAKES me want to look for dirty mouses . Cats and snakes don't seem to mind them just the way they is .

Washing Mouses!!!!! What is this world coming to!!!!!!

May God Bless,

Danny

 

[gadgetman]

Bob,

Tried to download the Microsoft Spyware and went all the way thru install and when I tried to open the file I got a C101 (I think) corupt file note that said try again and if that didn't work uninstall and reinstall. I did that three times (I'm a glutton for punishment) and finally gave up.

Ross,

Guess I'll try your recommendation next. Just like SEX, you can't have too much protection.

May God Bless,

Danny