I Hate Computers
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More specifically, I hate Windows. I've spent most of tonight at a neighbours house fixing their daughters PC. I'm sure you've all seen it, a PC so full of junk apps and 'Search toolbars' and other crap that its impossible to clean up. Then there are the core windows problems of corrupt registry keys etc... You try to fix and fiddle, but when you fix one thing you open up another problem that couldn't emerge 'cause the last problem was stopping it. I eventually got rid of most of the spyware etc... and AOL :-) The computer doesn't crash as much as it used to, however there is a core problem with IExplore that just can't be fixed without a reinstall. Not only that, there is still a lot of spyware that i can't locate. Not to mention other niggling problems with the operating system as a whole. The answer would naturally be a re-install...simple you might think, re install windows and keep all the files...no such luck. THey bought the PC from PC World. So they got no discs for the OS or other stuff, thus I can't re-install windows without using one of my discs, which isn't legal. I know its not stopped me before, but this isn't one of my machines, I can't simply start putting illigal software on someone elses machines. Anyway, i'm a little tired and very wired, and they want me to come back next week to look at the brothers PC. You'd probably say to me to get them to pay me for this. But I'm supposed to be doing this guy's website and i've not managed to get anywhere with domain disputes and what not so I kinda owe him the favour. The moral of this tale is: Windows is secure, but only as secure as the user, if the user clicks OK to a web dialog that says 'Do you want to install software X' then the software can do whatever it likes to your PC.' But how can you explain to Joe Public that you are not to click Yes to anything that you don't understand!! :mad: So if you don't mind I'm going to my room to cry. :((
Jonathan 'nonny' Newman Homepage [www.nonny.com] [^] Blog [^]
Jonny Newman wrote: The answer would naturally be a re-install...simple you might think, re install windows and keep all the files...no such luck. THey bought the PC from PC World. So they got no discs for the OS or other stuff, thus I can't re-install windows without using one of my discs, which isn't legal. It is legal for you, IF they have the invoice for the computer and it has the OS on the invoice that you put back on there. Microsoft has told me this, from their Licencing Dept. that this is acceptable. Later, JoeSox “Dream as if you'll live forever, Live as if you'll die today" - James Dean (ISTP) www.joeswammi.com ↔ www.humanaiproject.org
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More specifically, I hate Windows. I've spent most of tonight at a neighbours house fixing their daughters PC. I'm sure you've all seen it, a PC so full of junk apps and 'Search toolbars' and other crap that its impossible to clean up. Then there are the core windows problems of corrupt registry keys etc... You try to fix and fiddle, but when you fix one thing you open up another problem that couldn't emerge 'cause the last problem was stopping it. I eventually got rid of most of the spyware etc... and AOL :-) The computer doesn't crash as much as it used to, however there is a core problem with IExplore that just can't be fixed without a reinstall. Not only that, there is still a lot of spyware that i can't locate. Not to mention other niggling problems with the operating system as a whole. The answer would naturally be a re-install...simple you might think, re install windows and keep all the files...no such luck. THey bought the PC from PC World. So they got no discs for the OS or other stuff, thus I can't re-install windows without using one of my discs, which isn't legal. I know its not stopped me before, but this isn't one of my machines, I can't simply start putting illigal software on someone elses machines. Anyway, i'm a little tired and very wired, and they want me to come back next week to look at the brothers PC. You'd probably say to me to get them to pay me for this. But I'm supposed to be doing this guy's website and i've not managed to get anywhere with domain disputes and what not so I kinda owe him the favour. The moral of this tale is: Windows is secure, but only as secure as the user, if the user clicks OK to a web dialog that says 'Do you want to install software X' then the software can do whatever it likes to your PC.' But how can you explain to Joe Public that you are not to click Yes to anything that you don't understand!! :mad: So if you don't mind I'm going to my room to cry. :((
Jonathan 'nonny' Newman Homepage [www.nonny.com] [^] Blog [^]
I have a simple solution that I myself use, don't fix other peoples computers, let someone else do it. Matt Newman
I am the anti-linux "If you're Master Chief and you're facing the Flood, grab a shotgun and save the last checkpoint" - Me, cause I was bored -
More specifically, I hate Windows. I've spent most of tonight at a neighbours house fixing their daughters PC. I'm sure you've all seen it, a PC so full of junk apps and 'Search toolbars' and other crap that its impossible to clean up. Then there are the core windows problems of corrupt registry keys etc... You try to fix and fiddle, but when you fix one thing you open up another problem that couldn't emerge 'cause the last problem was stopping it. I eventually got rid of most of the spyware etc... and AOL :-) The computer doesn't crash as much as it used to, however there is a core problem with IExplore that just can't be fixed without a reinstall. Not only that, there is still a lot of spyware that i can't locate. Not to mention other niggling problems with the operating system as a whole. The answer would naturally be a re-install...simple you might think, re install windows and keep all the files...no such luck. THey bought the PC from PC World. So they got no discs for the OS or other stuff, thus I can't re-install windows without using one of my discs, which isn't legal. I know its not stopped me before, but this isn't one of my machines, I can't simply start putting illigal software on someone elses machines. Anyway, i'm a little tired and very wired, and they want me to come back next week to look at the brothers PC. You'd probably say to me to get them to pay me for this. But I'm supposed to be doing this guy's website and i've not managed to get anywhere with domain disputes and what not so I kinda owe him the favour. The moral of this tale is: Windows is secure, but only as secure as the user, if the user clicks OK to a web dialog that says 'Do you want to install software X' then the software can do whatever it likes to your PC.' But how can you explain to Joe Public that you are not to click Yes to anything that you don't understand!! :mad: So if you don't mind I'm going to my room to cry. :((
Jonathan 'nonny' Newman Homepage [www.nonny.com] [^] Blog [^]
Shoot, I wish I'd thought of this sooner, but my Halloween costume next year will be this shirt[^] :cool: --Mike-- Ericahist [updated Oct 26] | CP SearchBar v2.0.2 | Homepage | RightClick-Encrypt | 1ClickPicGrabber #include "witty-quote.h"
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Yes. I know, hard to believe, isn't it? But it's all the fault of Mr Chen. Let's get him... :mad:
A servant to formulaic ways.
Shog9
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Ok, a serious answer now: Computers suck. They trick you into thinking that they are fun and powerful machines, and then one day you look at it wrong and suddenly you are in P a i n ! Cleaning up other people's machines is a frustrating experience. I shudder to think i might someday even know of all the knooks and crannies in Windows where bogus settings and sneaky mal-ware hide. Much less have the time to spend cleaning them. I'd sooner iron a prune. X| Once such a machine is identified, you should immediately back up all the user data you can find. Then fdisk, format, and re-install everything. And yes, either make sure they have their install disks up front, or ensure the copies you're installing can't be traced back to you.
A servant to formulaic ways.
Shog9
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Hush now. You know as well as i do that it's just IE's much-maligned blink tag. ok? Ok?!! :~ Here, see this nice shiny watch? Keep your eyes on it...
A servant to formulaic ways.
Shog9
Shog9 wrote: You know as well as i do that it's just IE's much-maligned blink tag. ok? Ok?!! OK, if you say so! X| My eyes, my eyes! Regards, Rohit Sinha Browsy
Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person. - Mother Teresa
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In these situations I make it crystal clear at the commencement that I'll spend a maximum of 30 minutes trying to repair in-situ. If it can't be done in that time they either let me blow it away and reinstall* or I walk away. When push comes to shove they generally let me blow it away. It's amazing how few documents they can find that they simply must preserve across a reformat. Which, of course, involves an entirely different philosophical discussion about the role of computers in our daily lives. Having done the reinstall they also get a copy of Zonealarm installed and instructions on how to use it. That and a crash course in *don't blindly click yes*. If you didn't initiate the action don't let it proceed. How much good does this do? No idea. I don't get very many second visits but that could simply be because I was such a pain in the arse on the first visit they never dare ask me again :) *Of course this doesn't help in your situation where they don't have the install CD. In that situation it's simple. To make this machine work better than a dog that died last week you need an install CD. There's the shop, your wallet contains money... connect the dots :) Rob Manderson http://www.mindprobes.net "I killed him dead cuz he was stepping on my turf, cutting me out of my bling the same way my ho cuts cookies, officer" "Alright then, move along" - Ian Darling, The Lounge, Oct 10 2003
Rob Manderson wrote: amazing how few documents Yes we have all been there, my personal "favourite" is "Tiny" PCs, keep WELL clear of them! My acid test of if an idividual knows what they are talking about on PCs is, "where do you keep all your contact names and addresses?" If they say on paper, they know about PCs, if it is on the PC, you just know you will have problems. I am speaking as someone ho keeps fixing a friends "Tiny" PC only for it to fail somewhere else later, and "Tiny" have not supplied the correct instalation disk for the pre installed applications, so you can't reinstalll them unles you reformat the disk and start again!
"Committee--a group of men who individually can do nothing but as a group decide that nothing can be done." - Fred Allen
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Ok, a serious answer now: Computers suck. They trick you into thinking that they are fun and powerful machines, and then one day you look at it wrong and suddenly you are in P a i n ! Cleaning up other people's machines is a frustrating experience. I shudder to think i might someday even know of all the knooks and crannies in Windows where bogus settings and sneaky mal-ware hide. Much less have the time to spend cleaning them. I'd sooner iron a prune. X| Once such a machine is identified, you should immediately back up all the user data you can find. Then fdisk, format, and re-install everything. And yes, either make sure they have their install disks up front, or ensure the copies you're installing can't be traced back to you.
A servant to formulaic ways.
Shog9
Aliens ?
"Je pense, donc je mange." - Rene Descartes 1689 - Just before his mother put his tea on the table. Shameless Plug - Distributed Database Transactions in .NET using COM+
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Shoot, I wish I'd thought of this sooner, but my Halloween costume next year will be this shirt[^] :cool: --Mike-- Ericahist [updated Oct 26] | CP SearchBar v2.0.2 | Homepage | RightClick-Encrypt | 1ClickPicGrabber #include "witty-quote.h"
I'm actually really tempted by that :-) ThinkGeek rocks.
Jonathan 'nonny' Newman Homepage [www.nonny.com] [^] Blog [^]
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More specifically, I hate Windows. I've spent most of tonight at a neighbours house fixing their daughters PC. I'm sure you've all seen it, a PC so full of junk apps and 'Search toolbars' and other crap that its impossible to clean up. Then there are the core windows problems of corrupt registry keys etc... You try to fix and fiddle, but when you fix one thing you open up another problem that couldn't emerge 'cause the last problem was stopping it. I eventually got rid of most of the spyware etc... and AOL :-) The computer doesn't crash as much as it used to, however there is a core problem with IExplore that just can't be fixed without a reinstall. Not only that, there is still a lot of spyware that i can't locate. Not to mention other niggling problems with the operating system as a whole. The answer would naturally be a re-install...simple you might think, re install windows and keep all the files...no such luck. THey bought the PC from PC World. So they got no discs for the OS or other stuff, thus I can't re-install windows without using one of my discs, which isn't legal. I know its not stopped me before, but this isn't one of my machines, I can't simply start putting illigal software on someone elses machines. Anyway, i'm a little tired and very wired, and they want me to come back next week to look at the brothers PC. You'd probably say to me to get them to pay me for this. But I'm supposed to be doing this guy's website and i've not managed to get anywhere with domain disputes and what not so I kinda owe him the favour. The moral of this tale is: Windows is secure, but only as secure as the user, if the user clicks OK to a web dialog that says 'Do you want to install software X' then the software can do whatever it likes to your PC.' But how can you explain to Joe Public that you are not to click Yes to anything that you don't understand!! :mad: So if you don't mind I'm going to my room to cry. :((
Jonathan 'nonny' Newman Homepage [www.nonny.com] [^] Blog [^]
You should be thankful the girl didn't have Linux installed. :)
If Java had true garbage collection, most programs would delete themselves upon execution - Robert Sewell