Upgrading computers

[Hobie]

Okay, I will admit flat out that I am a computer moron. Most times I can use one, but not much more. I want to get a new computer because mine is obsolete (Windows ME). Although it irritates me that something can be obsolete in years.... I digress.

So, how exactly does one get all the stuff (files, internet "favorites", etc.) off the old computer and onto the new one? What about programs... do you transfer them, or just reload them? I'm probably not smart enough to even be asking the right questions!

[geoffkb]

I would suggest you install software on the new computer. The installation will take account of the new operating system so the installation will be different.

Transferring data will depend on how much you have. If it's not much them just copy it onto discs, floppies or CDs and then onto the new hard drive, keeping the discs would mean you have a backup copy.

If you have a lot of data you could get someone to network them and copy across or use a cable to connect the two for the transfer.

Good luck!

[drobbins]

why do you think your computer is obsolete?
if it's only a couple of years old and all you really want to do is surf the web it's probably fine
windows ME is crap, maybe you just need a better version of windows
that's WAY cheaper
tell us about your "obsolete" computer
buying a new one doesn't fix not knowing how to run it:)

Dave

[Cyndi]

Hey Hobie,

If you take it to a computer guru...i.e. Circuit City has these computer geeks, or Firedogs... that can literally transfer all your files to your new computer for around $60. It's worth every single penny...trust me, :D Best wishes.

[xC0000005]

The "Files and Settings Transfer Wizard" does a pretty good job. I'd give it a spin. Oh, and I'd ditch WinMe. 9x or XP, just not ME.

[Curtis]

The Geek Squad is the best. Cheap for what you get done.
Curtis

[huggy]

Guru here... You're doing well if you get 5 years out a PC. By then, the technology has improved a generation or two or more, hard drives are worn out, cheaper motherboards will fail, and warranties and support are non-existent. Any consumer-level PC is living on borrowed time at that point.

File and Settings Transfer doesn't exist in ME - it's XP or above. There is another transfer program that works for WIndows 2000, but I don't think it will work for Windows ME.

Also, you will need to check if the programs you have are compatible with your new operating system. You may have to upgrade your old programs to new versions, and that may cause data transfer issues, too. You're not doing just a transfer - you're also upgrading.

I would recommend you take it somewhere that offers the transfer service, but make sure you find out exactly what will and won't be transferred, and keep the old machine set up for a while, because at some point you may find something wasn't included that you need. Make a list of everything you think you need. Everyone thinks about pictures, documents, web sites and email, but what about IM logs, program settings, and your saved passwords? If your old machine supports it, get yourself a USB RAM disk - pen drive - they call them all kinds of things. You can easily move files onto that and move them over to the new machine without messing with a network, etc. And it can make a nifty backup if needed, too.

Finally, even if you are well-organized on the PC, transfer programs won't get everything - there are too many ways and places to store info and you're liable to find a program or two's settings just didn't get transferred.

Have fun!

[Hobie]

drobbins asks: "why do you think your computer is obsolete?"

Mostly because of the look on the cable guy's face when he came to hook up the DSL. :eek: I may as well have asked him to connect an old Royal typewriter! He pieced something together with boxes and wires. I don’t think my computer has enough <whatever it is it needs> to upgrade to XP or something.

xC0000005 says: “Oh, and I'd ditch WinMe. 9x or XP, just not ME.”
Really? What’s left? I heard Vista has problems, so I was leaning toward XP. Of course, I can’t FIND XP anywhere.

Guru huggy says: “If your old machine supports it, get yourself a USB RAM disk - pen drive - they call them all kinds of things. You can easily move files onto that and move them over to the new machine without messing with a network, etc. And it can make a nifty backup if needed, too.”

How do I know if my machine supports this? (Please speak at kindergarten level!) Do you just plug it in and use it like a disc drive? Are they expensive? I only have 2 (rather inconvenient) USB ports.

[Barry Digman]

Okay, I will admit flat out that I am a computer moron. Most times I can use one, but not much more. I want to get a new computer because mine is obsolete (Windows ME). Although it irritates me that something can be obsolete in years.... I digress.

So, how exactly does one get all the stuff (files, internet "favorites", etc.) off the old computer and onto the new one? What about programs... do you transfer them, or just reload them? I'm probably not smart enough to even be asking the right questions!

Been there. I was running a Gateway desktop that I bought in March of 2001 with ME up until a few weeks ago. I'd replaced a drive and upgraded to to a large flat screen a couple of years ago. Finally had enough of it (my children were walking by with their Dell laptop, pointing at me and laughing) and got an HP Pavillion laptop. I haven't transferred my old stuff yet, and amazingly I find that I can live without a lot of it. I did export my email address books with the export function on the old one to a file, then emailed the file to myself and imported it to the new machine. Worked like a charm.

[geoffkb]

It's just occurred to me that if you need help to do this, just ask any kid over about 10 years old. :rolleyes:

[MapMan]

Do they still make floppies?:rolleyes:

MM

[Troutsqueezer]

Most programs need to register with the operating system (Windows) that's why you can't "transfer" them. As already mentioned, compatibility with the new operating system can be an issue. Prepare to upgrade some of your programs if you use any besides the standard Windows apps.

As mentioned before, USB drives are cheap cheap cheap so buy one or two to transfer stored data files from your old to new.

The most important piece of advice I wish to pass on to you and speaking from many (and I mean many) years of experience is: Don't get rid of your old computer for several months. keep it working so you can go in and get those files which you have completely forgotten about and won't remember you need until you actually need them.

[peggjam]

The only thing I transfered was my pics. Trying to transfer programs and files proved aggrivating to say the least, an I don't miss most of the junk I left behind:).

[nsmith1957]

Do they still make floppies?:rolleyes:

MMDon't know, but 720K is very small storage space by today's standards. Many pictures want even fit on a floppy.

[huggy]

hehehe, ok Hobie, let me translate... (sorry):

"If your old machine supports it, get yourself a USB RAM disk" = "If you have USB ports that work and you want to transfer the stuff yourself, get a USB RAM disk"

Floppies are still made, but 1.44MB is small by today's standards. Many machine now don't come with the drives any more as they have CD and DVD writers instead... which may be another option, Hobie, if your machine has one.

[mistergil]

I see new machines at the big stores going pretty cheap these days. Some even around 400$ mostly XP boxes ready to get plugged in and you're off in cyber world. Vista is not getting good reviews and a lot of hardware is currently not supported. ME is dead and buried as Microsoft is not supporting it any longer and drivers for it may not be written as future hardware comes out. XP likes to phone Windows central occasionally and rat you out as to hardware and other things you are doing. If you have a hard drive failure you may have to call Microsoft and pledge allegiance in order to put it (XP) back in. Word is that Vista is even worse in this area.

How much data you need to take off will tell what you need to do to get it. If its pictures and files and say 5 gigs, you'll need only about 7 cd's (DVD's would hold a lot more) which could be burned for you at a local shop for, I would think, not too many dollars. If it's a lot of stuff music, pics, a lot of files you could buy an external hard drive, 80 gig, for 50$ and plug it in a USB port and drop and drag in explorer in ME and take everything off. The programs you are running and games would have to be reinstalled in your new unit. If you do take data off to back it up remember to run scandisk first and then defrag the drive in ME prior to transferring to avoid any data corruption. Later you do the same thing, drop and drag from the external onto the new computer's drive.

What is the processor, how much RAM does it have, how big is the hard drive(s), what do you primarily do with it? A lot of gaming would need a different setup than just some word processing and internet surfing. It's usually cheaper to upgrade than buy a new one but with current prices being so low that may no longer be true. If you are considering upgrading let us know these things. Some of the new Linux desktop systems (Xandros, PCLinux2007, and some others) are so much like Windows that the transition to them is very easy. They are relatively malware and virus free, no defragging, very peppy, painless installs and best of all they are free.:)

[Troutsqueezer]

>and best of all they are free.

You get what you pay for...

[xC0000005]

remember to run scandisk first and then defrag the drive in ME prior to transferring to avoid any data corruption.

These actually serve some different purposes than avoiding corruption. Scandisk is well and good - better to find and (usually truncate) fix broken file links now than during a copy. Defrag may speed things up, may just make a trivial difference. Transfering very large files defrag first is a good thing as long as your transfer method supports massive reads. Many of the USB devices choose to operate on 4k chunks. By the time you get one transferred the stupid drive could seek to anywhere and back and still have time to do a couple of pre-reads.

[Hillside]

>

You get what you pay for...

You don't always get what you pay for. Sometimes you get cheated. Or sometimes you foolishly buy something you don't need; like a Microsoft product.

Most people browse the internet, keep a couple spreadsheets, and maybe type a letter now and then. If this is your situation, you should get a copy of Knoppix or one of the other live CD versions of linux and try it out. Knoppix will do all these things plus a great deal more -- for free. Now days, it even loads to a nice desktop that looks somewhat like Windows and works similarly. You don't have to install it. Just put the CD in the CD player and reboot. If you don't like it, take take the CD out and give it to someone else. It won't do any harm to your current operating system.

I've been using Darn Small Linux on an ancient 333 mhtz machine and it does everything I need. I actually do all my business planning, accounting, and correspondence on it. This version of linux is designed to be extremely lightweight, so you'll probably find Knoppix to be easier to use.

If you decide to get a new Microsoft laden machine, at least keep the old machine and try a simple version of linux on it. You'll most likely be happy you did. Even if you don't like it, it will have been a valuable learning experience.

Note: The name "Darn Small Linux" is pseudonym for the real name. If you google it, you'll get the picture.

[Jim Fischer]

Windows ME was one of the WORST versions of Windoze ever.
Before spending money on a new box, try installing Windows 98,
which any number of people should be able to give you on CD
for your installation pleasure.

More RAM would likely help too, as many low-end machines
simply don't have enough RAM, and even Firefox has become
a bit of a memory hog in the more recent releases.

But e-mail, word processing, web-browsing, and the occasional
spreadsheet does NOT require a new machine every few years.

Yes, it is a pain to do a "clean install", and more of a pain to
reinstall all the programs one wants to have. Best to pay a
teenager to do it. "Geek Squad" is no better than the local
teenager, and is over-priced by comparison.

[mistergil]

ME was problematic but could be tweaked up to be very stable as far as Windows goes. A lot of software engineers elected not to support it so it ended up getting a bad rap. The Linux distros have come a long way, the speeds for example on Puppy Linux are phenomenal, never seen anything like it. There is no searching for drivers for this card or that piece of hardware in say PCLOS. It installs, sets up all the hardware, punches through the routers and puts you online with only three mouse clicks. Everything works, audio, video, ethernet, network config, all of it. Can't say the same for Windows. MS has a lot of nice eye candy and does things easily but there are solid, free alternatives to absolutely every piece of software that they market and much of it is way better.

Bottom line is the older Windows versions are no longer being supported by Microsoft, that means no more code security patches or fixes related to core kernel functions. This puts those operating systems at risk in numerous ways. Additionally, newer versions of say IE may not function with them and any security benefit from using an upgraded version (of IE) is lost as you are still stuck with an older one and can not upgrade. If anyone changes to Linux they will find a learning curve that has to be negotiated but the geeks on that side have made major efforts to mainstream and simplify things. Nice easy interfaces and plenty of help available when problems arise.

[tecumseh]

you might avoid a lot of problems by simply purchasing a mac...

[Barry]

Hehehe, I was waiting for someone to say that. Much of this thread is foreign to us Mac users. :)

- Barry

[Cyndi]

Actually...my 15 year old daughter keeps telling me to get a mac too!! See, last summer I was going to get a mac, but got the mac for her instead. Now I want one too, cause I hate WINDOWS and I hate my lap top.

There was an article in Time magazine once that compared Windows to Mac. It said if you didn't want hassles, just wanted a computer that worked and didn't want to know all the details about HOW it worked, etc...get a Mac.

Then it said if you were the computer geek type person, then Windows was for you. Of course, this is it in a nutshell, you would of had to have read the article. I fit in the Mac category and as of right now...I have 2 laptops and 2 desk tops that run off Windows....I'm disgusted with all of them.

Also, if you don't want to ever have to worry about Virus's and someone hacking into your system, get a Mac.

[Troutsqueezer]

Lets say someone here decides to write a first-rate program for beekeeping. There's nothing else like it and everybody has to get a copy. With rave reviews, the programmer is having visions of buying a new Bentley.

Which platform do you think he is going to write the program for? Mac? Not likely. Buy a Mac and you severely restrict your access to a wide variety of worthwhile programs. Same for Linux.

Personally I don't care which platform you go with. Working for Intel, it's a win-win for me.

[Barry]

Buy a Mac and you severely restrict your access to a wide variety of worthwhile programs.

Ah, not so. Can a Windoz machine run Mac app's? No. Can a Mac run OSX and Windoz at the same time? Of course, it's a Mac! But then I ask you, why would you want to run Windoz? All well established programs run on both platforms. The ease of use, security and design far out weigh any other issues for me.

Play around with the new iPhone and you will see the kind of engineering that goes into a Mac.

- Barry (not wanting to start any kind of brand wars here!)

[Troutsqueezer]

>But then I ask you, why would you want to run Windoz?

Exactly. I had thought of that but if you run Windows on a Mac then you are back where you started from - operating system problems.

Hardware-wise I don't think there are advantages of one over the other as far as quality goes except for maybe the fact that there are many more PC hardware manufacturers than there are for Mac so you get a wider range of quality.

[Troutsqueezer]

Oh, one more thing: Your more successful Mac apps also have Windows versions so they can actually make some cash, like Photoshop, Premiere, etc. So while the Mac version won't run on a PC, they certainly have versions that do.

[Hillside]

(not wanting to start any kind of brand wars here!)

Amen.

It's interesting that no one knew what kind of computer any of us was using until we started talking about it. It's really great that all of our machines play so nicely together.

May we all take a lesson from our computers!

[tecumseh]

Barry adds:
Play around with the new iPhone and you will see the kind of engineering that goes into a Mac.

tecumseh replies:
I am told that most of the more successful electronic qizmo inventions typically have also acquired the very best talent in the field of antropology. Which sounds a bit odd but anynumber of the 'early' silicon valley folks recognized the importance of the quality of 'user friendly' and it's significance in terms of products success or failure.

most engineers, left to themselves, seem to loose the notion of what makes 'common' sense to the end user.

[Cyndi]

As your average consumer, I am not happy with my HP Notebook that is operating Windows XP. As for having all this software to be able to use etc....it's a great theory, but when you start putting all these neat software apps on your Windows machine, eventually they start conflicting with one another, then you don't have the quality, because you can't use the darn thing cause it's having it's conflict. The only way to fix some of these issue's is to go out and pay a Microsoft Guru to help you. IF, your machine is older and out of warranty, forget it, there are no freebies (actually, there are no freebies with anything so delete that). Either way, whenever you have an issue or need to contact someone, or FINALLY talk to someone, you get to talk to someone in India, who barely speaks the English language and they really don't know it, THEY ARE READING IT FROM A BOOK which is really really frustrating. I bought my laptop at Circuit City and got the additional warranty program. I have spent more time sending my computer back from spyware problems, they replaced my hard drive 5 times in 3 years. They recently replaced my CD player TWICE and it still won't work properly. It's crazy and I hate it. There is NO customer support for buying a Window's machine.

On the other hand, my daughter has this Apple lap top. The customer service is incredible. They take care of EVERYTHING...and you get to deal with a technician who knows what they are doing and they speak English. Whenever something goes wrong, you just go sign in at the concierge, wait your turn and walla, problem solved.

The only problem I have with an Apple right now is being able to train myself into using it...i.e. instead of opening the window frames, I'm always closing them...you know the box at the top is on the left side instead of the right, :D

[Troutsqueezer]

I use an IBM ThinkPad at work for CAD, modeling and many other programs. It has always worked perfectly as have those laptops used by others in my group. I think if you start looking for anecdotal evidence you will find it for both platforms.

[huggy]

They all have their pluses and minuses, strengths and weaknesses, you just have to find the right one at the right price with the right programs and decent support program for you. The good thing is, if they only last 4-5 years, you can try LOTS of them over time!!! ;-)

[Hobie]

Okay, I'm slightly overwhelmed here, but grateful for all the input.

First, what do I want the machine for? Basic internet surfing, running Word and Excel, and use Photoshop 5.0 (which I have on disk and can't load on my current machine.

Second, why am I looking for Windows? Stupidly, becasue I know nothing else. If a Mac can perform similarly, and can be used by someone who doesn't know the difference between RAM and a USB port, I would be very interested. For this reason, good customer service is important.

What else? One thing I would like is to add internet control software to restrict the hours a child can be on line. (So typing a report does not turn into 3 hours on MySpace.) I assume this type of program is available for a Mac but I don't know.

[iddee]

>>>>What else? One thing I would like is to add internet control software to restrict the hours a child can be on line. (So typing a report does not turn into 3 hours on MySpace.) I assume this type of program is available for a Mac but I don't know.<<<<

This kind of "software" can be found around a waist. It is locally called a belt. :p:D

[Bizzybee]

Hobie,

Go to Dell and buy the cheapest desktop system they have. What you are doing is nothing in the big realm of computers. All you need to be sure of is that you get the hardware you need, i.e CD, DVD, USB ports blah blah blah. Not giga byte this and mega hertz that. Most of the bottom end machines come with 80 GB Hard drives and 512 Meg of ram. You can store loads on a drive that size. If you need more later, say for those photos you like. Get an external usb drive. I saw one yesterday at Frye's, 160 GB for $50 bucks and they are getting cheaper. Bump up the ram to 1 gig, because the photos may be a little intense on the ram, depending what you are doing with them.

Shop around for a good router if you are on dsl or cable. $$$$$ doesn't mean good! Look for the features you want it to do. I have the same problem with my son and the web. Or I should say did. I can restrict him by protocol or service or both. By domain or just off period. By day and time. That way I can avoid the bothersome/troublesome software firewalls that almost always break something. And almost always don't remove easily if you want to do something different.

The router will hide your address from the outside world. Get a FREE copy of Avast Antivirus or AVG Antivirus software. Either is great. Get a FREE copy of Microsoft Defender. For spyware, adware, trojans etc. And you will be good to go.

Ahhhh almost forgot. Spend a few more bucks and get XP pro. Not XP Home. And stay away from Vista for now. It has problems with both hardware and software. It'll get better later. All you are getting up front is a nifty desktop anyway. With the Pro version you can limit your kids rights much better on the system. So they aren't installing everything that every popup or banner has to offer. Block them too. get a copy of Firefox. There are loads of cool and useful addons for Firefox to make it way safer than IE any version. Thunderbird is an awesome Email client!

Download a Free copy of the Latest Version of Open Office. You will not experience anything with it that MS Office can do, that it can't.

I have 60 bucks in my copy of XP Pro 64. $300 in a copy of Expression Web. Everything else on my machine is free. I didn't HAVE to have Expression Web. NVU is great for web development. Among many others.

Well, good luck on your quest!! Hope it all works out well for you!!!

[Barry]

Hey, careful now. Hobie is kinda leaning towards a Mac. :D

The price of Mac's have come down a lot. Go to Frye's and check out an iMac. Dell will still be cheaper, but if you're like me, it's worth the extra bucks to use the Apple OS. I'm a visual person, which is one reason a Mac is for me. It's very intuitive also. But if cost is the bottom line, get a Dell.

- Barry

[Bizzybee]

Barry Barry Barry....... To lead em down such a path and at such a young age...:D:D

I've never had a Mac. I've done all the Windows since 3.0. VMS for the last 15 Years. A tinny bit of Unix and I have 3 flavors of Linux running.

I gotta say though. The Mac groupies I've met over the years are some of the most die hard folks I've ever met! There has to be something to em :).

Naw. I know something of them from those friends. They sound pretty good to me! Just the cost restriction and proprietary nature of the beast. But I don't keep up with em to much. And as you say Barry, maybe that's not so much of an issue any longer.

I do remember this Hobie. When the Gates family released it's stolen desktop......oops, with Win 95. Mac users were very comfortable with the look and feel of it. So I can imagine for the common everyday user, the transition from one to the other would not be so painful.

[Troutsqueezer]

Lets face it, if you're going to use a computer at all, you're going to have to learn a lot and you can't learn it overnight and you can't learn it well enough until you actually dive into it. Buy what looks good to you and learn to use it. Next time around you can make a more informed decision as to what you need. For now, there's no quick answer from anyone that will fit your needs exactly.

Maybe you should base your decision on this for now: If you think Steve Jobs is an upstanding individual, buy his products. Many people don't think much of him. I don't, I think he's greedy and dishonest. If you like Bill Gates buy his operating system. He's not much better as far as greed goes but at least he is a philanthropist so maybe some of your money will go to Darfur(?) or someplace.

[Bizzybee]

:D If you want to take that approach, there are far more than 2 PC Operating systems out there. There's upwards of 360 Linux distros! Many right up the Windows/Mac users alley. In terms of usability. Yeah they still have a kink here and there. But if your going to bite the bullet so to speak and learn something. Load em up! Dell will install Red Hat now. HP will load Suse last I heard. My favorite! But there's Ubuntu, nice and will run entirely from a CD. Kubuntu, same thing with the KDE interface (Desktop), awesome! Lets not forget the paid versions, Linspire, better known as Lindows. Mandrake and on and on and on................. You can even make your own version from the source code, make your own packages. Search for Linux from scratch.

You can dis it if you like, but if it's not a gaming machine your after. You'll find it real tuff to beat.

I haven't looked to see who Barry has us connected to here. But if you follow the statistics, it's probably a Linux Server as MOST Web Servers are.

Open Source RULES :):)

[Hobie]

This kind of "software" can be found around a waist. It is locally called a belt. :p:D

iddee, I knew I liked you for a reason!!! That's my kind of thinking :D

[Hobie]

Okay, I did it. I think. Went with a Dell PC (sorry, Mac fans). Hooked it up, and seems to be running, although I can't get a lot of my programs re-installed (disks made for Windows ME, it seems.

What is everyone's opinion of Norton Anti-virus? It came on the machine. So far it appears to be an annoying piece of crap that just constantly pops up stupid windows and asks you to download something. Quite irritating. Can I get rid of it? Are others better? (Avast? Defender?)

[Ann]

What is everyone's opinion of Norton Anti-virus? It came on the machine. So far it appears to be an annoying piece of crap that just constantly pops up stupid windows and asks you to download something. Quite irritating. Can I get rid of it? Are others better? (Avast? Defender?)Personally I prefer Trend Micro (http://us.trendmicro.com/us/products/personal/). It's cheaper, not as resource heavy, not annoying, and doesn't try to 'take over' the machine the way Norton does. YMMV!

[Barry]

What is everyone's opinion of Norton Anti-virus? It came on the machine. So far it appears to be an annoying piece of crap that just constantly pops up stupid windows and asks you to download something. Quite irritating. Can I get rid of it? Are others better? (Avast? Defender?)

I don't think it is wise to get rid of it (anti-virus software) but another one besides Norton is probably fine. My opinion of anti-virus is so strong, I dealt with it by getting a Mac. Sorry, couldn't resist! ;)

You should be able to get the bugs worked out of your new machine with all the help available here.

- Barry

[Hobie]

Has anyone tried this?:

http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/

[tecumseh]

hobie sezs:
Okay, I did it. I think. Went with a Dell PC (sorry, Mac fans).

tecumseh thinking out loud adds:
you can tell'em you heard it here first... you'll be sorry. or at least that is what my geeky buddys would tell ya'.

I see where dell, after firing their last corporate ceo who's compensation via the court works out to about $67000 per day, has now become concerned about turning around their service image. as I suggest to mizz tecumseh (who recently acquired a dell and must toss it in the frig to keep it working) are not the words dell and service oxymorons?

[Ross]

That's why I built my last one....

[huggy]

AVG Free is a decent, free for personal use anti-virus that runs well, is supported well, and doesn't invade and attempt to do everything you don't want it to do like Norton and McAfee do. I don't know how much longer they'll keep it free.

http://free.grisoft.com/

[nursebee]

I've had 3 AV programs and now stick with Norton. Read a recent review and they beat everyone else (caught 100% of problems thrown at them).

[Bizzybee]

Norton is a system invading, memory sucking, pain in...... No! It is NOT 100%! I have on more than one occasion caught bugs with both AVG and Avast that Norton could neither detect, nor did they have a cleaner for. On the other hand, I have never had anything detected on my machines that Avast missed.

Do not get rid of your antivirus software unless you have a replacement. It boggles the mind how many times I have gone to work on someones machine that mysteriously stops working :rolleyes: and I find 547 viruses and unlimited free spyware!!!!! :) Wow!!!

Best thing to do is to stay off the crud sites! Don't install sponsored software! Block pop-ups and scripting. And change your default answer to NO!

[Hillside]

Seven year old machine pulled from junk heap, free.
Puppy Linux with all software preinstalled, free.
No viruses.
No spyware.
No cost.
Word processing, spreadsheets, internet, email, etc, etc, etc. All free.
No, it's not Windows or Mac, it's Heaven.

[Bizzybee]

Bran spankin new Big ole honkin 8 cylinder fuel injected turbo charged AMD 64, NOT free.
Linux with all software Loaded, free.
No viruses.
No spyware.
No cost.
Word processing, spreadsheets, internet, email, etc, etc, etc. All free.
No, it's not Windows or Mac, NICE but it ain't quite got it's wings yet..... :) :)

[Hobie]

Best thing to do is to stay off the crud sites! Don't install sponsored software! Block pop-ups and scripting. And change your default answer to NO!

Ah, *I'M* fine with that, but I live with a teenage boy who says "okay" when you tell him not to download, and then proceeds to do whatever he wants because adults are soooooooo stupid.

How do you change your default answer to "no"?

[Bizzybee]

LOL, yeah I know Hobie. I've got a 14 year old with me. You are likely to answer no, they aren't! What I mean is, that it's nuts how so many people click YES every time a dialog box pops up!

My router keeps logs of the sites that he visits. Oh back up! He has his own machine........ So I can see where he has been or trying to go. I can filter content on keywords or domains. I can block ports and or services all the time or on a schedule. So I keep him pretty well locked down without having to get into his machine.

He also has a very clear understanding that if it's broken because of his negligence or judgment by allowing software to be installed or broken because of sites visited (bugs or otherwise). He is on his own to repair it. Or wait until I have a deep desire to feel sorry for him! LOL Yeah right!!

It's important enough to him! And he knows that I will not back down! So he does quite well actually in coming to me and asking if he isn't sure about what may happen by adding something to his computer.

You may not have the convenience of separate machines. If not, and you don't already? You should have separate user accounts! Then you do have some control in what they do. You can give them a limited account and restrict at least some of what they are allowed to do. Without going into detail. It depends greatly on the version of Windows you are using. XP Pro or the Vista equivalent. Or Windows 2000 is needed to have good control over user rights. The home editions are crippled quite a bit in security as part of the cost trade off. What a deal, huh! And I consider user management a huge part of security!

If you want or need to learn Windows security and user privileges. There are some great forums out there. But you are going to have to do some reading.

[huggy]

ALL anti-virus packages are not 100%, because they are mostly reactive in nature. That is, they have to have seen the type of virus before so they know what they are looking for (that's why you have to keep downloading virus definition updates!). If you have a completely new type of virus attack you, and the AV system hasn't seen it and doesn't recognize it, you're stuck. Even the best heuristic system will not catch everything as new viruses are introduced daily. Luckily most of those are simple variations of existing ones and are still caught using the AV technology.

Also, even though Linux is MOSTLY virus-free, there are now Linux-targeting worms and Trojans other problematic software. Same goes for Mac...

And any system being used as a file server could harbor viruses for other platforms in the files stored there if they don't have anti-virus software running on them, too.

[Bizzybee]

Check these folks out when you need to buy computer stuff Hobie.

http://www.newegg.com/

I have done business with them for a long time and many of my friends as well. They are very hard to beat on their prices most of the time. They don't gouge on shipping. It's usually very low or free. They only use FedX and I have never had a late delivery. Superior customer service as well. Pieces, parts and peripherals I'm referring to.

I don't know about their systems? I have built my own since about 1991 and the folks I work for only supply Dell because of the support we get. So I really don't keep up with all the PC manufactures.