Help is on the way

Enigma · Aug 24, 2005

I just "spoke" with a friend, Manny, on AumHa, and he said he'd help any of us who need help with our computers. He's a good man, and a real expert with computers.

Jenna; he said he tried to sign in but it went a little nuts. Not a good start.

Anyway, here's the URL:

http://www.windowstalk.org/backup.htm

When you need help with your computer and contact them, send me my royality payment, please.

StephieM · Aug 24, 2005

Thanks Enigma, I'll certainly be contacting them in no time. My computer has been acting a little crazy lately.

Do they just help with basic problems or can they do things like help you create your own web page? I've been wanting to do that, but I have no idea where to start. :Huh:

Steph

Enigma · Aug 25, 2005

Stephanie76 said:
Thanks Enigma, I'll certainly be contacting them in no time. My computer has been acting a little crazy lately.

Do they just help with basic problems or can they do things like help you create your own web page? I've been wanting to do that, but I have no idea where to start.

Steph

When I was where you are with web pages, Manny and others on the forum took me by the hand and walked me though the maze. In fact, they're still doing it. I'm now wanting to know how to get the name (mine) out there when it can do some good, and they're explaining how that's done.

They can and do answer basic questions to the most complicated ones imaginable, and they do it with a great sense of humor. (NOTE: When you go on the site, ignore the comments (taken out of context from a magazine article) about me (It wasn't), Marsha, animal experiements and earthquakes.

I can't imagine the ribbing I'll take if they find out about the opera singer and the 4th of July fireworks.

They're MS-MVPs and Shell Users, guys and girls (no offense) with titles and credentials you can't assume, fake or buy. You earn 'em.

They'll welcome you with open arms, or maybe connector cables. Regardless, you'll always enjoy your visits there.

StephieM · Aug 25, 2005

I just spent most of my day trying to get on the internet.

What should of only taken two minutes took me about 20 hours to figure out. After deleting a bunch of files...uninstalling a few programs...pulling my hair out, I think I did more bad than good. But, darnit, I got on the internet!

Now it will be up to the AumHa experts to help me undo what ever mess I created. :tongue

Thanks again for the info...greatly appreciated.

Steph

Enigma · Aug 26, 2005

Oh!

Stephanie76 said:
I just spent most of my day trying to get on the internet.

What should of only taken two minutes took me about 20 hours to figure out. After deleting a bunch of files...uninstalling a few programs...pulling my hair out, I think I did more bad than good. But, darnit, I got on the internet!

Now it will be up to the AumHa experts to help me undo what ever mess I created.

Thanks again for the info...greatly appreciated.

Steph

Oh, are they ever gonna love having you around, Steph!

I think (operative word) I know what they're going to tell you to do but, one, sometimes (operative word) I do know when to keep my mouth shut, and, two, these guys could/would do mean things to my computer if I'd try so....

BUT, I'm gonna get there before you do, I hope. This morning when I turned on the PC, something weird happened; the screen jumps around. Again, I think I know how to correct it but I've learned it's always best to ask them first.

Are we the only ones who have trouble with our computers?

preyer · Aug 26, 2005

not by a long shot. my grandma is like a computer problem magnet. fortunately, my mum-in-law works at a place with a great computer guy who's friends with us and fixes most major problems for a home cooked meal. kinda can't beat that.

my wife blames our computer problems on me visiting message boards. and ghosts. i blame it on her visiting pogo, a game site with portal games.

i try to keep my computer clean as possible, though it probably doesn't help much. still, i defrag every now and then. i had norton anti-virus, need to renew that. but, you know what's bad? i'm now having problems with... my computer desk. (serves me right for buying anything not made by sauder.)

Enigma · Aug 26, 2005

Your what?

preyer said:
... but, you know what's bad? i'm now having problems with... my computer desk.

You can ask 'em, but I don't think they can help you with .. your desk(?).

StephieM · Aug 26, 2005

That's funny.

A few months ago my computer desk collapsed on me. .(Not literally on me.) I'm still using it very carefully. One of the sides are propped up on the screws that is suppose to be holding it in.

Like preyer's grandma, anything that can go wrong will go wrong. Except I'm not the one that usually screws it up, I'm just the one that has to figure it out. Usually I ask my dad, he's a computer genius and can figure out most anything, he is the one that built my computer. But more often than not I can't get a hold of him, so I'm left on my own.

Until I get something that can firmly back up my scripts, I just want to make sure my computer doesn't go coput along with everything else. That is one nightmare I'd rather not have.

Steph

Enigma · Aug 26, 2005

Back up

Stephanie76 said:
... Until I get something that can firmly back up my scripts, I just want to make sure my computer doesn't go coput along with everything else. That is one nightmare I'd rather not have.

Steph

Sooner or later, Stephanie, you are going to have that nightmare come true! It's not if it'll happen to you, rather when.

Somewhere on the forum I posted what precautions I take and, believe me, there ain't nothin' else left that a person can possibly do. I once had a HD crash and burn. Disaster? No. I didn't even get out of my chair. (I did, however, utter a few unprintable words.) All I did was boot off the 2nd HD I have in my PC and kept on truckin'. Later, I went out and purchased a new HD to replace the dead one.

Now when I get a new computer I take the HD out of the old one and install it in the new one as a back-up. I also use Norton Ghost to mirror over all the files and folders so I don't have to spend hours reinstalling everything. If you're in between computers, a new HD can be had for under $125. Your dad probably has a few around the house. "Borrow" one.

Caution: You won't be able to automatically back up files to an internal HD. I don't know why, but I can't. That will have to be done to a CD-W or, in my case now, an external HDD, which works on both the PC and laptop - either through an LAN or direct connection.

ASIDE: is this thing about desks collapsing a wide-spread problem I should be asware of?

Happening to one person, I can see, but two(!)? Holy cow! Apparently writing can be dangerous.

StephieM · Aug 26, 2005

LOOK OUT EVERYONE! TYPING CAN BE HAZORDOUS TO YOUR DESK!

Actually, my dad just replaced my hard drive at Christmas. But you are right, sooner or later it WILL happen! As soon as I get the kids all squared away for school, I'm going to invest in an external hard drive as a backup. Right now I back everything up on disc, but like you said, you can't be too cautious when it comes to our "babies".

WritingFool · Aug 26, 2005

Not to worry everyone, its never as bad as it seems.

Why, because unless you completely destroy your hard drive, as in physically run over it, run a magnet over it, or drop it in any type of liquid, the information is retrievable. Even if you were to format your drive, because say it crashed, theres a better than not possibility you will be able to recover the data.
Theres a whole slew of recovery software that does work.

Its always good to use a floppy and CD backup. If you have an MP3 or Ipod thats good to. Other than that, you should be okay. No need to be paranoid about it.

Off topic, but anyone have a slow running computer? heres a way of making your puter run alittle faster.

1. CLICK START
2. RUN
3. Type "msconfig"
4. Will bring a box up of all the programs that will run themselves everytime you boot up your computer. Unless you have a firewall, and antivirus uncheck everything.
5. RESTART

6. Box will pop up, uncheck that little box

You should see a considerable difference, especially upon boot up.

Now, everytime you install new software, and some hardware, those driver programs will sometimes load programs to start up without you agreeing to it. So go back whenever you add any new programs to your puter, make sure nothing is checked accept your firewall and antivirus programs.

Doesnt mean you cant use these programs, just means you are telling your computer not to load them everytime you start your computer.

Giving you pearls here.

BEST BUY CHARGES $29 bucks for this

Tell me if it helps

AND, for those that dont have firewall program, which you should have ..do google search for 'zone alarm'. Its free,and its the same as the one they box and sell, accept its only firewall, without the fancy features..ip tracking, stuff that the average user wouldnt need.
Also if you keep getting spyware, Google search for 'Ad Aware'.
Its free, one of the better ones on the market.
these are both freeware, and the most reputable on the market.

Sorry Joe, if I sidetracked the post. Think some novice computer users could use the tip.

Sorry Steph, cant help a computer literally falling apart there. How about crazy glue or some duct tape.

Enigma · Aug 26, 2005

WritingFool said:
...
1. CLICK START
2. RUN
3. Type "msconfig"
4. Will bring a box up of all the programs that will run themselves everytime you boot up your computer. Unless you have a firewall, and antivirus uncheck everything.
5. RESTART

6. Box will pop up, uncheck that little box

You should see a considerable difference, especially upon boot up.

That can also cause you considerable difficulities.

Giving you pearls here.

BEST BUY CHARGES $29 bucks for this

Tell me if it helps

Also if you keep getting spyware, Google search for 'Ad Aware'.
Its free, one of the better ones on the market.
these are both freeware, and the most reputable on the market.

Ad-Aware is, or was good but MS is putting them out of business, I'm afraid. I have it but I don't use it very often. Instead, upload MS AntiSpyware Beta. It's free. Also free, upload EasyCleaner and the free version of ViRobot (it's an AV), but don't run it if you're also running another AV because they will fight. A2 (squared) is another good one to upload, and use.

The AumHa forum has a page - actually a few dozen pages - on security, free and recommended programs and such, that's worth looking into. Example: Do You Have Parisites? It'll check for you. As for Zone Alarm - negative! It leaves things on your computer and uninstalling it is a real pain.

Something else I found out from the forum; when you delete your cookies and history, actually you're not. There's something else you have to do before you actually get rid of them. Oh, the known world record for cookies is over 1 million of 'em.

What he said about Best Buy also applies to CompUSA, ITs and just about all repairpersons. They do things that are basic, and easy, and should be routine with the user only they charge out the ears.

BUT, WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T, BUT DON'T PUSH A BUTTON ON YOUR KEYBOARD UNLESS YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE DOING!

WritingFool · Aug 26, 2005

Please Enigma, youre scaring everyone here.

Sorry Joe. but hes gunna make everyone paranoid.

"dont push a button on your keyboard, unless you know exactly what youre doing"
please.
Anything can be undone with computers. Windows XP has built in system restore points. Recovery software can retrieve anything you delete.
That MSCONFIG uncheck all programs CAN CAUSE DIFFICULTIES .. like what ENIGMA..please do tell?

Im wondering how not allowing your programs to start at boot up will cause difficulties. Please enlighten me. They just wont load up untl you click on them. I use to sell and repair computers, and I would tell old people who were afraid of their computer, to go ahead, play with it. Snoop around, and dont be scared of it. Because nomatter what you do to it, you can always make it like it was, and you can always get back your information -- granted you didnt do anything as stated in other post.
So please, stop trying to instill a false sense of fear into everyone.
If you want to debate this on another post Im game.

Oh, and that MS Beta, is still in its testing stages, and its not putting Ad Aware out of business. Theres still many bugs AND VULNERABILITIES to be ironed out. I tried it, and I switched back to Adaware and spybot 2 days later. As far as Zone Alarm, its one of the best. Never have I had a problem with it. And I dont need to read message board info for my information.
Hes scaring you people. dont fall for it!

Oh and Enigma, you wouldnt want anyone to upload MS Beta, they should download it. shouldn't they?

StephieM · Aug 26, 2005

"BUT, WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T, BUT DON'T PUSH A BUTTON ON YOUR KEYBOARD UNLESS YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE DOING!"

Too late.

I just downloaded Winfix, it told me I had a Severe system threat that could utlimately cause my computer to crash. :scared:

If you don't hear from me for awhile, that would be the reason.

Thanks writingfool, if all else fails, I'll go for the duct tape.

Steph

WritingFool · Aug 26, 2005

Steph, hope that wasnt meant as sarcasm to me.

I never said anything about WinFix, and had you asked me beforehand if I would recommend it, I would say no you didnt need it.

But no worries, what can be done, can also be undone.
If you need help, email me, at [email protected]. If you have Yahoo, we can chat and Ill help you out of this mess you might be in.

StephieM · Aug 26, 2005

"I never said anything about WinFix, and had you asked me beforehand if I would recommend it, I would say no you didnt need it."

No, I was not trying to be sarcastic, just humorous.

In case of any other confusion, I did the Winfix all on my own. Didn't know I didn't need it.

Thanks for your offer. I'll send you an email and you can tell me what you think. Sorry though, no yahoo, AIM.

Steph

Enigma · Sep 5, 2005

Danged computers

WritingFool said:
Please Enigma, youre scaring everyone here.

Sorry if that's the case, but I make my living on these blasted things and I learned a long time ago not to mess with 'em when I don't know what I'm getting myself in for.

e.g. - if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

What you said about almost anything can be undone - again you're right, especially if you're willing to pay someone $40-50 an hour to undo it, and then don't get upset when you find out the hard way, as I have, they don't know what they're doing.

I only do one thing well and that's find people who are the experts, and I've found that the experts on these things habit AumHa. They're Shell Users, MS-MVPs and all that. Most of 'em are ITs. All of 'em are geeks geeks and if/when someone sneeks in and tries to give bum advice on their forum, well, they have a harsh way of dealing with them.

Some of what you say I can and will vouch for, however. System Restore, for a great example, has saved my rear end more than once. As for adding programs, or things like removing start up programs, I first ask the forum, "... for permission and advice," before I do anything I might regret. They're the experts, I'm not.

All I know about computers is that I earn my daily bread with 'em. If that makes me paranoid, so be it.

Oh, when it comes to security, I am paranoid! There's a lot of evil people out there, and not all of 'em are agents.

Everbody, have a great week!

WritingFool · Sep 5, 2005

Theres a balance, and I hope everyone here finds it.
Dont be a slave to your computer, and be smart enough to protect your works.

Hows that for a simple resolve.

As far as undoing any damage, restore points always work wonders. And if you ever have any questions, on virtually anything, do a google search, in the form of a jeopardy question;
what is system restore points?

Everythings on the internet.

Enigma · Sep 5, 2005

Fair

WritingFool said:
Hows that for a simple resolve.
QUOTE]

Fair enough. Peace, or has that expression gone out of style?

Or taken on a different meaning?

Help is on the way

Enigma

StephieM

back in action!

Enigma

StephieM

back in action!

Enigma

preyer

excessively spartan

Enigma

StephieM

back in action!

Enigma

StephieM

back in action!

WritingFool

Enigma

WritingFool

StephieM

back in action!

WritingFool

StephieM

back in action!

Enigma

WritingFool

Enigma