Simplify your laptop buying
Community weekly poll: Do you think computer problems are caused by:
- 7/7/05 10:19 AM
re: many causes
by Beaters - 7/11/05 12:57 PM In reply to: Many Causes by JakeChanceTat was a well-considered and well-written post.
I poarticularly agree with the point regarding the operating systems. Running XP at home I finally developed one of those nasty little problems that was not fixable with a utility -- missing DLL file. When teh time comes that the maching no longer functions as it should I suppose I'll have to bite the bullet and re-install everything from ground up after wiping the drive (or just getting another drive and doing same routine). This is the aspect of the later MS operating systems that bugs me most: back wnen we ran DOS one could just reinstall the OS and leave everything else in place. Now we gots to reinstall everything, dig up all those disks & license numbers, and increasingly go through that evil activation process that began with XP and is now creeping into other programs as well. For now I procrastinate.
Microsoft is the problem.
by crsteele - 7/8/05 6:23 AM In reply to: Do you think computer problems are caused by: by Marc Bennett
I won't say every single problem people have with a computer is microsoft’s fault, because yes once in a while a piece of hardware will misbehave, now in that case microsoft never responds correctly to the error but that is another discussion. Microsoft is a disgrace to the tech industry and all engineers in general. It is without a doubt the worst engineering the world has ever (Repeat EVER) seen in any field. I have worked with computers for over 20 years starting with mainframes and then PC’s, working on them everyday I see problems that are caused by utter incompetence of the Microsoft software writers, I will not call them software engineers because that is a insult to real software engineers. From the moment that gates touched the original dos code it has been one complete screw up after another, anyone remember Dos 4.01, Win95, WinME, NT3.51 all complete disasters that Microsoft shoved up their poor users. There has never been a single release of software from Microsoft that was on time, worked or was worth their rip-off prices.
Put it this way, if Microsoft made cars, the roads would be empty, the tow truck drivers would all be millionaires, and gasoline would be 10 cents a gallon due to over supply.
The upside would be that bill gates would in jail, for the mass murder of millions of car owners. People would get very tired going to the Microsoft car update center every day at 3am to get their car updated so it would even run, then after leaving the center they drive one block and the doors fall off the car, your v8 engine suddenly starts running on 3 cylinders, and then you hit the Onsoft help button and your radio starts blaring full blast then your cell phone rings and it’s a microshaft Indian help techie that speaks 3 words of English. Why are their no other types of cars on the road, because gates put them all business of course. Just be glad that the stupid loser decided to ruin the computer world. He would do a lot more damage elsewhere.
LOL
by tmontg2 - 7/8/05 10:33 AM In reply to: Microsoft is the problem. by crsteeleWhat a great analogy, yeah, Microsoft sucks, but now we are dependent on it, maybe everyone will ditch when Longhorn comes out and becomes a huge disaster.
pc problems
by joemarv - 7/8/05 6:29 AM In reply to: Do you think computer problems are caused by: by Marc Bennett
many users treat the PC like a tv, and they just turn it on, and off. that`s why they have these problems.
Even a vehicle needs. . .
by techtype - 7/8/05 9:38 AM In reply to: pc problems by joemarvEven a vehicle needs water, oil, tranny fluid, window washing fluid, so on and so forth to run and the owner usually does this. Computers need occasional system maintenance and the owner can do this also.
re: pc problems
by Newtimer - 7/27/05 1:07 PM In reply to: pc problems by joemarvThe key word is users. That is the way a computer should be designed; to turn on and turn off. They want to use the computer and it should be designed for users. People who want to play with it don't understand that.
Operating System failures
by jd7wilson - 7/8/05 6:46 AM In reply to: Do you think computer problems are caused by: by Marc Bennett
I think the vast majority of computer problems are caused primarily by operating system failures. While I enjoy the ease and comfort of most applications, there are still too many bugs in the OS, and it doesn't seem to matter which OS it is. If I'm wrong, then why do websites such as CNET even exist?
To be fair to Gates and Jobs and all the Linux geeks, it doesn't help that most people who own a computer are not equipped with the knowledge (or the desire) to climb into the guts, whether it's hardware or software, of the computer to figure out what's wrong. When you have computer systems that seem to be built by default with bugs, and add on top of that the average non-savvy computer user, you have a recipe for disaster.
Also to be fair to Gates and Jobs and all the Linux geeks, sometimes the problem is with the individual software application. I'll offer up Real Player as an example. Go to any computer troubleshooting website that tells you what the running processes (in the background) are. Not a single one of them has even a modicum of respect for Real Player because of it's tendency to be a resource hog. Most will recommend uninstalling the software completely, because of the potential for other problems.
I still have to hold the OSs responsible, though, for most of the computer problems. The OS is like the engine of a car. You may be a competent driver and you may have a great stereo, but unless the engine is running properly, you won't get anywhere as easily as you should be able to, at least not without a mechanic. You shouldn't have to be a mechanic to make your car run properly, and you shouldn't have to be an IT professional to make your computer run properly.
What happens is that a computer starts to malfunction in some way and people start to tinker, because that's what people do. Instead of doing some simple troubleshooting, people start to fix the problems before they are even sure what the problems are.
But I still have to blame the operating systems. Why are there monthly critical updates to Windows? Why are there different service packs for the various versions of Windows? Why is SP2 for XP such a sore spot with a lot of people, including me?
You could take away all the other bad things - unsavvy users, viruses and spyware, bad programs like Real Player, and you would still have an operating system that malfunctions. When that happens, it's like a dominoe effect.
PC Problems
by betteguadalupe - 7/8/05 7:03 AM In reply to: Do you think computer problems are caused by: by Marc Bennett
Hi, I think its all the above except for the last one..I've had so many problem with my PC since XP and had two major crashes..lost everything..but each time I learn from the costly mistakes, and now I hope my PC runs smoothly by keeping it virus free with good virus protection..defragging and watching what I open..
Troubles are caused by the end user
by techtype - 7/8/05 7:11 AM In reply to: Do you think computer problems are caused by: by Marc Bennett
It really isn't their fault either. They are like a lot of students today, they just don't read the instructions, manuals or what is displayed on the screen. I know I have a brother that will zip through the screen, without reading, then wonder what went wrong. I have to keep telling him, "read the screen!", but then he is like 90% of the people that do not read. The end user because when they set-up software (and most of it is software related) the software manufacture thinks you are going to use their software right off the bat. So they put it in the task bar system tray, this initializes files and background files that might be used if you use their software today. I keep the start up stuff to a minimum. Just about the only thing that I have load up at start is my;
Firewall (runs in background continuously, has to)
virus scanner (runs in background continuously, has to)
Internet system time
VisualZone (runs in background continuously, has to)
Spybot (runs in background continuously, has to)
Other then that I have the programs initialize when I need them. Even my FireFox, I have it initialize then when it is needed.
Hope this helps, Rick
http://www.rickswebfactory.com/
Reply to Techtype.
by Frank Swain - 7/9/05 4:44 PM In reply to: Troubles are caused by the end user by techtypeBang on target Rick!
Run 'MSCONFIG' from the 'Run' icon on the start menu. Click on the Startup tab at the top and you see a list of programs that start as the machine 'fires up'. Uncheck all the boxes except those for your antivirus, firewall and antiadware. I also advise that you leave a tick in the box next to 'Statemgr' as system restore will not run without it. Most of the programs seem to be for automatic updates and autorun of programs.
You need to visit the web sites of the various programs that you use, but this is good because you miss a lot by using auto-updating. Lastly and this is very important, you MUST visit the website of your opperating system provider and aquire all the latest updates and security patches. I have had my machine configured this way for six months now and get very little trouble. When I do it is nearly always caused by adware so I run scans on antivirus and antiadware This seems to do the trick. Hope this helps somebody anyway.
Frank
Re: Reply to Techtype
by Newtimer - 7/27/05 1:16 PM In reply to: Reply to Techtype. by Frank SwainNow why doesn't the OS use this as a start (or some sensible initial startup)and not allow the user to change it. Just add the automatice updates in the background, etc. and let the user use the computer.
Auto updates at startup and not let user change it. --NO!!!
by scott_789 - 11/25/05 4:32 PM In reply to: Re: Reply to Techtype by NewtimerActually Microsoft automatic updates does run at start-up already. As far as not letting the user change that, I would have to strongly say that I'm very much against that idea.
I'm only an intermediate user but I've always done the same as what ''Techtype'' was saying. I don't let any particular application ''take-over'' my pc. I only let what's completely necessary run at start-up, and not let any application download and update automatically (with the exception of security software). I personally like having some control over what's happening or at least know about it. (What if you went to use your pc one day and something is acting up that was working the day before? It would be good to have some kind of idea of what changed.)
There may come the day when computers can be automatically scanned, updated, tested for any potential software problems, and automatically repaired without the users involement (or consent.) Some may consider that to be the neatest thing since sliced-bread but that might also be when the OS manufacturer stops selling licenses to use their software (as MS does now) and instead sells subscriptions. People would only be able to make changes to their pc's and install software that's ''approved''. That may sound like a far-fetched conspiracy theory but its very much possible.
Personally, I'd rather be required to learn a little about a computer then let some monopoly decide what I can do with it. 
Software conflicts
by floorshineboy - 7/8/05 7:13 AM In reply to: Do you think computer problems are caused by: by Marc Bennett
Maybe I am not your average user. I have anti-virus software installed and running on both my computers, as well as anti-spyware. In my experience, pretty close to 100% of the problems I have are software/OS related, mostly drivers. On the average of about twice a week one of my computers (usually the Gateway Media Center PC)has to 'recover from a serious error', and the only thing Microsoft's online crash analysis can tell me is that "the error was caused by a device driver." Maybe it's just me, but I think if there was more cooperation and less competition between hardware and software vendors, we would have far fewer of these conflicts.
Lack of Education and Laziness
by randh - 7/8/05 7:38 AM In reply to: Do you think computer problems are caused by: by Marc Bennett
I think most problems are with the end user. They won't install or update virus protection, won't do anything about spyware and take the advice of a friends friend that has a son that is a ''computer genuis''. Another problem with the end user is they just have to have 5 toolbars and 6 search engines on their computer. I also think that laziness has a lot to do with computer problems. What I see is that people want to use programs but are to lazy to learn to use them properly. I get many calls wanting me to ''walk them through'' scanning a picture for example. Read the manuel!!!!!!!!!!!! It's easier to call me and waste my time. Education and laziness are the two biggest problems that cause computers not to perform like they should.
What we have here is a failure to see opportunity
by techtype - 7/8/05 7:58 AM In reply to: Lack of Education and Laziness by randhYou just don't see opportunity when it comes knocking, do you? Start charging for your services. When people want you to walk them through, say to them, "it will cost X amount per hour, with a 1 hour minimum". Unless you are in the retail or it is the company you work for or family, then charge for your time.
Hope this helps, Rick.
http://www.rickswebfactory.com/
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