Columnists & Commentary
Maintenance Can Prevent Major Computer Repairs
By Ray Wilson, The Bulletin
My plate is too full with two program upgrades - IE8, Chrome and two new program entries, "TUT," "Vipre" to be able to devote sufficient space on the subject of the registry. A copy of my Registry Report is available through e-mail - enter Registry in the subject line.
Security Interview: I have tried to rationalize why computer owner/users do not want to admit that their machine is infected. The attitude is: "Not me;" "Not my machine;" "I have no problems like that;" "What could they want from me?" - and other erroneous ideas. You and I have read stats on how many computers are infected with many being used as "Bots" to infect others. A new computer repair shop recently opened and I contacted the owners to get the up-close-and-personal scoop on what is going down from day-to-day. The owners of this business will remain anonymous.
Mr. and Mrs. X are former employees of a large computer manufacturer. They are both retired and decided to start this business to help people with computers that really needed help without "gouging" them with an hourly rate. Mr. X told me he did not realize how many users did nothing to protect their investment. A major portion of his business is due to the lack of protection and, even with protection, no follow-up maintenance. He also stated, "He does not know why, when computer infections begin to show signs of their presence, users do nothing until the 'Blue Screen of Death' appears or a complete crash and shutdown."
"We charge for what we actually do, not by the minute and a timer that starts when the customer walks through the door.
"What amazes us is the number of computer systems that have to be reinstalled due to the incredible deterioration of the software, and in a lot of cases, there is hardware that must be replaced that was 'cooked' due to heat build-up from dust accumulation on the cooling fans."
There it is, people! Spend a little quality time maintaining your machine or pay the repair services. With all of the "free' security programs available - it's a "no-brainer!"
By Any Other Name: Vista's built in spyware catcher sounds good but it turns out to be Windows Defender! Microsoft has been working with this product for a long time. It was originally a stand-alone anti-spyware program but now is being used as a part of their security suite known as "One-Care." Windows Defender is free; "One-Care" is for sale. Save your money! My associate and I were on the One-Care Beta program - we both dropped it. WD does do a decent job of scanning and surveillance, but it is not compatible with several other spyware programs. It runs on Vista and XP.
Chrome, chrome, chrome! Everywhere you look online, in the blogs, you find Chrome. If this new Google browser is half as good as the notoriety it is receiving, it should be fantastic. However, in keeping with past performances of Google innovations, they may once again fumble the ball. For example, here are some of their former achievements - I'll bet some of you have never heard of: Google Base, Google Product Search [Froogle], Google Web Accelerator, Google Page Creator and Google Blog Search. They come up with this stuff and lose interest. Unless they work very hard to improve and promote their new browser, it could end up as nothing more than an also-ran. At this point, they are invading a new neighborhood and the boys at Google do have the potential to come up big. So far, they did rain on the MS parade as they trotted out Chrome at the same time IE 8 was making its appearance.
Caught In The Middle Is Firefox! For four years, Mozilla's Firefox has been its chief competitor. With having only 20 percent of the browser market, Firefox has the most to lose. Taking into consideration the love people have developed for XP - why do they think users would switch to Chrome? Sure, it is different with many subtle changes from IE, but are users ready to re-think and realign the way they go about their everyday routine? I may run it, but not until IE is out of Beta and a comparison has been made. I am using Google, along with IE, as my homepage for the simple reason that I can go anywhere I wish by simply typing a word or two in the search box. And with the Google history list, for the most part all it takes is a click of the mouse and I am underway. One good omen from all of this is the competition that has evolved. Instead of IE and Firefox resting on their laurels, they will have to get their act together to meet the challenge. Some say Chrome is a direct challenge to Windows. It is not! Is it an application platform? Not likely! However, Google apps. can quite naturally become a challenge to Microsoft Office. All of this and an election coming in November? Beam me up, Scotty!
The Ultimate Troubleshooter [TUT]: Have you tried it yet? It works on XP and Vista and is worth your time to give it a go! When you go to its Web site, you will see a lot of the subjects I have covered, notably, programs running in the background and slowing your processing time. With TUT as-well-as Counter Spy, I have personal contact with the manufactures [more on CS later]. I am using TUT and I am amazed at what it accomplishes.
At the bottom of the site are two panels, one red, one white with instructions, and decisions to be made about the programs that are listed. Please! Go to the Web site and read up on this program prior to its use. That will give you the encouragement to take it for a test drive! This software has just undergone a massive update making it more desirable than before. It is worth your effort to put it to use and remove any and all programs running that should not be slowing things down.
IE8 is running on my Vista Home Premium, and XP, in Beta 2. So far I can see quite a few interesting new wrinkles. It runs well with acceptable speed and delivers as well, if not better than it's predecessor. Score one here for IE8! I ran into trouble on Vista downloads through IE7. A tough problem that my associate and I could not decipher. It came to try this and try that. One of the solutions I tried was to install IE8 and the problem disappeared. For proof, at my associates behest, I reinstalled IE7 and the problem was still there.
Question: What is going on with SP3? It was supposed to be the creme de la creme of service packs, so why all the trouble? Answer: Like all the SPs that have gone before this one, it did include quite a few security measures, but it has raised havoc with a lot of computers. For example, those with AMD processors [one of mine] experienced repetitive re-booting. You must add this service pack before April 2009, when the company will end their support. Overall support for SP2 expires in early 2010. [This does not make much sense, but it comes straight from MS, who always makes good sense, right?] You will need to have SP3 installed by that date if you want general support for XP. KB950717 supplies necessary installation information and troubleshooting help if needed. NOTE: A full backup before you start is a necessity! System Restore is not recommended in this situation. Without these two SPs installed, you could be missing important updates.
A 'Flip-flop?' Well, maybe a learning experience! Some time back, I gave an opinion on the combining of anti-virus with anti-spyware as not being too helpful since this was a forerunner to producing security suites. I noted my preference for picking and choosing the best firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware to form a personal security suite. I have been keeping you advised of the No. 1 anti-spyware -Counterspy - and the good people at Sunbelt-Software have voiced their exception to my leanings on the software combinations.
They have developed a dual-product called "VIPRE" and sent me a CD to use and change my mind about combo software. I have installed same on Vista and XP and have it in use. I put it through a battery of tests and I must agree they have enhanced the No. 1 anti-spyware - Counter Spy [according to CNET] by adding their own anti-virus. Among the many features are: Scheduled Scans, Active Protection, E-mail Protection and Automatic Updates. Along with: History Reports, Quarantine view all list, Malware always blocked list, programs and software permitted, Scan status, E-mail protection reports and risks detected stats. I am impressed!
With this combo, you get two programs for the price of one, but you only have one program to keep tabs on instead of two. With the Sunbelt free, personal firewall, you have a top-notch security suite at about one-third the cost of others. They have turned my head - but do not forget the other alternatives. Next week, more on "Magnificent 7" - the continuing saga of IE8, Chrome and the elimination of e-mail forwards. Stay well!
Ray Wilson was raised in Upper Darby and has lived in Chester County for the past 15 years. He has over 48 years experience in computing and he has been testing virus and Spyware programs for the last five years. His "The Helpful Neighbor" column will appear once a week in The Bulletin. He can be reached at RJWhelpful4u@aol.com.
Security Interview: I have tried to rationalize why computer owner/users do not want to admit that their machine is infected. The attitude is: "Not me;" "Not my machine;" "I have no problems like that;" "What could they want from me?" - and other erroneous ideas. You and I have read stats on how many computers are infected with many being used as "Bots" to infect others. A new computer repair shop recently opened and I contacted the owners to get the up-close-and-personal scoop on what is going down from day-to-day. The owners of this business will remain anonymous.
Mr. and Mrs. X are former employees of a large computer manufacturer. They are both retired and decided to start this business to help people with computers that really needed help without "gouging" them with an hourly rate. Mr. X told me he did not realize how many users did nothing to protect their investment. A major portion of his business is due to the lack of protection and, even with protection, no follow-up maintenance. He also stated, "He does not know why, when computer infections begin to show signs of their presence, users do nothing until the 'Blue Screen of Death' appears or a complete crash and shutdown."
"We charge for what we actually do, not by the minute and a timer that starts when the customer walks through the door.
"What amazes us is the number of computer systems that have to be reinstalled due to the incredible deterioration of the software, and in a lot of cases, there is hardware that must be replaced that was 'cooked' due to heat build-up from dust accumulation on the cooling fans."
There it is, people! Spend a little quality time maintaining your machine or pay the repair services. With all of the "free' security programs available - it's a "no-brainer!"
By Any Other Name: Vista's built in spyware catcher sounds good but it turns out to be Windows Defender! Microsoft has been working with this product for a long time. It was originally a stand-alone anti-spyware program but now is being used as a part of their security suite known as "One-Care." Windows Defender is free; "One-Care" is for sale. Save your money! My associate and I were on the One-Care Beta program - we both dropped it. WD does do a decent job of scanning and surveillance, but it is not compatible with several other spyware programs. It runs on Vista and XP.
Chrome, chrome, chrome! Everywhere you look online, in the blogs, you find Chrome. If this new Google browser is half as good as the notoriety it is receiving, it should be fantastic. However, in keeping with past performances of Google innovations, they may once again fumble the ball. For example, here are some of their former achievements - I'll bet some of you have never heard of: Google Base, Google Product Search [Froogle], Google Web Accelerator, Google Page Creator and Google Blog Search. They come up with this stuff and lose interest. Unless they work very hard to improve and promote their new browser, it could end up as nothing more than an also-ran. At this point, they are invading a new neighborhood and the boys at Google do have the potential to come up big. So far, they did rain on the MS parade as they trotted out Chrome at the same time IE 8 was making its appearance.
Caught In The Middle Is Firefox! For four years, Mozilla's Firefox has been its chief competitor. With having only 20 percent of the browser market, Firefox has the most to lose. Taking into consideration the love people have developed for XP - why do they think users would switch to Chrome? Sure, it is different with many subtle changes from IE, but are users ready to re-think and realign the way they go about their everyday routine? I may run it, but not until IE is out of Beta and a comparison has been made. I am using Google, along with IE, as my homepage for the simple reason that I can go anywhere I wish by simply typing a word or two in the search box. And with the Google history list, for the most part all it takes is a click of the mouse and I am underway. One good omen from all of this is the competition that has evolved. Instead of IE and Firefox resting on their laurels, they will have to get their act together to meet the challenge. Some say Chrome is a direct challenge to Windows. It is not! Is it an application platform? Not likely! However, Google apps. can quite naturally become a challenge to Microsoft Office. All of this and an election coming in November? Beam me up, Scotty!
The Ultimate Troubleshooter [TUT]: Have you tried it yet? It works on XP and Vista and is worth your time to give it a go! When you go to its Web site, you will see a lot of the subjects I have covered, notably, programs running in the background and slowing your processing time. With TUT as-well-as Counter Spy, I have personal contact with the manufactures [more on CS later]. I am using TUT and I am amazed at what it accomplishes.
At the bottom of the site are two panels, one red, one white with instructions, and decisions to be made about the programs that are listed. Please! Go to the Web site and read up on this program prior to its use. That will give you the encouragement to take it for a test drive! This software has just undergone a massive update making it more desirable than before. It is worth your effort to put it to use and remove any and all programs running that should not be slowing things down.
IE8 is running on my Vista Home Premium, and XP, in Beta 2. So far I can see quite a few interesting new wrinkles. It runs well with acceptable speed and delivers as well, if not better than it's predecessor. Score one here for IE8! I ran into trouble on Vista downloads through IE7. A tough problem that my associate and I could not decipher. It came to try this and try that. One of the solutions I tried was to install IE8 and the problem disappeared. For proof, at my associates behest, I reinstalled IE7 and the problem was still there.
Question: What is going on with SP3? It was supposed to be the creme de la creme of service packs, so why all the trouble? Answer: Like all the SPs that have gone before this one, it did include quite a few security measures, but it has raised havoc with a lot of computers. For example, those with AMD processors [one of mine] experienced repetitive re-booting. You must add this service pack before April 2009, when the company will end their support. Overall support for SP2 expires in early 2010. [This does not make much sense, but it comes straight from MS, who always makes good sense, right?] You will need to have SP3 installed by that date if you want general support for XP. KB950717 supplies necessary installation information and troubleshooting help if needed. NOTE: A full backup before you start is a necessity! System Restore is not recommended in this situation. Without these two SPs installed, you could be missing important updates.
A 'Flip-flop?' Well, maybe a learning experience! Some time back, I gave an opinion on the combining of anti-virus with anti-spyware as not being too helpful since this was a forerunner to producing security suites. I noted my preference for picking and choosing the best firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware to form a personal security suite. I have been keeping you advised of the No. 1 anti-spyware -Counterspy - and the good people at Sunbelt-Software have voiced their exception to my leanings on the software combinations.
They have developed a dual-product called "VIPRE" and sent me a CD to use and change my mind about combo software. I have installed same on Vista and XP and have it in use. I put it through a battery of tests and I must agree they have enhanced the No. 1 anti-spyware - Counter Spy [according to CNET] by adding their own anti-virus. Among the many features are: Scheduled Scans, Active Protection, E-mail Protection and Automatic Updates. Along with: History Reports, Quarantine view all list, Malware always blocked list, programs and software permitted, Scan status, E-mail protection reports and risks detected stats. I am impressed!
With this combo, you get two programs for the price of one, but you only have one program to keep tabs on instead of two. With the Sunbelt free, personal firewall, you have a top-notch security suite at about one-third the cost of others. They have turned my head - but do not forget the other alternatives. Next week, more on "Magnificent 7" - the continuing saga of IE8, Chrome and the elimination of e-mail forwards. Stay well!
Ray Wilson was raised in Upper Darby and has lived in Chester County for the past 15 years. He has over 48 years experience in computing and he has been testing virus and Spyware programs for the last five years. His "The Helpful Neighbor" column will appear once a week in The Bulletin. He can be reached at RJWhelpful4u@aol.com.
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