Advice & The M&R Log

We have two new records!

Viruses: 349 Adware: 1171

We will not post the names.

This log will have interesting things that happened here at M&R, or concerns about viruses and the like.

10/10/04

Twice last week I was on site connecting computers to the network.  Both computers were full of adware and viruses, and as soon as I put them online, the blaster worm popped in, and told me the computer was going to shut down in 30 sec.   I know the computer connected to the internet before because Norton Antivirus updated the definitions, and Adaware downloaded updated definitions, too. On the next reboot, I cleaned the viruses out and scanned with adaware.  When it was clean, I rebooted again, and it would not connect to the internet anymore.  It was just like old times with Windows 98 - the tcp/ip stack was corrupted.   Strange thing is that these computers were on the local network with no problem at all, they saw the other computers and could share files and printers. On one, I even went so far as to repair the XP installation with the XP disk.  Nothing I tried helped.   Well I did some research at the Microsoft site.  I did searches on  "cannot renew IP Address" and similar things.  It turns out that the solution was not difficult.  Here are the steps:

1. Run regedit - Local Machine - System - Current Config -  and delete winsock and winsock2 keys.

2. Reboot (they say this is important.)  After reboot, new keys are created.

3. Then go to network connections, and right click on the Lan icon, go to properties, and add a protocol.  Choose "have disk" and point it to the windows/inf folder.  If you can't find it, fix the folder options to show all files and folders, even hidden ones.  Choose TCP/IP which should be first on the list, and overwrite the old tcp/ip. You cannot remove tcp/ip with windows XP.  Then voila! you are back on the internet - scan thoroughly with trend, norton and adaware, and you should be back to normal.

5/15 - We were setting up a brand new out of the box HP system.  I always like to start with updates from Microsoft, to prevent things like the Blaster Worm and the Sasser Worm sneaking in while I am online.  These new systems require that you create your own recovery CD/DVD's from a program.  In retrospect, we should have created the CD'/DVD's before connecting to the Internet, but instead, the plan was to run the updates, then make the DVD.  After the critical updates and a re-boot, there were two driver updates reported by the update program.  These driver updates were for the AMD chip and the NVIDIA Video Card.    I clicked on Install.....before the updates were even done installing, the computer froze, and upon reboot, did not even recognize the drive.  In addition, it would not restore from the recovery partition, probably  because the drive was not recognized.  So, what caused this?  It appears that the chip driver was the most likely cause, since a bad video driver would not cause problems with the PC recognizing the hard drive.  This means that everybody with a new HP with the AMD chip who run their updates or have it set to auto update may be in for a rude awakening. 

Viruses and Adware

Unwanted adware is now a bigger problem than viruses.  Every week we see many computers that are so inundated with ads and popups that it is impossible to enter an address or click on a link.   Fortunately, it is not difficult to keep on top of the problem.  The newer versions of Antivirus now include some sort of adware/spyware control.   The major antivirus programs are becoming larger and more pervasive as they struggle to be everything to everybody.  They need to provide real time protection for viruses, adware, spyware, malwares, and popups. They need to protect your email, block scripts, and do scheduled scans of your entire computer. However, the amount of processing power that is needed to provide all this protection can seriously affect the performance of your computer. As the newer antivirus programs become more elaborate, the older computers are less able to provide all the processing power needed.  Plus, these programs need to keep their virus definition files up-to-date to include the new viruses.  We have seen significant slow downs and lock-ups caused by antivirus programs trying to connect to the internet for updates, when the user has a modem and is not always connected to the internet.

If you are using a paid subscription-based antivirus, it could cost around $35-$50 per year to keep up to date and protected.   It is possible, however to stay completely clean and virus-free, by scanning manually once or twice per week, relying totally on the many good free services offered on the web.   There are several free antivirus sites, and a few excellent anti-adware programs which are totally free for personal use.  There is also a very good free firewall program. 

M&R offers a one-hour training course locally that explains step by step how to conquer the virus and adware problem without worrying about paid subscriptions.  The course pays for itself immediately.  Plans are also in the works for a PowerPoint version of the course to be offered in our on-line store.  If you are interested in the powerpoint version, please call us or send email to noads@mrmulti.com.

 

Buying a Computer

I approach buying a computer from the inside out, because I am aware of what goes on at the component level. I can put what I know into a few simple rules.

The cheapest computers are probably not upgradeable, or expandable.  Although the salesperson will tell you they are.

You always pay a premium for the top of the line or the newest thing.  You have to weigh the cost against the "time until obsolescence".

Watch out for "Monitor not included".   You should first see what is included.  Here is a quick checklist:

Those free computers were not free, you pay for the price of the internet access...At least $25 per month.  It is always by mail in rebate.

Beware of "Bait and Switch" tactics.  The paper always has ads for computers for $299, which include scanners, printers, classes, cameras.   These places use the ads to get you into the store.  They will not deliver the computer advertised.  The salesperson's job is to talk you out of the computer you came in for.  If you actually buy that computer, the salesperson gets in trouble for not doing the job.  

No matter what, you should pay at least:

$800 for a cheap system

$1100 for a middle system

$2000 or more for a high end.

Sure you can spend less, but there is a catch somewhere.  If we sell a system for less than the above prices, we cannot afford to support it.  If we make a normal profit on it, we can offer more service when something goes wrong.  This goes for other companies also.  If they sell computers too cheap, there are re-stocking fees for returns, limited warranties, poor response for trouble, used or refurbished parts etc.

                                 

Cable Modems 

Cable modems are fast....very fast.  They are more than 10 times faster than a 56k modem. You are on the internet 24 hours a day.  There are no extra phone charges or dial ups.

Plus, you can network the connection if you want.  That way. multiple computers can access the internet at the same time. The cable company only gives out one IP address at a time.  That means that you need a router and hub or a wireless router  to share the connection.

Many people plug the modem into a hub, and expect to automatically be on the net with all their computers.  That will not happen.  In fact, the first one gets the ip address, and will not let it go until you reset the modem power.

If you want to go wireless, you need a wireless router hub plus a wireless network card.   Now, there are USB devices that will connect you to a wireless network.  This will save you the trouble of opening up your computer to install a wireless network card.  Many notebooks now ship with wireless built in.   If not, you can get a wireless PCMCIA card.

From what I hear, the cable company in this area will not install for free any more.  This is a problem.  In order for the cable modem to work you need:

A network card - about $50 or so.

A clean cable connection. If your signal is split between multiple TV's, the signal will not be strong enough for a cable modem.

Then you need to set up your email using outlook express.

If you are in our area, we can send a technician to your home to help you set up the cable connection, network card, and email for about $50/hr. plus parts. It should only take one hour.  We cannot be responsible for a poor signal.