stay away from Dell Computers - Page 3

Bigshrimpin · #21 05-17-2003, 01:36 AM

Joe,
What type of port are you missing? Are you saying that your laptop didn't come with a serial port? firewire port? parellel port? built in ethernet port (network card)? built in modem? Tell us what you are missing. I'll bet we can set you straight for a lot less than $210.00.

Eric McNiff · #22 05-20-2003, 12:51 PM

Thanks John's and Bri - I will definitely check out the Adaware software first. I also already bought the Symantec stuff....I will try that as well....

I'm not sure if this is true...but I heard that McCafee and Symantec might actually be contributing to the "spam" on the net so they can increase anti-spam software sales...so I was a little wary of that stuff. Not sure if it is true or not - but hey, I am getting off the subject....going for a ride in my boat, it was put in yesterday and it is finally starting to warm up.

John R · #23 05-20-2003, 07:15 PM

Eric - which Norton did you get. I am hesitant about installing Norton Utilities/System Works. It creates almost as many problems as it fixes...

Eric McNiff · #24 05-29-2003, 02:13 PM

John - i got the latest Symantec Antivirus for Small Business. I haven't even opened the box, but I have had it for 6 months now - not sure which version, does not say on the outside of the box. One of these days i will install it - I will let you know if I notice any problems.

I did download the Adaware software and it has solved my "pop up" add problem when I boot up the computer...

JohnS · #25 05-29-2003, 03:24 PM

Eric,
It really doesn't matter which version it is. Just go get the live update after you install it and it will bring it up to the latest virus definitions anyway. It will also update anything else that they have made changes to.

I was thinking of your problem a bit more the other day and I thoought about this one thing. If you have EVER installed some stuff off of the internet, it could be that some of that software had some "snoop" stuff in it. There is some "anti snoop" software available on the market now that works wonderful and I strongly suggest it. Basically, if you install some garbage off of the internet, at the very bottom of that "license agreement", you know, the one that everyone just clicks on "accept" and never really reads. Well, anyway, at times, they include a little clause at the very bottom that says something like, "We will from time to time check, for marketing purposes, your computer. Not exactly like that but, you get the drift. So, what your machine will do is, when it gets an internet connection, it will connect and send data. It is not a virus and therefore the anti-virus software will not see it. Just another one of the many ways they get ya. That is one of the reasons I suggested the "Internet Security". It has a built in firewall to help stop stuff like that. The anit-snoop software is a great way to scan your machine and keep it clean from garbage like that. Again, I strongly suggest that as well. Not expensive stuff at all, should be less than $20 and you can get it at most computer stores. I know Comp USA sells the stuff.

Just another suggestion....

John

Eric McNiff · #26 05-30-2003, 10:08 AM

Thanks John - you mean you don't read those licensing agreements!?! I hear ya - it seems almost impossible to keep the computer "clean". Although I don't have any specific problems - over the past year my computer has just slowed down considerably. I think I just have too much CRAP on the thing - I only really use a few of the programs that are on the thing....I am thinking of re-formatting and starting over with the essentials....then after a year I can be right back where I am now! Thanks for all the advice...I wish computers were like boats - see the problem, fix the problem and move on!