An old problem

[AlanHo]

One of my elderly friends asked for some help with his computer which he said was doing "strange things".

I popped round last evening - expecting it to be a relatively simple job - but it wasn't.

The story is that he bought the computer about 6 months ago and it came loaded with some software - including a 60 day trial of McAfee.

After a short while he got fed up with the boot time being extended with the McAfee splash screen and security centre - so he got one of his sons to uninstall it. This made the computer much faster.

However - it slowed up again - much worse than before - and kept locking up. His two sons each had a go at improving matters - which included disconnecting the Windows firewall because he had heard it was useless and just hogged memory. Over the last week it crashed regularly and finally ground to a halt last evening.

I was able to load Windows and copy his Documents to a DVD but accessing the Internet was impossible - so I was unable to download any virus or malware scanners to check the beast. With his agreement, I bit the bullet, set the boot sequence to CD/DVD first and formatted/reinstalled Windows XP from his original CD. I got his internet connection working and downloaded AVG before we ran out of time. I am going back again today to partition his hard drive to separate the OS and programs from data, reinstall his other software, add some malware protection and finish the job - which will include a stern lecture on safe computing and a plea for him to buy an external hard drive and set up a back-up regime.

Some people collect stamps - others collect antiques - and anoraks collect train numbers.

Idiots and ignoramusses collect malware on their computers.

He must have had a superb collection - it's a pity I was not able to run such programmes as Crap Cleaner, AdAware and Spybot etc to see the extent of his collection.

The sad thing is - one of his sons works in the IT department of a local large business and should have known better.

There must be many people in the same situation - no wonder malware is so prolific.

[catgate]

There must be many people in the same situation - no wonder malware is so prolific.

I think that it all comes down to the human thought process that refuses to accept the probability of disaster, on the basis of "It won't happen to me."

The prime example is driving a vehicle. When you look at the number of vehicles on the road and the number of times vehicles pass, either going in opposite directions or overtaking, only, quite literaly, inches apart, then I think the British driver is an exceptionally skilled being. (and bloody lucky)

There must be million upon million of potential accident every day. All that is needed is a slight deflection and.....BUMP.

[AlanHo]

The prime example is driving a vehicle. When you look at the number of vehicles on the road and the number of times vehicles pass, either going in opposite directions or overtaking, only, quite literaly, inches apart, then I think the British driver is an exceptionally skilled being. (and bloody lucky)

There must be million upon million of potential accident every day. All that is needed is a slight deflection and.....BUMP.

Not only roads - just look at the closing speed on the railways

[andsome]

How about the closing speed of the earth and asteroids, that's even worse. :)

[catgate]

Not only roads - just look at the closing speed on the railways

Fortunately the driver is not steeering on those.

andsome Posted Today, 14:52

How about the closing speed of the earth and asteroids, that's even worse.

What about the closing speed of say my boot toe and Tonies hemorrhoids?

Or even the closing speed of Tesco just as get there too late.