Getting a new computer

[Bob S.]

I recently inadvertently downloaded a virus that is messing up my computer (Instead of deleting it, I managed to run it instead :( ). My computer is old so I just feel like starting anew.

The thing is that no new computers come with 3.5 floppy drives anymore. I have a number of things still on floppies and am having to move things onto a flash drive (I can't seem to get my writable CD drive to work :( I don't know if it because of the virus or if it just never worked--I've never use it before now).

My computer still works fine, I just can't use IE (a very old version) or easily access some files (I can't click too many times in the folders).

Hopefully, I can get everything I want to save within a few weeks.

Bob S.

[brzl66]

Have you looked at any of the independent online retailers? There are a couple I use (I build my own) who offer reasonably-priced custom-built machines.

[Sandman]

Check out www.oakhurstcomputers.com (http://www.oakhurstcomputers.com) and www.remoterepair.net (http://www.remoterepair.net) brought to you by the same folks that bring you CFI. You can get quality repair services over your high speed Internet connection. We also have great deals on new PC's. We can ship anywhere. I just got this one for myself: http://www.oakhurstcomputers.com/desktop.html and am very happy with it.

[nuovonudo]

that sucks about the virus, bob; it still amazes me that there exist people malicious enough to spend their time and talent creating those things.


The thing is that no new computers come with 3.5 floppy drives anymore.

i wonder if someone manufactures a separate 3.5 floppy drive that you could plug in to the new computer; i know they used to make cd drives like that.

[NudeWil]

You can get an external 3.5" floppy drive that connects with a USB cable for under $20.00. You can use it with just about any computers manufactured in the past few years.

Do a Google search using the keywords:

usb floppy drive

Regards,
NudeWil

[Bob S.]

I will probably end up using the external 3.5 floppy drive for most of the info on my 3.5s. I got my past computer at Best Buy. I've been looking there again, but will be looking elsewhere to compare. Maybe I'll also look at the online retailers, but I much prefer to shop at the main retailers.

Bob S.

[luvnaturism]

I've been using Apple computers since 1982, and through much of that time we have had three of them operating. I have NEVER had a virus. For most of that time I haven't even had virus software installed (though the need for that may be changing). During that period I've also had 3 Windows computers. They always did have virus software running, but I still couldn't keep them clean. Arrrgh. Hours and hours of problems.

It's been at least ten years since I've taken one of our Apples in for repair, and that was for damage caused by my own carelessness (word to the wise: don't try to install memory when you haven't grounded yourself and the computer against static electricity).

If you need Windows, Macs run it as well as any other PC. However, then you're back into the virus thing.

When you walk into an Apple store, you get to talk to someone who actually knows computers. If you have a technical issue, you can make an appointment at the Genius Bar with a genuine expert. It's a novel way of doing business.

Just a thought.

[1Ace]

Worst case you could reformat the drive, I have done this with my kids computers but you will lose all your data and have to start over. Linux is also a very good OS without to many virus problems, just got my wife an Asus EEE running on Linux...

[Bob S.]

luv, I do not like Macs. One of the reasons why they don't make viruses for Macs is that not many people use them.

1Ace:" Worst case you could reformat the drive"

I actually had to have that done when my computer was acting up a few years before (not a virus). I discovered too late that when they returned my computer, they did not return my reformatting CDs as well.

Bob S.

[Agde]

My dad recently had a similar problem situation. After looking around with us, he got a new Acer laptop with antivirus and a Linksys router, plugged the old and new computers into the router so he had access to his old files and floppy drives, and he has been a happy camper ever since. We tricked him into getting a wireless router, and he eventually discovered that he could use his new laptop (and still have access to the old machine) without the wires. He now sends emails from the patio, and I hear the old computer is rarely turned on.

[Qikdraw]

Bob

The problem with going to Best Buy or Circuit City or stores like that is you get pre-packaged computers that are ok for awhile, but then you need to upgrade. My neighbour does this and he goes for cheap computers, but then complains a year later his computer is crap, so he buys another one. This is not cost effective, and a larger pain in the butt too. Sadly he doesn't listen to me on buying a new computer, he just repeats his little cycle, complaining away.

The other thing to remember with computers is they do require maintenance. Running a disk defrag (Start Menu, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragmentor) helps keep your hard drive working a little faster. I do it about every 2 months. There are also programs like Ad-Aware that help clean your system too. Also a good, free, online virus checker is www.trendmicro.com. Another good security system to have on your system is Zonealarm. It will stop any outgoing programs that you do not want to access the internet. All 3 of these have free versions and are good to have and use. Run ad-Aware and Trend Micro's programs once a month and you should be fine. Zonealarm should always be on.

[Bob S.]

Qikdraw, I do not care about upgrading. I've had this same computer for about six years. I don't need or want the up-to-date things. Heck, I still don't have a cell-phone. Of course most of that is the fact that I hate talking on the phone and rarely talk on the phone as it is. I laugh at the people standing in line for hours just to get the latest phone--and then laugh even more when they find the bugs in them.

I know about the maintenance and do the virus scan, scan disk, and defragmenter at regular intervals, usually around the same time.

I have MacAfee virus detector, but again, it was my stupidity that caused it, not the fault of MacAfee.

As for laptops, I am just not interested in them right now. I like having one place in my room to do stuff. I don't need a portable unit when I would rarely take it anywhere.

I am still looking and will probably get one within a month. If I don't get one next weekend, I will get one two weekends after that. I will be visiting family in two weeks and won't be going online at all.

Bob S.

[WINaturistGuy1959]

I have a Mac G4 I use for photo editing, writing, web surfing, etc. Other than upgrading the O/S, and adding DVD reader/writer, it's stock equipment (out of box). Seven years old (or is it eight...?). None of my PC's can hold a candle to it's longevity.

[nuovonudo]

hey bob!


I still don't have a cell-phone.

wow. good for you. to borrow a turn of phrase, we should all remember that "technology was created for man, not man for technology."

for what it's worth, i bought my p.c. at best buy in early 2003 and have never regretted it. at the time, i needed high-speed internet capability, and the computers i owned were all dinosaurs, so i decided to splurge and get something with a really fast processor. so far the processor has kept up with the h.s. internet service available in my area.

happy shopping (if that is not oxymoronic... ).

regards,
--andy

[Agde]

If you don't care about upgrading and don't really want to hassle with technology, I still think you should consider a big screen notebook pc. It just puts everything into one consolidated, pre-harmonized box that doesn't take up so much space. You don't have to carry it around. The price will be about the same. The only real reason to get a desktop these days is for customization, upgrading, advanced multimedia, home server apps and gaming -- geek stuff. Just a thought.

[Centauri4]

Dell has a new hardback book sized, all-in-one desktop computer I just learned about a few days ago. It is so new that I have no idea of the performance, reliability or quality yet. An interesting format though.

~

[Bob S.]

After much shopping, I finally decided to get an HP Pavilion Slimline s3500f. I just got it plugged in on Thursday night, went out of town Friday through Sunday, and am starting to get all my info on this one. My old computer is in another room still plugged in in case I haven't gotten everything off of it that I needed. I know some stories that I have been working on di not get successfully uploaded onto my thumbdrive. For some idiotic reason, only the shortcut was copied to the drive instead of the whole file.:mad: I think I have those files on a floppy, though. I also have some inventories on the other puter, but also, I believe they are also on my floppies.

I also need to figure out why my monitor has no sound. It did come with a dvd so maybe I will plug that in and get sound :confused: My old speakers do not fit the appropriate hole so I guess I'll have to get new speaers as well.

The good thing is that I bought this computer on Aug. 2, the weekend of Virginia's Tax-free holiday. I estimate that I saved about $40-$45 by not having to pay sales tax.

Bob S.

[Boreas]

I am now in the position of getting a new computer too. Our desktop tanked a while ago. It served us well for about six years. Who says PC's have no longevity. This laptop (tablet) is coming up for four years old, and is showing signs of age. This is my work computer so I bought an external hard drive, and I believe I have backed it up. I know some things are definitely on the portable hard drive. (pictures, documents) I want to make sure my QuickBooks is in there too. It has very important info, though I do have paper copies of that too. It would be a veyr bad day if this tanked without being properly backed up. :mad:

I am leaning towards a laptop. Staples has them on sale, and they also have routers on sale. It is attractive to consider surfing on the deck, or at the kitchen table.....both places are far from the Internet connection.

I cannot believe how much cheaper computers are than what they were four years ago.

Dell has a small tower now. Does anyone have any knowledge or experience with this?

[speedoman]

I have a H/P XP windows computer and I recently tried to burn a copy on a disc so I can listen to it in my car. Once I log into my computer, it tells me I have some music to record and when I put in a cd nothing happens so I just continue viewing the web and doing my other chores and if I have time enjoy the backyard and soak in the sun and getting an all over tan. Sure feels great.
Speedoman

[speedoman]

I have a H/P XP windows computer and I recently tried to burn a copy on a disc so I can listen to it in my car. Once I log into my computer, it tells me I have some music to record and when I put in a cd nothing happens so I just continue viewing the web and doing my other chores and if I have time enjoy the backyard and soak in the sun and getting an all over tan. Sure feels great. Do you have any suggestions as to what I need to do?
Speedoman

[NakedGary]

Speedoman,

A little off topic of "Buying a new Computer" but your question is not really that clear in what your trying to do or what program your using to "Rip" or "Burn" or copy a CD.

I assume your trying to copy or "Rip" a store purchased audio CD, and burn another CD so you can play it in your automobile.

I also assume your using the HP PC or laptop with the OEM supplied systems and windows burning software using Windows Media Player, not a dedicated burning program such as Nero, or others.

If you have this message "You have files/music to burn" each time you boot, you have not completed the burn process as instructed, and the system is retaining the files to burn in the record queue until you complete the process. [common error/message if using the OEM supplied or using Windows [Windows Media Player] to "Rip" or burn CD's.

You must do one of two things:

1. Complete the burn process in the recording queue.

2. Delete the files or music tracks scheduled to burn, or recently "Ripped" to the WMP media library, and start over.

To complete the recording process, remove any CD's from the recorder tray, go to Windows Media Player, select "Library" tab, click on "Recently added", then select the "Burn" tab. Drag the audio tracks you want to burn to the far right column labeled "Burn List". Insert a new blank recordable CD [Music certified CD If you have an old PC and/or older Automobile CD Player] and click on the "Start Burn" button at the bottom right corner of the screen. When the process is complete the system will eject the CD and it should play in your PC/Laptop or car CD player.

To Start over from the windows desktop, Insert the audio CD into the CD/DVD player/recorder and shut the tray. If auto insert is enabled, Windows should bring up a small window asking you to select several options of what you want to do with the media just inserted: Play, Play using [a program/player] burn, burn using other installed CD/DVD burning software. Select "Rip music from CD using Windows Media Player" The WMP should show the ripping process progress and when complete show the tracks ripped to the WMP library. Continue as above, dragging all or what tracks you want to burn to the "Burn List", Inserting a new blank recordable CD, and clicking on the "Burn Tap" at the bottom right of the screen. The CD tray should eject when successful.

Be aware some store purchased RIAA copyrighted/Protected Music CD's will not "Rip" or copy using windows media player or other installed burning programs.

Be aware some older automobile and PC CD players will not play "Re-Writeable" recordable CD's or CD's made on the newest CD/CD-RW, or DVD combo CD/DVD recorders. This is due to the variable power lasers used to adjust to different burning formats on recorders. Certified Music recordable blank CD's sometime over come this variable laser power feature of the new recorders by flagging or tagging/setting a bit to record at full laser power so the recorded music CD will play in the older PC's and automobile Players.

If my assumptions are wrong, or your attempting to use other installed CD burning software, then try a regular data CD copy, and if that doesn’t work or skips, or is intermittent, use the "Copy Music CD" feature.

I hope this helps you in completing the burning process to make a successful audio CD that will play in your car CD player.