Computer Oddyssey

[Catrin]

I am a Ubuntu, indeed a Linux newbie due to a monster sized Sony all-in-one desktop. I bought it in 2009 with the best resources that I could buy at the time - so good that in 2017 it still does quite well though I wouldn't attempt to turn it into a gaming machine. The problem is a common problem with all-in-ones that one should keep in mind if you ever consider purchasing one. The hardware was customized so much to fit behind the monitor that it became proprietary and no driver updates were ever released which made it eventually impossible to upgrade Windows. Eventually it became a 50+ pound brick after a failed upgrade and I reformatted/wrote over the hard drive to eventually recycle the computer and bought a much smaller hybrid computer (Acer Alpha 12 Switch) for daily use. I do like the little thing, but it's too small to comfortably use to remote into my work computers at the office but it works fine for personal use.

A friend encouraged me to give Ubuntu a try to see if the necessary drivers were available, and much to my pleasant surprise the live CD worked and the old brick is up and running, and even faster than it was with Windows 7. All for $8! For some reason my wired mouse doesn't work well, but a new mouse is far less expensive than a new computer! My 26-inch all-in-one computer now seems massive in size, but as long as I can figure out how to install the Linux Citrix Receiver then I will have the perfect, for me, combination of electronics. Back in the 2000's I played with Debian for a period of time, and Ubuntu is certainly more graphical than Debian was back in the day, and while it's more user friendly it is still Linux and there is still a learning curve.

hmmm, I wonder if this is good for the brain like trying to learn a new language? Again, not bad for a whopping $8 for the OS and a new mouse!

[emily_in_nc]

hmmm, I wonder if this is good for the brain like trying to learn a new language? Again, not bad for a whopping $8 for the OS and a new mouse!

It totally is! I've been reading more and more articles recently about how we all need to plan on learning new things our entire life to keep our synapses healthy, and that learning something new is much, much more valuable for our brains than simply doing crossword puzzles, for example. I'm still working on my Spanish lessons (audio and online) since there's a decent chance we may return to Mexico at some point, for awhile at least. And even if we don't, I know it's good for my brain, especially since I'm retired and no longer have the challenges of learning new things for work.

Glad you got your computer issue sorted out -- I remember your discussing it awhile back. I know nothing about Ubuntu or most of what you are talking about, though I did use plain old unix back in my job as a software engineer and enjoyed its simple elegance. $8 is a deal!

Have fun with it!

[ny biker]

Congrats on a successful conversion. I need to embark on a cable modem odyssey -- my wifi signal keeps disappearing and I'm pretty sure the old Comcast modem is the culprit. They told me to upgrade it ages ago but I ignored them because I was afraid I'd have trouble getting the new one to work with my router, and then I'd be trapped in an endless circle of "the problem is not our device, you have to call the other device's tech support." But I can't ignore it any longer so last week I did some research and found a highly-rated modem that I could buy to use with Comcast's service, and I bought it from Micro-center which has great tech support. Now I just need to take it out of the box and figure out how to hook it all up. Of course I'm putting it off because I rarely get through this sort of thing without frustration and anxiety. I really do need to dive in and deal with it though -- once I get the new modem working, I can return the old one and stop paying the monthly rental fee to Comcast.

(One reason I'm putting off hooking up the modem is that I'm still going through the New Phone Odyssey. It took so long to back up stuff from the phone and get the contacts transferred, and I'm still figuring out how to use some of the basic apps. This morning I had a voice mail and couldn't figure out how to listen to it. I can only take so much tech frustration.)

[ny biker]

I need to get a new pc for work. I can't work at the client location for this project due to a conflict between the pollution from the asphalt plant next door and my asthma, so I work at my company's HQ and connect remotely to my work pc. And I have to provide the computer that I use at my company's HQ. So far I've been using an old laptop that runs on Vista, but it's getting slower by the day. I already have a larger monitor connected to it (the laptop screen started to grow black spots) and a separate keyboard and mouse. So the old laptop is functioning like a desktop at this point.

And so I have to decide what new pc to get. Either a laptop or a desktop would work. I only need basic internet access for it, plus Word and Excel. One option is to get something refurbished, basic and cheap, probably with Windows 7. But then I wonder, maybe I should spend a little more for something better that could be used outside of work if needed -- to replace my laptop at home if that one develops problems or to give to a relative if this job goes away due to layoffs (which is a possibility on this project). Though perhaps a basic refurbished Windows 7 machine could be upgraded if necessary. I don't know.

[Catrin]

I need to get a new pc for work. I can't work at the client location for this project due to a conflict between the pollution from the asphalt plant next door and my asthma, so I work at my company's HQ and connect remotely to my work pc. And I have to provide the computer that I use at my company's HQ. So far I've been using an old laptop that runs on Vista, but it's getting slower by the day. I already have a larger monitor connected to it (the laptop screen started to grow black spots) and a separate keyboard and mouse. So the old laptop is functioning like a desktop at this point.

And so I have to decide what new pc to get. Either a laptop or a desktop would work. I only need basic internet access for it, plus Word and Excel. One option is to get something refurbished, basic and cheap, probably with Windows 7. But then I wonder, maybe I should spend a little more for something better that could be used outside of work if needed -- to replace my laptop at home if that one develops problems or to give to a relative if this job goes away due to layoffs (which is a possibility on this project). Though perhaps a basic refurbished Windows 7 machine could be upgraded if necessary. I don't know.
Keep in mind that Windows 7 will soon no longer be supported, and not all Windows 7 machines can take Windows 10. Just something to keep in mind while you consider your options, good luck with whatever you decide!

[salsabike]

Catrin, they are still doing security updates for Windows 7, per the following:

Mainstream support for Windows 7 ended on January 13, 2015. This means that no new Service Packs are coming for Windows 7, and no new features will be added to the operating system. It does not, however, mean that Microsoft is no longer patching the operating system.
Extended support is still ongoing until January 14, 2020. That’s the date Microsoft will stop issuing new security updates for Windows 7.
This means it’s safe to keep using Windows 7 until 2020, so long as you install all updates.

[Catrin]

That helps, certainly. Robust machines - especially refurbished - don't cost near as much as they did back in the day, hopefully you can can find something that will last as long as my desktop (and as well), and can eventually be upgraded Windows 10. My recent adventure was with an 8 year old desktop that I hope will be around for at least a couple more years - I know of new computers that are slower than my 2009 Sony. My driver issues with it was a special case due to proprietary hardware.

Have fun looking and good luck!

[smilingcat]

<geek speak>

Well, I have my father's last laptop. He bought it about a month before he was diagnosed with dementia so the laptop is literally brand new; but, it is slow and old, XP, celeron processor and less than a Megabyte of RAM. USB port is only 1.0 so again slow. I want to use it but just doesn't have the umph to deal with today's bloatware.

It did bootup Ubuntu 16.04.1 LTS but took about 4 minutes to do so off USB live. Tried loading OpenOffice because that is what I prefer over MS office suite. No go Joe!! So I tried something with smaller footprint using Puppy Linux (slackware version of Linux) it too didn't fare too well. Do I want to try Damn Small Linux distro? I think the problem is with USB1.0 port. I'm not ready to install linux onto the laptop hard drive yet.

<end geek speak> (oh what was the proper format for HTML??)

I like this laptop, its got a very nice screen.

So yes, you do want a Robust machine...

[Eden]

lol - that would be
<geek speak> </geek speak>

though in these days it's more likely to be written in Java... and someone else will have to advise you on that one :p

[Catrin]

Yes, Ubuntu does require rather robust resources, but there must be other options. You should be able to find a live CD, assuming it has a CD drive?

[smilingcat]

GAHHH!!!!

spent 6 hours or so tracking down a virus on my partners computer... How does she manage to get it infected with virus?? This isn't the first time or second time or third. This virus isn't as destructive as some of the others but it basically bricked her expensive WF-7620 epson printer. I ended up scrubbing her computer of printer drivers for the epson, managed to updated the firmware of her printer to unbrick it, tried to re-enable the printer from being offline to online, which it didn't take for some time. blah blah blah...
and got it fixed after much &^%$#.

Then just the other day, the strong windstorm came and knocked over a huge oak tree onto the power lines feeding my neighborhood. When the power went out, I had instructed her to unplug everything. When the power came back, we plugged everything back. Printers is offline again and I can't get it back on line. Checked the WiFi connection and its good... control panel> drivers printers> WF7620 and it says its on line but WF7620 says its off line GRRRR....
as last resort, reloaded the original driver after, once again, I scrubbed her computer... now the virus is back. ???? reloaded the updated driver and the virus is there. Checked for virus and it says it found no virus. THE NEW VIRUS HAVE A WORK AROUND TO ESCAPE DETECTION FROM MANY OF THE VIRUS DETECTION/MALWARE DETECTION SOFTWARE.

my partner is really mad at me now and I'm uber pissed off!! I'm not a GOD you know. Besides, I don't have enough hours in a day for my own work load. And I looked at her internet connection and its UNSECURE!!! %$# me!

And oh my dryer decided to go cold. It's an older machine so I could take it apart and fix it but again I just don't have time. Most likely, a blown thermal fuse somewhere inside or burnt out heating element. I did this three times growing up for my mother's dryer. maybe four times. Oh and our furnace made a huge exploding sound and had to be replaced about a month ago... Then about a week ago, I pulled my car into our drive way, parked it, set the parking brake, shut off the engine, took my foot off the brake pedal and the little jerk from the release of the brake pedal caused the car to break traction on the ice and my car sled backwards into my partner's pkup. I didn't have time to release the parking brake, restart the engine, put it into reverse and back out, so bump it went. Have an appt with body shop next Monday to get a quote then schedule a repair date.

gawd, I wish I was 6 feet under.

[ny biker]

So, not just a computer odyssey but a general machine-related odyssey for you, smilingcat. It does seem like everything breaks down at once. For me lately it's been phone, work pc, refrigerator, toaster oven, regular oven. Plus my car is due for service and has a dent in the front that I need to fix one of these days. So far I have only dealt with the phone and the toaster oven, though technically I'm not done with the phone yet -- I can't get it read the music files on the sd card and I still have to reset the old one and turn it in so I can get a credit for it. But once I finish dealing with that, I'm sure something else will break or wear out. It's always something!

[ny biker]

So, not just a computer odyssey but a general machine-related odyssey for you, smilingcat. It does seem like everything breaks down at once. For me lately it's been phone, work pc, refrigerator, toaster oven, regular oven. Plus my car is due for service and has a dent in the front that I need to fix one of these days. So far I have only dealt with the phone and the toaster oven, though technically I'm not done with the phone yet -- I can't get it read the music files on the sd card and I still have to reset the old one and turn it in so I can get a credit for it. But once I finish dealing with that, I'm sure something else will break or wear out. It's always something!

Just over a month later -- I still haven't dealt with the refrigerator or the oven, and still haven't been able to get my new phone to read the music files on the SD card. But I was forced into taking the car in for service this week. It's a long story so I'll just skip to the end and say that the guy at the local Toyota dealership who has been taking care of my car for years has once again done a great job of fixing things quickly and for a reasonable price.

More relevant to this thread, I have finally taken the plunge and gotten a new pc for work. The old one has just gotten so slow, I didn't want to put it off any longer. I prefer to buy from the local Micro-Center, and after looking through the laptops and desktops on their website, including the customer reviews, I decided to get a relatively inexpensive HP laptop with Windows 10. I will still use the larger monitor and more comfortable mouse that I already have. The guy at the store tried to upsell me because "the processor is not the latest model." This annoyed me; of course he doesn't know the backstory of how annoyed I am that I have to provide my own pc for work or how much I detest setting up new tech devices or how generally peevish I am right now due to the sedentary lifestyle that has been forced on me by the ankle injury, but still, when someone has obviously already chosen the exact model that they want before walking into the store, there are better ways of suggesting that they consider another product. Then he tried to sell me on anti virus software. Then he tried to help me choose an external hard drive even though I'd already done the research and made that decision, too. Eventually he figured out that I was not going to be a big spender, handed me the paperwork to take to the cashier and ran back to the pc department.

So now I am about ready to start the process of setting things up and transferring files from the old laptop to the new one. I do hope it goes smoothly. Once it's all up and running, I want to start using it after hours for some tutorials to learn a new programming language, which of course is another flavor of computer odyssey...

[smilingcat]

agree. Nothing gets me madder or faster to getting me angry than "you are just a girrl, what do you know about techie stuff. let me help you spend your money!" I hate guys who want to try to upsell me stuff. I know what I want.

BTW, I'm using my father's last laptop before he died. It's celeron and XP based Toshiba. Screen is still very nice. speed is really lacking. Tried slacko (Linux) and its still slow. Maybe I will upgrade my laptop to something with i7, 12G of DDR3 mem and Terabyte of storage. And it even has touch screen for around $600.00. tempted... Thought about hacking cheap chrome book into a Linux machine but Chrome has limited access and it can be difficult to change OS. And most can not be upgraded.

well. After the furnace replacement three month ago. Our dryer quit. So we bought a floor model that was dented for around half price. Hey, long as it works. Good enough for me and made sure it had valid warranty.

The third thing gone wrong is my ISP provided FiOS modem is shot. This is why I'm on a laptop at Starbucks. Talked to tech at Frontier Comm. At first it was can you do this, do that... After much annoyance and explaining to the "help desk" I asked for level 3 tech support. No can do... WHAT?? well after wasting hour of my time, they are sending a tech out. I've already told them that their MODEM, which they like to call HPNA box (What HPNA Home Phone Network Association product died when 802.11 WiFi standard came to being) died or rather its DNS server app died a horrible death. My VoIP phone with direct IP address has no problem of making connection but when I type something like teamestrogen.com or yahoo.com... It can't get to the internet.

And oh my Prius, during last ice storm, my car slid in my driveway and went bump into my GF's pkup. Fix is going to be $$$$. So I think I will order Tesla model 3 and wait it out with the beaten up prius. Of course I will have it fixed by then, still I'm tired and Prius is starting to annoy me. Model S is too big of a car. My friend had to Tesla-size his garage so his Tesla model S would fit.

I hate spending money... but this laptop is driving me bananas with its slow response. I'm bit spoiled for faster computers.

[Crankin]

You get what you pay for... I am not advocating frivolousness, but really? I understand being peeved about upselling and ISP providers are generally manipulative jerks, but unless you are really struggling, it seems like everything you mention are necessary items for what you do.
I have downsized much of my life in the past year, but still, high quality counts when you want it to last. And while I am not a tech savant, it appears that there is a planned obsolescence in these products.
And the ice, well, that's what heavy duty snow tires and AWD is for. And sometimes accidents happen and you can't control any of this, in the end. These are what I call the "normal bad things," in life, in that they happen to all of us. It's how we react that make the difference.

[smilingcat]

Well service tech came, he said, "Maam, your router is shot."
me: "No its not"
"where is the Frontier supplied router? I can't work with your router."
"Here" as I dig it out, wipe off the dust and hand the unopened box to him."

still no go.

he unplugged the "HPNA box" hooked up a new one, hooked it to their router and still no go. He said, "I need to go outside and check the box" It's the converter to go from FiOS (fiber optic) to coax. He replaced it as well. He comes back in and says that I had incorrectly connected my router to their HPNA box. (don't think so). He said that caused it to blow out his FiOS to coax converter and the HPNA box. And it also ruined my router. NOT going to write what I think of his "explanation"

He said they would normally charge me $500 to replace the equipment. At which point, I told him that we had a lightening strike nearby. I had forgotten to unplug my router, and Frontier's box. Rest of my computer equipment were not just turned off but had its power cord unplugged. So much for surge protectors and power conditioners. So Frontier isn't going to charge me for the replacement. whew!! escaped a $500 bill for now.

Frontier's router is pretty bad. Good thing I have a descent spare laying around. My old router had a built in print spooler along with other things. I repaired it about 2 years ago but after 6 years I guess it finally bricked. Cest La Vie.

Anyway, interim home connection was through my Google/Fi Nexus5x cell phone. I had tethered our computers to it. I'm not fully convinced that my old router is dead. I may poke around it... Maybe not (I just don't have time). Still have to tear apart the broken dryer and fix it. I had repaired my mothers dryer about six or so times growing up. So I think I can repair our broken one.

As for the dryer, I had built an interim drying rack. My partner didn't like it cause her shirt dried stiff and wrinkled. We now have the dented new one from Best Buy's. I no like. Too many computer stuff that can break. And there is no way I can fix the thing when it breaks.

Never marry an engineer cause this is what happens. Lots of patched up old stuff around the house along with patched up old cars.

[ny biker]

My father was born during the Depression into a family that never had a lot of money. He is all about fixing instead of replacing. I didn't inherit his mechanical aptitude but as time goes on I am more willing to try to eek more life out of things with duct tape etc.

I've been having wifi problems at home for months. The signal just randomly drops and then reappears after a minute or so. I assumed it was due to the Comcast cable modem, which they kept telling me to replace because the technology was out of date. When I finally dealt with the problem, I decided to buy a modem rather than continue paying a monthly fee to Comcast. So I did my research online, chose one that was listed on Comcast's site as compatible with their system, and bought it at Micro-Center. (They didn't try to upsell me on that purchase -- I usually don't have problems with them.) The set up and installation went fine, but the problem of wifi dropping out continues. I think now the problem is with the router. I thought it was only 2-3 years old but it turns out to be more like 5-6 years old. One of these days I will try updating the firmware, and hopefully that will solve the problem.

I do find it frustrating to have to deal with outdated technology. It's just a waste of time to have to replace/upgrade/set up new devices. And a waste of money. I am the kind of person who is still happy to drive a 10-year-old car with almost 128,000 miles on it -- it's a good, solid car and I'm happy not to have monthly car payments right now.

As for getting what you pay for, I agree to a point, but right now I don't feel like I can afford to always pay for top of the line products. I don't get raises or bonuses at work, but benefits like health insurance keep getting more expensive with less coverage, taxes go up, condo fees go up, all my expenses go up. So I need to make trade-offs. For this new pc, given the way I will use it and the fact that I've gotten by for so long with an old slow Vista laptop, there is just no justification for getting the fastest latest model.

[Crankin]

We've had our own modem for as long as we've had cable. DH always researches stuff like this ad nauseum. He is always searching to get a good deal for the stuff we need and want. I truly do not have the patience. My Mac laptop is 6 years old and just fine and so is my IPhone 5s. Those things don't matter to me that much; it's more the household stuff. If I had to buy a laptop for work, though, I would probably have a different attitude. DH's laptop from his new job is horrible, so he generally figures out how to get all of the stuff on his Mac and uses that at home.
I kept my last car for 10 years and the one before for 6; I sold that one to a get a smaller car. I hate my car now, but since I only drive 2 miles to work, I keep it. It's 5 years old. There's nothing wrong with it, but it is longer than I wanted and I made a bad decision. Problem is, I now have to consider things like easy maintenance and warranty when I buy the next one, as we will most likely be near full retirement. DH bought the only less expensive SUV/crossover I would consider (a Rav4), so I hope that other companies come out with cooler looking, similar cars. I think Hondas look like old people's cars. I will never buy a Suburu, so I am hoping Toyota or Hyundai comes out with something else.
I generally dislike all the technology change... if my DH dies before me, I will have serious issues running my home. Everything is automated and I can never remember how to use the stuff. He likes doing this stuff and I avoid it like the plague. My parents were like me, my dad included, so I guess I had bad role models.

[shootingstar]

Well I've never had to worry about a car to look after because I don't drive. Crankin your next car might be your last car so make it a good one.

A few months ago, I gave in and bought a new home computer..after other one died following a 6 yr. old lifespan...which to me, I wish it lasted a decade. Dearie does look at certain parts but doesn't spend a lot of time and energy looking for the cheapest deal all over town. Speed is important to me because of how I use my computer..and memory. I chatted with my work colleague who shares same cubicle space as mine...about what to do abaout a non-functional hard drive which has sensitive info. (1%). He said keep it for now. Too bad I couldn't find time to go to a public demolition of discarded hard drives, iphones that our local police was organizing and executing the debris smash up. It would have been perfect.

[Crankin]

Ha, ha Shooting Star. If I buy a car in the next 2-5 years, I don't think it will be my last one, or else that means I will be dying in my 70s. Even if I stopped driving before I die, I don't think it will be my last one.
I always say I don't care about cars, but now, after having 2 luxury cars, I kind of do. However, I like Toyotas and was very happy when I had one, so that's why I was kind of pissed when DH bought the one car I had my eye on. But, it was important to him that he get rid of his huge SUV, so I couldn't complain, as he was right, in this regard.

[emily_in_nc]

NY, that's one reason I bought my latest HP laptop with Windows 10 at Walmart. I was able to research the exact one I wanted, order it online, and pick it up in the store. I have no patience for salespeople. I know they are just doing their jobs, but I still don't like 'em. I am very self-sufficient. I love my laptop, though I do miss the smaller Asus hybrid tablet/laptop I had before this (and broke the screen trying to replace the battery after it went kaput...rats!)