Geek stuff, computer misc

[Catrin]

Catrin, what's the issue with the new version of AVG? I'm pretty sure my Windows "partition" running under Parallels is 64-bit, since the host computer is? I downloaded it whenever they released it and haven't had any trouble yet, but I basically use Windows only for SportTracks and nothing else.

You lucked out since you don't have a Windows 7 machine, you can find more information here, and here.

Basically they released an update for AVG that made Windows totally unusable on a Windows 7 64-bit machine. I know 6-7 people personally this happened to and heard of others. They had no choice but to reformat their hard-drive and to reinstall everything as the fix suggested by AVG did not work for them. AVG did remove that update version and took care of it, but the damage was already done.

Everyone makes mistakes, but after THAT size of a mistake I won't be risking their product again - sadly. I like the interface much better than Avast...

[Irulan]

Before I installed the update I did some googling on it and it appeared there was an issue that may or may not have been resolved, so I knew I was taking a chance when I installed it. I didn't have a full crash thank you but there were definitely problems.

How do I tell if my machine is 64 bit or not? It's a custom build that the geek child did for me a few years ago.

[Catrin]

Before I installed the update I did some googling on it and it appeared there was an issue that may or may not have been resolved, so I knew I was taking a chance when I installed it. I didn't have a full crash thank you but there were definitely problems.

How do I tell if my machine is 64 bit or not? It's a custom build that the geek child did for me a few years ago.

They haven't been common for all that long - but if you go to your start menu/control panel/system it will tell you if you have a 64-bit operating system or a 32. Also apparently Windows 7 was more susceptible than others - and I doubt that problem update was out there all that long before this was discovered and dealt with.

[Becky]

Sheesh....makes me glad that I've been dragging my feet on installing my Vista-to-7 upgrade!! I am running AVG 2011....

That's scary stuff!

[Catrin]

Windows 7 is great, I like it much better than Vista. AVG should have checked their installation on 64-bit machines more thoroughly. At one time they were not very common, but more and more PC manufacturers are selling a larger percentage of 64-bit operating systems and some ONLY sell 64-bit....

I suspect that AVG will not make that mistake again as this will hurt their reputation for at least a time.

[Irulan]

They haven't been common for all that long - but if you go to your start menu/control panel/system it will tell you if you have a 64-bit operating system or a 32. Also apparently Windows 7 was more susceptible than others - and I doubt that problem update was out there all that long before this was discovered and dealt with.

Athalon 64x2 Dual.... is that it?
Still running XP w/no issues

[Catrin]

Athalon 64x2 Dual.... is that it?
Still running XP w/no issues

It sounds like you do indeed have 64-bit processors - cool ---- but you still may have a 32-bit operating system. XP did come in a 64-bit option (I think it was the Professional version) and there should be something on your system display that says which version of the operating system you have. What information does it provide for your operating system when you go to the start menu/control panel/operating system?

My display has a line for operating system type - and this is where it says that I have a 64-bit OS, but XP may display that differently - it's been a long time since I've worked with XP.

[Irulan]

It sounds like you do indeed have 64-bit processors - cool ---- but you still may have a 32-bit operating system. XP did come in a 64-bit option (I think it was the Professional version) and there should be something on your system display that says which version of the operating system you have. What information does it provide for your operating system when you go to the start menu/control panel/operating system?

My display has a line for operating system type - and this is where it says that I have a 64-bit OS, but XP may display that differently - it's been a long time since I've worked with XP.

I am still using XP home so I bet it's not the 64 bit. The geek child does like to build me nice systems... too bad he moved 2000 miles away.