A trend you notice after awhile

When you fix as many computers as I do, you tend to learn alot about brands simply by the number and kind of computers you get calls about.  On that note, why do I keep getting HP laptops with hardware problems?  Of course that is a rhetorical question, but over the years, if it is a laptop hardware issue, it probably is a HP laptop.  Dealing with 3 of them (2, the same model, G60).  A bad motherboad, and a bad DC adapter.  Oh, well, I know what not to recommend for now....

I feel better, somebody else has toolbar hell

Sometimes you cannot get a customer to understand that the problem is not the computer.  Take a guess on what the problem is?  The most recent case involves the problem of the Comcast email page that does not load properly.   In short, toolbars that the person installed were buggy and caused problems with the site loading properly.  A couple of uninstallations, and problem solved,..or so I thought.  Remember, your local tech guy can only fix your computer.  Putting icons and individual webpages back exactly to the way you want it is your job.  Now that I vented, check out this repost from PCWorld on somebody else who experienced toolbar nightmare.  I am not alone!

How to keep unwanted toolbars out of your browser

By Rick Broida, PCWorld    Sep 5, 2012 11:35 AM

Very often I'm called upon to troubleshoot PCs belonging to friends and relatives. While poking around for problems, I almost always encounter the same oddity: a Web browser packed with toolbars. Sometimes I'll find two or three of them, sometimes even more.

Maybe it's a Yahoo toolbar -- for someone who's not a Yahoo user. Maybe it's a security toolbar from the likes of McAfee -- even though the user runs Norton anti-virus. Very often it's some weird shopping or promotional toolbar I've never heard of.

Invariably I ask the question: "Where did these come from?" The response is always the same: "I don't know."

Psst. I know. Most likely, those toolbars came from you.

Well, okay, you didn't write the code, but there's a very good chance you allowed them to be add to your browser. That's because software developers often sneak toolbars into their installers, and users often click right past the option to opt out.

For example, I recently had to update my Java installation, a hassle that happens so often, when the time comes that I can't take the nagging any longer, I usually just click through the installation as quickly as possible.

Ah, but my keen eye noticed that Java wanted to install the Ask Toolbar along the way (and make it my default search tool!). It was simple enough to clear the checkbox and bypass installing Ask, but for someone who isn't paying close attention or doesn't know any better, bam: new toolbar. Bad Java. Bad! I noticed something very similar recently when test-driving a Slimware utility.

The problem with all these toolbars is they slow down your browser, add clutter to your screen, and even increase the risk of virus and spyware infections. (That said, some toolbars are the result of spyware, so it's not always the user's fault.)

The moral of the story: When you install a new program, especially if it's freeware or shareware, don't just blindly click through each page of its installer. Take your time, and make sure you're not inadvertently agreeing to install a toolbar.

Woot! makes a comeback

An old favorite site of mine, woot.com actually had a good deal today. For those not in the know, woot is a website that has a daily deal. One day only, get it while it lasts. Today was the 11 inch, i5 apple MacBook air, with 2GB of ram and a 64 SSD drive for $779. Pretty good. I may have to start my daily watch again of the site. I did get a USB turntable for $22 though, so I did buy something. You have no idea how bad I wanted to hit buy on that Air though!

I hope Firefox gets this straightened out

Mozilla on it's routine update schedule released Firefox 15.  I surely hope it fixes whatever it is that continually crashes Firefox.  I've turned to Google Chrome out of frustration.  I really hope whatever bugs this latest update fixes, includes the one that is driving me crazy.

When you cannot solve a problem, research it!

Sounds pretty simple, but it is the basis of one of the What's New Articles on the left, "Seven VPN Services You Should Know About".  I was recently dealing with a client who needed to use a VPN for work, but work did not provide any technical support for any computer connection issues.  For over a week, her VPN connection would continually disconnect/reset.  Although we did not find the exact solution (forums listed hundreds of users with the same issue, with no one solution), it did prompt me to research optional VPN solutions.  Some are paid, some are free, and it is good reading for those interested in securing their Internet connection for specific reasons.

Check out the What's New Section on Left!

I add tons of articles/links on the site and I've discovered that it may be difficult to keep track of what is new and interesting other than the postings I have here in the blog.  Problem solved, on your left at the top is a new section called What's New!   If the article or link is too large for the blog it will be there.  A convenient place to see what new content has been added.  First entry, a 60 minute security makeover from computerworld.com.   If you have an hour to spare and a real desire to protect your digital life online, check it out.