PC frustrations

[XDConvert9mm]

Another good, free cleanup program is CCleaner (used to be called CrapCleaner before they got "PC" in their naming).

CCleaner - Download

I use it every couple of weeks. It will kill all cookies and temp files so you need to reenter passwords and user names at your favorite sites.

[Conceyted]

All of these little programs on your computer is exactly why you hate windows. These do nothing more than take up resources. Learn what they are actually doing and set your computer up in a way that you can maintain these on your own. Having too many gadgets and gizmos can and will slow your computer down. If you want something to clear temp files and passwords and cookies, there is a button in internet options that will do this with ONE CLICK. If any of these small programs have background operations, you can almost bet you will get spyware with it. Especially if the program is free. My .02

[WD40]

Originally Posted by Conceyted

All of these little programs on your computer is exactly why you hate windows. These do nothing more than take up resources. Learn what they are actually doing and set your computer up in a way that you can maintain these on your own. Having too many gadgets and gizmos can and will slow your computer down. If you want something to clear temp files and passwords and cookies, there is a button in internet options that will do this with ONE CLICK. If any of these small programs have background operations, you can almost bet you will get spyware with it. Especially if the program is free. My .02

There are more things that slow down windows than temp. internet files, cookies, form data. In my opinion, most problems with windows stem from the registry.

CC Cleaner.
Advanced Window Care is another free program that works great.
Avast Anti Virus
AVG Anti Virus
Zone Labs firewall

These are just a few free programs that work well. Not all free programs are bad.

[XDConvert9mm]

Originally Posted by WD40

There are more things that slow down windows than temp. internet files, cookies, form data. In my opinion, most problems with windows stem from the registry.

CC Cleaner.
Advanced Window Care is another free program that works great.
Avast Anti Virus
AVG Anti Virus
Zone Labs firewall

These are just a few free programs that work well. Not all free programs are bad.

+1. AdAware is another good, free program I use for cleanup of adware/malware.

[Deadcenter]

I use CrapCleaner - I trust it with my registry

[TFordyce]

When you say you restarted your computer did you do a complete shut down with time waited for the memory to drain. A complete shut down will normally fix something that wasn't broke the night before. A quick restart doesn't allow the RAM memory to drain.

[setabkcin]

Originally Posted by Joeywhat

Yes, he is. While Macs do not suffer from some problems that PC users face every day, they have their own problems. Anyone that says Macs don't crash is a liar, I see it happen every day.

At the end of the day, the majority of problems are caused by user error. You can't blame the computer...you're the one telling it what to do.

If you'd like help with your sound issue post some more info, such as operating system, and exactly what happened.

This is kind of inaccurate. I am a Mac convert. I've been using the same MacBook Pro everyday for the last two years. It has crashed once. Guess what program crashed: Microsoft Word. This is the only Microsoft software I use. Even while running Photoshop, Illustrator, Maya, and a handful of other applications at the same time it still runs smoothly.

I'm curious, where are you when you see Macs crash everyday? How old are they?

Also, Macs can't really get viruses either. The reason for this is that most viruses are programmed for Windows, which uses a different code than Macs. These viruses are programmed for Windows because the majority of the population uses it, this way it causes more damage. However, Mac users using Boot Camp or Parallels will still be prone to these viruses. A Mac running Windows is no different that a PC running Windows.

So, yes, Macs are still prone to errors, however, in my last two years of using a Mac I've only had one crash, as opposed to the two crashes a day on average I had with the Dell I had before that, which was only six months old when I stopped using it.

[Mr. Wolf]

Ubuntu 8.10 is now available.

I've installed in on my 2001 Compaq laptop with a PCIMA wireless card.
It recognizes every piece of hardware on the 7 year old laptop!

The entire install was ~3 gigs... and with it comes Open Office, bunch of image manipulation software, Firefox 3 beta. To get an equivalent XP install, I'd say it would be a 6+ gigs. Oh and it already comes with tons of free internet tools like bit torrent, instant messenger, VOIP etc.

I haven't used my XP based desktop in 3+ weeks.

Ubuntu, linux simplicity and XP simplicity of software install, without the Mac hype.

Cheers and welcome to the real world.

[Joeywhat]

Originally Posted by setabkcin

This is kind of inaccurate. I am a Mac convert. I've been using the same MacBook Pro everyday for the last two years. It has crashed once. Guess what program crashed: Microsoft Word. This is the only Microsoft software I use. Even while running Photoshop, Illustrator, Maya, and a handful of other applications at the same time it still runs smoothly.

I'm curious, where are you when you see Macs crash everyday? How old are they?

Also, Macs can't really get viruses either. The reason for this is that most viruses are programmed for Windows, which uses a different code than Macs. These viruses are programmed for Windows because the majority of the population uses it, this way it causes more damage. However, Mac users using Boot Camp or Parallels will still be prone to these viruses. A Mac running Windows is no different that a PC running Windows.

So, yes, Macs are still prone to errors, however, in my last two years of using a Mac I've only had one crash, as opposed to the two crashes a day on average I had with the Dell I had before that, which was only six months old when I stopped using it.

Yes, Macs CAN get viruses. Saying that since no one writes anything for a Mac doesn't make them immune by any means. If someone felt that writing a Mac virus could benefit them, you'd see it, and it would be more then able to do it's job. In fact, it''d probably be even more devastating then on a windows machine since there's really no "plan of attack" for if a mac gets a virus. It would have to be cleaned manually.

I see macs crash when doing digital audio work, mainly. I see them crash just about as often as my PC's. And of course a Microsoft product is going to have troubles when run on a Mac OS....it was programmed for Windows. Unless the program was specifically designed to run on your operating sytem, there will certainly be troubles...ever run iTunes on Windows?

And if you're Dell was crashing twice a day there is something seriously run with what you are doing. My current computer, a Toshiba laptop has been crash free since I bought it 6 months ago, and my custom build had a handful of crashes in the year it was around..mostly due to me doing something stupid with it.

Basically what I'm trying to say is the differences between a mac and pc are negligable. They will both enounter problems, and even then it's usually due to user error. Remember, buying an Intel Mac is JUST like buying any old PC now...only the operating system is different.

[Bree]

Kevwyo...

I just ordered a new system on Friday and got a terrific deal. Here it is:

Gateway Computers: Store - Product Details for Gateway® FX541X

Gateway FX541X with a Q9300 2.5 Ghz Quad Core, 3 GB RAM, NVIDIA 8800 GT, 500 GB Drive, BluRay DVD, Vista Home Premium 32 bit and the other good stuff shown in the link plus a Gateway HD2200 22" LCD Monitor.

BTW... Don't get a 64 bit Vista OS if you have any software running 16 bit subroutines as they won't run on the 64 bit Vista. The retail Q9300's from Best Buy and NewEgg have the 64 bit OS. I run a lot of Adobe CS3 software and most won't run on 64 bit.

If you are interested in knowing who cut me the deal, PM me. I got the system for $1,450 plus tax... delivered.

Best way to get out of computer hell is just get a new system!! LOL!