Free Computer & Internet Access for Children aged 7-14 of Low Income Families

andyfrank

gohan2091 wrote: »

This laptop is mainly for my mum and two sisters and I want to get it set up an secure but i'm facing several problems:

- Unusable 3 Mobile Connection
- Installing Avira Anti-virus gives me an error with Windows Installer
- Cannot update Windows through Windows Update, installation always fails
- Sister cannot access various websites due to them being blocked
- Cannot add or remove Windows Components and Services, always gives me an error (I want to add default Windows games for my sister which is currently disabled)

I uninstalled NetIntelligence and that solved the issue with the blocked websites, but the other problems are still there. It seems either Windows is corrupt (very unlikely, it's pretty much default) or some software installed is interferring.

I know someone here says formatting the hard drive and using an official Windows 7 64bit disc with the Windows 7 product key from the laptop won't work but I wanted to try anyway, on a separate partition. I used a program that obtains the product key from the registry and I wrote that down (key is not shown on the sticker!) I am now having additional problems. It says "the product key you entered will not work with this edition of windows 7" oh well

EDIT: Problems have been sorted now, I did a full restore and everything I am telling Windows to do is working. One question though, is there a way to tell Windows to use 64bit mode? The cpu installed is a 64bit processor.

isnt it for your kids ? these laptops have been designed for kids and if you mess with windows etc your gonna get a LOT of problems and if it has to be returned the warranty will be void ...thats standard with any new pc for 12 months

gohan2091

andyfrank wrote: »

isnt it for your kids ? these laptops have been designed for kids and if you mess with windows etc your gonna get a LOT of problems and if it has to be returned the warranty will be void ...thats standard with any new pc for 12 months

I am 24 years old and don't have any kids. I live with my mum and my siblings and I am responsible for the main PC. I know a lot about computer software and know what I am doing. I started learning computer software when Windows 98 was out. This laptop is going to be used by my two sisters for school work and other things, but also by my mother to check social networking sites. Things like NetIntelligence is stopping my sister from going on sites she wishes to use, so I uninstalled it.

andyfrank

ok ok well it now makes sense , your not the parent , as most of us in here are the parents , ok i too took off netintelligent straight forward 1st time no probs , that wont hurt as our daughter is old enough to know the right and wrong sites to use , im presuming your trying to use facebook or bebo or myspace , thats fine if its monitored by someone who understand the full facts and dangers ... im saying this as you say 2 sisters , in the recent events that have occured over the last few weeks with facebook killings it is wise to monitor your sisters but be careful as when your messing with the operating system if you uninstall the wrong thing your going to make the pc not work properly , i understand that you know about pc's , i do too to a cerain extent and what i dont know my brother does as he been building them since win 95 , there is already an anti virus prog on it so i didnt try to put one on as , u will prob know if u try install 2 antivirus prog they will conflict and cause probs , all u needed to do really was remove net intelligence ...providing you and your mum understand that young girls CAN get carried away on social networking sites so make them TOTALLY aware of the dangers ... we keep telling our daughter and shes very level headed for her age , i only tookoff a few things progs that i knew wouldnt be used , but i can tell you 100% fact that if you !!!! up the OS then the laptop will be void from any 12 month warranty ...thats standard procedure anywere

gohan2091

andyfrank wrote: »

ok ok well it now makes sense , your not the parent , as most of us in here are the parents , ok i too took off netintelligent straight forward 1st time no probs , that wont hurt as our daughter is old enough to know the right and wrong sites to use , im presuming your trying to use facebook or bebo or myspace , thats fine if its monitored by someone who understand the full facts and dangers ... im saying this as you say 2 sisters , in the recent events that have occured over the last few weeks with facebook killings it is wise to monitor your sisters but be careful as when your messing with the operating system if you uninstall the wrong thing your going to make the pc not work properly , i understand that you know about pc's , i do too to a cerain extent and what i dont know my brother does as he been building them since win 95 , there is already an anti virus prog on it so i didnt try to put one on as , u will prob know if u try install 2 antivirus prog they will conflict and cause probs , all u needed to do really was remove net intelligence ...providing you and your mum understand that young girls CAN get carried away on social networking sites so make them TOTALLY aware of the dangers ... we keep telling our daughter and shes very level headed for her age , i only tookoff a few things progs that i knew wouldnt be used , but i can tell you 100% fact that if you !!!! up the OS then the laptop will be void from any 12 month warranty ...thats standard procedure anywere

If the OS is messed up, you can just press F4 during bootup and restore it, there is really no risk. I know what I am doing so no need to worry about me.

The anti-virus installed is Windows Defender, and I don't rate it very good. I disabled it and installed Avira Anti-Virus (free download). It keeps my PC and now the laptop safe from threats. I also have Malwarebytes and Spyware Blaster for spyware protection, and the default Windows Firewall is fine as a firewall.

One of my sisters is young, she only uses the laptop for games and the odd mess around in paint. My older sister is 13, she knows to be careful but thanks for your concern.

prowla

purple_cat wrote: »

Toshiba is by far the best laptop available. it even has a hdmi output so you can connect it up to a hd tv (if ur lucky enough to have one) and watch movies slideshows presentations etc on ur tv.

"by far" the best - why?

hookymiss

gohan2091 wrote: »

I am 24 years old and don't have any kids. I live with my mum and my siblings and I am responsible for the main PC. I know a lot about computer software and know what I am doing. I started learning computer software when Windows 98 was out. This laptop is going to be used by my two sisters for school work and other things, but also by my mother to check social networking sites. Things like NetIntelligence is stopping my sister from going on sites she wishes to use, so I uninstalled it.

How did you manage to uninstall NetIntel? I have been told you need a password. We have set up all the settings in this program for parent and learner, last night parent accessed facebook, today when we tried acess denied again. I've been told it even blocks Wikipedia which my daughter uses quite alot for research in school work!! Should we try to get rid of it?

only_mee

prowla wrote: »

"by far" the best - why?

I'd like to know this too, seeing as the Samsung is dual core.
Our barclaycard is being processed now i was advised Friday so want to get it right on the one i order for my son.

gohan2091

hookymiss wrote: »

How did you manage to uninstall NetIntel? I have been told you need a password. We have set up all the settings in this program for parent and learner, last night parent accessed facebook, today when we tried acess denied again. I've been told it even blocks Wikipedia which my daughter uses quite alot for research in school work!! Should we try to get rid of it?

You have to login to the Net Intelligence website (or was that Home Access website?) I don't remember exactly but when logged in, there is a support tab, inside there is your password. Now go to control panel inside Windows, then programs, then uninstall programs. Find Net Intelligence and uninstall it, enter the password when it asks.

outofmoney

Out of interest, does anyone know if the Net intelligence controls can control other PCs? On their website it says up to 3 but this may only be the bought version.

karend1980

I have ordered my computer today from positive IT.. they say about 5 day for delivery, my daughter cant wait, as our PC is close to packing in completely!!