I give up

GunJack

I love this thread, especially the link to The Register article (which I'd managed to lose some time ago )

I'll add my vote to the "don't smoke by the pc" brigade, having just returned one tonight that came from such a home....I smoke, but only outdoors...this lappy reeked :mad:

Margaret_Skinner

Yuk at that article!! :rotfl:

Anybody got any tips on tools to use for cleaning - is it a simple enough job? Anything I need to watch out for?

spud17

Margaret_Clark wrote: »

Anybody got any tips on tools to use for cleaning - is it a simple enough job?

The stinky smoker, or the PC? :rotfl:

tomsolomon

OP you were joking weren't you??? :rotfl:
If it has a genuine copy of Windows, you get the serial number before you wipe the HDD then you can reinstall it properly.
In recent times, there are only two malware infections that I recall, that were serious enough to kill the operating system to a point that I had to do a repair install, and only one that I can remember that I had to do a fresh install....
In fact the only time I do a fresh install, If I can help it, is when the HDD has failed or I have done a MOBO upgrade...
And yes there has been a spate of infected machines recently.....
What are you doing man, Get a grip....

tronator

tomsolomon wrote: »

If it has a genuine copy of Windows, you get the serial number before you wipe the HDD then you can reinstall it properly.

If it is a genuine copy of Windows, then there should be a serial number. If there is no serial number or he lost it, then it is not a genuine copy (anymore). The COA defines the legality of it, if you lost it, then you don't have a genuine copy of Windows anymore. Simples...

davester

Had the same thing, 10 minutes to boot up their computer, to find they had turned off the virus scanner, firewall you had set up for them the last time they virus riddled it. half of the screen in IE is toolbars which take ages to properly remove. the 5 hr scan cause its got so many viruses. Just wondering how long it will take before their daughter stuffs it up again.

I'm not doing for business ,just a favour. I think sometimes we need a computer licence to own and use one, just like a car.

tomsolomon

Try telling a teenager that if they download free music from Limewire it will kill the PC and they just laugh at you lol.....

stevemcol

15-20years ago many, most people didn't have a pc and they managed fine. Not the end of the world if you now have one but get it into a state every now and then. As long as the physical repairers get paid, everyone's happy. Just like plumbers occasionally have to clear a stubborn soil pipe. I'm sure they'd rather be replacing tap washers.
I've had a pc for 20 years now, have taken just reasonable precautions and got my only 2 serious viruses this year.
Fixed by AlienRik both times, for which I'm grateful.

I think what I'm trying to say is that some people see pc maintenance as life or death. Other people aren't that bothered. It's really not too important either way.

Donnie

Oldbiggles wrote: »

You can't add up, Whats 67+8? DAAAH!
Have you considered going back to college?. :rotfl:


Anyway, Whats a Limewire? But then if I haven't heard of it I'm not likely to have one. From what I've read about it here today I don't think I'll bother but thanks for the thought.

They tell us that old people are grumpy. They've lied to us!

Donnie

stevemcol wrote: »

15-20years ago many, most people didn't have a pc and they managed fine. Not the end of the world if you now have one but get it into a state every now and then. As long as the physical repairers get paid, everyone's happy. Just like plumbers occasionally have to clear a stubborn soil pipe. I'm sure they'd rather be replacing tap washers.
I've had a pc for 20 years now, have taken just reasonable precautions and got my only 2 serious viruses this year.
Fixed by AlienRik both times, for which I'm grateful.

I think what I'm trying to say is that some people see pc maintenance as life or death. Other people aren't that bothered. It's really not too important either way.

You can say that because you have people will to help you out for free. If it cost you £50 or more each time to call someone out, you might become a little more focussed.