computer issues and recommendations

My desktop pc was overcome with a virus last week. Long story short, after 6 days/nights of effort, the hard drive is shot. I tried reinstalling Windows, but it would not do it. Tried reformatting the C:/ drive with no success. Talked to McAfee, Dell and Microsoft. Nothing worked. What irks me is that my McAfee is up-to-date and this virus still got through.

I may spend $75 and get a new hard drive just to keep the pc for my kids. But my wife wants a laptop for the convenience.

I know very little about good features for a laptop. Basically I want to use it for MS Office, internet, music files, photos. Any suggestions on hard drive size, brands you recommend (or to avoid), etc would be appreciated. I'm thinking of sticking with Dell, but am not definite.

That sucks about the desktop.... have you tried holding down the "F10" key while you turn the computer on? This SHOULD allow you to re-format the drive.

The F10 key is of the few things I have not done. Thanks for the suggestion SC. I tried in Safe Mode, tried reinstalling Windows with the F12 key. It's worth a shot.

Would reformatting the drive also fix any significant problems contained within the drive?

If it's a virus who's in the BIOS, then you can throw away your harddrive.

For laptops I suggest:

* Processor 2.0 Ghz (more then enough for you, avoid Celeron brand. Then you better buy Intel 1.8 Ghz)
* 80 Gb harddrive should do the trick, unless you have very much data/photo's/music
* At least 1 Gb 'intern memory'(2 Is better and very important)
* 256 Mb videocard.

The rest isn't important enough for you

Thanks for the recommendations MM Floors.

I suddenly have no sound on my computer. I usually just keep it muted unless I want to hear something. The little speaker with a red "x" (indicating muted) is still at the bottom of the screen. However when I click it to turn the volume back on I get an error message saying "no audio is installed."

I keep up on my computer updates as I'm notified and recently installed a servicepack 3 but my sound was working even after that. I'm not sure what to do to restore the sound.

I did in my browsing notice there is a "sound card" and you can install sound card drivers, but don't know if that would apply to my problems. I just want my sound back.

TIS

Try rebooting the computer, TIS.

Nope, didn't work? Any other ideas???


TIS

Yeah... check your voicemail.

Thanks SC. I'm at my daughter's babysitting right now, so I'm afraid I'll have to work with it later since it suddenly turned hectic. But I'll try later. Gotta go now.


TIS

Cool. Give her/them a kiss for me.

Config => sound => and check your sound card 'name' => search on google with 'Driver update "name"'=> download => install.

Should work.

I lucked out. One of the IT guys where I worked had my pc for 24 hours. He reformatted the hard drive, reinstalled XP and I'm up and running. It took 10 days to get back to this point but I'm glad to not have to plunk down the money for a new pc.

Ok, I got my sound back. I went into device manager and updated a driver and I have it back. I don't know exactly how it happened but I'm good now. (Took me all morning though)

Thanks

TIS

I bought a nice acer netbook computer a few months back. It works great for me. Hope I never have any problems with it. My old laptop computer kept having viruses on it. Mostly due to me watchin' porn on it. Don't make the same mistake. It will cost you every time.

That'll teach you to watch porn. Careful or you'll go blind.

A while back I posted problems with my pointer/mouse. I can browse the web, but when I try to do a search on Google/Yahoo or whatever it goes wild and shakes and won't let me click anything.

BUT, when I use Firefox instead of IE it works. Go figure!!! I know the solution is to use Firefox, but I don't get what is broken? Why would it work on one and not the other????

TIS

Microsoft is what's broken.

In fact, lately often so is Firefox. I've been using Google Chrome for a long while now, and for the most part it's been better/faster than even Firefox. It just doesn't have all the bells and whistles, which is fine to speed things up.

I use Firefox 1st, Chrome 2nd, and IE only if absolutely necessary.

Did you buy the Aspire 1, or 1410? I spent the extra on the 1410, and like it for what it is.

I'm just gonna watch it until I need glasses.

It's the Aspire one. It works really great 4 me.

I have finally reacquired nearly everything that had been previously working prior to the virus. I got sound to work last week. My final missing feature is "standby," which is not even on a pulldown menu for me. I thought that it was a fairly basic feature - anybody know how I can reestablish "standby/hibernate?"

Try the "Control Panel" folder.

Go to Start > Control Panel > Display > Screen Saver > Power.

SC

I have gone there and it's not even an option, for some strange reason. It just has Logoff or Shutdown as options.

Hmmm.... what happens when you press the Start button? Do you get an option (near the bottom of the next screen) to Turn Off the computer? If so, press it and see if there is a Standby option there.

Also not even an option. I see "Logff" or "Shutdown" only. Is there a download available through Microsoft?

Dunno. One of the computer experts will have to chime in.

You might want to check the msn website to see if they offer anything like that. Do a search for "standby".

From what I'm seeing from a google search, I'd try making sure your chipset (from manufacturer) and video drivers are up to date. If you had to reformat, then you'll need to update all your drivers again. If you reset your BIOS, you'll want to check those settings as well. Read over some of the search results for other ideas...

Thanks, Geoff. I'll take a look after work tonight.

I still couldn't make the change. Geoff - what is the BIOS and where on the pc can I reset it?

If you have to ask that question, then it's probably not something you should fiddle with. I'd ask your IT guy if he's made any changes there, or what solutions he recommends...

Ok so microsoft is broken. Is there anyway to fix it? Is it my computer then????
Also, can download the google chrome and use it just as I use Firefox? If so, anything I should now? Any potential problems?

Thanks
TIS

Chrome is slick and fast, TIS - and you should be able to import your shIEt bookmarks into it as well. I haven't used IE (everyday) in years, and it's been mostly smooth sailing!

That's exactly what my first girlfriend said. Were you talking to her?

I finally was able to reacquire "Standby" mode. I worked with Dell through their "help" chat and obtained the correct drivers. Basically, it took an entire month to get everything functioning how it used to. What a pain, but it worked out without plunking down the money for a new pc.

You're welcome. Wouldn't have taken an entire month had you asked a month ago, tho. Glad things are back to normal

No, what I meant was the standby thing was minor - definitely did not waste a month on just that . I tried to get my pc working from the virus for nearly 2 weeks, which was an exercise in frustration.

I had never considered installing Chrome. Then I read some of ya'll's posts about it. So, I tried it. Boy, is it fast.