Update Update

[bort]

I just ordered a new Cronkhite gig bag for my Marzan.

They come so highly recommended, it's time I see what all the fuss is about.

[tbn.al]

I want one of you techie types to write me a program that works like an ant. That is it goes back along the trail of another ant until it gets back where it started. I want it to track computer bugs back to where the started and implant a virus in the original computer from whence the virus that infected mine originated. Better yet not just the original computer but the human operator of said computer. Make it carry a real nasty strain, like maybe ebola. Give me the beta free and I'll market it and make you rich.

[Chadtuba]

I finally have Finale Print Music installed on my puter. Its the 2004 edition, but I'm sure that it'll do everything I need and want.

[windshieldbug]

I want one of you techie types to write me a program that works like an ant. ... a real nasty strain ... I'll market it and make you rich.

Who wants another nasty aunt!?

[WakinAZ]

Still smoke-free. Just like the myriad of attempts before, the first week doesn't seem to be any trouble.

1. Congrats, again

2. Keep changing those habits. Green tea vs. coffee, soft drinks and a snack vs. drinking alcohol, exercise vs. not, chew lots of minty gum to make mouth feel too good for smoke, get your teeth cleaned, PLAY THE TUBA A LOT AND ENJOY THE EXTRA AIR RESERVE, sleep more, read more, etc, etc. Whatever negative life patterns were reinforcing the habit, change them... [note: this may involve avoiding certain people, at least for a while]

3. I knew I was "safe" when I could have a beer or two and not feel like smoking. As a person who has always enjoyed my beer, I pretty much had to give it up for a while to get the nicotine monkey off my back, due to the association of a beer and a smoke. I now avoid smoky places like casinos, because the smell of smoke is a temptation when I'm there and is gross to smell on my (and my wife's) hair and clothing when I leave.

Eric "clean for 1.5 years, but never far from straying" L.

[Todd S. Malicoate]

Thanks for your encouragement, Eric!

10 days now and still stink-free. I truly haven't had much problems with cravings or "withdrawl" this time. Those "scientists" who claim that nicotine addiction is worse than heroin can't be serious! It really is true that if you just make the decision and declare victory over the addiction you can prevail!

Tonight I went to both Wal-Marts in town (which I rarely do) to reward myself with a Wii system (they are advertising the complete system for $199). I'm not big on game systems but the ex and the kids have one at their house and the Wii Fit stuff looks like a good efficient way to exercise. Of course, neither store had any in stock so I treated myself to one of those nice deli plates of fresh fruit instead.

15 minutes ago I decided, just for fun, to search that big garage sale site to see how much used ones are going for. I found a like-new system with a few "extras" IN TOWN for $180 (and no sales tax...whoopee!). I sent the seller a message to see if we can work out a "drop-off meeting" after I pay with PayPal to avoid the hassle, expense, and possible damage of shipping it.

Seems like my lucky night!

[tbn.al]

Due to aforementioned nasty virus, today I begin the 2 day process of stocking the new computer with all the proprietary software necessary to do business and all my personal software and data from my old hard drive. The old computer won't even start. I'll have to access the old hard drive with an external cable. This really sucks. I could be practicing or something else useful. McAfee really let me down. Of course they won't even answer their phone. There is simply no such thing as customer service any more. On the bright side, I did get a new computer built to my specs and delivered in less than 36 hours.

[TubaTodd]

McAfee really let me down.

McAfee just isn't a very good product. I would recommend taking the "belt and suspenders" approach to protection for the future. Assuming this is a personal machine for home use (licensing issue with MSE), I would install...

1. Microsoft Security Essentials
2. Spybot Search and Destroy (do NOT enable the TeaTimer. It is annoying).

Once those are installed, update them and make sure you "immunize" Spybot. Schedule MSE for weekly full scans. Use Spybot monthly to do a full scan.

[MartyNeilan]

MalWareBytes. McAfee will be happy to tell you that what you have is not technically a virus, but it is malware. MalWareBytes has a free version that is on-demand and removes stuff that is already there. It is excellent at cleaning an infected PC when nothing else will. They also have a pay version that may include a realtime scanner. I would suggest using that in conjunction with McAfee or Norton.

[WakinAZ]

Norton let a trojan through on me, last time I paid one of the big boys for crummy protection. Granted, it was on the 'puter my teenage sons use , but still. Had to reinstall the whole OS and all programs after that to get rid of the trojan.

I now use avast! free version for a-v. I was also using a grab bag of various freeware/shareware adware and spyware programs until Marty's suggestion for the MalWareBytes, seems to be a better solution so far. Thanks for the tip, Marty.

[Thomas Maurice Booth]

mmmmmmm.... Bacon Poetry

http://baconhaikus.wordpress.com/" target="_blank

You have been updated.

TMB

[tbn.al]

Don't you have one of those repair price signs is your shop? You know, the one that lists the hourly rates like this.

$25 per hour
$50 if you watch
$100 if you help
$250 if you tried to fix it first

I thought I remembered seeing a version of that when I was there.

[tbn.al]

The new computer is fully fuctional. All pertinent data has been succesfully transferred from the old infected hard drive via a hard disk adapter and USB cable to run it as a slave. Now to see if the old computer can be resurected with Marty's Malwarebytes suggestion. My home office techie guy also recommended that program. Three others have failed. We'll see.

[tbn.al]

Thank You, Thank You, Marty! Malwarebytes did the job. I did have to run it a couple of times and then use Windows repair a couple of times. I now have two workable laptops. I really like the old one better because it has the 1920X1200 screen and the new one is 1440X900. I may see if I can swap the screens. They are both Dell 1720's, but the new one is a Vostro. Anyway with the help of a bunch of people including this forum, Marty, I am up and running without losing any data. 55,000 emails from work for instance. I am also subscribing to an off site backup service. I can recommend a useful tool, SATA/IDE Combo Drive Adapter for USB by Inland. Sold by Micro Center. I sould not have recovered my data without it. Took the drive out the infected laptop, plugged it up to the adapter, plugged it into a USB port on my new laptop and transfered the files. Fast and safe. The old computer was running Vista and the new one is 7. My admin rights were taken away but I was able to get around that using the slave drive idea.

[Chadtuba]

Blizzard happenings in the great frozen tundra that is ND. No school today, unfortunately my body would not let me get a little extra sleep If you are out and about in this please be safe.

[tbn.al]

My daughter just informed me that I'm to be a grandfather again! Grandchildren have to spread the most joy of all God's creation!

[TubaRay]

My daughter just informed me that I'm to be a grandfather again! Grandchildren have to spread the most joy of all God's creation!

I'm not entirely certain you have placed this post in the proper topic. You post is not even nearly useless.

[tubatooter1940]

My daughter just informed me that I'm to be a grandfather again! Grandchildren have to spread the most joy of all God's creation!

I'm not entirely certain you have placed this post in the proper topic. You post is not even nearly useless.

Heck no it's not useless. Congratulations, Al.
toots

[windshieldbug]

I'm not entirely certain you have placed this post in the proper topic. You post is not even nearly useless.

Perhaps, but you HAVE been updated. Congratulations!

[Rick Denney]

Update: I quit my job today.

Rick "You have been updated" Denney