Help. Any computer gurus/experts out there?

[shadowkat]

Okay I've been wrestling with this long enough on my own and need some adivce.
Since it's driving me crazy. Spent half the morning wrestling with the MSN support desk and the half wrestling with Dell's support site. Neither answered my questions or helped. (Case in point, when I went back to review and edit this entry I got disconnected from the internet and had to sign back in. I'm this close to throwing the damn computer out the window and buying a whole new system, but have a few qualms about doing it.)

Here's the situation - my computer is slow, my internet connection disconnects me approximately every 30 minutes. When I disconnect from it - the email takes an hour to sychronize and will not let go of my phone line or disconnect until it's through. Sometimes it will freeze my computer - forcing me to shut it off in mid synchronization or just reboot. I can't download graphics, music, or pictures. The operating system is also a little on the slow side, but nothing compared to the internet.

Information on my computer system:
My operating system is Windows Me.
I have Dell Dimension 4100 and Epson Stylus C66 Printer. My internet connection is MSN 9 - Dial-up Accelerator. My Ram is 128.0M. 32 bit.
There are no PC cards installed. And no Disk Compression. I have
Cable/Internal Modem/4C. There is no mention in the original configuration of an NIC Card. Not sure if I have it or not.
Oh and I have Spybot, Adware, and Norton AntiVirus 2005 all installed. MSN uses MacAfee. Computer to the best of my knowledge is free of all adware, viruses and spyware. Also have deleted all internet cache and cookies.

What I want to do is the following:
1. Exchange music with a friend or download music at some point
2. Greater speed in researching items online
3. Greater speed regarding email
4. Ability to go to more than one site at once, without computer freezing on me.
5. Ability to see graphics and download.
6. Ability to file share or even see streaming videos. Current system I cannot watch any videos on the net
7. No disconnection from the net - so can post and read uninterrupted without it taking two or three hours.
8. And no long periods waiting for email to synchronize, particularly when I don't have any new ones.
9. Keep what I currently have and not lose anything I've written or created on my current system.

Delivery/Financial Challenges: I live on the top floor of a brownstone - there is no doorman and if packages are delivered, someone has to sign for them. Since everyone is gone during the day - the package will either have to be picked up at the post office which is about 20 blocks away, in a crappy neighborhood, across a highway intersection and inaccessible by subway or a UPS site somewhere in the city. I do not own a car. Everything I do is by subway or bus. Also the information on my harddrive is backed up on floppies to some extent and a zip disc. While I could afford a new computer - not sure if I want to spend the money on it at this point, would like to wait a bit longer, when I feel a bit more secure in my job.


Questions:
1. Do I need to get a new computer? If so, which one would be best for my needs? Or should I just upgrade the one I have? What does upgrading involve?
2. Should I opt for a lap-top or a desk-top for the needs I listed above?
Which is better for writing and internet research?
3. Would switching internet carriers solve the problem?
4. MSN's suggestion - that I upgrade to Windows XP and my operating system is what is slowing me down. Is that what I should do? Do I trust them?
5. Do I have an NIC card? Is the 4c Modem the same as this? If not can I get one without getting a new computer and operating system? If so, how do I do it without having to take about my hard drive, something I'd rather avoid.
6. What DSL/Cable modem is best? What is broadband? And how difficult is it to install this yourself? Apparently that's what they all want if you live in NYC.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Comments

[cactuswatcher.livejournal.com]

I don't really trust MSN's advice. They are my provider, too. The service is fine, but every upgrade they make seems to make the service a little worse. I don't think upgrading to Windows XP will help your speed significantly. I personally have no problem with how fast the service works. I had no speed problems when I was using Windows Me come to think of it.

I'm not familiar with the processor speed of your model of computer. But, that could make a big difference. Your memory amount could be a problem, particularly with multiple windows open. You could get more memory for your computer fairly cheaply, but given your experience, you'd probably want to take it somewhere to have it put in, which would involve getting a ride to take it and another to bring it back home. It might solve all your problems. It might make your problems more bearable, but might not make them go away entirely.

Considering your situation with transportation I'd definitely consider getting a lap-top if you can afford it. That way at least you could take it somewhere to get it worked on without trouble. Lap-tops these days are fine for doing what you have on your list.

Installing DSL is fairly easy, but it may involve putting a card inside your computer which may or may not bother you. Again if you are having memory problems, DSL would not entirely solve them because it would be your computer not your internet connection that is slowing up the works.

I presume the help lines had you check the speed your modem is working at. That's about the only really free thing I could think of that might help you.

[graffitiandsara.livejournal.com]

1. Do I need to get a new computer? If so, which one would be best for my needs? Or should I just upgrade the one I have? What does upgrading involve?

You don't need a new computer if you really don't want one. How old is your pc, I'm guessing about 4 years? If I'm close on that you probably can hold on to it for another 1-3 years depending on how your needs change. The way to keep an old pc running is to try and keep the software levels to those that were around at the time you bought the pc. Software is optimized for the hardware that's sold at the time and often has real performance issues when run on older machines that don't have enough power.

Adding memory is probably necessary for the streaming video and improvement in graphics capabilities you're looking for. If that aspect is really important to you and you want it to be really great than a new computer is needed. If the graphics and video aspects are just something you want to be functional and isn't the main thing you're looking for you can get by with adding memory to your existing pc.

2. Should I opt for a lap-top or a desk-top for the needs I listed above? Which is better for writing and internet research?

Laptops have become as powerful as desktops, so either one will fulfill you basic needs. Laptops have excellent screens now, but the size of the screen will have a large impact on cost. If you need a screen larger than 15 inches and aren't looking to spend much money than a desktop is going to be your choice. Laptops will be slightly more expensive than a similarly spec'ed desktop, but they take up a lot less space which I expect would be a benefit for an apartment dweller. Also a laptop will come in one box that's not too heavy as compared to a desktop that usually comes in 2 or 3 unwieldy and heavy boxes. A laptop generally doesn't hold up as long as a desktop but you should get 4-5 good years out of it, and very often by that period of time the technology has changed enough that you'd be thinking of upgrading anyway.

3. Would switching internet carriers solve the problem?
If you're using MSN dial up, then their capacity could certainly be part of the problem. It's hard to say, unless you're hearing a lot of complaints about them. The big problem is that you're using regular phone lines. There is a lot of noise on those lines and they have very little bandwidth making them painfully slow. That is probably a big part of your problem.

4. MSN's suggestion - that I upgrade to Windows XP and my operating system is what is slowing me down. Is that what I should do? Do I trust them?

Your operating system is probably another big part of your problem. Window's ME was known far and wide as having been a disaster, and I'm sorry that you ended up buying your computer during that short window of time when Microsoft was stupid enough to distribute it. I strongly recommend that you do not upgrade to Windows XP on your existing pc. Microsoft operating systems require a tremendous amount of resources and you do not want to run one on a computer that was not designed for it. I think you will be opening yourself up to many, many more problems. I think you would be much better downgrading to Windows 98 Second Edition, which is a very stable system that your computer could run easily. Windows 98 can still handle the new browsers and graphics on the internet. I'm running it on my desktop and I don't have any problems accessing sites. I never download music, and don't do a lot of watching videos, so again if that's a big concern you probably do want a new pc, but you could try and get your current PC working and see before you make the investment. Windows licenses will cover back versions, so your ME license should allow you to borrow a Windows 98 CD and load that on your computer perfectly legally.

More advice!

[graffitiandsara.livejournal.com]

5. Do I have an NIC card? Is the 4c Modem the same as this? If not can I get one without getting a new computer and operating system? If so, how do I do it without having to take about my hard drive, something I'd rather avoid.

Your modem card is different from a NIC card. The shape of the jack will be the same but the modem jack should be noticeably smaller than the network jack. You may very well have one built in to the computer but if you don't installing on will probably require taking the cover off. If you have PCMCIA slot you can get a network card that will plug into that without fiddling with the insides. This port would be about 3 inches wide and about a half an inch or less tall. If you have a USB port there may be external network cards you can buy but I'm not sure of that. USB ports are little rectangles about an inch wide and a less than a half inch tall. If you go to google images you can easily bring up pictures of both type of ports.


6. What DSL/Cable modem is best? What is broadband? And how difficult is it to install this yourself? Apparently that's what they all want if you live in NYC.

Broadband is high speed internet - either DSL or Cable. It's called broadband because it has a tremendously larger bandwidth than dialup. I can't recommend modem models. We're using a SilverStream DSL modem that our phone company provided us with and it's working fine. The differences between DSL and cable are:

1. Cable will probably provide you with better speed, but your performance will degrade more significantly during high use, and can also degrade across the board depending on how well they keep up their hardware capacity as they sign up more customers. DSL, although usually providing slower speeds, will be very consistent. Any form will be affected by high traffic on the internet overall, but DSL will not be especially affected by the number of DSL users in your area, the way cable will be.

2. Cable is much less secure. You should have anti-virus and firewall protection regardless, but with cable it becomes critical and you must be much more careful in the strength of your protection.

Overall, if you want to keep your existing computer, I would not only downgrade to Windows 98, but I would also try and find a different anti-virus package. Norton Anti-Virus, like Windows, doesn't really run well on older machines. My desktop which is actually less powerful than the one you're using (but with 256mg of RAM) is running Avast's home anti-virus program very nicely, so that would be an option if you're looking for a less resource-demanding package. The fact that the home version is free is another plus.

Anything you do to solve this problem isn't going to be easy. Make sure you have good backups of everything that's important to you. In fact you might want to check them out on another computer before you try anything dramatic with your current system. I like to say a computer isn't a toaster, but unfortunately it's marketed that way so people have unpleasant surprises when they're in the position you've found yourself. If you decide to keep your current system, you might want to find a reputable place to help you with the changes. Just check them out throughly, there's a lot of jerks in the business.

Good luck!

[elz.livejournal.com]

If you don't want to get a new computer right now, more memory would probably be a good investment. It's one of the easiest upgrades you can make to your computer, and it can really help things to run more smoothly. Actually, buying RAM can be trickier than installing it, because you need to be sure you're getting exactly the right kind, and that gets a little harder as your computer gets older and stores start stocking newer varieties.

NIC cards are also cheap and not very hard to install, although you do need a screwdriver for that, just to hold it in place. If the 4100 has a similar design to my old Dimension L, then the case shouldn't be tough to open, either - mine has a tab at the top that you pull back, which lets the side panel just slide right off. If you really don't want to poke around inside the computer case at all, a new computer might be the best solution - you could probably get a basic system for $300-$400 that would be at least twice as good as what you've currently got. A laptop might suit your needs better, actually, but they do cost more, and you get a lot less for your money, so you'd really have to decide how much you're willing to pay and what your priorities are.

As far as internet access goes, I've got a cable subscription (Optimum Online), and I'm very happy with it, although it is a bit on the expensive side. Still, I was paying for a separate phone line when I had dial-up, so being able to ditch that made cable a better deal for me than either dial-up or DSL. It's very fast and very reliable, so I really can't complain.

Re: More advice!

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

Thanks for this, Sara.

It's really helpful. I've been swinging in the direction of getting a lap-top for the reasons you suggest above. I'm not that interested in a large screen nor do I really need all the bells and whistles. But I would like something I can cart around with me. Something that if it breaks down or has problems, can easily be taken in to be fixed. I miss the days when I lived in Kansas City and could just drive my computer into a local shop and have them look at it.

You've also helped me make a decision about Windows XP - which I've come very close to buying a couple of times now, but haven't due to the fact that I don't think my current system can handle it. Wasn't sure I was right on that or not. And did not trust MSN to tell me. Sales people...ugh.

I think you hit the problem on the head - it's the Norton AntiVirus that's slowing everything down. In fact I'm certain of it - because the computer was doing fine speed-wise before I got the most recent edition of Norton last fall - couldn't keep 2004 because they no longer had it available. And 2005 almost killed my memory, I had to remove numerous programs to make room for it. The license is up in Sept or Oct, so I can opt not to renew, uninstall, and get something else.

Unfortunately, I'm a little scared of getting rid of it just yet - since it caught four viruses and quarantined them before they could infect my system within the last three months. One was a trojan horse, two were internet worms. The problem with doing anything on the internet nowadays is the viruses. It's the reason my own company is so strict on internet use.

Is Avast really good? Can I easily get it or something similar and uninstall the Norton?

Re: More advice!

[graffitiandsara.livejournal.com]

Yours would not be the first older computer I've seen get screwed up after loading the newest Norton Anti-Virus program, so if it was working fine before, removing it and replacing with a less resource intensive choice should certainly put you back to where you were before, and give you more breathing space for making the big buying decision.

I'm running Avast on all 3 of our computers, one desktop and two laptops. On Darby's laptop we run the Professional Edition which was around $40 because he does such crazy surfing he was getting hit with viruses right and left. The Pro Edition has script blocking so that a Web page can't infect you.

For me, I don't need that level of protection so I run the home edition which is free, and I haven't had a virus in the three years I've run it. Sophie (from the board) had recommended it to me, and I've been really happy with it. If you go to www.avast.com (http://www.avast.com) you can download the home edition very easily. Just be sure to completely uninstall Norton before you install Avast. My desktop is at least 6 years old, maybe even 7, and Avast doesn't seem to be affecting it's performance at all, and I haven't had any viruses infect my computer.

Glad this was helpful and didn't make you want to bang your head against the wall with too much information. I have been known to do that.

Re: More advice!

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

Oh thank you. (Printing your advice, so I can take action on it later.)

Glad this was helpful and didn't make you want to bang your head against the wall with too much information. I have been known to do that.

You gave me just the right amount. Thank you, again! People always complain about getting too much information on computers - but sometimes, they give too little which is equally as bad.

I understand the dilemma...since I am known to provide too much information as well. My father told me tonight that I am prone to talk in paragraphs as opposed to sentences. He follows that line up with - so what did you do yesterday? Leaving me sputtering with a way to respond in less than ten words.

Yours would not be the first older computer I've seen get screwed up after loading the newest Norton Anti-Virus program, so if it was working fine before, removing it and replacing with a less resource intensive choice should certainly put you back to where you were before, and give you more breathing space for making the big buying decision.

Good to know. Looking back I feel incredibly dumb for downloading it to begin with - took forever and I ended up having to remove a lot of things. Damn Norton - I wouldn't put it past them to create viruses just to get business.

[ladyhelix.livejournal.com]

" I strongly recommend that you do not upgrade to Windows XP on your existing pc. "

Agreed - 100%. Don't go there!

"I think you would be much better downgrading to Windows 98 Second Edition, which is a very stable system that your computer could run easily. Windows 98 can still handle the new browsers and graphics on the internet. I'm running it on my desktop and I don't have any problems accessing sites. I never download music, and don't do a lot of watching videos, so again if that's a big concern you probably do want a new pc, "

I did some research before I built my Pentium One laptops last year - and ME is notorious for having Communications problems (or flat out NOT WORKING with networks). I loaded Windows 98, and am VERY careful about NOT downloading music, running videos, etc. (except my PC's are truly ANCIENT). Windows 98 will go "unsupport" in about a year - but then again it was supposed to last year and the year before that. I think as long as ME is a vegetable communication wise - they'll continue to extend support.

Also - as Sara mentioned - make SURE you get the Win 98 SECOND EDITION - and I'd also recommend getting the service updates as SOON as you get online. Now - I'm a real taskmaster about making sure all our PC's are current - SERVICE WISE - but then I come from the anal retentive mainframe environment, and it was my JOB to make sure customers stayed current on service levels. Sara - what would you recommend?

I have McAffee AntiVirus on my PC's too ($$) - but if Sara says that AVAST is good enough for DARBY - than I'll be looking at that next time my McAffee licesnses expire (I have to pay every year to continue to get updates - so THANKS Sara!)

As far as SPYWARE - we have had excellent luck using SPYBOT - which is free.

Sara may have comments on my recommendations, and I'd always go with her position - she's much more current in this than I am, but we do have 4 PC's here (2XP's and 2Win98) - so I am forced to DABBLE!

Good Luck!

[graffitiandsara.livejournal.com]

I'd also recommend getting the service updates as SOON as you get online. Now - I'm a real taskmaster about making sure all our PC's are current - SERVICE WISE - but then I come from the anal retentive mainframe environment, and it was my JOB to make sure customers stayed current on service levels. Sara - what would you recommend?

Actually, I think in the PC world it's far safer to go with the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" philosophy. I never, ever load service updates or patches to Windows. Microsoft is too undependable with their testing practices. I've read many horror stories of the latest service pack breaking something that was working before. Also, I have no faith that Microsoft has any real ability to close all the security holes, so I don't think you really gain more than the illusion of safety by keeping current. However, many smart and expert people completely disagree with my viewpoint and some actually believe that my attitude is negligent. It's also colored by my very deep distrust of Microsoft and lack of respect for their business practices. So you must keep that in mind.

Sk - you'll probably just want to switch your anti-virus program to get back to where you where before, but if you do decide to go with a different operating system, I would still say Windows 98 Second Edition, with no patches or service packs applied.

It was interesting to hear your take on this LadyH! You made many valid points and to patch or not to patch is a debate I enjoy. Feel free to rebut! Fun is to be had!

[ladyhelix.livejournal.com]

Just sayin' - that's what I'm doing and I'm solid. I have however had to back off 2 patches in the last year because they degraded system performance (one on XP, and one on 98).

I think your approach is completely valid. Mine is just a holdover from my past - on a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PLATFORM!

And - if you haven't had problems with 98 without patches, I'm very tempted to turn off the auto updating, and just let it go.

THANKS!

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

Took your advice and uninstalled Norton Anti-virus last night and installed Avast4 Home Edition. Took a while to do but speeded up my computer considerably. No longer takes an hour for my email to synchronize - that was the main problem actually - the email synchronization after I signed off the internet - would often freeze my computer or make it impossible for me to shut-it off without hitting the switch on my grounder. (Much better advice than the silly Microsoft tech support gave me, thank you!)

Am sticking with ME for now, for two reasons: 1) I don't know anyone with a Windows 98 Second Edition CD that I can borrow and would have to hunt it online, 2) the ME isn't giving me too much trouble - but then I'm not connected to a network and have not used the computer for much outside of writing stories, resumes, and posting/research/scanning the internet. (ME did give me trouble way back when I first got it - there's a bug in all the Microsoft Windows programs for the Word application - the bug is that the normal template page in word will automatically alter whenever you go in and write something new - and if you aren't careful to click - don't save changes to normal, it will freeze the Word application next time you open it. When it happened, I called tech support and they gave me a way to handle the problem - delete the normal template page. But this is a bug I've seen on XP and 2000 operating systems...so clearly a microsoft programming nusiance.)

Actually, I think in the PC world it's far safer to go with the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" philosophy. I never, ever load service updates or patches to Windows. Microsoft is too undependable with their testing practices.

Agree. This is becoming my philosophy as well on all gadgets.

I know far too much about Microsoft. Having met people who worked for them and wrote the manuals and having worked directly with them in business. They have a monopoly on the software operating systems so don't have to do certain things or worry about things you'd do if you had a major competitor. Say what you will about competition - it does motivate people to make better products and promote a better business philosophy. If you're the only game in town or the only game people think they can rely on - you don't have to work as hard. Linux just hasn't found a way of dislodging that attitude yet.

I stopped allowing Microsoft to update or patch my computer about two years back, because every time I did, it slowed it down. I only do it if it is necessary to protect something.
Most of the patches are irrelevant anyways - since the computer is not attached to a mainframe or network.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

Thanks for this - am already using Spybot and Adware (both free) for
the pop-ups and other internet problems.

I think the attempt to download videos and music at one time probably slowed me down as well - something I've stopped doing or feeling the need to do, now that I'm no longer obsessed with a certain TV show or TV show character. Obsessions can be dangerous things for computers.
;-)

[atpo-onm.livejournal.com]

Not too much to add to what folks have posted above, except to say don't overlook an actual hardware problem with your modem. A new modem card is cheap, so it might be worthwhile to replace it and see what happens.

Agree about 98 SE being a better choice than ME, also agree about not upgrading your existing machine to XP, even though XP is vastly more stable.

Adding another 128M of memory might be useful to speed things up. I upgraded an existing ME machine I have in my shop at work (which ran fine until the techs here added a bunch of other software and networking items to it) and it sped up considerably, and I mean considerably afterward.

Next to last note-- it is possible that you have sypware or a virus that your protection software did not detect. Computer shops may have additional resources to test for this, if all else fails with the suggestions everyone's made so far.

Last note: Pick up a used 98SE machine somewhere cheap. I have to believe there's plenty of them out there! Run only the minimal software that you need on it, disable or remove everything else. It's amazing how well 98 runs if you just get all the unnecessary crap out of the way and have a decent amount of memory.

Good luck!

[ladyhelix.livejournal.com]

It really boils down to this; If you want to dance, you have to pay the band!

Just depends on your tastes!

Good luck!

[ladystarlightsj.livejournal.com]

Can you borrow a Win98 CD from the library? I know mine has software available for borrowing, and as Sara said, it's backdated.

[raises hand]

[anomster.livejournal.com]

"1) I don't know anyone with a Windows 98 Second Edition CD that I can borrow"

Yes, you do. I think. One of the experts out there will have to tell us if this will work.

I have a CD-ROM whose sleeve says it's a Windows 98 upgrade for W3.1x & W95 & has a "stamp" saying "SECOND EDITION." On the disk itself, it says, "This program will search your system to confirm your eligibility for this special upgrade edition." So will it work on a system that has a later edition? If Sara is right about the license allowing you to load an earlier version than you have, I'd be glad to lend it to you.

However, the person who helped me put my system together told me later that W98 is notoriously unstable & recommended upgrading to W2000, which nobody who's commented here has even mentioned. I dunno, maybe he'd forgotten I was using the 2nd ed. And I haven't gotten that upgrade & don't have it to lend, so maybe it's moot.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

To be honest, I'm not sold on the MSN98 Second Edition solving the problem. At this point I think may cause other problems.

[ladystarlightsj.livejournal.com]

That makes sense too, I guess. Good luck with getting things running a little better!