3 Things I've learned / found out over the last two weeks....

[sld72382]

1). Huge issues with ONE manufacturer....

Recently, the retail store started selling a brand of computers that was once "direct via manufacturer website only." Hint: rhymes with bell.

Anyway, lately we have been getting tons of calls on these units ranging from no sound, to dead NIC cards, corrupted drivers and MANY other issues. This isn't a fluke: some people have exchanged these units three times and still haven't found a working unit.

Well I found out why these PCs are so crappy, but yet the ones on the manufacturer available by configure-to-order (CTO) are not experiencing nearly the same issues. In order for the vendor to look attractively priced, they build the retail store models in China and Mexico (CTO models are built elsewhere) and the quality control just isn't there. And when client's question why these computers break down so much we can't say why otherwise we'll fail our audits for "product bashing."

2: Malware makers invent a new way to infect people's computers....

You may have heard about a pest called "Antivirus2008" and it's many variants.
What many people do not know is one of the ways these evil things are getting into computers.

In an attempt to be extra sneaky, makers of this malware are mixing the code used to download it to your computer (many times without your knowledge) into the scripts used to display the banner ads commonly seen on most websites. So in other words, just viewing the page can get you infested.

The only real way to combat this is to use Firefox with Adblock Plus installed (sadly, it's gotten to the point where just the browser itself will not do much), and even better install NoScript along with it.

3. 64-bit Windows Vista + clueless users = headaches for us.

In an attempt to be able to cram more memory into consumer PCs, vendors are installing 64-bit editions of Windows Vista. Never mind that I always find it funny when I see a tower with 6GB of memory and integrated video, the real issue is that people are not doing research before buying one of these units.

I have gotten a few calls asking why their software worked on an earlier Vista or XP box "yet doesn't work on this one." When I told them 64-bit may require an upgrade (or a totally different software), I always got these responses:

"God damn Microsoft always looking to steal money from us!"

"Vista totally sucks!"

"Do you have (insert dollar amount of software here) for me to buy the newest one?"

"The software works fine, it's from 2003, do they really expect people to change this crap all the time?"

"Why didn't the salesperson say anything to me about this?!"

And the best one....

"Why would they install an operating system that isn't compatible with most things?"

[lordlundar]

Product bashing my ass, it's called being honest. I never sugar coated the 360 problems when a person asked me. If they can't hack it, then they should start selling proper materials.

Just wait. Odds are they're going to face a lawsuit for knowingly selling faulty merchandise, and then the fun begins.

[earl colby pottinger]

Question?

Don't most computer that come with Vista-64 have a sticker proudly proclaiming it on the outside of the machines?

Yet these people insist on buying them when they are clearly labeled as such, but still complain.

Note: I am a Vista basher myself, but even I don't expect the 64 bit version to have to support software from 2003 and earlier.

[Broomjockey]

Actually, Vista 64-bit can run software from 2003 and such. It's got a compatability mode that works fairly well. It's just a matter of actually using it.

I'm pro-Vista, but I realize it's not best for every situation. If you're running a lot of old programs that don't have current versions, or you won't be able to switch to the current versions, it's probably not worth upgrading.

That said, I kinda wanna throw 6+ GB of RAM in my system, just because I can.

[otakuneko]

1). Huge issues with ONE manufacturer....

Recently, the retail store started selling a brand of computers that was once "direct via manufacturer website only." Hint: rhymes with bell.

Anyway, lately we have been getting tons of calls on these units ranging from no sound, to dead NIC cards, corrupted drivers and MANY other issues. This isn't a fluke: some people have exchanged these units three times and still haven't found a working unit.

Well I found out why these PCs are so crappy, but yet the ones on the manufacturer available by configure-to-order (CTO) are not experiencing nearly the same issues. In order for the vendor to look attractively priced, they build the retail store models in China and Mexico (CTO models are built elsewhere) and the quality control just isn't there. And when client's question why these computers break down so much we can't say why otherwise we'll fail our audits for "product bashing."

You mean there are Dells that AREN'T built poorly?

2: Malware makers invent a new way to infect people's computers....

You may have heard about a pest called "Antivirus2008" and it's many variants.
What many people do not know is one of the ways these evil things are getting into computers.

In an attempt to be extra sneaky, makers of this malware are mixing the code used to download it to your computer (many times without your knowledge) into the scripts used to display the banner ads commonly seen on most websites. So in other words, just viewing the page can get you infested.

The only real way to combat this is to use Firefox with Adblock Plus installed (sadly, it's gotten to the point where just the browser itself will not do much), and even better install NoScript along with it.

Not really new. Crackers will compromise a server, or several servers on an ad network and shovel their malware on tens of thousands of unsuspecting surfers. My dad was hit this way, while using Mozilla.

Best defense is an up to date antivirus, a hosts file, and IE-SPYAD. A filtering proxy such as privoxy or proxomitron doesn't hurt either.

It's got a compatability mode that works fairly well. It's just a matter of actually using it.

Quoth Murphy: compatability mode, isn't.

[sld72382]

As long as you stick to the XPS line and order it custom through Dell, you should be OK. You still have to deal with their crap tech support, though.

[technical.angel]

Jenni LOVES her Dell Gold Tech support.

I have an fair number of students with 64bit Vista. Which makes my job really interesting. So, whenever I go to install the antivirus, I get to play a grand round of "which version will work on this machine???"

Then, of course, there's the poor poor laptop that SOMEHOW managed to install the 64 bit edition on her 32bit Vista box.

That is NOT a happy 'puter.

(Followed by, Anyone have any idea how to uninstall a 64bit version of Symantec Antivirus [Norton's corporate edition] from a 32 bit Vista box??)

[Gerrinson]

It's kind of sad, really. I remember when Dell was the best. We rolled out about a thousand Dell PCs with only a handful of manufacturer problems.

PEBKAC problems abounded as usual, of course.

[Depot Denizen]

We're getting issues like that at my college. As ya'll may know, we sell two kinda of comps at the store: Dell Latitudes and Apples. Pretty solid, better than the Inspiron/Vostro/XPS systems that we get spammed about from Dell every week.

Anyway. Some parents are buying their kids Vista machines that are 64-bit. Luckily we have a 64-bit version of our campus AV, but they're screwed as far as the wireless goes. We don't have a 64-bit version of our VPN client, so they are hosed. And Cisco isn't making any plans to create a 64-bit version of it any time soon. We -did- however manage to get a config file working for the iPhone/iPod Touch, so the kiddies will have wireless for their toys.

(On a side note, sales are 62/38 this year, Apple's favor. Go Apple!)

It also plays merry hell with our stat/math software we have licensed.

[sld72382]

I have Vista Ultimate x64, and out of all the software I tried to install only a couple of softwares didn't work.

[earl colby pottinger]

But

I have Vista Ultimate x64, and out of all the software I tried to install only a couple of softwares didn't work.

You are not a SC. When you find something does not work you go and find something that does the same job but does work with your OS.

SCs instead whine and demand that you (not the software publisher), you (not the OS publisher), you (not the manufacturer set up the original configuration), but you must fix their problem.

[TechChick1]

You are not a SC. When you find something does not work you go and find something that does the same job but does work with your OS.

SCs instead whine and demand that you (not the software publisher), you (not the OS publisher), you (not the manufacturer set up the original configuration), but you must fix their problem.

I would have to agree, the original poster is far from a SC! And yes, you are correct, SCs have a way of blaming their choices, decisions to purchase and mistakes on purchases to others! They almost NEVER draw the conclusion that they purchased the item and no gun was held to their head to do so. Reminds me of several of our whiny SCs. We happen to sell a device that is not Vista 64-bit compatible, well the drivers for the device aren't. This bafoon calls and says that he heard the device would not work with Vista 64-bit, but felt since this was the latest OS for MS, he would call us and we could figure out a way to make it work. Idiot.

[Ironclad Alibi]

I've been using Vista Home Permium on an HP computer with 2 GB of memory for almost a year. I've had no problems with it. I have upgraded a buch of older programs. I also still run a number of older programs with no problem. The only complaint I have is the inability to run the command prompt in full screen mode, which is why I have a second computer running MS-DOS 6.22.

[earl colby pottinger]

And

The only complaint I have is the inability to run the command prompt in full screen mode, which is why I have a second computer running MS-DOS 6.22.

I bet there is at-least one SC out there who rather hold his breath, roll on the floor, kicking his feet, and demanding that you fix the full-screen mode - instead of digging up an old machine to run DOS or install a boot manager so that he can run MS-DOS on the same machine.

[Eric the Grey]

I've been using Vista Home Permium on an HP computer with 2 GB of memory for almost a year. I've had no problems with it. I have upgraded a buch of older programs. I also still run a number of older programs with no problem. The only complaint I have is the inability to run the command prompt in full screen mode, which is why I have a second computer running MS-DOS 6.22.

This was the one thing that surprised me the most about Vista. My nephew complains about this incessantly because he likes to have a full-screen dos window. I never have done that, and the few games I have that require DOS all run under a virtual machine running DOS 6.22 or Win98.


Eric the Grey