In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

Computers Suck

RugerNinerRugerNiner Member Posts: 12,636 ✭✭✭
edited February 2002 in General Discussion
I set the Alarm on my Clock to get up and place a Bid on something I was watching. I turned the Computer on went to the Web Site. Had 4 min. left, no problem. Then as I am about to place my bid, my Computer CRASHES.By the time I Rebooted and went to the Web Site the Auction was over. I'm STEAMING! I'm Yelling and Screaming. I wonder what my neighbors think because I live alone. Oh Well. My Life has always been based on Murphy's Laws.
Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
Keep your Powder dry and your Musket well oiled.
NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • RugerNinerRugerNiner Member Posts: 12,636 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It wasn't GunBroker. It was the web-site that doesn't allow guns or Hi-Cap mags. I was bidding on a oringinal Ruger Hi-Cap mag that some how had slipped in. It sold for $16.50. Hell, I would have paid twice that much.
    Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
    Keep your Powder dry and your Musket well oiled.
    NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • competentonecompetentone Member Posts: 4,696 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Relax RugerNiner,It was probably a 10-round Ruger 40 cal magazine someone was trying to pass-off as a 15-round "pre-ban" 9mm mag.It was probably no "bargain".
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RugerNinerRugerNiner Member Posts: 12,636 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    No, it was original. I'm very careful about bidding on Mags. I've been burned to many times,although I've never tried Mec-Gar. I don't know where to get them. The Gun Shops I use don't carry them.
    Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
    Keep your Powder dry and your Musket well oiled.
    NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • competentonecompetentone Member Posts: 4,696 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    RugerNiner,Email me:competentone@hotmail.com
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • IconoclastIconoclast Member Posts: 10,515 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Ruger, it ain't the computer, it's the software. Take the time to learn & install Linux. Then say good-bye to (most) all the MacroCrap headaches. I've known Linux systems to run 3+ years w/o a crash. If Gate's Garbage should ever run three days w/o a crash, it would be a world record on a par w/ a sub-two minute mile. I hate that SOB as much as OBL!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DarkStar11DarkStar11 Member Posts: 1,557 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Iconoclast, I must be due for multiple world records. My primary PC has been on for 3 months without a reboot (Win 2000), my laptop in the living room has been on for 3 weeks without a reboot (Win98), my mail server (NT4) has been up for 6 months without a reboot -- just to name a few. No crashes, no BSODs, no problems at all.[This message has been edited by DarkStar11 (edited 02-17-2002).]
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RugerNinerRugerNiner Member Posts: 12,636 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I think I have to much software installed:Quicken 2001 DeluxeQuickbooksPro 2000PrintShopMicrosoft Office PremiumMicrosoft EcartaDragon Naturally SpeakingThis represents about 10% of the software I have installed. Also have Norton SystemWorks Professional Edition 2002.My Systems Resources is only 48% right now. I think it's supposed to be about 85%.
    Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
    Keep your Powder dry and your Musket well oiled.
    NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DarkStar11DarkStar11 Member Posts: 1,557 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    What operating system? How much RAM?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    RugerNiner --Don't run Norton Systems Monitors all the time. They eat up more of your RAM than any other program you'll run. I once had a boss who thought he should have Norton's monitors up all the time and it was constantly checking everything and interupting everything too. He had no free RAM left to do any work. Once I got him to run it once weekly a lot of his trouble cleared up. Just a guess. You could have a conflict. Games are often the culprits.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    By the way, what do you mean by CRASH? Did everything lock up so your mouse arrow wouldn't even move? Or did you just get disconnected from your ISP? Or did your Internet Explorer (or Netscape) freeze while the rest of Windows was still just fine?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RugerNinerRugerNiner Member Posts: 12,636 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    128 RAM, 700 Athlon.I just disabled Norton auto protect.The Computer shuts it's self down and tries to start it's self up again, but can't, I have to reach around back, shut it off by the switch and start it up again. The start button in front works initially until it "crashes."
    Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself![This message has been edited by RugerNiner (edited 02-17-2002).]
    Keep your Powder dry and your Musket well oiled.
    NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jltrentjltrent Member Posts: 9,334 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    RugerNiner your system needs a Bios update. My old Athlon done the exact same thing as yours does. I would have to reach to the back and kill the power to the motherboard before I could turn it back on.(Unlike the old AT systems, power stays on the motherboard as long as it is plugged up to a receptical) If you system has Flash Bios capability then all you have to do is go to the web page of the company that built your motherboard and reflash it to the latest Bios fixes. If it doesn't have Flash Bios then you should be able to get an update bios for the motherboard from the company that built it and insert it into the board.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RugerNinerRugerNiner Member Posts: 12,636 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a Disc for the Mother Board called 1st Mainboard. Maybe I should reinstall it.
    Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
    Keep your Powder dry and your Musket well oiled.
    NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Judge DreadJudge Dread Member Posts: 2,372 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I was thinking you were going to post something on that "orgasmatron" device you hook to it .... http://www.rense.com/general20/heat.htm Then your computer may realy Suck !
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DarkStar11DarkStar11 Member Posts: 1,557 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I don't think that reinstalling the BIOS from your original CD would do anything for you. If it is a BIOS issue, you would need to download the BIOS update from the mfg of your PC or motherboard. My first reaction is that it might be a power supply flaking out on you. Are you doing anything in particular when it crashes? Or can it just be sitting there, turned on doing nothing, and it reboots? And what operating system are you running (Win98, 2000, XP)?[This message has been edited by DarkStar11 (edited 02-18-2002).]
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Ruger --Look for the BIOS update. I always pay attention when somebody else had exactly the same symptoms, because computers are very precise and predictable even in their crashes. It couldn't hurt. If you've got the latest BIOS, then look for the next possible culprit. I think taking it in for service wouldn't be a bad idea. Spontaneous shutdown could mean anything from software or hardware conflict to overheated component to bad motherboard. If it's a software conflict, reinstalling software (including your Windows version, if necessary) may help put things back the way they were in your operating system before the problem started. Don't think this is all dumb. This kind of process is very routine in computer troubleshooting.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RugerNinerRugerNiner Member Posts: 12,636 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm running Windows 98 2nd Edition. I can be away from the computer for over an hour and it will crash by it's self. It usually happens in the morning when I first start it up. I don't have the 98 disc, it was loaded in when I bought it. I'm plugged into a Belkin SurgeMaster II w/phoneline protection, 2058 Joules. I think it's a software conflict but hesitate to uninstall anything. It may be a program called WeatherBug-constant weather updates, alerts and current temperature in the tray. the place I bought it will upgrade it free of charge (for parts only) for five years. I think I should do that anyway. This computer was state of the art when I bought it less than two years ago. But that changes every two months.
    Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
    Keep your Powder dry and your Musket well oiled.
    NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Computers with software conflicts WILL crash if left alone sometimes. Try to remember what software you have installed since the computer worked fine. Trouble is, Uninstall programs don't always delete everything they are supposed to, so you could uninstall the offending software and still leave stray problems in your machine. But I do think disabling any suspect software is worth trying. Either uninstall or disable Weatherbug for a bit and see what happens. One at a time, try that with any other software you put in since the trouble began. I've had problems with everything from music-oriented programs to napster-type programs to MSN Explorer to Canon printer software.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Ruger --Also go to a site called www.windowsupdate.com and click on Product Updates. It will check your computer for updates and patches. You may find that by now you need a lot of updates to your 98 Version 2. If so, download them and follow directions.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • competentonecompetentone Member Posts: 4,696 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sell the PC to some "poor sucker" and get yourself a Mac!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    competentone --Another good idea. I started on a Mac Plus, even maxed out the RAM (at 4 meg) and got an hard drive for it. I haven't bought one since my Performa 450 which hasn't enough power to even run an Internet browser despite the accelerator board I installed, but I still use new Macs if given a chance at the office. Only reason I don't own one at home is -- well, the money thing, and the fact that most of the world uses PCs, so it's easier and often cheaper to get stuff, especially used on eBay.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RugerNinerRugerNiner Member Posts: 12,636 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I almost bought a cube just for graphics like CorelDraw 10. But the business I was starting didn't go to good.
    Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
    Keep your Powder dry and your Musket well oiled.
    NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • UNIVERSITY50UNIVERSITY50 Member Posts: 1,705 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    talk about sucking! i just got a new pen 4 with 512 ram and windows xp last night, $1.200. hooked it all up worked great until i tried to install my older software, window 98 stuff, would not install half of it or operator the other have that got installed, not campatible with windows xp!!! they give you a compatibility wizard to use, but the only thing that actual got fixed was the mircosoft stuff! thank you bill gates!!! [This message has been edited by UNIVERSITY50 (edited 02-19-2002).]
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • competentonecompetentone Member Posts: 4,696 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The prices on the new Macs aren't that bad--Apple is trying hard to be competitive with the iMac. Check: http://www.powermax.com/cpus/new.html or check:the applestore at http://www.apple.com
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RugerNinerRugerNiner Member Posts: 12,636 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm afraid to upgrade from Windows 98. I've read the newer versions have a problem with older software and give feed back to Microsoft.
    Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
    Keep your Powder dry and your Musket well oiled.
    NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • IconoclastIconoclast Member Posts: 10,515 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Darkstar, I've never known any system running any version of MacroCrap OS to run w/o crashes for anything close to the time periods you mention. It's clear you have expertise and resources beyond those of the average user. JMO, but I would consider the stability of your systems to be much more a product of those factors than the intrinsic quality of the software. That said, you should contact MacroCrap about your gold metals and possibly an endorsement deal with poster (blue background, of course ).
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RUGERNUT3RUGERNUT3 Member Posts: 247 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Once you get the monster under control.....put, "PROGRAMZ" in Google search...scroll to"continue to site"..this site has a lot of free programs,not shareware,warez..or junk.Used the site for at least two years for several nice apps. DNLD: "FIX-IT 4.0" great utility app. with weekly updates of virusfiles...I have not registered this version orthe 3 prior versions but I get the weeklyanti-virus file updates...this program has kept my comps.clean and fresh for yrs. nowand you cant beat free.........
    "ANY" EXCUSE IS A GOOD REASON TO BUY "JUST 1 MORE".& VICIE-VERSIE!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 22WRF22WRF Member Posts: 3,385
    edited November -1
    If you go to PROGRAMZ be sure and exit your norton security before you DL if you don't you will not be able to DL from this site
    I Refuse to be a VictimGrumpy old man
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • IconoclastIconoclast Member Posts: 10,515 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    RUGERNUT3, did a search on "PROGRAMZ" & came up w/ 3K sites. Skimmed through the first 30 or so w/o finding one that appeared to match the profile you described. Would you post the URL, please? TIA, Icon
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 22WRF22WRF Member Posts: 3,385
    edited November -1
    URL for PROGRAMZ http://kickme.to/FOSI/
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Windows XP is definitely a problem for existing software. I bought a Pentium 4 Sony Vaio a few months ago and called my dealer and asked about buying and upgrading to XP and he said "Don't DO it!! You'll be missing a ton of drivers!!" He was right. When Sony finally posted the procedures for upgrading a Windows Me Viao to XP on their web site, guess what -- it amounts to backing up your entire hard drive, then RE-FORMATTING your hard drive, then reloading software, much of which that was sold with my Pentium 4 Sony will NO LONGER WORK. They admit it, but don't offer to replace or update it. They just tell you to delete what isn't compatible. I think Sony owes me a whole new set of setup and install CDs, but I'll never see them. And I paid over $2000 for this, cash.
    "The 2nd Amendment is about defense, not hunting. Long live the gun shows, and reasonable access to FFLs. Join the NRA -- I'm a Life Member."[This message has been edited by offeror (edited 02-20-2002).]
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks for the tip on FixIt Utils. It looks promising.
    "The 2nd Amendment is about defense, not hunting. Long live the gun shows, and reasonable access to FFLs. Join the NRA -- I'm a Life Member."
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DarkStar11DarkStar11 Member Posts: 1,557 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just my comments on the thread:1) I stay away from fix-it-automatically software, even Norton. Often causes just as many problems as it fixes, if not more. Just my personal preference. Everyone should run some sort of antivirus -- preferably one that updates automatically -- unless they can lock down their systems enough that they do not need it (not the average enduser). Also, if you are connected to the Internet via cable or DSL, you NEED a personal firewall. It doesn't hurt for dial-up users, either.2) Absolutely check for a BIOS update first. Offeror is correct, when someone has a similar issue, the fix may be the same. Be sure the BIOS update comes from your motherboard mfg, though, and not a link someone sends you. There is no certainty that your motherboard (or BIOS) is the same as the previous poster. It may not be the problem-solver, but it is a dang good place to start. Also apply all patches from Microsoft for Win 98. 3) Defragment your hard drive.4) Pop the dust covers and check for loose connections. Make sure all your cards and RAM are seated properly.5) Weatherbug probably isn't causing the problem, but uninstall it anyway since you have a suspicion that it may be that. Eliminate all unnecessary evils.6) Is it consistent with it being "in the morning when I first start it up", after it is up for an hour? This leans more towards hardware than software, if the BIOS update hasn't fixed it yet. Something getting hot and shutting down or power supply getting hot and freaking out (your power supply being internal to the PC, not your Belkin SurgeMaster). 7) (edit: rant removed) 22WRF -- I would be wary of anything where you have to stop Norton security before you download your PROGRAMZ from a page that states that: (from http://kickme.to/FOSI/) "Now here always will be only 36 programz (except "visit" links),because i can`t fully support this f*ckin` page.So,if you want download something, do that right now,because tomorrow this program can not be here. Page reanimated temporarily and feed-back not available.And if you don`t like something on this page,simply press "back" button and never come again.Thank you for attention". 8) While the Mac holds the title in graphics, many of the same tools are available in Windows. Of course, there are Unix programs that blow 'em both away.9) I am not saying an OS upgrade is the way to go because Win98 can be used acceptably well by the home user, but..... the programs you listed will upgrade to Windows 2000 Professional. Windows 2k is the user interface of 98 and the stability of NT combined. ME sucks and should never have been released, and I am personally boycotting XP (even though I have to support it). The 90% of the software that you didn't list: how often do you use it? can you do without it? As an aside, Offeror, Sony's upgrade procedures are correct and they owe you nothing -- you bought a PC with WinME installed, and that is all they are required to support by the terms of their support agreement. Sorry, Tough luck. Dell probably would have supported you better. Iconoclast -- I am MCSE+I, and A+ Hardware Certified, and I build my own boxes (except for the Sony Celeron 333 laptop in the living room that I am typing this on, btw). But to suggest that a presumably untrained end user just up and switch to Linux is a bit far-fetched. Yes, KDE has made headway for the average Joe, but it ain't there yet. Perhaps Lindows will complete the job -- but it ain't there, either. At this time there is nothing available in Linux to accommodate the average-Joe Windows user. Macintosh: some folks have great luck with 'em. I can apparentley make them crash by being in the same room with them. Better user interface than Linux. No real multitasking to speak of. I guess a cute little picture of a bomb is a better error than a Blue Screen Of Death. Granted, my mail server (running Exchange yet to boot!) has been extremely exceptional in uptime -- and I readily admit the average Windows box does not compare to a *nix box -- but I do not think it is unreasonable to expect decent uptime from a Windows machine if the hardware is decent and there is adequate control placed on the user(s). I am solely responsible for over 30 servers (all running NT4 or Win2k, plus IIS, SQL, Exchange, and/or various apps) and 45 desktops (running NT4 or Win2k). All desktops get rebooted once a week. IIS and SQL servers, once a month. Everything else is as needed, which isn't very often. I have an NT file server that passed its one year mark last week. Sorry if I'm ranting too much...[This message has been edited by DarkStar11 (edited 02-21-2002).]
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RUGERNUT3RUGERNUT3 Member Posts: 247 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hey guys...was turned onto the site I call "FOSSI" over 2 years ago by a friend..I have never had a prob. w/any app I dnld. from the site..or the site itself..yeah the guy IS not from the US and talks funny. Most ALL of the apps listed stay up for months, not a day or 2 as the site states. I have used I believe 3 prior ver. of FIX-IT..all have worked great and I would not be able to do without a utility like this now. I do not enable any "auto" function on an app. ,,,if I want to use a particular function I manually do so..I know at least 5 people that keep dnld. that program from FOSSI, and all its versions,friends they have told...and blah on and blah on...so make your on mind up...I am NOT a geek...but the program has worked for me quite well. Great goin on the app you posted here darkstar!
    "ANY" EXCUSE IS A GOOD REASON TO BUY "JUST 1 MORE".& VICIE-VERSIE!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    DarkStar --Most of what you suggested I had already suggested. As for Sony, I was talking about a moral customer satisfaction thing, not the fine print. Fine print doesn't make for happy customers, and how many computers have you had that needed a re-format of the hard drive to upgrade the OS? I've been on computers since the Mac Plus with one 400k disk drive, and I've never seen such a situation before, meaning that either Windows XP's setup is inadequate or Sony has so much proprietary junk going on that they painted themselves into a corner. Those are the problems for the programmers I bought from, not for the average end user. I don't think a set of install/fix disks is too much to expect. There is no way to justify erasing and re-formatting a hard drive to install a consumer OS upgrade -- period. Somebody screwed up. Most people do not have the necessary skills to do this (I do, but it'll be a pain in the *), and most will wind up at Best Buy service windows begging to have their computers upgraded to XP by service guys who will inevitably be overwhelmed, make mistakes, lose some of their files, and on and on. Frankly, it is poor business practice to hold that there is no resonsibility to help adjust a new computer that needs reformatting and new software six months after purchase, particularly when CDs cost 50 cents apiece and they could supply Sony-XP upgrade software if they chose to put in the effort to create them. After all, their programmers know why Windows install disks don't work -- I don't. They DO have the legal right to do nothing, but unfortunately they encourage zero brand loyalty by so doing. So far, proprietary brand conflicts and problems have put me off ISPs like AOL and MSN. Now I must recommend to those who consult with me that I can't recommend Sony as a good open system computer either. Not only that, some of the supposedly preloaded software I was paying for on my "digital station" (featured in bold stickers on the front of the tower) turned out to be demos only, but that's another topic. Maybe you were just kidding...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DarkStar11DarkStar11 Member Posts: 1,557 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Offeror, I gave you credit in the "things to try" list -- see #2. I said you were "absolutely correct". As I said, I was just offering up a few opinions and ideas. The Sony jibe was meant somewhat tongue-in-cheek, and came off harsher than intended. I've been around that block with my boss's 4 Sony pc's that he just had to have upgraded to XP. Sony's idea of product support is along the lines of "What? You want a new OS? Well, you'll have to buy our latest $3000 machine if you want anything to work or tech support." Absolute pee-poor customer service. But they are Sony, they are arrogant, they are proprietary, and they don't care. Maybe after they burn enough customers they will be forced to rethink their position.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    well, you referred to a "rant" so I took you harsher than maybe you meant. We certainly agree on Sony's lack of support. The irony is that I like the way the Sony works, mostly, with Windows Me. It was MSN Explorer and my Canon all-in-one printer software that were causing me problems. It really doesn't sound like XP has anything I want, anyway. The serious users have the toughest time in this climate, because the companies are really designing more for the lowest common denominator. I used to love the complexities of Excel and Word -- compared to them, MSN Explorer is entry level tomfoolery, and to add insult to injury they've designed it to take over your control over dial-up. You can't just use the MSN ISP and avoid Explorer altogether. It insists on running. And if you delete MSN Messenger, it re-installs itself in the background. What I wouldn't give for a straigtforward dial-up alternative in MSN's ISP. I'd junk MSN Explorer and run with IE and OE all the time, and maybe Netscape too. Makes one wonder how they're able to serve the scientific, technical and military communities at all with this kind of product. No wonder there's a Unix.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.