We haven't had a computer event in over 30 hours now and we think we may have fixed our issue. Windows, as everyone knows (and NO comments... please... from Apple Fan-bois or Linux geeks), is subject to the occasional crash every now and then. But we've been cruisin' along fat, dumb, and happy until the last three or four days. Witness:
One thing I really like about Vista is the improved on-board diagnostics compared to previous editions of Windows, where such tools were largely non-existent or completely user-UNfriendly. Us run-of-the-mill and somewhat clue-impaired users were largely left out in the cold. Or in the dark.. you choose. But back to our Tale O' Woe. After much searching and googling of obscurely-worded error messages we noticed that this lil event occurred every single time our box puked:
"SideBySide" is an adware application that sneaky-assed web sites deposit on your 'puter without either your knowledge or your permission. And Norton...bless their black lil hearts... allows this app to be installed. Yesterday we removed SideBySide from our box and we have had no subsequent crashes.
Ya know, I could probably muster the brain cells to understand all this stuff, but I'm really busy and cramming all that new information into my brain would probably mean it crowds out important info about shoes or puppies. I just know I want it to come on when I push the button, and that's good enough for me. Thank goodness other folks have the energy and interest to keep it all ginning along. :P
ReplyDeleteNice detective work!
ReplyDeleteWhat *did* you do when you were with the Cult of Perot?
ReplyDeleteI'm with ya on the "just work when I turn it on" stuff, Phlegmmy. 'Puters are much more difficult than they should be. Or have to be, for that matter.
ReplyDeleteGlenn: Thanks!
WWW: In chronological order... Telecom Specialist, Technical Writer, "Telecom Engineer" (quotes coz it was in name only, my management reclassified me to save me from a RIF), Program Manager, Manager. I never had much to do with computers, obviously.
You'd be well advised to run an anti-malware program... I'd recommend http://www.malwarebytes.org/ download the free version... Be careful to read as your downloading, there's one of those pages where it shows Registry booster or something while you wait for the download to begin.
ReplyDeleteInstall it, update it, and run a full scan.
Or you could come over to the light and invest in a MacBook or iMac - where adware is not allowed and viruses never happen.
ReplyDeleteYMMV. Sorry, couldn't resist. :-)
Matt: Thanks. I used to run Spyware Doctor on my old box; I just re-upped with it this weekend.
ReplyDeleteKris: You just HAD to, dint ya? ;-)
Computers are simiple when compared to the average modern automobile.
ReplyDeleteYou'd think that in order to join the SAE, you'd have to take an ordinary assembly and redesign it so that it would be impossible to take apart without a Chilton's manual to guide you through the magical sequence of part movements.