I think my computer has been hacked.

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dmm1010
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16 Dec 2011, 10:47 am

Asp-Z wrote:

Generally it's easier to troubleshoot Windows because it's so popular and because it's userbase is average users, and any tech service you ring up will help you out. If I installed Linux on a friends' computer, I know I'd never hear the end of it because they'd always ring me for tech support

I don't know about you, but I wouldn't let Geek Squad anywhere near my computer.

As someone who spent three years working as a system administrator in an all Windows shop, I can assure you that Windows is every bit as complicated "under the hood" as any UNIX-like operating system. Now if you're talking about user-friendliness then I'd say you definitely have a point, but Linux distributions like Ubuntu have come a long way in this regard.

Of course your friends would be calling you for Linux support, it's likely they don't know anyone else who knows his way around Linux; whereas plenty of people know enough about Windows to resolve common troubles.

I have no need for computer support, but I emphatically recommend that those who do require such support don't patronize the Geek Squad.

Asp-Z
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16 Dec 2011, 10:56 am

dmm1010 wrote:

Asp-Z wrote:

I don't know about you, but I wouldn't let Geek Squad anywhere near my computer.

I have no need for computer support, but I emphatically recommend that those who do require such support don't patronize the Geek Squad.

I only meant easier in the sense that more people know their way around Windows. I fully expect both OSes to be as complex as each other, and I know Ubuntu and many other Linux distros have good UIs these days, in fact I personally think the interfaces better than Windows.

I've heard a lot of bad things about the Geek Squad is all, wouldn't recommend them myself.

dmm1010
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16 Dec 2011, 10:59 am

Oodain wrote:

no techies at my comp but me thank you :wink:

i installed ubuntu netbook edition for my 10 year old little brother, it ran perfectly on the eepc,
after a short intro to the internet icons and the media player he was off, he will need help installing anything new but he mainly uses the internet so no worries.
the problem comes when people want them to be able to do more than browse and hear music, then stuff gets complicated.

the issue always boils down to popularity no matter what one wants..

^ This.

The lack of software compatibility is what makes Linux unsuitable for many "average users."

Asp-Z
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16 Dec 2011, 11:01 am

dmm1010 wrote:

Oodain wrote:

no techies at my comp but me thank you :wink:

^ This.

The lack of software compatibility is what makes Linux unsuitable for many "average users."

I dunno, if they can get used to a whole new OS, I'm sure they can get used to alternate apps, unless it's something really specific you can only get on Windows, which isn't the case for most things average users do (internet, e-mail, etc.)

dmm1010
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16 Dec 2011, 11:05 am

Asp-Z wrote:

dmm1010 wrote:

[...] I have no need for computer support, but I emphatically recommend that those who do require such support don't patronize the Geek Squad.

[...] I've heard a lot of bad things about the Geek Squad is all, wouldn't recommend them myself.

Oops, a transmission error appears to have occurred. What I was attempting to convey was that I also think the Geek Squad is bad news and I wouldn't recommend that anyone use them. :oops:

Asp-Z
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16 Dec 2011, 12:37 pm

dmm1010 wrote:

Asp-Z wrote:

dmm1010 wrote:

[...] I have no need for computer support, but I emphatically recommend that those who do require such support don't patronize the Geek Squad.

[...] I've heard a lot of bad things about the Geek Squad is all, wouldn't recommend them myself.

Oops, a transmission error appears to have occurred. What I was attempting to convey was that I also think the Geek Squad is bad news and I wouldn't recommend that anyone use them. :oops:

Ahh, good good

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16 Dec 2011, 1:03 pm

lau wrote:

Asp-Z wrote:

...

lau wrote:

... and of course, dump Microsoft and install Linux.

I, like yourself, am partial to UNIX based systems, but it's perfectly possible to keep a Windows system secure if you run it properly. Linux also has it's own problems, and it can be hard to get used to a whole new OS unless you're a techie. Plus, if something goes wrong on Linux, you're gonna need to know the command line to fix it.

http://xkcd.com/456/ (Note mouseover).

I think the "you're gonna need to know the command line to fix it" ceased being a consideration about the same time the xkcd comic was written. (He's up to http://xkcd.com/991/ now.)

In the case of a Microsoft OS, rather than a command line, all you need (or are expected) to know is how to buy a new computer.

Besides - people enjoy the command line!

I can fully relate to the cartoon! I tried Ubuntu on two different laptops and wasted many hours wrestling with it trying to get it to recognise all the hardware and work properly. In the end, the amount of time I was squandering over it just wasn't worth it, so I scrubbed Ubuntu and went back to Windows. I'm no fan of Microsoft, but at least the computer comes with the operating system working with all the hardware! I have no doubts that Linux / Ubuntu is great if it works straight from install or if you are a techy with lots of time on your hands. However, as in the cartoon, if it doesn't install and work properly from the start you can find yourself stepping into techy hell.

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16 Dec 2011, 1:06 pm

dmm1010 wrote:

Asp-Z wrote:

[...] Yes, and I count myself among them, but I'm talking about Linux being used by a non-techie, which IMHO isn't a good idea.

My mom, who is assuredly a "non-techie," uses Linux. I think it works out quite nicely; for example she simply can't run rubbish like Smiley Central because, barring the use of WINE, it's incompatible. Actually I'd say Windows is the operating system that, because it allows one to metaphorically shoot oneself in the foot with ease, should only be used by those with a requisite level of technical knowledge. :wink:

True this. Back in August a guy came up to with a wankered copy of XP on his system, and no XP CD. I resized the XP partition and installed Linux Mint on it for him, and he has had no problems since then. --The man knows noting about computers at that.

Also, a few weeks after that, another guy came to me and wanted me to set his computer up to display in Arabic. The same problem was encountered regarding the lack of an XP CD to install the Language pack, so I installed Ubuntu on his system with no problem, other than the fact that I had issues trying to navigate a system completely set up in Arabic, which I know nothing of. --Again, another guy who wasn't a 'Techie', and no issues.

Linux has come a long way from where it was when I first started using it in 1999, and is now a very usable desktop OS for the average end user.

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Last edited by Fogman on 16 Dec 2011, 1:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Asp-Z
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16 Dec 2011, 1:07 pm

TallyMan wrote:

In the interests of being balanced, I'd like to point out that I've done this exact thing for Windows installs. I once spent a whole day getting drivers together and installing them for a Windows laptop, and I couldn't even download them directly because the WiFi and ethernet had no drivers either.

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16 Dec 2011, 1:26 pm

Asp-Z wrote:

TallyMan wrote:

If only it was as simple as downloading the drivers! One one laptop not all the relevant drivers were available and on the other laptop Ubuntu behaved just plain weird and kept putting the screen into dim power saving mode immediately after it had finished its bootup sequence. I spent many hours trying to find a solution to that problem to no avail. The final straw was an Ubuntu update that self-destructed itself and effectively bricked the computer (from a Linux perspective anyway); so I deleted the partition and gave it back to Windows.

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16 Dec 2011, 1:33 pm

TallyMan wrote:

Asp-Z wrote:

TallyMan wrote:

Now that's strange.

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16 Dec 2011, 1:43 pm

there are some infamous incompatibilities between some kernels and some specific laptop hardware.

also one of the reasons the ubuntu netbook edition was created, the hardware simply wouldnt work properly on many netbooks without a reworked kernel

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Asp-Z
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16 Dec 2011, 1:44 pm

Reminds me of my OSx86 days, now those were stressful times. Fun from a geeky standpoint, but still friggin' stressful

lau
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16 Dec 2011, 6:54 pm

dmm1010 wrote:

Asp-Z wrote:

But getting support for it is difficult unless you have at least a basic understanding of what you're doing, and like with every system, things will go wrong from time to time. To even use the forums you need basic knowledge (to correctly describe the exact problem and understand the answers). Someone who's simply an average user would struggle IMO.

I guess so, but average users can't fix Windows issues either. Admittedly they're more likely to know someone who can help them with Windows than someone who can help them with Linux, and if all else fails I suppose they can always turn to the Geek Squad.

Bear in mind that those people who have switched over to Linux almost certainly know someone who can genuinely help them with any problems they might encounter. I.e. the person who convinced them that trying out Linux was a good idea.

The people still stuck in the Microsoft mire can, at best, talk to another person who doesn't really have any idea what the problem is. I.e. the salesman in the shop.

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16 Dec 2011, 11:14 pm

Asp-Z wrote:

I am no techie. I am used to running Linux. I use it as my everyday OS and have ditched Windows altogether. Running Windows is a pain, its also harder to fix than Linux The command line is the best part of Linux and when it comes to fixing stuff it sure as hell beats anything with a GUI plus when you tell it to do something it actually works.

Asp-Z wrote:

Well that applies to all OSes, it doesn't matter if its Windows, Linux, Mac or what ever else. That's why you see some tech support companies using RATs.

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17 Dec 2011, 5:58 am

dmm1010 wrote:

pezar wrote:

Sometimes the rogue (fake) antivirus program will be "smart" enough to stop all scans that attempt to remove it. In that case, you really need to see a professional tech, who is expert in manual removal. The problem is, finding one who really knows what he's doing. The market is FULL of losers who leave your PC in worse shape than it came in. Some rogue AVs will even disable safe mode. If you find you can't get into safe mode or run a scan, you will need to call somebody.

If one's computer is that thoroughly rootkitted, I think his or her best course of action would be to just reinstall Windows.

I'm going to agree with that. I pulled out a nasty virus by it's roots by hand on someone's computer and even though the computer was virus free it had done so much damage to the registry that reinstalling was the only viable and time effective option. I was able to recover their files with their computer functioning improperly, but there was no way I was going to reconstruct windows manually.

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