Free computer help here!!!

[Stargazer1965]

Originally Posted by loganus

I'd just like to say its great what you doing hear stargazer,its not only inspiring but if the worlds gonna change it needs more people like you.
Great work!!
Loganus

Much appreciated feedback.....

SG

[GaiaLove]

Originally Posted by nagual

WARNING :
”SWASTIKA INSIDE” if you are using VISTA* you MUST NOT enable ‘file and printer sharing’ under any circumstances.
If you say ‘YES’, so to speak, to ‘file and printer sharing’, your computer becomes a slave at once to NSA’s master computers. DO NOT ENABLE*SHARING.

Thats just silly.

However Micro$oft needs to go so here is a excellent alternative.
In my opinion Linux Ubuntu is the best Operating system for your money! (Its Free) It has "windows" type environment, can run firefox, messaging apps like skype or messenger and much much more.

What is Ubuntu?

Ubuntu is an operating system built by a worldwide team of expert developers. It contains all the applications you need: a web browser, office suite, media apps, instant messaging and much more.
Ubuntu is an open-source alternative to Windows and Office.

The Ubuntu promise

* Ubuntu will always be free of charge, along with its regular enterprise releases and security updates
* Ubuntu comes with full commercial support from Canonical and hundreds of companies from across the world
* Ubuntu provides the best translations and accessibility features that the free software community has to offer
* Ubuntu core applications are all free and open source. We want you to use free and open source software, improve it and pass it on.

[waitinginthewings]

Originally Posted by GaiaLove

Thats just silly.

However Micro$oft needs to go so here is a excellent alternative.
In my opinion Linux Ubuntu is the best Operating system for your money! (Its Free) It has "windows" type environment, can run firefox, messaging apps like skype or messenger and much much more.

GaiLove: seriously, what Nagual posted is not true?

Ok. if we were to load Linux......does it mean that we have to reset passwords & a whole lot of other changes.....as if we were starting from scratch?

[GaiaLove]

Originally Posted by waitinginthewings

GaiLove: seriously, what Nagual posted is not true?

Ok. if we were to load Linux......does it mean that we have to reset passwords & a whole lot of other changes.....as if we were starting from scratch?

I wouldn't take that file sharing threat too seriously. There are many things in place to keep your pc's relatively secure. It's probably Mac propaganda.

As for switching to Linux, you would be starting from scratch so there are no passwords and settings to worry about. web passwords and users names are not effected by you changing your system. I would save your passwords and bookmarks from firefox but other than that, its good to go.

[GaiaLove]

There are 3 items I use on ALL pc's under my care to keep them safe and all are free to download and use. I highly recommend these and only these.

• Anti Virus - AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 9.0
  Award winning protection to meet your basic security needs
  It’s always been our philosophy at AVG that everyone has the right to basic computer security at no charge. And our 80 million users think we’re doing a pretty good job. So if you’re planning to spend time online and you regularly exchange files with friends, check us out."
  http://free.avg.com/ww-en/download-a...s-free-edition
  
  Spyware - Spybot - Search & Destroy detects and removes spyware, a relatively new kind of threat not yet covered by common anti-virus applications. Spyware silently tracks your surfing behaviour to create a marketing profile for you that is transmitted without your knowledge to the compilers and sold to advertising companies. If you see new toolbars in your Internet Explorer that you haven't intentionally installed, if your browser crashes inexplicably, or if your home page has been "hijacked" (or changed without your knowledge), your computer is most probably infected with spyware. Even if you don't see the symptoms, your computer may be infected, because more and more spyware is emerging. Spybot-S&D is free, so there's no harm giving it a try to see if something has invaded your computer. http://www.safer-networking.org/index2.html
  
  Malware - Lavasoft Ad-Aware - 10 years of malware experience combined in one dynamic application. Ad-Aware offers radically improved performance and efficiency, along with comprehensive malware protection. With real-time monitoring, threat alerts, and automatic updates you can rest easy knowing that you are protected. Site: http://www.lavasoft.com/ Download: http://download.cnet.com/Ad-Aware-Fr...bj=dl&tag=top5

[TruthWillSetUFree]

Originally Posted by GaiaLove

There are 3 items I use on ALL pc's under my care to keep them safe and all are free to download and use. I highly recommend these and only these.

• Anti Virus - AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 9.0
  Award winning protection to meet your basic security needs
  It’s always been our philosophy at AVG that everyone has the right to basic computer security at no charge. And our 80 million users think we’re doing a pretty good job. So if you’re planning to spend time online and you regularly exchange files with friends, check us out."
  http://free.avg.com/ww-en/download-a...s-free-edition
  
  Spyware - Spybot - Search & Destroy detects and removes spyware, a relatively new kind of threat not yet covered by common anti-virus applications. Spyware silently tracks your surfing behaviour to create a marketing profile for you that is transmitted without your knowledge to the compilers and sold to advertising companies. If you see new toolbars in your Internet Explorer that you haven't intentionally installed, if your browser crashes inexplicably, or if your home page has been "hijacked" (or changed without your knowledge), your computer is most probably infected with spyware. Even if you don't see the symptoms, your computer may be infected, because more and more spyware is emerging. Spybot-S&D is free, so there's no harm giving it a try to see if something has invaded your computer. http://www.safer-networking.org/index2.html
  
  Malware - Lavasoft Ad-Aware - 10 years of malware experience combined in one dynamic application. Ad-Aware offers radically improved performance and efficiency, along with comprehensive malware protection. With real-time monitoring, threat alerts, and automatic updates you can rest easy knowing that you are protected. Site: http://www.lavasoft.com/ Download: http://download.cnet.com/Ad-Aware-Fr...bj=dl&tag=top5

Thanks for these Richard! I am doing much needed scans on my computer now!
I am also going to learn about how to put videos and pictures into a post

Thanks to Stargazer for starting this thread and all help you have both

given to all of us who do not know how do navigate the computer as efficiently as we should given the amount of potential problems from viruses, adware/spyware etc.

Truth

[BlueHand]

Originally Posted by GaiaLove

There are 3 items I use on ALL pc's under my care to keep them safe and all are free to download and use. I highly recommend these and only these.

• Anti Virus - AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 9.0
  Award winning protection to meet your basic security needs
  It’s always been our philosophy at AVG that everyone has the right to basic computer security at no charge. And our 80 million users think we’re doing a pretty good job. So if you’re planning to spend time online and you regularly exchange files with friends, check us out."
  http://free.avg.com/ww-en/download-a...s-free-edition
  
  Spyware - Spybot - Search & Destroy detects and removes spyware, a relatively new kind of threat not yet covered by common anti-virus applications. Spyware silently tracks your surfing behaviour to create a marketing profile for you that is transmitted without your knowledge to the compilers and sold to advertising companies. If you see new toolbars in your Internet Explorer that you haven't intentionally installed, if your browser crashes inexplicably, or if your home page has been "hijacked" (or changed without your knowledge), your computer is most probably infected with spyware. Even if you don't see the symptoms, your computer may be infected, because more and more spyware is emerging. Spybot-S&D is free, so there's no harm giving it a try to see if something has invaded your computer. http://www.safer-networking.org/index2.html
  
  Malware - Lavasoft Ad-Aware - 10 years of malware experience combined in one dynamic application. Ad-Aware offers radically improved performance and efficiency, along with comprehensive malware protection. With real-time monitoring, threat alerts, and automatic updates you can rest easy knowing that you are protected. Site: http://www.lavasoft.com/ Download: http://download.cnet.com/Ad-Aware-Fr...bj=dl&tag=top5

IT security is my speciality and I advise everyone here on Avalon to run their browsers sandboxed - http://www.sandboxie.com/ or use Geswall http://www.gentlesecurity.com/ this will stop any drive by infections.

Download WOT (WEB SITE ADVISOR) http://www.mywot.com/

Use an anti-virus program that suites your needs,no anti-virus program is the best. Avast http://www.avast.com/en-gb/index and as mentioned above AVG http://free.avg.com/gb-en/homepage or Avira http://free-av.com/ there are many others but watch out for rogue software. If you use sandboxie or geswall you should be protected from anything and everything that the web throws at you. I have used both sandboxie and geswall in a test environment using hardcore trojans , malware, rootkits and rogues and never been infected.

All the products I have mentioned above are FREE.

I personally use Comodo Internet security & Geswall.

Comodo is free, you can download it here http://personalfirewall.comodo.com/free-download.html

Use only one anti-virus, one firewall at a time.

If you have any virus problems please drop me a line and I'll help you if I can.

Blue hand.

[waitinginthewings]

Originally Posted by GaiaLove

I wouldn't take that file sharing threat too seriously. There are many things in place to keep your pc's relatively secure. It's probably Mac propaganda.

As for switching to Linux, you would be starting from scratch so there are no passwords and settings to worry about. web passwords and users names are not effected by you changing your system. I would save your passwords and bookmarks from firefox but other than that, its good to go.

Tks GaiaLove: I've been thinking of switching to Linux for some time, so maybe nows the time......tks again for your help.

[Seashore]

I have a DVD at home from which I want to take a short portion and use it in a thread. I don't want to upload it to Google video in order to get access to the video for my post.

I was thinking in terms of using the "Attach Files" function (under "Additional Options") that we have when we type posts. These are the "Valid file extensions" available to us: bmp doc gif jpe jpeg jpg pdf png psd txt zip.

Is there a file extension on this list that has anything to do with a DVD?

And if so, what software would I need to make this happen?

Lavasoft Ad-Aware used to be known (probably still is) to "overlook" the infestation if one can stimulate them high enough.

Spybot - Search & Destroy, is a nice thing. ComboFix is an "upgrade" of spybot - much more faster method of detection.

At this moment I know for at least one problem that F-secure can not but ComboFix can detect and remove.

FREE Anti Whatever can be worse than nothing.

Read about enumerating badness
http://www.ranum.com/security/comput...itorials/dumb/

Only you can protect yourself - by thinking first, acting later

No pill, vaccine or anti virus program can do it for you.

[Stargazer1965]

Originally Posted by Seashore

I have a DVD at home from which I want to take a short portion and use it in a thread. I don't want to upload it to Google video in order to get access to the video for my post.

I was thinking in terms of using the "Attach Files" function (under "Additional Options") that we have when we type posts. These are the "Valid file extensions" available to us: bmp doc gif jpe jpeg jpg pdf png psd txt zip.

Is there a file extension on this list that has anything to do with a DVD?

And if so, what software would I need to make this happen?

Those are picture and text formats...no video

Let me do some looking...

My knee jerk response would be to edit a video file and post it..

GL can we post videos from web shared drives??...not you tube??

[GaiaLove]

Originally Posted by Stargazer1965

GL can we post videos from web shared drives??...not you tube??

Nope, the embed feature only works with Youtube as this forums admin created the [youtube] tag for that purpose. if you want to share a video here you can either link it from wherever you store the file online (there are many file hosting providers) or upload to youtube and embed it with the youtube tag.
Sorry, those are your only options.

[Seashore]

Originally Posted by GaiaLove

or upload to youtube and embed it with the youtube tag

Hmmm. Upload to YouTube.

Okay. If I have a DVD that I possess and I want to take a snippet of it to use on a thread, what software do I need to use to get my snippet?

[GaiaLove]

Originally Posted by Seashore

Hmmm. Upload to YouTube.

Okay. If I have a DVD that I possess and I want to take a snippet of it to use on a thread, what software do I need to use to get my snippet?

As much as this pains me to say...
Try Microsoft Movie Maker (comes with windoze xp)

[Seashore]

Originally Posted by GaiaLove

As much as this pains me to say...
Try Microsoft Movie Maker (comes with windoze xp)

It's that easy??!!

I really have to have things spelled out to me one, two, three! Duh!

(This means I have to read the directions, right? Oh no!)

[nagual]

Originally Posted by waitinginthewings

GaiLove: seriously, what Nagual posted is not true?

I don't know (I'm a Mac user) ...
just got the info today from a friend who deals with computer's security...
posted it here hoping it may be helpful...

[artvision]

Originally Posted by nagual

I don't know (I'm a Mac user) ...
just got the info today from a friend who deals with computer's security...
posted it here hoping it may be helpful...

Hi Nagual, even Macs not safe, anymore. I would be vary on any upgrade from Apple more than 10.5.5, as well as of their new Leopard Snow. Watch here why:

Apple, which makes the Mac OS X operating system. "We work with a number of U.S. government agencies on Mac OS X security and collaborated with the NSA on the Mac OS X security configuration guide," said Apple spokesman Anuj Nayar in an e-mail.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...801352_pf.html

Side issue, Apple patented a new technology to bug you for pressing a button or click on screen, while you working, listening music, etc. If you don't they will shutdown your device:

In an application filed last year and made public last month by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Apple is seeking a patent for technology that displays advertising on almost anything that has a screen of some kind: computers, phones, televisions, media players, game devices and other consumer electronics.

More details here (need subscription):
http://www.nytimes.com/auth/login?UR...ROR=SHOW_ERROR

If they will start to apply this, they are not braver than M$hit, really!

Likewise, seems that the Linux is the way but not Novel, Red Hat or the big brands. Ubuntu, I'll not be so sure as is so popular.

[Stargazer1965]

Test Test



Above was produced by

[Stargazer1965]

Originally Posted by Stargazer1965

Test Test



Above was produced by

Mudra does your insert look like the above???

[nagual]

Originally Posted by artvision

Hi Nagual, even Macs not safe, anymore. I would be vary on any upgrade from Apple more than 10.5.5, as well as of their new Leopard Snow.

thanks artvision!

it's good to know... i'm using 10.5.8

Originally Posted by NewParadigmGuy

Thanks, I thought of that before, but when I right click on them, I have the option to "exit". But then they just run again when I restart the computer. Another problem is I am not sure what some of these programs do, and whether I need them running or not.

Go to Start-Run type in msconfig ENTER
Go to startup TAB
uncheck everything you do not want to start with the system
apply
ok
restart
after next boot - check u do not wish to be informed again

Also check your physical memory capacity (start-mycomputer-r.clicl-properties)

Than check the usage (start the task manager-performance TAB)

If your memory usage is bigger than physical memmory...than might be one of the problems. You want too much out of the PC. You can enlarge the windows "swap" file...or you can just accommodate to your PC speed.

Re-installing the entire system helps a lot.

Also if you might be infected there is a good free tool called ComboFix
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/comb...o-use-combofix
(backup your data before)

Also anti virus programs are more like placebo pills.

hope this helps

[Swanny]

Originally Posted by NewParadigmGuy

I'm using a Toshiba Satellite laptop that is about 3 years old and uses Windows XP. I don't have huge amounts of software or files on it and try to delete files or remove software I am not using. I subscribe to Trend Micro Internet Security which updates itself regularly and runs regular virus and spyware scans. I defragment my hard drive regularly.

This computer used to be pretty fast but it seems to have gotten gradually a little slower. I don't understand why and would like to speed it back up.

There is a free pc cleaner that I use
It's called CCleaner http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/
Run that I bet it helps to speed up your PC

[lastmimzy]

Originally Posted by Stargazer1965

I know there are a bunch of techie guys on this forum and I know there are folks with questions...

I'm not trying to get off the reason for this forum....doing this may help folks get on this forum or stay on if they are having PC problems.

I can't weave a basket but I can solve a lot of PC problems.....and if I can't ...there is a lot of guys on here that can.

In other words....trying to give back because I have gotten so much from you guys.

Thanks

OK; I'll take you up on your "help" offer. On this thread > http://projectavalon.net/forum/showthread.php?t=17636 ~~ you can see what I was trying to do. In post #2 Karen picked up on my edit difficulties, etc. And she just went ahead and did it for me, and her instructions in post #2, I've not been able to decipher. Still trying. I'm going to start a post on this thread, trying to install the same vid from YouTube, again. Maybe doing some things that I can ascertain from Karen's instruction. We'll see what happens.

[lastmimzy]

(?) >

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wynYMJwEPH8

.........for my own reference (and anybody else's), this is what she said >
"....You take the video number wynYMJwEPH8
and you put it between [youtube] and [/*youtube]
TAKE OUT THE *. I put it there so it did not code to a blank youtube page.

............this ain't gonna work; WHAT IS SHE SAYING??!! (??) youtube and youtube on each side of the address..........I'm gonna try it another way. And keep previewing to find out if it can come up in the preview. One other forum I'm on a lot (a motorcycle forum)~~I've done quite a few photo images from web hosts on that forum, and when you preview the post, you don't get the pic~~but, yeah, the address and codes are all there~~you just have to guess and hope that it does go thru on the final submit of the post..........and it always does, now.

youtube

wynYMJwEPH8

youtube

.....ok; I guess I'll have to submit this; maybe it's not gonna show up on the preview. (the pic at the start of the vid)

[GaiaLove]

To insert a youtube video into a post:

insert the file number of the video between the youtube tags
For example the link is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_Y26JNd3g4

then the file number is Y_Y26JNd3g4

so typing the text-->
gives you this:


Make sure there are no spaces.

To enter a photo from the web click in the edit window and enter the full address.
If you want to post your own photo you need to upload to your personal album and then link it the way i described above
You can create Albums of images that are linked to your public profile. Albums can be created by visiting the User Control Panel, and clicking on the 'Pictures & Albums' link, and then clicking on 'Add Album'. Each album can have a title ('Joe's Holiday to Nepal'), a description ('A bunch of photos from my recent adventure') and can be of three different types: Public, Private or Profile.

• Public albums can be viewed by anyone
• Private albums can only be viewed by site staff (moderators, administrators) and your Friends and Contacts (info)
• Profile albums are viewable only by you. However, you can use the images to customize your public profile (info)

Hope this helps