Thursday, October 16

The Economy Explained! (and a Rant)



What say you? I think it explains the whole government, too!


^^^^^^^^^

We're still looking at a yellow/green screen and getting tired of that! I love both those colors, but not on my monitor, overlaying all the other colors. It's confooosin' me. Maybe I'll win the lottery and buy a new, huge, flat-screen. Wouldn't that be loverly? Of course, you have to play the lottery before you can win - at least that's what I heard.

Colors are not the only problem with my computer. Last Sunday I deleted the old virus software (the one that was driving me not so slowly crazy) and replaced it with something from PC T**ls and something else called Thr*atfire (I think). Everything worked well until this morning, when my Outlook Express decided it didn't want me to get any new email. When I hit send/receive, it would tell me I had 7 emails, and try to load them, but it timed out before anything ever got into the inbox. How frustrating! I tried web-mail, and that worked ok.

So tonight, I called my cable provider and asked for technical assistance. Of course, you know where she was, don't you? Somewhere in India or Asia (I really couldn't tell which from her accent). She said her name was Ann, but I wouldn't bet on that being the one on her birth certificate. Her conclusion, after putting me through hoops in "tools" and "settings", is that I need to de-install Outlook Express and then re-install it. And of course, I'll have to call Microsoft for the info on how to do that, as it isn't in her list of instructions. I simply could not bear the thought of staying on the phone for another hour (or more) to find out how to do all that. So I did a system restore, back to the day before I downloaded the new software. HOORAY! I got the email back - but now I am unprotected (virus-wise) and my computer needs protection, lest it get the viral equivalent of aids and Lord-know-what-all.


Several months ago, my daughter suggested I download the free version of AVG, and I tried. It told me I couldn't continue because I had something on my system called Ew*do, and since it is now a part of their virus software, I had to delete it before I could continue downloading theirs.
The bummer part of all that is there was no place on my computer that I could find where it said I could de-install that. I went to the control panel and opened "add or remove", but that program was not listed! I am just bummed out over all of this and since I can't really afford to pay anyone to look at it - I'm stymied! Seems I'm asking for a lot of help here lately. I hope someone knows what to do or try.


22 comments:

Kay Dennison said...

I have used AVAST antivirus -- also free -- for about 5 years with nary a problem and damned little inconvenience like rebooting constantly (Can you say Norton?) It even cured a bout with the BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH.

Good stuff!!!!

Kay Dennison said...

And yeah -- as usual Maxine has it right. It's why if I gotta have a cartoon character as my president, it's gotta be her!!!

LZ Blogger said...

Judy ~ I loved the cartoon and it sure is TRUE too! ~ jb///

Bear Naked said...

Have you a 12 year old in the neighbourhood?
I have heard that they can fix anything dealing with computer problems.

Bear((( )))

Pat said...

I have Norton which once installed seems to work. It cost abour £56.
Against my better judgement I down -loaded an anti spam Thinngy. I'm still getting spam but not so much. Most of the time I feel quite helpless and at the mercy of unseen forces. Ho hum!

G in Berlin said...

I pay for MacAfee for my PC. It's worth the peace of mind.
I once had a PC that became so mired in spyware that after I paid an "expert" to fix it, he charged me but the computer was just as bad. I woulnd up getting help from a friend at work to get the files off it, then I junked it for a new computer. I have learned my lesson now.

tiff said...

You sure the Geek Squad wouldn't be a good idea? As soon as you said "system restore" you're several steps beyond my expertise. Might be time to call in the really heavy-hitters. Good luck!

sage said...

Maxine is right! I wish I could help more with your problems. I use McAfee.

Star said...

Wish I could help. We use Windows Onecare. It isn't free though. ood luck with tech assistance. I am pretty sure I made one of those people cry a few weeks ago. Or at least consider a career change.

utenzi said...

I recently switched to a UNIX based OS and don't bother with antivirus software anymore, Judy. Norton and McAfee work well but sap too much from the system resources.

Evil Twin's Wife said...

Love the cartoon. I don't even know what I have on my computer. I run Super Anti Spyware from time to time (it was free), but I had the Geek Squad set up our wifi and such, so he did whatever he did on my laptop.

Granny Annie said...

Amen Maxine! Ain't it the truth.

Judy, do you ever listen to Kim Komando? Anyway she gives some pretty good free advice and maybe you can get help on her website. http://www.komando.com/

Anonymous said...

Look at Craig's list and I bet you can find a nice sevetenn flatscreen monitor for very little. I saw one for this area yesterday for $40.00. I live i the Winston-Salem area but bet there is one there near you. I just got a great sewing machine for $25.00 and it is soo nice. Of course, no warranty, but for that price you can give it a try. Just an idea.
Redhead

bobbie said...

The best Maxine cartoon ever!!

Darlene said...

I used Norton system works for years but for some unknown reason changed to McAfee. I had trouble with it because it wouldn't let me use a feature until I disabled it. You have to pay for both antivirus programs, but it's worth the peace of mind for me.

I used to use Zone Alarm for my firewall. It's free and works very well. It is highly regarded by the geeks.

kenju said...

Redhead, thanks for the tip. I'll check it out.

Shelly said...

Sometimes I think they are all set up to make us so frustrated we go buy a new computer.
Yup, the compu-conspiracy theory.

rosemary said...

after finally canceling Mc*fee because of a maczillion problems I stopped using IE. I changed to Firefox, use their free stuff and am virus free. I am thru with boxed and remewal online uploads because of all of the problems.

Anonymous said...

Did someone screw up on your computer. Mine once bled all the colors together. It's like losing your right hand or at least a coupla fingers.

Traci Dolan said...

Oh yeah, Maxine is definitely right. I don't have any anti-virus on my computer, unless it installed it itself... and that's a possibility!

Chancy said...

Lawsee Miss Scarlett "I don't know nuthin bout birthin babies" (or fixing computers) as Prissy said in "Gone With the Wind"

I love your orchid photo however

Anonymous said...

I'm back because Michele told me to come. I love that flower on your header. Hope your computer is better.