The Official Computer Tech Support Thread

[sidewinder]

Cool thanks for your help. I actually do have Avast and/or AVG, thanks for reminding me. I just don't remember which one is running on a regular basis.

And I do think my problem is spyware or malware. I use the term virus loosely...anything jacking my system is a virus to me. It's trying to get me to purchase this XP something or other software in order to get rid of a virus. So I'm getting all these alert prompts saying my system is under attack, etc. And the copyright violation alert is trying to get me to "settle" rather than let the case go to court. It scared me when I first saw it, but then I realized it was full of broken English.

So as I said, I have tried using MalwareBytes and Search & Destroy, but maybe they're not up to date enough. I'm unable to update them because whatever has taken over my system is preventing me from doing so.

I was ready to get a professional to look at it, but what I think I might do tomorrow is bring it to work so that it's easier and quicker for me to research (on my office computer) and troubleshoot in the same place. I'm also thinking of asking the guy we outsource our IT to if he's willing to help me out on the side, I assume if he's got the time it'll cost me less than taking it to a shop, and I can trust him.

But, feel free to give any more advice in the meantime...I'm not even sure I can bring it in here easily tomorrow seeing as I don't have a car...not looking forward to taking it on the bus.

[Freebase Dali]

Originally Posted by sidewinder

Cool thanks for your help. I actually do have Avast and/or AVG, thanks for reminding me. I just don't remember which one is running on a regular basis.

And I do think my problem is spyware or malware. I use the term virus loosely...anything jacking my system is a virus to me. It's trying to get me to purchase this XP something or other software in order to get rid of a virus. So I'm getting all these alert prompts saying my system is under attack, etc. And the copyright violation alert is trying to get me to "settle" rather than let the case go to court. It scared me when I first saw it, but then I realized it was full of broken English.

So as I said, I have tried using MalwareBytes and Search & Destroy, but maybe they're not up to date enough. I'm unable to update them because whatever has taken over my system is preventing me from doing so.

I was ready to get a professional to look at it, but what I think I might do tomorrow is bring it to work so that it's easier and quicker for me to research (on my office computer) and troubleshoot in the same place. I'm also thinking of asking the guy we outsource our IT to if he's willing to help me out on the side, I assume if he's got the time it'll cost me less than taking it to a shop, and I can trust him.

But, feel free to give any more advice in the meantime...I'm not even sure I can bring it in here easily tomorrow seeing as I don't have a car...not looking forward to taking it on the bus.

Cool deal.
Just for information's sake, you shouldn't have more than one anti-virus program installed and running on your computer at once (i.e. AVG and Avast) because they tend to need the same system resources and that can cause problems. If you get a chance to verify, ensure you're only using one. I personally recommend Avast because you don't need to manually update it, and it's just as strong as AVG, which if I'm not mistaken.. you do have to manually update.

It's a great idea to bring your computer to work and research the issue online. 9 times out of 10 someone else is having the same problem as you are and you can easily find solutions to common problems that way on the web. The extent at which you'll intuit the fixes is dependent on your knowledge and their instruction quality, but if you find yourself needing any additional information or if you hit a brick wall, feel free to post your questions.

(using your IT guys is also a great option as well, but they better owe you a favor or be really bored.. they can be slow on purpose.. believe me, I know. hehe.)

[Flower Child]

Freebase, does your technical advice also extend to ipods that I want to somehow play through my car speakers? If so, I need your assistance.

[Freebase Dali]

Originally Posted by Flower Child

Freebase, does your technical advice also extend to ipods that I want to somehow play through my car speakers? If so, I need your assistance.

While I don't know anything about iPODs themselves, I do know about headphone jacks and auxiliary inputs for car stereo decks... so ask away and if I don't know the answer, I'll try my best to find it for you.

[Flower Child]

Great and thank you so much!

Well you see, my sexy Oldsmobile had a cassette player and Walmart had one of those adaptors that looked like a cassette that you just put in and plug your ipod to the other end. Worked great. That car broke down and I have a different car now with a cd player. cd player is pretty old and I've searched everywhere for a plug in place and it just doesn't have one anywhere. Is there anyway I could still rig something up with the cd player or cigarrette lighter thing that would play my ipod, or am I just going to have to tough it out and burn a bunch of cds again?

[Freebase Dali]

Originally Posted by Flower Child

Great and thank you so much!

Well you see, my sexy Oldsmobile had a cassette player and Walmart had one of those adaptors that looked like a cassette that you just put in and plug your ipod to the other end. Worked great. That car broke down and I have a different car now with a cd player. cd player is pretty old and I've searched everywhere for a plug in place and it just doesn't have one anywhere. Is there anyway I could still rig something up with the cd player or cigarrette lighter thing that would play my ipod, or am I just going to have to tough it out and burn a bunch of cds again?

I seem to remember a device my little sister used to use that transmitted, from the iPOD, a radio frequency that she was able to tune into on the CD Player and play through her stereo system that way.
Regardless of whether the stereo is a Cassette or a CD player, if it has AM/FM radio capabilities, it's able to operate in the radio frequencies. I think you'll be able to find such a device with a well-placed Google search, but if you can't, then let me know and I'll see if I can find one for you.

I recommend searching the Apple store first, as you'll probably find it easier there. If not, other companies might make the same thing. I just don't remember the name of the actual adapter. It's basically an RF transmitter. Costs about 30 dollars or so if I can remember correctly.

[sidewinder]

Originally Posted by Freebase Dali

Cool deal.
(using your IT guys is also a great option as well, but they better owe you a favor or be really bored.. they can be slow on purpose.. believe me, I know. hehe.)

Yeah if/when I approach him I'll make sure to tell him that I only want his help if he can do it within 2-3 days max. Otherwise, time is money and I'd rather fork over a bit more cash to have it done right away.

I'll check on the antivirus I'm using when I get home (I'm almost 100% sure only one of them was running, as I'm aware having more than one is bad), and hopefully I can bring the computer in tomorrow.

[Flower Child]

Originally Posted by Freebase Dali

I seem to remember a device my little sister used to use that transmitted, from the iPOD, a radio frequency that she was able to tune into on the CD Player and play through her stereo system that way.
Regardless of whether the stereo is a Cassette or a CD player, if it has AM/FM radio capabilities, it's able to operate in the radio frequencies. I think you'll be able to find such a device with a well-placed Google search, but if you can't, then let me know and I'll see if I can find one for you.

I recommend searching the Apple store first, as you'll probably find it easier there. If not, other companies might make the same thing. I just don't remember the name of the actual adapter. It's basically an RF transmitter. Costs about 30 dollars or so if I can remember correctly.

Ah, thank you so much Freebase! I'm on the search.

[Freebase Dali]

Oh, FlowerChild... here's an example of what I was talking about:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_599F8M0...al.html?tp=121

[Flower Child]

Originally Posted by Freebase Dali

Oh, FlowerChild... here's an example of what I was talking about:
Belkin TuneCast™ Universal FM transmitter for MP3 players at Crutchfield.com

Hey man that looks great!
I have been wondering about this for probably a good 2 months now and you have managed to solve it in a matter of seconds.

You're good.