Windows "Updates"
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Yes, linux malware is theoretically possible, but I have yet to meet anyone who has had any infections nor had any myself. Ever. Can anyone say that about Windows?
@RogerOT - I would recommend trying Lubuntu. It only requires 128 megs of RAM.
RogerOT wrote:
Afraid I'm way out of my depth now!
I'd like to try it though and I have an old Win XP machine that I'd like to trial it on...is 512 MB ram enough for a linux installation?
Yes, it is... as long as you use a lightweight window/desktop manager, say XFCE4/LXDE, and not a fullfledged beast like KDE4/Gnome. Linux is absolutely usable even in systems with less RAM than that.
This came just in time, now I can turn that stuff off. After this most recent update, now my computer wont boot up at all. Giving me an error message that some .dll flies in the system folder are corrupted. Luckily I know how to do a system restore (ok, not that hard, but that's about all I know how to do with computers heh).
Not just Microsoft either. Java updates and such do more harm than good. "But it fixes security issues" ... at the cost of functionality is the end of that sentence.
And before my last format I didn't update anything for over a year and it worked just fine. I see advice on these computer help forums where experts apparently have to format their sh*t twice a month lol.
Apr 12, 2013
0
#26
If you have Windows 8, Microsoft is making tons of updates, because WIndows 8 is pretty much a new OS, with many new features, and there are a lot of bugs too!
also, as ppl said here, you can choose when Microsoft updates.
Well after 3 hours or so of screwing with it I got everything updated AND working... somehow. As usual windows makes you work hard for your computer 
Apr 13, 2013
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#29
DaBigOne wrote:
p.s. use a mac!
I would except for the minor details such as MACs costing about twice as much as a comparable PC AND Apple's ignorant policy of not building MACs that I can add hardware to.
You people are so advanced... I'm still using XP.
Can anybody help with a Google Earth problem?
It won't start and wants to switch between DirectX and GL9 graphics. I checked the DirectX and it seemed to be up to date, but I downloaded it again, just to be sure.
Still won't start
pfren wrote:
vaarwel_broek wrote:
Use linux.
I use Linux exclusively since mid-2004, and I am a very happy man.
If the OP can't figure out how to confire when Windows does its reboots, he will have a hell of a time using Linux. Or his car for that matter.
astronomer999 wrote:
You people are so advanced... I'm still using XP.
Can anybody help with a Google Earth problem?
It won't start and wants to switch between DirectX and GL9 graphics. I checked the DirectX and it seemed to be up to date, but I downloaded it again, just to be sure.
Still won't start
What's your GPU/ graphics card?
If the OP can't figure out how to confire when Windows does its reboots, he will have a hell of a time using Linux. Or his car for that matter.
I wouldn't think so. With the Ubuntu distributions it has become so easy. I use Xubuntu and am very happy with it.
Apr 13, 2013
0
#34
NimzoRoy wrote:
DaBigOne wrote:
p.s. use a mac!
I would except for the minor details such as MACs costing about twice as much as a comparable PC AND Apple's ignorant policy of not building MACs that I can add hardware to.
they may cost more, but look at the build quality! dont tell me you wouldnt like this: http://www.apple.com/ca/imac/
look how thin it is!
also, apart from looks, they are more reliable (for me). I ran through like 2-3 PCs, and finally got a mac. its been holding up really well
also, what hardware do you want to add to your computer anyways?
Apr 13, 2013
0
#35
astronomer999 wrote:
You people are so advanced... I'm still using XP.
Can anybody help with a Google Earth problem?
It won't start and wants to switch between DirectX and GL9 graphics. I checked the DirectX and it seemed to be up to date, but I downloaded it again, just to be sure.
Still won't start
dont think it has to do with the graphics card, i think google stopped supporting XP, so Earth doesnt work on it.
DaBigOne wrote:
astronomer999 wrote:
You people are so advanced... I'm still using XP.
Can anybody help with a Google Earth problem?
It won't start and wants to switch between DirectX and GL9 graphics. I checked the DirectX and it seemed to be up to date, but I downloaded it again, just to be sure.
Still won't start
dont think it has to do with the graphics card, i think google stopped supporting XP, so Earth doesnt work on it.
Thanks. I thought Google had the motto "Don't be evil" or something similar. But I'm forced to buy a new machine or a new OS to use their handy product now?
Like the robot in Lost in Space said....that does not compute
So much fun...
So I turn on my computer this evening... and it wont boot again... what the hell happened I have no idea... also it informs me there are no system restore points now. They were there yesterday, but I guess whatever it did while I was gone erased them for me. Wonderful.
I'm getting the feeling the person who "fixed" my computer a few months ago did some goofy half assed work.
waffllemaster wrote:
So much fun...
So I turn on my computer this evening... and it wont boot again... what the hell happened I have no idea... also it informs me there are no system restore points now. They were there yesterday, but I guess whatever it did while I was gone erased them for me. Wonderful.
I'm getting the feeling the person who "fixed" my computer a few months ago did some goofy half assed work.
I just restored my computer today, and finally got rid of that damn software, I told you about. Also got rid of that stupid Weather Channel app, that I was dumb enough to download. It had been slowing my computer to a slug's pace. A drunk slug.
Apr 13, 2013
0
#39
DaBigOne wrote:
Q: also, what hardware do you want to add to your computer anyways
A: I've already added a 2nd DVD drive; I also like the options of being able to replace or upgrade the Power Supply, RAM, video card, motherboard, audio card and/or add an extra fan, internal HD, or ports.
Apr 14, 2013
0
#40
astronomer999 wrote:
DaBigOne wrote:
astronomer999 wrote:
You people are so advanced... I'm still using XP.
Can anybody help with a Google Earth problem?
It won't start and wants to switch between DirectX and GL9 graphics. I checked the DirectX and it seemed to be up to date, but I downloaded it again, just to be sure.
Still won't start
dont think it has to do with the graphics card, i think google stopped supporting XP, so Earth doesnt work on it.
Thanks. I thought Google had the motto "Don't be evil" or something similar. But I'm forced to buy a new machine or a new OS to use their handy product now?
Like the robot in Lost in Space said....that does not compute
Well, its hard to keep supporting old OS's when they do not support new technology. Microsoft is not supporting Windows XP in 2014 as well.
However, you could just upgrade the OS to something newer, e.g. Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8.
I hear now Windows 8 comes with Office 2013 for free, so maybe it isn't such a bad thing to upgrade.
The only malware I'm aware of is related to some Open/LibreOffice macros, and php hacks (the latter are dealt via security updates, and a common user does not deal with php scripting, anyway). They can do damage only to certain files at the users account, but the system will not be harmed, if the user is not stupid enough to use a root password like "123", or is allowed to switch to root (sudo / su -c) without providing credentials.
A windows emulator like WINE is rather harmless, as all it can see by default is a fake windows drive (that is just a folder at the user's home directory), while virtual machines like VMWare/ VirtualBox also have no access to the system other than a shared folder (which can even be disabled if the user wishes so).