Mrs. Mecomber's Scrapbook

Talking technology, computers, and the Internet… for the average computer user

Posts Tagged computers

Dell Server Computers Shipped With Virus

Jul 24

Posted by Mrs. Mecomber in computers, news | No Comments

That‘s gotta hurt.

Dell has inadvertently shipped replacement motherboards for its PowerEdge servers that are infected with the Spybot worm. The malware affects servers running Windows, but not other operating systems.

The worm can be triggered if users run an update to either the Unified Server Configurator (USC) or 32-bit Diagnostics on the server.

According to a Dell employee posting to the PowerEdge server support forum, “the W32.Spybot worm was discovered in flash storage on the motherboard during Dell testing.” The worm, which is not part of the firmware, can be blocked by “all industry-standard antivirus programs on the market today,” he said.

Did you notice that word “inadvertently” in the first sentence? No one “inadvertently” installs malware onto a motherboard. It is PLACED there. I’m not saying Dell did it. But SOMEONE surely did.

Dell is being rather secretive about how the malware got there, and is being criticized for taking slow action. Weird.

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A Great Resource for New Computers

Apr 21

Posted by Mrs. Mecomber in computers, desktop utilities, free programs | Comments off

Getting a new computer is so much fun! And I do reformats regularly here. Unfortunately, I am the IT person in the family…. as we have a whopping total of EIGHT computers to manage. And that doesn’t count the ones in temporary storage. I do a lot of tech help stuff, and so I have a lot of computers, new and old, with various operating systems on them. The kids use them for their schoolwork and etc, so they serve a dual purpose. But WOW it’s tough to reformat them all, it takes up a lot of time- time I;d rather spend snapping pics with a shiny new Nikon or time out in the garden.

The biggest time sucker is Windows Updates. Zzzzzzz those take about 24 hours to complete. YUK. And after that, it’s locating, downloading, and installing all the various programs I use.

Oooo but I have found a gem, ladies and gentlemen, a real gem! It’s Ninite! Yay! It’s free to use. They have a listing of the most common software applications–such as Firefox, Skype, Opera, Digsby, Irfanview, Flash, Silverlight, Google Earth, 7-zip, Filezila, and more– to download quickly and easily. I love the site. Whew, it’s easy, and the list is pretty good. These are the basic, most popular software programs, mind you. There are no drivers, no special firmware or software to run your Nikon camera software application… it’s just the basic stuff. However, if you think something should be included that isn’t listed, you can suggest an app from the home page (just scroll down to submit an app).

By the way, Ninite will NOT nag you to download a toolbar (as so many software programs do), and the applications come in 32-bit and 64-bit.

Nice one, guys!!! Maybe now I can finally have enough time to peel myself away from all this IT work, and go outside, snap photos of hummingbirds on my Nikon, and have a life again!

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Computer + TV = Happy Together?

Sep 16

Posted by Mrs. Mecomber in computers, electronics, networking, technology | 2 Comments

I love technology. I’ve been surfing the specs on various computer hot-rods these days, and am mightily impressed with the leaps and bounds of computer technology these days. And thanks to 64-bit machines (which are rapidly populating the market), you have 6GB, 8GB, 25GB or RAM and multiple processors! Talk about speed! I am trying out the Roxio Creator 2010 software (more on that to come!) and I am IMPRESSED with the way my “hot-rod” unit is able to handle the hefty software program.

The downside to all of this is that there is now entering a “technology glut”: too much stuff added on to the basic computer. I think computer manufacturers are attempting to make the computer an “all in one” machine– word processing/data fax/Internet/telephony/gaming station/audio and video kiosk/television unit. I personally think it’s too much. Too much can go wrong, too much is incompatible (even with my hot-rod, the cheapo power supply stutters when I push the graphics card too far), and I just don’t like the “one size fits all” mentality.

For example– new computers are now being equipped with television capabilities. Sure, it’s rather nice to watch free movies on the computer, or rig up that streaming movie from Netflix onto your widescreen Samsung TV, but… I still see the inconveniences of it all. Call me old-fashioned, I guess. But I am the daughter of an electronics/TV repairman… I know how things can go wrong especially with “all in one” units. Plus, it’s rather uncomfortable, watching TV on your computer. I like the cushy comfortable family room, without the interruption of all the computer activities, to enjoy a good movie on the Philips TV with the kids. I consider the computer to be something for “work” or, at best, temporary amusement (like viral videos or LOLCats!). But to sit there and tolerate a two-hour feature while sitting in desk chairs around the computer screen… yuk. I like my TV and computer separate. There is an abundance of TV deals anyway, so it’s not like we HAVE to have the computer to watch something.

What do you think? Do you think the computer will eventually eliminate the need for a television or other electronic devices? Do you like watching movies at your computer? Do you find it a hassle to connect TV and computer for movie viewing? As for me, I don’t think it’s worth it. So I’m hoping computer manufacturers shy away from adding all the bells and whistles to computers, and go back to… building better power supplies and graphics cards. Because THAT’S what we really need for speedy and efficient computing, don’t you think?

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He’s Back…

Sep 3

Posted by Mrs. Mecomber in computers, deals | Comments off

HAL. Er, uh, I mean, my little computer. He’s been moping about how slow he is, how hard I push him, yadda yadda. I just think he’s been spending too much time at those computer technology sites…

It’s a tough life, ya know! I have upwards of 6 kids pounding my keys, pushing my processor (I just have ONE processor, if you’ll remember!), playing games, and doing stuff on Paint Shop Pro… I get tired much more sooner with all this work!

I have to admit, maybe he’s right. We have “twin” computers (two exactly alike that we bought at the same time) the we got several years ago. One of them no longer plays CDs or DVDs, another keeps crashing…. we use the computers for our homeschool, so we must have computers here.

Maybe you should look into giving us an early retirement, huh? At least get us away from the kids and that irritating Toy Story computer game! I’m ready to pound Buzz Lightyear in the nose.

Well, I’m definitely going to keep working these computers until they can work no more… but there’s a sweet deal at HP that’s just in time for school– a $30 stackable site-wide coupon! :D The promo code for the coupon is SV2132. You can get $30 off orders of $150 or more (good until October 31, 2009, or while supplies last). It’s a very nice promotion before school, I think.

Plus, HP is having a nice Labor Day sale– 50% off on select items! There’s a beautiful little Pavilion desktop that’s looking really sweet. I think it would be perfect next to me on the desk, don’t you think?

Uh, HAL is getting a little carried away, don’t listen to him! We do not need anymore desktops!

…what we DO need is a sweet little laptop, oh yeah….

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A Day in the Life Of…

Aug 18

Posted by Mrs. Mecomber in business services, chatty, computers | 1 Comment

… my hard-working HP computers…

The poor thing. This heat and humidity is TERRIBLE for a computer. I have a slew of them (the kids and I), and we were almost SURE we could hear them heaving, sighing, and complaining…

Holy cow, this heat! Can’t these people shut me off for just a little while? So I can cool back down to the boiling point or something? *pant pant* work, work, work, that’s all I do!

Honest! That what the machines seemed to be saying! :hrm:

I do feel sorry for the machine, but a gal HAS to make a living…

Living, schmiving. I’m sweltering! And I’m also sick and tired of this operating system! When are you going to get me updated, huh?

:cwazy: lol. My computers can talk! Well, that’s OK, just as long as they don’t start calling me “Dave.” 8-O

I love HP. I will ONLY buy HP monitors, for starters. I have a verrrry nice 23″ LCD monitor for my work station, with my “HP Hot Rod” machine as I call it (AMD Phenom Quad-Core processor, NVIDIA GeForce 9100 video card, 6 GB RAM, and 640GB hard drive). We also have a slew of “lesser” HPs– a few with Intel Celeron processors for the kids, two laptops– one dual-core and another single-core. All very nice. Not to mention I have HP keyboards, monitors, printers, etc etc. I’ve found HP to be a thoroughly reliable brand. And did I say how much I LOVE their monitors?! They have the BEST monitors- very clear and crisp. Because I have poor eyesight and because I have a job that has me starting at the computer screen all day, I need a high-grade, quality monitor. HP has what’s called “BriteView” technology, and I think it is superior.

But the girls’ laptops, which are several years old, are starting to complain. For one, they are a tad outdated. (A computer more than five years old is considered “old.”). The fan on one of them has completely pooped out, another has a power button that doesn’t work anymore, and on another, the monitor is starting to show it’s age.

Who you calling old, sister?? I just need a little TLC… and air conditioning.

How about you? Your computers feeling a little slow and sluggish? Looking forward to ditching your Windows ME or XP for the flashy Windows Vista? I love Vista. :D Well, here’s a very nice promotional deal for you:

Get $500 off instantly when you purchase an HP HDX 16t with $300 coupon code NBN3248 + $200 Instant Rebate. The offer is valid through 8/23 or while supplies last. Restrictions and exclusions apply.

It’s a great time to get a new computer– manufacturers are moving out the Vista machines to make room for the Win7 machines. I may try to nab a good deal or two, also, so we can finally retire some of the old workhorses around here.

I’m afraid I can’t let you do that, Dave.

8-O

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