Direct MP3 Download: Podnutz Daily #62 – The Leaf Blower May Just Win
Infected laptop came into the shop.
After I cleaned the machine
I still had this Vista-looking pop up that said
the computer was infected.
It was a background image, a jpeg.
Changing the desktop image
solved the issue.
Tip:
You have to change the desktop image
AFTER you run your cleaning programs
HP DV6000 laptop downgrade to XP
DriverPacks took care of all of the drivers
except for the modem and maybe the SD card slot.
Also her battery wasn’t charging.
The computer would recognize the battery was there
but the battery light would just blink and not charge.
Is it the circuitry in the motherboard?
Or is it the battery?
Tip:
Take the battery to Best Buy or Circuit City
and test it in one of the floor models there.
I also give tips on buying a battery.
Customer came in with a newer desktop
and an older desktop he wanted as a backup system.
I tried Acronis True Image to clone the image he wanted
and I tried to install it on the old.
This did not work because the mother boards were different
and required different drivers.
I explain what I did to get past this roadblock using Windows Repair.
Customer wanted a “simple” data transfer
from one machine to the other.
One machine was running Windows 2000
the other was running Vista.
There was several gigs of data to be transferred
and Windows 2000 does not recognize usb 2.0
I cover a few options on how to quickly transfer files.
Unhappy customer with machine with no power.
Symptoms occurred after a storm so I told him
it was probably just his power supply.
It would not be that expensive to repair.
But it turned out to be his mother board.
Tip:
I give tips on what to look for when troubleshooting
if it is the power supply or the mother board.
Norton 360 AND McAfee on the same system!
Removed McAfee easily but Norton would not remove.
Had to use the Norton Removal Tool which removes *everything* Norton
Voice Mail from Mark in Reno:
Mark gives his opinion on extended warranties purchased through chain stores.
They only cover hardware and not virus/spyware.
These warranties only cover a small percentage of common computer issues.
Voicemail from Cynthia (NewBritG):
Help for Joe using WPA security for his wireless.
If he wants help setting a strong password
he should try using Steve Gibson’s Password Generator
Cynthia also comments on Ray’s voicemail
and talks about her set up with two hard drives.
One is dedicated to Linux the other (larger) hard drive
is dedicated to both XP and Vista as a dual boot situation.
Cynthia also mentions that she has found
the CompaQ Presario hard drives tend to run hot.
She is working on one right now that boots very slow.
It takes about four minutes to get to the desktop.
My tips for Cynthia:
If heat is an issue 1st step is to dust out the inside.
Also is it the processor getting hot or the hard drive?
It may be both.
CompaQ’s tend to have bad airflow through the case.
To speed up that slow boot up:
Go to add/remove programs and start removing programs
that are not used by the client.
Check the system tray for unnecessary start up programs
Also run msconfig both startup and services
and go through the programs eliminating what is not important
and googling the programs and services you are not sure of.
Email from AcidBurn:
He offers a work-in-progress solution to replacing CO2 cans.
He also has a Dell Dimension 4550 that will not boot.
Light on the MB comes on but no other lights.
Tested power supply.
This goes back to the problem I mentioned earlier in this show.
If the light comes on, it is not the power supply.
Email from Ed about that Windows reinstall
that kept giving me a BSOD regarding PnP:
Ed says check memory and offers other troubleshooting tips.
Email from Carey Holzman:
(Who started the whole leaf blower controversy)
Carey chimes in!
He says go to Walmart and buy the cheapest Black & Decker leaf blower they have.
He also mentions that he never uses the $99 air compressor
he has due to too issues with condensation and not portable.
Email from Roger:
I saw a sponsored link for XP AntiVirus
when searching for mother boards.
Roger also mentions a free antispyware program:
malwarebytes.org
Email from Lena:
Verizon connection that fades as well.
She was told that since she is in a manufactured home
it has too much metal to allow the connection.
Email from Steven:
Wants to purchase a laptop
and wants to run Linux.
Should he get a pre-installed laptop?
Or a laptop he would have to install Linux
What would save him the most money?
I give him my tips.
Live Call from Carey Holzman:
It had to happen!
Carey calls in to defend the leaf blower!
Watch for Carey’s soon-to-be-released video using the leaf blower.
Carey’s You Tube Channel .. he will prove that it does the job.
Carey wants to know:
For the love of all that is Holy:
How do you get transparent text for desktop icons?
Carey has tried everything.
I recommended he try Kellys Korner for this type of obscure fix.
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!
Mike Smith of Mike Tech Show and
Steve Cherubino of Podnutz and Podnutz Daily
Will BOTH be joining Carey Holzman LIVE on Computer America for both hours on 08.29!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
This Friday, August 29th 2008. 10p-12a EST
Computer America has a live chat that compliments the show.
You can get to it from the Computer America homepage and click on the “interact” button.
Carey also announced:
FIVE copies of Acronis True Image 11 will be given away on this show!
Carey talks me into discussing my background image in uStream
.. and how I make the magic happen.
