Computer that constantly breaks! Trying to advise a new one. Ideas?

[MadSkillzMan]

Ok, if anyone has been in these forums for longer than a month you know im anti-windows.

Heres the problem, our horse driver bought this cheapo computer. Pretty much got ripped off, heres the specs:

1.6ghz P4 Celeron
128mb ram
20gb HDD, 5400RPM
16MB Built in SiS video <---These suck bigtime
preinstalled with winxp.

Now, at one point, i guess it just died on him. They wanted to charge 300$ to reload XP. So i took a whack at it, backed up all his precious files and pics, redid the machine, all was well. Its was slow as hell! He complained about that too, so what i did was explained ram to him, and he bought a 512mb stick, causting about 90$ at the time

So i gave it back and all was well. For a good 6 months life was good. Brings it back to me again, this time with an ungodly amount of viruses. Redo it again. Give it back. Not one week later is he complaining its not working AGAIN! And even with the 630mb ram, ITS SLOW.

To make matters worse its dialup, they cant get dsl/cable where hes located.

So hes asking me about my mac, which i advised a mac-mini because he doesnt want to pay for a full brand new computer, but wants something with a warranty (which is something building it cant provide)

Hes quite a drive from us, so tech support that actually helps isa plus.

The only explanation is hes getting hammered on his lousy dialup. That and windows lol my excuse for all comp problems.

So i thoguht about it, and if he gets a mac mini, or a gateway (like what he wants) its STILL gonna be slow as hell because of the dialup.

So im not really sure what to do here guys...then my dad goes and suggests linux. HAH. hed get lost in that so fast lol.

any thoughts? tahnks in advance

[Elif Tymes]

Technically, his mac should access the internet faster, due to the fact that their won't be as much spyware/adware/crapware/deathware that he will get as he surfs the nebulous nets.

Plus, he won't get the slow down as virusii acumulate.

He sounds like the ideal mac person, to be honest :)

[theMonster]

Agreed. I'll bet spyware is bogging him down. I say give him a mini and tell him to begone, you've got more to do than support a dummy. I had to brush off this one chick who was wanting help recently because she futzed around with an HP she bought off the shelf wanting to install XP PRO and remove Home. People with no knowledge shouldn't take on such endeavours and especially not try to expect somebody to walk them through it over the phone.

[MadSkillzMan]

you make sense about the browsing. ive been used to DSL for years, so to me everything less is terrible!

[Zulu-1]

ill let Ctrl-Alt-Dlt online handle this one! ;) :santa:
http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/images/comics/20021126.gif
just a joke btw.. just a joke :welcome:

[nahmus]

give him adaware with instructions on how to run it ( i have instructions with pictures that I can send you if you want.) and tell him to run it once a week. Its free so they can't complain.

have him pickup the phone and hit a number. Once the circuit is open have him listen for stadic. It could be a very noisy line. that could be some of the problem.

If he has a "win" modem see if you can try to get him to get a better modem. a 3com or external modem will help speeds.

the new Nortons AV (just antivirus not the whole internet suite) also sweeps for spyware. Its a good way to keep the PC clean.

just some suggestions.

[tenchi86]

Haha I love that cartoon. As for ad-ware. Why dont you just set him up with a few free apps that do it auto? Like AVG, ms spyware, adware, spybot. The works. If he gets a mac make sure he knows what hes getting into. Most people dont under stand the compatabitly part. Also can I ask what you mean your horse driver?

[threeme2189]

[QUOTE=Elif Tymes]Technically, his mac should access the internet faster, due to the fact that their won't be as much spyware/adware/crapware/deathware that he will get as he surfs the nebulous nets.
[/QUOTE


man that made me laugh... deathware lol

[Mr.Guvernment]

people like ths i wont help - i tell them learn about spyware and ad ware and stop getting it - computers dont take care of themselves

i often say, if they havea car - dont you do maintenance on your car? - same with a PC.