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I came in this morning to another blue screen at my front counter pooter. It said that "Windows has failed to load because file (windows root) \system32\hal.dll is missing or corrupted. After wasting several hours trying to fix the problem I found out the real problem. The last full version of Windows I bought was 98 (3 copies). I also bought Windows 2000 Professional, Windows ME and Windows XP Home Edition, all upgrades. That should not be a problem, right? Wrong! If you do a clean install (like I did) and it prompts you to insert your full version disk, if you use a Win 98 disk you'll get this error message, according to the Microsoft "help" desk. Here I have wasted a whole day dicking around with this pooter because of this lame error. If Microsoft sells an upgrade and I buy an upgrade and have a full prior version then it should work - but it doesn't. I hate this business sometimes; I just want to hook my electro pounce to the motherboard, turn it on 10 and let it fry like a bug zapper.
I feel better now.
-------------------- Ricky Jackson Signs Now 614 Russell Parkway Warner Robins, GA (478) 923-7722 signpimp50@hotmail.com
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Issac Newton Posts: 3528 | From: Warner Robins, GA | Registered: Oct 2004
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Isn't it great Ricky? Microsoft has figured out how to sell an incomplete product, then later down the road sell you even more bits and pieces they call "upgrades" to "fix" what should have been done right in the first place.
I can't wait for the day the masses finally get sick and tired of putting up with that crap.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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Actually Bob, Apple is debuting a USB toaster oven at Mac World. It comes with a deep fry attachment too and a thermometer Widget to keep an even temperature.
-------------------- Bill Modzel Mod-Zel screen Printing Traverse city, MI modzel@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1356 | From: Traverse City, MI | Registered: Nov 1998
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upgrades suck.....i would drather do a full install of windows rather than packin one on top of the other......because of the problem right here your having.
if the computer is too slow to take xp get a new one. they are not expensive like they once were
-------------------- You ever notice how easily accessible people are when they are requiring your services but once they get invoice you can't reach them anymore
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I've never been more happier than I am now with my Windows setup. Everything works together finally and I've had no major crashes or downtime. I can stay with what I have now so long as I dont encounter any new problems.
Sure was a long road getting to this point though.
-------------------- Bob Stephens Skywatch Signs Zephyrhills, FL
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hahahahaha Ray...I don't know if you ever saw that "Life is Like That" segment in Readers Digest years ago. I think it was entitled "SHHH..The refrigerator is listening".
I NEVER talk about how good something is running when it is within earshot!
Ricky..I guess I have been fortunate..the only "upgrade" of Windows I have ever bought was Win2000Pro...I've probably used it for a reformat twice in 6 years (using a Win98SE CD as the "proof") and never run into any problems.
The last two laptops have come with full XP disks.
My biggest complaint about computers is that if you are going to use them on the internet you have to load so many "condoms" that boot times slow down and performance suffers.
One of these days I am going to get smart and just disconnect one computer from the internet, reformat it and only install work related programs.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
quote:Originally posted by Dave Grundy: One of these days I am going to get smart and just disconnect one computer from the internet, reformat it and only install work related programs.
I've been threatening to get that smart one of these days too... in fact for 4 puters... leaving one on-line (& one at home) I'm addicted to my mapped network drive allowing me to save all data to the server where it gets backed up every night... but that could be a local network seperate from the DSL puter instead of behind the router.
I got a fix for you Ricky... or if it's already fixed this time... one to consider for next time. Costco is the ultimate place for easily returning products. Maybe a full version of XP could be loaded, but registered under the serial number of the upgrade you already legally own... then return it.
quote:Costco is the ultimate place for easily returning products. Maybe a full version of XP could be loaded, but registered under the serial number of the upgrade you already legally own... then return it.
Then your computer would work well but your Karma would be shot to hell! LOL
-------------------- Kimberly Zanetti Purcell www.amethystProductivity.com Folsom, CA email: Kimberly@AmethystProductivity.com
“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.” AA Milne Posts: 3722 | From: Folsom, CA | Registered: Dec 2001
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I have both systems in my shop. A powermac G3 400 mhz, and a pc 2.0ghz with 1gb ram, 80 gig hd, and everything else that goes with it. I spend more time deleting spyware and viruses and fixing problems than I do working. Im buying another mac soon, and the pc will be retired to second chair. I wish Id never bought one.
-------------------- Maker of fine signs and other creative stuff. Located at 109 N. Cumberland ave. Harlan, Ky. 40831 606-837-0242 Posts: 4172 | From: Ages-Brookside, Ky. Up the Holler... | Registered: Jul 1999
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quote:Originally posted by W. R. Pickett: ...People, listen to JOHN DEATON !!! How come some folks will never admit that MICROSOFT SUCKS!!!
Most PC users will readily admit to the problems inherent with Windows. The same is not true for Mac evangelists. Does the Mac have problems? It sure does. Weighed in the balance, I prefer Windows over the Mac OS.
My mind wanders. And that's not a good thing, 'cause it's too small to be out there alone. Posts: 3129 | From: Tooele, UT | Registered: Mar 2005
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Which balance Russ? Windows is closing in on 100,000 known viruses, Mac OS X - "0" Spyware, Mac OSX -"0" Adware, Mac OS X - "0"
On the other hand, Windows keeps thousands of computer tech's and software engineers gainfully employed.
I've just been Googleing for some virus information. The average person who connects a new pc to the internet will be infected within 40 minutes! That's even hard for me to comprehend.
. . . and yes Russ, Macs have problems too. I know I've read about them somewhere. I've even had a few myself, I'm just trying to remember the last one. Hmmm, oh well. . . .
-------------------- Bill Modzel Mod-Zel screen Printing Traverse city, MI modzel@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1356 | From: Traverse City, MI | Registered: Nov 1998
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If MacOS has problems I wanna know what they are because I sure haven't seen any the past 8 months I've been thwarting at it with graphics and design software, 500MB image files, authoring DVD movies and composing music through GarageBand, etc.
Occassionally Dreamweaver MX 2004 and CorelDRAW 11 hiccup but OSX doesn't let errant software affect the rest of the system.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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quote:Originally posted by Russ McMullin: Most PC users will readily admit to the problems inherent with Windows. The same is not true for Mac evangelists. Does the Mac have problems? It sure does. Weighed in the balance, I prefer Windows over the Mac OS.
ditto!
Since windows has mac beat on sales by some astronomical amount (I don't know or care about exact statistics... but I have a feeling "astronomical" applies) ...you Mac guys are easily able to point at the numerous well documented windows specific problems...
...what you don't seem to get is that not everyone has those problems. I was a strictly mac guy for years before an employment situation forced me to learn windows... one thing led to another & I ended up getting sign equipment & software for pennies on the dollar... that further entrenched me in the PC world... I've heard about & read about virus issues... and serious spyware related issues... but in 15 years of averaging several hours a day using a PC... I have not had these problems.
Virus = 0 spyware issues worth mentioning = 0 enough trouble to decide to switch = 0
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Russ, I tried both sides of the coin. I learned most of what I know on a mac. Actually a classicII that was very small and slow, but never ever had a problem. I then bought the one I spoke of above, upgraded with a bigger processor, it used to be an 8500,and used it for several years, again with no problems. Then I bought a pc for the shop, to have my cake and eat it too, so to say. Ive got a pentium 4, plenty of ram, and make sure to keep the computer clean from games and junk of the sorts. Its the security issues that cause all the problems. Spyware, viruses and the like that invade on a daily basis. I use spybot, adaware, trojan hunter, avg antivirus, and a couple other programs to try and keep it running smoothly, but it still has problems. Programs dont run right, some wont start up at times, they lock up with that incessant little hourglass staring at me. This is just my opinion and my experience with both systems. Macs do have problems, although Ive never had one with mine. I think Nettie had some problems with a mac she owned at one time. If I had any, Id admit it and be truthful about it. They just dont occur like they do with the windows system. Soon as I get a new mac, Ill be a little happier, but Ill still have a pc at home to contend with.
-------------------- Maker of fine signs and other creative stuff. Located at 109 N. Cumberland ave. Harlan, Ky. 40831 606-837-0242 Posts: 4172 | From: Ages-Brookside, Ky. Up the Holler... | Registered: Jul 1999
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I haven't had a virus on my PC since I can't even remember when. I did have some spyware trouble a couple of years ago, but since buying Spysweeper and keeping it updated, no more issues. I can't remember the last time I had a bluescreen on my own machine.
So...the balance. Well, here are some thoughts:
With Windows I like the freedom to buy whatever hardware I choose. With the Mac I have to make sure it's "Mac-compatible" or pay the consequences.
Software tends to be cheaper for the PC, and there is a lot more good freeware out there for the PC. Sure, the Mac can run Unix programs now, which opens it up to some good stuff. But, if you're that kind of geek, you'll probably be running FreeBSD instead.
I hate the single-button mouse that comes with the Mac, and I hate the Mac keyboard too. Those were the first things to find themselves on Ebay when I bought my G4 tower. The single button mouse is fine example of Apple arrogance, or in other words, form over function.
I like having a button on my CD-ROM drive to eject it. Apple has a the eject on the keyboard instead. I tried to use a Logitech keyboard with my Mac, and had troubles ejecting the CD with the keyboard. Not Apple's fault? I was just trying to use a keyboard I liked (it did have apple keys on it).
Windows machines get updated from time to time and usually reboot afterwards. Funny thing, Macs have to reboot for their updates to take effect too. In my experience, the Apple updates take forever to download and install. I can't imagine how I would manage if I had a modem.
No floppy. Hmmm. I've got a bunch of old Mac stuff on floppies. I'll have to buy a $60 USB floppy drive if I'm going to get the info off the floppies. With a PC I could scavange a floppy off of any old computer and be in business.
My PC works with my old LaserWriter Select 360 just fine. Apple did away with both connectors that my printer has, so I have to use a print server to print from the Mac, or share the printer through my PC. Windows 2000 and XP have drivers for my printer so it's a snap to configure on a PC.
I love the windows-M and windows-D commands to clear the screen of all open windows. Apple has made strides in this direction, but I dislike their implementation of it. I wish they had a simple key command instead of a mouse movement.
I love how Windows displays all my open windows along the bottom of the screen. I like how I have a representation for each open window, and which program it belongs to. The Mac does something similar, but it's not easy to distinguish one window from another. This is probably my biggest beef with the Mac OS. Apple's workarounds are not elegent, and they frustrate me to no end. I would expect an OS based on BSD to allow for lots of customization in this regard. Apple could easily emulate the Windows functionality, but it's not likely to happen.
When I bought my G4 tower I had an aging Powermac 8100/80. I expected to be blown away with Apple yumminess. I wasn't. Even with OS X it's just a computer. Mine was a 1Ghz G4, and it wasn't any faster than my 1Ghz Athlon. In fact, surfing the web was slower. I was always waiting for pictures to show up. I had been using Internet Explorer, and was told Safari was the answer. Safari wasn't the answer. I ended up with Mozilla, which was much better than the first two.
I have two friends that like to send me pictures from their Macs. I often have trouble viewing all of the pictures. I don't experience this problem with my friends that send pictures from PCs.
Can't crash a Mac? Yeah right. I accomplished this with a Wacom tablet that is supposedly Mac compatible. The Mac wasn't happy about something, and started freaking out. My USB ports stopped working, which killed my keyboard and mouse. I was forced to reboot.
Anyway, I don't actually hate Macs. If certain interface changes were made, I could probably be persuaded to use mine more often. For now, I feel more comfortable using my PC. I keep my Mac around for compatibility purposes and to dig into my archives from time to time.
My mind wanders. And that's not a good thing, 'cause it's too small to be out there alone. Posts: 3129 | From: Tooele, UT | Registered: Mar 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Russ McMullin: Most PC users will readily admit to the problems inherent with Windows. The same is not true for Mac evangelists. Does the Mac have problems? It sure does. Weighed in the balance, I prefer Windows over the Mac OS.
Thank you Russ! I gotta say I agree with Bob Stephens. No complaints since XP Pro....seamless!
Plus, I never cared for how Mac ignored us lowly sign people until they felt it was profitable for them to adapt some software for us poor misled souls....no thank you. We have 5 Dell's with XP Pro. Nuff said.
Oh Doug, Mac has approx 4% of the marketshare.
[ January 09, 2006, 07:43 AM: Message edited by: Rick Beisiegel ]
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3484 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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If the MAC OS is so good.... Why do they kepp changing it??????? and charging the customers hundreds to get the "upgrades"????
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5273 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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No viruses since buying Spysweeper. I did have a virus too. It was about 94 maybe. OS 9. I can't say Macs will forever be virus free but I haven't even owned anti-virus software since OS X.
Mac compatible hardware. Not much of an issue since OS X and USB. I have a Logitech cordless three button mouse on both my laptop and desktop Macs.
Cheaper software, can't argue with that but also haven't seen much of it that I truly want or need.
Single button mouse. Not true anymore. New macs come with the supermouse. One button does suck.
Not sure why you hate the Mac keyboard. Just two different named buttons I though. Guess I'll have to look more carefully.
Floppies, well.....I do have an old G3 around and I have needed a floppy drive maybe three or 4 times last year.
All of my printers are HP's. Two of them are very old and the thirs is a color duplexintg. All are on my LAN and all three of my macs can print to all three printers.
Clear all open windows. We can choose a "hot" corner of the screen OR hit F11. F9 shrinks all open windows so you can see everything that is open at the moment. A big timesaver for navigation between apps.
Minimize a window and it automatically drops to the dock. Not sure what is different here.
OS X needs ram I admit. My old G4 500 was a real dog at first. I dropped an OtherWorld 1.3 gig processor in it for $300 and 1.25 gig's of ram and it cooks along real well. the only downside it that it postponed me getting a new G5. ;-)
I haven't had an actual system crash since OS X. The occasional app will freeze or quit but you just relaunch the application. No need to restart the Mac anymore. About the only time I restart it for an OS update. At this very moment I have 9 applications running and they have been for about a month now.
Rick, I TOTALLY agree that Mac ignored the sigh market and I consider it one of the biggest mistakes they ever made. They had the graphics market totally tied down and somehow they missed us sign guys. Having said that, I've feel that I've not had to compromise anything by sticking with a mac only system since 89 when I bought my first CI and Graphtec 5100.
Keep your eye on that "4%". It's not accurate now and it's changing quickly. Of course were also competing with accountants who probably account for 50% of the windoz market-share. Apple missed that market too.
-------------------- Bill Modzel Mod-Zel screen Printing Traverse city, MI modzel@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1356 | From: Traverse City, MI | Registered: Nov 1998
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I am by no means a techie with this stuff, but my current setup works better than anything ever has. All work-related programs and files are on a PC with no modem or internet connexion; thus, no toxic codes get into it from the sewer (aka the internet). All internet browsing is done with another machine (Dell laptop). When I have files to e-mail, I load them from the PC to a removable usb drive, then re-load them to the laptop or vice versa. Been doing this since January '04, when viruses screwed up my last system. I won't EVER trust anti-spyware to protect thousands of dollars of customer files again; to me it's like protecting Fort Knox with a gym-locker padlock. Because I control the exchanged files - and there are really very few - I control the input. My work PC doesn't crash anymore (over a year now), and my working files and programs are secure.
-------------------- "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
Cam Bortz Finest Kind Signs Pondside Iron works 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988" Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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quote:to me it's like protecting Fort Knox with a gym-locker padlock.
-------------------- Maker of fine signs and other creative stuff. Located at 109 N. Cumberland ave. Harlan, Ky. 40831 606-837-0242 Posts: 4172 | From: Ages-Brookside, Ky. Up the Holler... | Registered: Jul 1999
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I could be wrong, but... The reason there are fewer viruses and spyware on Macs is precisely because not that many people use them. If we all change, that fact will inevitably change as well.
-------------------- Ed Harris Designs&Signs Lexington, TN
"Give me chastity and give me continence, but do not give it yet." -- Saint Augustine" Posts: 213 | From: Lexington, TN USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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quote:Originally posted by Ed Harris: I could be wrong, but... The reason there are fewer viruses and spyware on Macs is precisely because not that many people use them. If we all change, that fact will inevitably change as well.
This used to be more the case before OS X, but now the Mac has a BSD UNIX undercarriage. UNIX and Linux have a much broader user base. The Mac is not immune to viruses, but as a part of the UNIX/Linux world it enjoys a higher level of stability and security than it used to. The UNIX community is very quick to find and patch security holes. This isn't Apple's doing, but they certainly benefit from it.
My mind wanders. And that's not a good thing, 'cause it's too small to be out there alone. Posts: 3129 | From: Tooele, UT | Registered: Mar 2005
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Cool. I considered building a separate comp to run (& learn) linux. Mostly just cause I wanted to, but I also thought about running my shop on it. Thing was, at the time, I couldn't find any vector based software that would run on it, 'cept an old version of Corel (I was told)which would have been fine, but I couldn't find that version either. I've always been a fan of open-based software. And boy, do I miss TechTV.
-------------------- Ed Harris Designs&Signs Lexington, TN
"Give me chastity and give me continence, but do not give it yet." -- Saint Augustine" Posts: 213 | From: Lexington, TN USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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Oh Doug, Mac has approx 4% of the marketshare.![[Cool]](cool.gif)
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